We’re Back! – Gribblog

When we left you last Tuesday, we were awaiting a visit from Dave’s sister Erika, her partner Heidi, and their daughter, Genevieve. They arrived in the afternoon, after taking a very early flight from Pittsburgh and picking up a rental car. They were pretty tired, so we spent a quiet evening at home chatting. Genevieve wasn’t particularly interested in Phoebe except when she cried—then G would stop exploring and look worried. She did like Phoebe’s bouncy chair! She’s pulling up on furniture and even the walls, so she’s bound to walk soon.

On Wednesday, we all (minus Dave, who had to work) went down to the Pearl Street Mall to walk around. I put Phoebe in the Baby Bjorn, and Genevieve sat in her stroller. We stopped in at Little Mountain Outfitters to try out backpacks—Genevieve was a great sport about sitting in the backpacks while we walked around the store! We also went to Peppercorn, the most fabulous kitchen store in Boulder. Phoebe and I had to go to my six-week appointment with the midwives, where I got a clean bill of health! Then back into town, where we all met up at Bookends to head over to Old Chicago for dinner.

Genevieve eats a piece of broccoli. You should've seen the ring of veggies that surrounded her high chair by the time we left!

On Thursday, Erika, Heidi, and Genevieve went down to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. I stayed home to work on the curtains. It took all day, but I finished all four, hung the other rod, and finished the project! Hooray!

We finally have curtains to block out the moon and the streetlights!

Phoebe making Blue Steel (from Zoolander).

On Friday morning the six of us (again minus Dave) went to the zoo with Emily, John, Katie, and Henry. I hadn’t been to the zoo in years! Phoebe slept the whole time, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It was a chilly morning. Thanks, Marpoo, for the warm suit!

I’m partial to the primates.

But the elephants, bears, and other animals were great too.

Perhaps the most fun animals, however, were the little boys…

Dave and I went to the bookstore for a while when he was done with work.

Jess and Phoebe snuggle at the bookstore.

On Saturday, Dave rode his bike to Amante to watch the Giro d’Italia on TV with Elijah, but they weren’t showing it. We met him there and headed up to Nederland to hike in the mountains a bit. Genevieve borrowed Henry’s backpack and seemed to enjoy being outside. Phoebe napped in the Bjorn with Daddy.

Heidi and Genevieve (seconds before she removed the sunglasses).

We came home and had an early dinner at Efrain’s and then watched the movie Bad Lieutenant. (I went to bed before it was done—it wasn’t really my cup of tea.)

On Sunday, Dave, Phoebe, and I went to church and then we all drove up to Estes Park to see the national park. Heidi hadn’t been there before. We tried to hike, but it was too snowy for tennis shoes, so we ended up just admiring the snowy mountain views.

On Monday, Erika, Heidi, and Genevieve went to the Leanin’ Tree museum in the morning. Dave took half a day off work, and we walked around Pearl Street Mall some more. We ate lunch at Snarf’s and stopped in at the teahouse. Dave and I went to YABS that evening while Erika and Heidi packed to head home. We had a birthday party for John, who turned two!

John tries valiently to blow out the candles on his fish cake. — John tries valiantly to blow out the candles on his fish cake.

Tuesday morning at 3:00 a.m. Erika, Heidi, and Genevieve left for home. We had such a nice visit! We can’t wait to see them again when Phoebe is more interactive and Genevieve is walking and causing mischief.

Excitingly, Phoebe has begun to smile this week. When she’s in a good mood, she’s all smiles, waving arms, and kicking legs. See, for instance, this photo and video from Tuesday:

On Wednesday, Phoebe had a therapeutic bath, since she had a bit of tummy trouble. Luckily, she really enjoys the bath. (She must take after Mommy!) She hasn’t had as many gas problems in the past few days, for which I’m thankful. It’s no fun when she’s in pain!