Halloween Family

Halloween Family
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen's first night of trick-or-treating was quite fun. We stopped at neighbors houses, and Helen helped herself to all things shiny! One house was even giving away bananas - her favorite treat of all - for now at least. Giving away candy was another treat, and she had a blast putting candy into our visitor's bags.

Upside Down Pumpkin

Upside Down Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We had such a fun weekend with the Great Pumpkin.

In the ever-increasing vocubulary department, Helen has added the word, "mine". Just in time for Halloween.

We also survived our first pumpkin carving party with a toddler. Talk about nerve-wracking!

Don't you hate it when...

Don't you hate it when...
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

...you go to a party

and someone

(or something) else

has the same costume?

Catherine & Helen

Catherine & Helen
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

If you think these girls are cute sitting on this ledge, you should see them dance! To view Helen's first dance video debut, click on the link below:

http://www.ayersphoto.com/mid_afternoon_rave.mov

October Evening

October Evening
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

On Saturday night we went to a fundraiser for the elementary school where Helen will likely be attending. The school was completely rebuilt a couple years ago, and has the advantage of being across the street from where I work (I can literally look down on the playground from one of our conference rooms!) An added bonus of the event was seeing a china-mom we know from Helen's music class -- we didn't even realize we live so close to each other.

California Girl -- Officially

California Girl -- Officially
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

It's been a little more than two months since we went to court to finalize Helen's "California Re-Adopt" and her new birth certificate has already arrived in the mail. This is quite a bit faster than what was promised -- what a nice surprise.

Sitting with a See's Sucker

Sitting with a See's Sucker
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Mama does o.k. in the day-to-day picture taking, but for the portraits that really show change, well, that's Baba's department. We have been in toddler-hood for quite some time now, but this picture captures just how much Helen is maturing. The confidence she exudes is palpable.

Mr. Costco's Wild Ride

Mr. Costco's Wild Ride
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Note to self: Avoid Costco on the weekend... We should have known when we circled the parking lot twice before finding a space that we should have fled. I miss those days on family leave when we could waltz into any mega-store, mid-day during the mid-week, and have the place to ourselves. It allowed for shopping in half the time. This is why people hate to shop -- it's a mad house! Shopping with Helen adds a nuance of difficulty. (Convincing her not to grab the grapes from the adjacent cart, and keeping her from darting in front of oncoming two ton carts barreling through the aisles.) I've asked my friends how they do it, and they say that quite simply, they don't. One parent stays home with the kid while the other shops. I'm not sure I want to give up shopping as a family. Our time as a unit of three is precious enough that the "divide and conquer" method often feels like too much of a compromise. And speaking of being a unit of three, Friday marked our seven-month anniversary as a family. May the wild ride continue.

Poh Poh

Poh Poh
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

My mom attended her first Mandarin Music class with Helen where she learned that her Chinese name is "Poh Poh". (Chris' mom is "Nai Nai".) Helen has been slow to warm up to these classes, but at a minimum, we are getting used to saying a few words of Mandarin and are becoming more familiar with the sounds. Lately, we've even had success in saying "Ruquan" (RU-chwen) in a way that can be understood to China natives!

Shhhhhhhhh

Shhhhhhhhh
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen slept for eleven hours straight last night. When we checked on her at her normal wake up time, this is what we found.

Sam I Am

Sam I Am
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Grandma took Helen to the CDM today to check out the Seuss exhibit. They have been having a wonderful time together this week. This last month has really hit home for us how invaluable our family is in making this all work.

Beads

Beads
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

With Baba in New York this week, Grandma has come to help. We had a girls dinner at Wing's Chinese Restaurant - a long-time icon on Jackson Street. They are famous for their walled in booths with beaded curtains. It was no surprise that Helen loved walking through the beads (and scooting under the booth walls into other booths.)

Happiness is...

Happiness is...
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

A lollipop, of course! I'm not sure yet how to extract the lollipop before it gets to the bubblegum stage, but I'm working on it. Today was Anya's birthday party, and Helen was ecstatic to be there. As we headed to the party, Helen repeatedly cited Anya's name. We're hearing several new words a day now. The language torrent has begun.

Dining Big Girl Style

Dining Big Girl Style
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

It's official. Helen has out-grown her high chair. There were signs that this was coming -- climbing out of her high chair unless strapped in, and her increasing effectiveness at using her fork and spoon. Last week Chris picked her up from day care and she was seated at the "big kids" table because they deemed her eating ability to be beyond the high chair. Well, that really sealed the deal. Chris bought her an adjustable "Stokke" chair which she can use until she's a teeanager. Actually, I find it fairly comfortable myself!

Girls Day Out

Girls Day Out
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

An annual tradition that has developed with my girlfriends is to celebrate our birthdays on one day with a shopping extravaganza. This year our destination was San Luis Obispo, conveniently located so that I could drop off Helen for the day with her grandparents. I think it is safe to say that a good time was had by all.

Pumpkin Patch Kids

Pumpkin Patch Kids
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Here is a shot from Helen's not-so-happy trip to the pumpkin patch. Naomi however, had a fabulous time.

Friday Fun... and fussing

Friday Fun
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Friday often ends up being a play date day for Chris and Helen. And I am often envious. This morning they went off to see friend Oshi, and then later met up with Naomi. Some days, however, are more fun than others. Despite Helen's good mood in this photo, she was fussy and clingy much of the day which we attribute to the sudden presence of molars beginning to break through the surface of her gums. I'm beginning to realize that Helen has a pretty high threshold for pain and therefore it takes us longer to realize when she isn't feeling up to par.

O' Pumpkin!

O' Pumpkin!
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen's first Pumpkins in the Park was fairly limited in scope. We stuck to rearranging the pumpkin patch, avoiding the spearing of tender little stomachs with pumpkin stems, and most challenging of all, staying awake until the mid-morning nap. As far as I know, this was Helen's first experience with pumpkins. It was amusing to see her surprise when they turned out to be so much heavier than they looked.

The Hollow

The Hollow
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

It was Oma's last day in San Jose, so a trip to The Hollow was due. (We will sure miss you!)

Over this last week Helen has been taking great ownership of her family. As she calls for Baba or Mama or Oma she pats her chest, expressing the sentiment of "mine".

Baba Beach Moment

Baba Beach Moment
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Another Kodak moment... (or digital equivalent)

There is no question that Helen is Baba's Girl.

Who can blame her? I fell hard for his charms fourteen years ago, and the rest is history.

Helen Turns 20 (months that is)

Beach Chair
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

The Pacific Coast is spectacular in the Fall. And, Carmel Beach is the perfect place to enjoy the splendor.

Helen wore herself out tromping through the sand. All the while, Chris and I could not get enough of our little trooper who turned 20 months old on Sunday. Beware of ages that start with "2"...

Shop Girl

Shop Girl
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Ut Oh. We have a shopper. Shoes. Paintings. Clothes. She loved it all. After spying a window full of beaded purses she exclaimed, "WOW".

I'm not sure if the expression on Helen's face is related to the fact that she is perched in front of a lingerie store window, but it sure is whimsical.

Old World

Old World II
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Helen is exhibiting the explorer spirit that we hope to nurture. After all, what can be better than wandering through quaint streets and happening across paseos, courtyards, stairwells, and storefronts?

The Briarwood Inn

The Briarwood Inn
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Carmel boasts dozens of beautiful B&B's. This one was a couple blocks off of Ocean Avenue and was a cozy place to spend a gorgeous fall weekend.

Helen shared a room with Oma. She seems to be willing to rest her head anywhere as long as she has her "minky" (blanket).

10-2-05 -- Happy Anniversary to Us & the Blog

Carmel Weekend One Year Later
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

We made it back to Carmel this year for our anniversay weekend. The family portrait looks a little different!

This also marks the one-year anniversary of the blog. We recently printed out this tome and it looks suspiciously like a phone book. Preserved in acid-free paper, I hope that Helen will someday enjoy our version of her "baby book".

October 2, 2004

family
Originally uploaded by Chris & Kelly.

Anniversary weekend, 2004... Starting to carve out space in our lives for baby "x". A weekend in Carmel with our two dogs (which can only happen in this dog-friendly community.) Waiting expectantly for information to arrive (which didn't for another four months!)