Boston

We arrived in Boston so late on a Friday night--so late it was technically Saturday morning. The flight was a bit rough. For some reason Keaton and my boarding passes wouldn't scan, so Sol took Finley and Braden through security while I went back and got our boarding passes reprinted. Although by the time I got there, our flight was closed and they couldn't print them. I turned into a crazy person and managed to get the supervisor on the phone and basically demanded they reopen the flight. They told me they could reopen it but there was no way I'd make it in time. And I said, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. I was carrying Merritt and Keaton and literally ran through security and the airport and Sol had to basically stall and physically block them from closing the door to the jetway. But I made it, and then we all stood on the jetway for like five minutes waiting to board. It made lots of sense. BUT I MADE IT. And then Keaton puked on me on the flight. So basically, it was awesome.

But! The next morning we headed into Boston to go to the Expo and buy all the things. Oh and I bought all the things. Sol's parents were randomly in Boston and we overlapped with them for just a few hours, so we all met at Fire and Ice for lunch. Vic ordered me some AMAZING donuts that Maya delivered as well. Oh man. They were insane.



We intended to go to our old church Sunday morning--we were just staying a few blocks away. But Keaton puked again, so we decided to stay in and let him recover. We did meet our old bible study friends for lunch, which was lovely. We all did bible study together as newlyweds and its so fun to see everyone as parents of busy kids now!



The marathon was Monday, and I insisted on Giacomo's with Alex and Heidi for dinner. Strangely, there was no line when we got there, making our coffee cup wine a little less imperative. I wore my jacket (because everyone wears the jackets forever) and my medal (breaking my rule about no more wearing the medal after you shower) and it was a good thing--because the girls at Pinkberry closed up a few minuets early and then let us in and gave us free quarts of yogurt when I pouted and held up my medal. Also, props to the best waiter ever who stood on a chair to get a picture of us with our food in all its glory.



As you recall from the previous post--we saw the ducks. And rode the swan boat.



While the marathon was unseasonably warm, the day after the marathon, when we planned to do the Freedom Trail and explore Boston was chilly and less fun for our Texas kids. We tried really hard to do the Freedom Trail, but we ended up being cold and slightly grumpy... so we'll try again next time. Miraculously, my legs felt great!
 

We swung by Harvard Square and all touched John Harvard's toe.



And we spent lots of time zipping around on the T. The boys liked riding the train and did pretty well on it. After much debate, we opted for no stroller and definitely think that was the right call. We generally carried Merritt and Keaton everywhere and had a backpack for our stuff. The stroller would have been cumbersome and slow--we were much quicker walking around. And Finley and Braden were troopers walking everywhere!



It was a great trip and great to see so many friends and family! Next time... we may leave the kids at home. :)

Merritt || Eight Months

Look at this precious nugget. Just look at her. It's a miracle I haven't eaten her yet, she's so sweet.



Braden was around for these photos so he snuck in for a few--he is just so sweet to her. He's sure she's a princess (I think he's right) and he's always willing to sit and play with her and read her books. It's adorable.



Her biggest skill in month 8 is sitting! She's a fairly trustworthy sitter these days--I don't feel the need to surround her with pillows anymore. Her dismount is a bit clumsy, so sometimes she whacks her face on the floor when she's going for a toy... but she's getting better and better.



No actual scooting or crawling yet--just those ninja moves where you leave the room and they are nowhere close to where you left them when you get back. Although since she's figured out sitting, she hasn't had the desire to be quite as mobile.



She has sweet legs with just enough chunk to squeeze and her hair keeps coming in--I think its got some curl in the back. Just like I wanted.



She got her fifth tooth and sometimes thinks solid foods are fun. She'll sit in the high chair and hold food... but isn't real motivated to put it in her mouth. She'll let me spoon feed her things, but isn't wildly excited about it. Her sleep improved when the tooth popped through--she slept the WHOLE WAY through the night for about three nights... and now I suspect there's another tooth coming through because she's back to her old tricks.



She still likes to suck on her thumb and gnaw on her hands.



She's definitely become opinionated--she'll fuss when I take things away from her that she can't have (she's great at finding every tiny piece of fuzz and trash on the floor) and she lunges for things while I'm holding her. It's fun to see her have preferences!



The next three pictures were taken like 15 seconds apart. Babies, man.



She's a fairly good napper when our schedule allows it--I try to get her two good naps at home and the last one is generally in the car. She's nursing a little better--and does much better when its right before or after a nap when she's tired.



She's a jewel! Her sweet smiles and soft little hands make me want a million of her.