Summer Clothes and Sunscreen


"Welcome home" said the customs officer and smiled at his fellow citizen Lia. After our arrival in the States we treated ourselves to a nice vacation in Charleston. Short sleaves and sunshine are a first for Lia, who was totally laid-back, while her parents constantly readjusted her umbrella to protect their baby from the vicious sun.

The hotel room was discovered on the belly. Much nicer than the usual flat-back-upside-down.

Most of our time we spent outside, taking long walks around town. In Charleston you have lots of sidewalks, and people actually use them.

Every time we put Lia into her stroller, she got all excited, straightened her body, and made chuckling noises.

And where there was shade she could stretch out and let the wind cool her sweaty little toes.

Each night on our way back to the hotel, after a nice dinner in town, Lia fell asleep with her thumb in her mouth. Way too tired to mind the camouflage...

Cuddling Contest

Needless to say: Lia had a great time in Germany, being cuddled by lots of loving arms. Here is a medley of those arms (we were able to take pictures of) that embraced, carried and caressed.

Most important of all: the grandparents' arms, reassuring and still steady! Having endless conversations with Savta, whistling with Opa, dancing with Oma, and clapping hands with Opi. Such fun!

Not to forget Lia's own arms/hands that reached out to explore. (Pulling is Lia's favorite pastime. Poor doll's legs are almost off.)

Now all Lia is left with are her parents' arms. These arms are good, but the wild social life Lia led in Germany was much more fun. The big blank we are left with (back in the States) has already taken its toll: After Lia got her second set of vaccine shots, which were followed by big tears and loud wails, she no longer trusts new faces. Instead, Peanut now pulls a face. And who can blame her? We will have to mend her trust in the outside world - December the latest. That's when we'll be back in Germany to celebrate Lia's FIRST BIRTHDAY! In the meantime, there are Mommy's and Daddy's arms to nestle in.

Ohne Worte ...

Spinning Peanut

Our cute little daughter thrives and prospers! Every day she learns something new, and it's quite hard to follow up. She has perfectioned her social competence by loud laughter and long monologues, which she presents in a very enthusiastic manner, her articulation leaning heavily on the wet.

And who wants to be a baby anyway? With rapid strides Lia leaves boring babyhood behind to develop into a toddler. Well, not with strides, but rather with spinning movements. Our adventurous autodidact has found the coolest way to look at the world from different angles - breakdance style! Lying flat on her back Lia lifts her legs up into the air, dropping to the side, then straightening her body while roling onto her back, thus having moved by several degrees.

Words can hardly describe Lia's VERY effective way of moving in full circles. Two days ago Lia spent the night in our bed. And I definitely remember that I fell asleep with her face next to mine, only to wake up with her funny feet at my eye level. Our smart baby had turned by 180 degrees.