New York and Atlanta

So Nick went to New York last week. He left on early Sunday and got back late last night. Sam and I had a very eventful week. She had a playdate on Sunday afternoon. I iwll post those picutres later. She had lots of meals out or at my parents. In fact she had her first meal out where she got to eat as well. I decided it was time to take some food for her instead of feeding her when we got home. She seemed to like that, especially the water cup. She also got to play with some new toys, including the roll and roar dino. But she was more interested in pulling herself up and playing with the stuf on top than in rolling the balls. She also went to the zoo and she and Nana wondered around while I took data. Afterwards, we all went and rode the train and she and I got on the carousel. Her first time for both. It was also my birthday, so she helped me celebrate. And yesterday Nana, Sam, and I hit the botanical gardens. Sam really enjoyed being rolled around and got a kick out of the waterfall. She makes life so much better.

And she's off!

So here are 2 videos of Samantha as she has learned to crawl. The one on our bed is from last Friday, very rudimentry (we are after all scientists and our daughter is in many ways a subject in an on going experiment on development, thus we have to analyze her development with our psychologist hats on as well as proud parents). Then tonight she started to put things together and actually did a real, perhaps non-standard, crawl. She still gets distracted on her way and tries to stand instead of crawl forward sometimes. I am guessing crawling may be a somewhat transient stage as she can already pull herself up easily and seems to prefer standing to sitting. I know crawling is not really a true milestone now, given the tendency of many babies to skip it, but it is still exciting and a bit unnerving. Time to really baby proof! Here is hoping she doesn't eat too much dog fur!

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Happy Birthday to Grammy! We hope you have a great day and get a chance to relax.

In Southern Kelling news, this past week continued to be a bit on the rough side. Other than the GPS being stolen, our dog, Phoenix, had her second seizure. And then Sam woke up and wanted attention at the same time. That was a bit hectic. I also had tests in 2 of my classes. But Nick has been wonderful helping me grade. Three college level classes are so much!

In good news, I also have gotten all of the results from the elephant saliva samples, so I am prepping my dissertation draft. Hopefully that will be all set soon and if all falls in place (cross your fingers, pray, whatever you can do for me I appreciate), I should defend in October. It has been such a long road, and I am so ready to be at the next fork!

Birthday shout outs

So today is Nick's birthday. He is so amazing and such a great husband and father. I am so lucky. Although he is not having a great day, issues at work and our GPS unit was stolen out of our car (actually my parents, but that is a long story), evidently in broad daylight, while the car was in our carport and we were home. But hopefully a nice dinner tonight and some presents will make for a better day.

Today is also his Aunt Betsy's birthday, his brother Chris's and it was his grandmothers. Happy Birthday to all of them. We miss you Bam!

And tomorrow is Angela's Aunt Eunice's birthday!  Happy birthday to you!

Also, upcoming is an important birthday of Sister Cordele. In celebration of 75 years of being a nun. Samantha wanted to send her wishes to Sister Cordele. Here is out attempt. Sam's favorite thing right now is paper, so she did not want to just hold the sign, but grab it and rip it.

Happy Birthday Nick from your family. We love you!