Sorry

Sorry to everyone who may have been checking in on our blog over the past few months. We've been really slacking on it. We have been taking some pictures and videos so we'll try to post some of those now (or over the next week or so at least). We're hoping to be a bit more up to date going forward.

Naomi Still Has PBJ in Her Hair!

So, our darling child is learning new things and getting into more and more trouble. She invents new games and enjoys new things almost daily as well.

Just now she climbed down backwards off of the bottom landing of the stairs. We’ve been working on that one for awhile! But when I tried to get her to do it again on video, she just looked at me like she was stuck. Figures.

Last week it was figuring out the touch lamp in our living room:

She has invented a tongue game recently as well, although it was only a really big hit for about a week. And I think part of it was just to see if she could trick us into letting her touch our tongues.

One of my highlights is seeing her enjoy new foods. Here are the aftermath shots of a chocolate covered pretzel and peanut butter and jam sandwich.

In the lives of the adults in this house, not much is happening. We cleaned out the church office last weekend with some help, and that’s a relief. Emily is shredding old documents a little bit at a time as the motor on the shredder gets hot and stops working after a few minutes. :-) She is also gearing up for starting to serve - on Worship Team and by leading a women’s Bible study – the material is good stuff and the prep has been beneficial to her.

Matthew had a minor cold this week, but a day and a half of rest was enough to shake it off, mostly. The job is still a little overwhelming, but he is growing through the challenges!

Meet Misty and Thunder

On July 23rd, Emily brought home two kittens for an early birthday present from her loving husband! The Orphan Kitten Project in Davis is where we got them - Emily and Naomi went down together and met with their foster mom about adopting them. She is a feline specialty veterinary student at UCD.

Meet Thunder and Misty!

Thunder is going to be a BIG cat. This picture is of him at a little less than four months old. He is more shy about new things and loud noises, but he is also usually the first of the two to come and find a sitting person to curl up next to.

Naomi showed the kitties how to use their toy. There is a high level of overlap between cat toys and baby toys! They've been sharing a lot. Wooden puzzle pieces are one of the cats' favorite baby toys.

Misty and Thunder were alternately napping, grooming each other, and wrestling on the couch this morning. Misty (looking at the camera) is smaller, has more white on her neck and back, and is a little motor the second you pick her up. She is perfectly fine seeking out love from new people. She also is more prone to just sit there while Naomi abuses her, whereas Thunder will start batting at her and nibbling her fingers playfully.

We left a pen on a table, and I think Naomi actually was the one who found it and started playing. Well, Emily has rescued it a few times from under the edges of various rugs. This is what happens....

This one we filmed the first night they came home. We found a cat mouse toy under the oven the last family had overlooked, and Misty started her snow plow move. Her front feet attack and stay still, and her back feet push her along the smooth floors.

We had just finished taping Naomi on the stairs one day when the kittens decided they needed to be part of the action. They do this and more on a semi-regular basis. We notice it more when we're trying to sleep at night! Every time one of us has gotten up with Naomi in the night, or when Matthew gets up in the morning, both of them are waiting at the top of the stairs. It makes us feel loved.

Naomi's Dedication, Plus!

On July 19th, Matthew's parents were in town. We wanted to be in our new home when Naomi was dedicated so that we could share it with our new church family. Matthew's dad officiated for us.

Naomi wore a bow in her hair for the first time - she finally has enough hair!

She was happy to be able to crawl around when we got home.

It was a special treat to have Tim and Kathy stay with us for a few days.

My mom got Naomi a couple little books to commemorate - she loves looking at the Baby Animals one. It's great, with photos of all the animals, and activities that will keep it fun for a long time.

It ALSO happened to be Krista's 13th birthday, so we had chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and sausage for lunch upon her request.

Kathy, Keith, Peter, Krista, and Emily played Ticket to Ride.

Emily experimented with baking. My first heart cake - and from scratch! (Thank goodness for frosting that hides broken cakes!)

Old News: Early July

On our last day of vacation at home, Naomi decided it was time to learn how to climb our stairs. Now, a month later, she does it just about every day - following kitties, coming to find Mommy, or exploring. The struggle now is teaching her how to get back down!

On Naomi's first 4th of July, we fed her some watermelon. She gnawed on this piece for quite a while.

She didn't even notice all the juice dripping from her chin!

Here's a shot of one of Naomi's silly faces. Her Auntie Krista named it "Rhino Face". She wrinkles up her nose and snorts. It's one of her favorites, and you can't help but laugh at her.

Old News: Grandma's 80th!

Before our vacation, Matthew's Grandma Brooks turned 80, and all her sons were able to join in the celebration. The next morning, we all went to a park to get pictures and play.

Naomi and all her cousins - she and the other two babies are all within 6 months of each other.

The birthday girl with her hubby and all her great-grands:

Matthew's entire immediate family and all our kids:

It was good to have the whole family together - we really enjoyed the time.

Old News: Summer Vacation

We were just realizing we haven't posted any pictures since before our vacation last month. I guess we've just been busy recovering from vacation! Oh, and I guess we have to acknowledge our obsession with 24 - Thanks a lot, Nick and Jody!

I guess we'll start with our road trip through the Central Valley.

We started out camping - Naomi's first time! Her nap schedule was off, so she slept at weird times and in weird places. Like this...

To keep warm, and to have someplace reasonably clean to put Naomi, we tried this...

The camping trip was for the Grace Valley (church we got married at) Retreat. It was wonderful to have time and teaching to reflect on God's attributes and be reminded not to limit God's greatness in any way. We also really appreciated the time to catch up with folks and get to know others better. This included a "hike" with some of my college buddies.

Then we celebrated Father's Day in Roseville with my family. Naomi had just figured out how to initiate Peek-A-Boo.

Next was Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's new home.

Then we spent a few days with the Thomases and Bradleys. We played LOTS of games and the kids played with toys - sometimes together.

Our next adventure was Naomi pulling up for the first time at the Bradley's house. We paused Tetris long enough to document it.

Our last stop was Naomi's Great-Great-Grandma's home. G'ma Jessie enjoyed watching Naomi - and Naomi had fun exploring G'ma.