A Walk in the Park

Last Saturday, we took Anna for a walk in the park...a very big park...Stone Mountain Park to be exact. For those unschooled in local ATL geography, the park boasts the largest exposed piece of granite in the world. It also boasts one of the more ostentatious monuments to Confederate nostalgia around (though our Nashville peeps might nominate the tacky, fiberglass statue of Nathan Bedford Forrest on horseback that guards the shoulder of I-65 at Harding Place as more deserving of this designation. At least the chiseled Confederate generals at Stone Mountain actually reflect real artistic talent. But I digress...) There are miles of great walking trails at Stone Mountain, and the day was too pretty to stay indoors, so we packed up the stroller for a 4-mile walk around the base of the mountain. To our surprise, Anna slept for about 3.5 of the 4 miles.
I say surprise because she loves to be outside these days. She especially likes to look at trees...she'll throw her head back and stare up at the branches with big, round eyes. On this day, she demonstrated her affection with a hug. I can honestly say I've never seen a cuter tree-hugger! While Anna is still perfecting the art of hugging, she got's smiling down pat! I won't lie to you...she'll totally melt your heart when she unleashes one on you.
But don't be too charmed...she can also be a cool character.

Visual Prayer

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." -- Isaiah 52:7

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" -- John 13:5-9

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! -- Romans 10:15

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.