Hi!

Sometimes when Eleanor and Ian are playing together, one of them will look at the other and say "Hi!" And then the other one will say "Hi!" in response. And then they'll just continue playing.

Laughing in the back yard (21 months old)

Drinking from real cups - a rare occurrence

Eleanor, Ian, and Jorge's shadows

Last week was the first time that Eleanor looked at one of her older baby pictures and pointed out herself and Ian. It happened to be a picture of GiGi and PopPop Gallagher holding her and Ian on Christmas 2007. I don't think that she got the concept that she used to be a little baby until now. Both of them can say the work "Ian" clearly but neither of them can say "Eleanor" well. It sounds like "Eh-Nah."

Dipping bacon in yogurt - yum!

Crazy face (must be the bacon and yogurt)

Ian is passionate about stacking right now. He stacks big and little legos. He stacks (empty) boxes of diapers and wipes. He stacks yogurt containers. He even takes the pieces out of the shape-sorting toys and stacks them! It's been a full year since he put this much time and energy toward stacking. I remember him stacking wooden blocks in earnest on the back porch last summer.

Ian and Megan, post-ambulation

Eleanor and Kevin, post-ambulation

Both babies love the pool (they pronounce it "poo-wa"). That goes for the baby pool in our back yard as well as the baby pool at the pool we joined for the summer. Our baby pool is never more than four or five inches high, so when they went into a real baby pool, they weren't used to the deep water. And as their lifeguard, I wasn't either. They were timid at first, holding my hand or staying close to the side (even climbing out frequently). After a couple of visits, they are now wanting to walk along, with their legs and torsos bent enough so that their chests and shoulders are in the water. Ian shouts "I'm mimmin'!"

Serious boy

Serious girl

Not-so-serious splashing in the pool

It's no surprise that Kevin is a great dad. For Father's Day, Kevin had a ride in the morning followed by a nap. In the late afternoon, we hit Wheaton Regional Park for a train and carousel ride. The babies have been talking about it ever since.

Dirty Daddy

Now this is "jumpin'"

Kevin and the babies

Back in May, we had a great trip to Pittsburgh. Almost everyone was there (we missed the Brooklyn contingent) and it was so touching to see the cousins play together. Hugh and Finn were awesome with Maeva, Ian, and Eleanor. Plus, we had a picnic in North Park. PopPop was feeling tired but good enough to hang out and play. We'll get a little more family (the Brooklyners) and time (a full week) in July in the Poconos. I would like to know who's going to ruin it!@#

Ian laughing with PopPop

Ian swinging in the hammock with Finn

Maeva, Ian, and Eleanor (all born within 2 weeks of eachother!)

Aunt MG and the girls

Picnic Pose