Revenge of the boxes

Its been awhile since our last update. There's been a lot of boxes between then and now and our finish line is not quite in sight. The finish line being of course being able to walk in our garage. I don't think we quite realized how much downsizing we were going to have to do in the new house. So the fun continues, but in the meantime, we've had some visitors so here are a few snaps and I'll hopefully get around to more posting soon!

LilPea has taken to crawling all around the house and she is my very important 'list assistant' she takes is very seriously.
Here she is modeling her sister's baseball cap.
LilPea also celebrated her birthday in NC, here she just before putting her face and feet in her cake.
CPea and I have been going to storytime at the library a lot this summer. This is us at the summer concert celebrating the "Catch the Reading Bug!"
Our most recent highlight was the visit of Dee, Uncle Mark and Andrea. We went to see the Angels play the Yankees. We had so much fun with our guests-and next time, we may even be able to drive to In-N-Out without the GPS!

One-derful!

For anyone considering moving across the country two days before their child's first birthday-I'd advise against it. There are a host of reasons for this caution, not the least of which being that it is difficult to bake a cake when you do not know how to use your own oven. That just precedes the realization that you don't know where to buy toys, find the baby's pants, much less make friends to invite to a celebration. You see where I am going with this. Luckily, we pulled together a little celebration for LilPea out here in sunny Huntington Beach. Rightfully so, LilPea was a little skeptical about the party. And the kayak in the middle of the patio.
But she warmed up when she heard there would be cake. I have never seen a baby attack a baked good like this little girl.

Something about an apple not falling far from the tree comes to mind with this photo.
LilPea's ship has finally come in, her very own toy! A birthday gift from her sister who wanted to give her a baby doll. So she would stop playing with CPea's dolls.

We've promised our sweet baby that next year will be big. Bring on the bouncy!

Oh and for those kind souls that have asked, we have a phone number and address. Unfortunately I cannot remember either one so I'll do my best to get it out to all soon.

Roadies

Our life has taken the high road these last few weeks. Well not so much high, but long. Scott is in our new home in Huntington Beach, unpacking 208 boxes while the girls and I are in Chapel Hill. We've come to the conclusion that there is no easy way to move two little girls across the country. So its more of a divide and conquer kind of move.in

Here's a few snaps of the girls on our trip. First, a stop in DC to visit some friends. Erin came to see us, but left baby Brooke behind due to our mysterious runny noses.

LilPea is doing well all things considers, but she screams every time I move more than a foot away from her. Needless to say, its a little tiring for me. But here she is with her current expressions.


LilPea has also adjusted to life on the water on her Poppy's boat.
LilPea has also been hanging poolside with her friend Maggie. And CPea is happy to share her floatie with Poppy.

CPea has taken to the pool like a little fish. Before now, she's had swimming lessons and liked them, but lately she is jumping in, going under and having a ball. Its been so very fun to watch.
Fun with Dee Dee!
And my little baby, who tucks her toes to her nose when she sleeps.
We're in NC until next Tuesday and then we will all be together again and living in SoCal. I just can't wait!

Over and Out

So tomorrow begins the great journey of 2008. No, we're not headed to China to compete in the Olympics, this is a long distance marathon scheduled to last more than 8 days. The girls and I are headed to DC to visit friends and then on to Chapel Hill for an extended stay while our worldly belongs travel to California. If all goes well, we should be settled in Huntington Beach by the end of the month.

But first, a fond farewell to New England. Now I am not one for goodbyes and luckily for me, I have no time for a protracted exit. But a few words are in order.

New London has been a lovely place to call home for the past four years. Scott and I have brought home both our baby girls to the cape cod house on glenwood, been lucky enough to work at the Coast Guard Academy, and made the kind of friends that we think of as family.

We were able to capture a couple of shots from the girls last day at 'school.' They have both loved being there and their teachers have become so important to us, that is was very hard to say goodbye.

CPea and her last day crown.

LilPea and her teacher, Miss Crystal. Below, CPea and Miss Colleen.
And, as our final goodbye to New England, we celebrated the 4th of July at Tanglewood in the Berkshires at the James Taylor concert.
Until next time Connecticut, the peas.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

So things are getting busy here at peapod central. Our move to California starts Sunday-so we spent last week finding a place to live in Southern California. Twenty or so houses, some with microwaves the size of a Kia Rio, color schemes that make Miami Vice look bland. And best of all, two kids in matching jammies.After finding a lovely home in Huntington Beach, we celebrating by visiting the Museum of the Pacific.

LilPea liked shaking the chains the best.
CPea got a chance to realize her dream of being a rock star, currently limited by the fact her only instrument is a xylophone.
She and Scott also played with a little bird friend.

So the girls and I going to spend some time in NC while Scott drives Mary Walnut across america in a minivan-ha. In the meantime, we are sorting and packing for our big move. Good Times.

Wish They All Could Be California Girls

People keep asking me how CPea is taking the news of our impending move to California. I think this probably sums it up.

Think Pink

CPea and I ran the Race for the Cure in Hartford, CT on Saturday. It was a good time for both of us. They had a 5K for adults and then a kids' fun run so we both got to participate. Scott and LilPea cheered us on!
CPea really loved all the merchandise from the vendors. Especially her pink cape.
This is CPea in the middle of her race. You'll note she wore her cape and bandana-that's my girl!
I'm happy to report with both ran our races with respectable times. Clearly CPea won the award for style. But we were both excited to participate in such a great event for a wonderful cause.

A Liking for the Sea and its Lore

At the Coast Guard Academy one of the qualities they instill in their future officers is a liking for the sea and its lore. And where better to learn about the lore of the sea than the Mystic Seaport? When all is said and done, Scott and I are procrastinators of the first order, so we are cramming in all that we have not done in the past four years to the next three weeks.

The first order of business was the above mentioned museum of America's Sea. LilPea really enjoyed herself, but mostly because we sat her in the grass. Doesn't really bode well for for her getting her sea-legs, but that's fine by me.


CPea also was slightly more interested in the boat on land rather than sea. But she quickly discovered that rowing on concrete is not the fastest way to get anywhere.
So being the resourceful gal that she is, she tried her hand at whaling...not a great success

LilPea decided the best way for her to learn was to dive right into classic ocean literature. Look out Ernest Hemingway!

And true to her love of the spotlight. CPea eventually discovered her true calling. To be the star of an epic love story at sea.

Anchors Away!

After four years at the Coast Guard Academy, I finally made it to a graduation ceremony. As luck would have it, this year's speaker was none other than Howdy-Doody. Otherwise know as VP Cheney (in my defense, he wore the outfit to suit the moniker-google it.) It was very gratifying to see the cadets that began as 4/c when we arrived to New London get their commissions. Upon receiving their officer commission, tradition mandates they rid themselves of all cadet garb-so CPea was happy to add the cadet cover to her extensive collection of dress up. Though I prefer the blue uniforms, I do think the whites add a certain something.


CPea Coast Guard Academy Class of 2026. I may live to regret typing these words in jest.

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all of you a very happy mother's day! Here are a few snaps of me and my little sweetpeas. A special wish to all of my friends celebrating their very first mother's day-breakfast in bed for everyone!