16 September 2014

Germany thus far














Look at that precious little boy asleep... oh how we love him! We are so spoiled these days to be surrounded so constantly by family, first in the US and now in Germany. It's such a beautiful luxury. This weekend we move into our own little flat in Rückersdorf, just outside Nürnberg, and life will get a bit more quiet. But for the moment we're enjoying the company of cousins for Ben! Toni and I are both back to work, and happily split the day so Ben is always well played with. I've been working on more maternal health projects - one in Mozambique for Save the Children, another 34-country UNICEF report on infant vaccines against pneumonia and diarrhea. It's good to feel active again, but still be able to nurse Ben and be with him most all of the day. Again, this is a luxury and I am so amazed at how precious this time is, where we can both spend so many hours with family and each other, watching Ben grow. The days are peaceful, and end with singing Ben softly to sleep. Oh! Blessed, perfect little person. Happy.

29 August 2014

Turning 3 to 4 months in Sundance...

Sundance was heaven. A month there flew by much faster than expected. Alas.... :/ Ben grew so much, and is changing so rapidly. We love our little boy. Oh, my heart bursts each time I look at him!

Photo dump, per usual!:

Ben loves the cousin's bench in Sundance!

It's tradition for the Parker cousins to all congregate on this bench with smoothies. Ben's inaugural shot! Someone needs to come up with a collection through the years :)

Thanks for the nursing pillow, Mimi! Gah, that saved my back, and Ben loved to chill on it ;)

Good hair day!

Happy,

Happy,

Happy,

HAPPY!!!! :)

Ben loovveeddd this mobile dear Jordan gave him from Zambia.

And loved looking up at the wind and sun through the trees!

Miles, lego master, made Ben his Big counterpart :)





So fun to show Ben Elk Meadow and all the mountains we know so well...




Epic!



Love love love.
Thanks for hosting us for so long, Brama and Pa! I know you'll miss Ben's cuddles and laughs first thing in the morning. Alas. Til December!!

09 August 2014

From Oxford to California...

Last shots of Ben in our flat in Folly Bridge Court.... his first teeny home!


Stoked to be on his first flight! Off to LA, mohawk lookin' good :) 
Katie and her kids were the second to see Ben after Mimi and David picked us from the airport: lots of happy squealing ensued!
And hugs and pictures. 
Lincoln, DDS got his first squeeze ;)

At Matthew and Katie's house, lots of lounging and catching up for lost time.
Ben loves his cousins! And they love him. yay.
Miles: Ben's number 1 fan.

Pretty Steph gets her snuggles in.
Cousins love to gather round and make him smile :)
Basically as big as Sadie! hehehe
Leslie was smitten from first glance. Love!
And so to the beach! Ben was skyping his German fan club with the Pacific Ocean out the window...


Hilarious little Dane and uncle Neal.


hehehheehe :)
Our fam. Love love love!
Ben constantly surrounded by a sea of faces!
Pa got in lots of good swaddled hugs.

Yay! So so fun. Words are inadequate to express the joy!