National Lampoon's Oklahoma Vacation

Well, we're finally back in the ATL after our first familial odyssey. Three weeks on the road was fun but it sure is nice to sink into our own beds again. Anna didn't miss hers...it's portable, you see. We're weren't too sure how portable she'd be, but were continually surprised (pleasantly) at how easygoing she was with all the commotion of travel and meeting new people (i.e., getting passed around like a hot potato). By the end, we had logged a total of 38 hours in the car...we figure she cried for less than an hour all told! Way to go, squirt!

The first and last part of our trip in Nashville was spent with the Rice clan. Gina's sister, Kristen, and her beautiful kids - Hunter, Paige, and Noah - were waiting to greet us there when we arrived. The kids were very sweet with Anna, always wanting to hold her or stroke her skin. At one point, Aunt Kristen attempted to capture their collective cuteness on film by staging a cousin photo shoot. Even Kristen's vast skills as a distracter-of-children were severely tested by 4 adorable but impatient kids. Imagine herding cats and you get the idea. Kristen got better shots than I did, so I'll post hers when I get the CD. Anna also made her big-screen debut as a supporting actress in "Brent: The Movie", an epic home movie commemorating Gina's brother, Brent's, 40th birthday. Coming to a poorly produced DVD near you soon.

After 2 weeks in Nashville, 10 of us bravely piled into the 15 passenger van and drove to Oklahoma for some R&R (Rices & Reunion). First stop: the Fin and Feather family resort at beautiful Lake Tenkiller in Gore, OK. Anna tried her tiny hand at bowling in one of our outings. Unfortunately, her effort wasn't enough to help the girls defeat the boys. Boys ruled in Nertz, too. Greg and Johnny are a team not to be trifled with.

Then on to Yukon to hang out with even more cousins, aunts and uncles. On the way, we stopped to visit the gravesite of Papa and Mama Great Darden whom she never had the chance to meet. It was a poignant moment. You can see in the picture Anna's namesake - Anna Ruth Darden.

We had a blast with the rest of the Rice family at the reunion. Dance, Dance Revolution ruled the nightlife...who knew a bunch of Nazarenes could shake their groove-thangs? Admittedly, the in-laws performed better than blood relatives, but we don't need to bring that up. We were so happy that Uncle Brent and Aunt Hal flew in from LA and got to see their newest niece. Brent was especially impressed with Anna's cinematic talent. "What an incredible screen presence!", he was quoted as saying. How blessed we were to introduce Anna to her Greatgrandmother Rice, who celebrated her 95th birthday this year. Anna's got some good genes!!

Guess it's time to bring this novel to an end. You may be interested to know that our little Pooh now weighs 11lb. 3oz. and measures 23.5". The doctor says she's in the 50% for weight, the 90% for height...and the 10% for head circumference. Our modesty training is working: you certainly can't accuse her of having a big head!

Mi Tia y Tio

When they heard we were coming to town, Greg's sister and bro-out-law, Laura & David, raced down from Indianapolis (in their tricked out Formula 1 car) to savor a weekend with their new niece. With 3 male nephews on David's side and another in the oven, Tia Laura was thrilled to bond with Anna over their shared estrogen. Dave taught Anna a few hand-to-hand combat moves in between cuddling sessions, and we all generally had a swell time, capped off by the requisite meal at Cracker Barrel on Sunday. The time was too short, but very sweet. Thanks for making the trip, Laura and David!

Road Trips & Pool Parties

I can't believe how long it has been since we've posted new pics and stories!! To all our faithful readers, please forgive the delinquency. Travel is our only good excuse. We embarked on a 3-week roadtrip last Monday to visit family in Nashville and Oklahoma City. Anna was a rockstar on the way up - she didn't make a peep until we pulled into Justin and Phyllis' driveway! We only had to make one stop on the way...I don't know if Cracker Barrel intends their rocking chairs to be used by nomadic nursing mothers, but they do the trick.


One of the first things we did after arriving at Nana and Papa's house was hit the pool to fend off the triple-digit temperatures plaguing the Southeast! We hadn't found any swimsuits or swim diapers small enough to fit Anna, so we just stripped her down to her Pampers and waded right in. She generally enjoyed herself until her little frame could no longer tolerate the 5 lb. water-logged sack wrapped around her waist. After that, she soaked up a few (very shady) rays and flirted with the poolboy (her daddy).


Gotta shield those baby blues

Taking a dip with mommy

Making eyes at the poolboy

Poolside reading

New pics of Anna with her cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents will be forthcoming shortly. Stay tuned!

A day in the life

Anna is growing fonder every day of her activity mat. I'm pretty sure she discovered her reflection in the hanging mirror toy this week, and I don't think it's a coincidence that she's bopped it with her fist a couple of times in an arguably coordinated fashion. Watch out boys - she's got a wicked right cross. She's also been doing her daily strength training, i.e. laying on her stomach to pump up those neck muscles. A head-turner since birth, now she's able to turn her own.
Anna isn't a big fan of her stroller, so we've been trying to take her out for her afternoon walks more in a sling or Baby Bjorn. She looks so comfy snuggled up next to mommy (Editor's Note: despite appearances to the contrary, her leg is actually not as thick as a tree trunk).
Her days wind down with bathtime. Ducky can testify that she's a kindred water-spirit, sitting in her little bath tub like she's lounging at the pool. As you can see, mommy strategically placed a washcloth over Anna in this picture to avoid any further embarassment as a result of her father's lack of photographic discretion.
Hello!
After 5 weeks of home cooking, the urge to splurge on Mexican got the best of us on Saturday. Our first solo outing as a party of 3 to Sabroso was a modest success. It certainly was the quickest meal we've eaten at a restaurant in some time. Very little savoring going on. Patrons around us did report hearing Anna distinctly tell the waiter, "Quiero mas chips y salsa, por favor!"

New threads

Designed and produced by my lovely wife. Anna is the talk of the town in her new summer threads.

One month young!

Weekend Wit Da Fam: Part II

Anna continues to get her fill of grandparent lovin'. Grandaddy and Mia Sims came to visit this weekend to marvel at the intelligence and beauty of their only granddaughter to date. They were not disappointed. We didn't have a whole lot planned, which turned out to be OK because the party came to us! Greg's cousins Jeff and Jenn brought their two boys, Connor and Carson, to visit on Saturday morning, and great-grandmother Sims spent Saturday afternoon at Casa Sims. It was the first time Connor and Carson had met Anna. They were both so sweet with her, but Carson scored highest on the "aww-mometer" with his swoop-in kisses on Anna's forehead. He also scored pretty high on the "Don't Touch!!" scale when he repeatedly tried to tickle Anna by gently raking her across the face. It's the thought that counts! Mia and Grandaddy got to try their hand at pretty much everything - holding, soothing, changing, and bathing. They'll get to do it again when we come to Nashville in a couple of weeks. They looked like two seasoned pros. Otherwise, we ate lots of good food, took a stroller ride in the neighborhood, picked veggies from the garden, and went to church together this morning. All in all a great weekend...let the slideshow tell the rest...