Photos Photos Photos!

While I often don't have time to write about all the wonderful elements of being Alma's mom beyond the quick notes I jot in my journal, I have been snapping lots of pictures.  I keep trying to capture how cute she is.  Here are a few that give a glimpse into Alma's world ...

Alma doesn't mind "tummy time" but she really enjoys "flying" on her back on the couch.  When we hold her too long, she will fuss until we let her wiggle around on her own.  She is the champion of kicking her legs and flapping her arms. 

Simon loves Alma.  But he REALLY loves Grandma Chisholm.  He spent her entire visit trying to be as close as possible and plotting how to fit in her suitcase.

During the daytime, Alma spends a lot of time doing house chores, baking and visiting with friends while riding in this sling.  Also, if she is fussing, it can put her to sleep in just a few moments.  I knew that I would miss my pregnant belly; this is a close substitute.  I cannot decide who likes it more!

She also loves the hammock created by her father's legs!

While Alma wasn't born a champion sleeper, she is slowly making progress.  She has been sleeping in the Moses basket lent to us by Amanda and Lou.  (Thanks 'Lieris!) 

Alma has been hard at work trying to find her thumb.  It is neat to see her daily progress.  The other day in baby yoga class, she found it and it comforted her for most of the hour-long class, allowing me to do a full workout.  It was beyond wonderful.

In the past, Joshua and I have always made jokes about the crazy way we planned on dressing our future children.  We felt it was time to start making good on our promises.  Let the hazing begin!

Alma has started meeting some key folks recently.  Above is our neighbor, Marie, who plans on acting as A's third grandmother.  Below are Robin and Bobby, who are another set of wonderful uncles for Alma.  We cannot wait for them to start their family because they will be amazing fathers.

Even though we didn't take many pictures at the event, Alma got to meet most of her Thompson relatives at my cousin Tommy's homecoming party.  Tommy just got back from serving nine months in Iraq with the national guard.  We are happy to have him safely back in the US and excited that he will be living in Philadelphia with his gal.  Above is a picture of Cousin Patty and Aunt Claire at the party.

Even though it is busy time for us, parenthood is still a lot of fun.  Here Joshua and Alma are crying to me, even though I was the one who had to borrow clothes because A decided to throw up on me during a dinner at Robin and Bobby's house -- ha!

And I'll leave you, gentle readers, with our rendition of a drivers license photo.  She already has the deer-in-the-headlight look perfected.  Obviously, she is a genius.

Poem from Uncle Scott

Alma's Uncle Scott wrote a cute poem celebrating his future godchild ....

On the evening of the seventh day
Of the twelth month of the year
Little Alma Chisholm
Decided to appear

Life is full of mysteries
And many a trial and test
But one thing is for certain:
December babies are the best

So deck the halls with diapers
And see the stars shine brighter still
For perfect little Alma
Is here to warm up winter's chill.

Grandma Chisholm

Alma's Grandma Chisholm was able to come from Oregon for a week-long visit, which was great. It was so wonderful to watch Alma bond with her grandmother. And it was fun for Vickie to get a glimpse of our lives in Philadelphia. We already miss her good energy and help with the babe and the animals.

We have figured out that Alma loves to have her forehead rubbed. But basically anything Joshua does with Alma is her favorite. Just as she seemed to leap in my womb when she heard his voice (even when I talked to him on the phone), Alma is a big fan of her fathers. Sure, she is a fan of mine too (remember, she gained three pounds in a month -- ha!), but she already seems to have a special bond with her pop.

'Ugliest House' Razed in Camden

By DEBORAH HIRSCH • Courier-Post • January 14, 2010

CAMDEN — The worst of the worst eyesores in Cramer Hill was demolished Wednesday -- four and a half months after residents voted it the ugliest house in the neighborhood.

About 20 community members, church leaders and students from St. Anthony of Padua parish school braved the frigid morning to watch a demolition crew topple the burned-out shell of 923 N. 27th St. and an adjacent row home.

The two buildings were the first of 23 hazardous structures that are expected to come down over the next few weeks.

Leaders from Camden Churches Organized for People organized the ugly house contest last July in an effort to draw attention to the thousands of abandoned homes in the city.

[For the complete article, please see The Courier Post.]

One Month!

Alma is growing and developing so quickly that we sometimes swear that we can see a difference in her overnight. It's been awesome to watch her grow and learn in this first month of her life. And this is just the beginning! How exciting.

We went to the pediatricians again and Alma weighted in at 10 lbs 14 oz. That's over two pounds more than three weeks ago! I feel blessed that she is such a healthy eater.







We are so in love with this little munchkin! Parenthood is wonderful.

Camden's Ugliest House Lives On and On

By Matt Katz
The Philadelphia Inquirer

Camden's ugliest abandoned house is still there, as ugly as ever.

Four months after a high-profile protest and promises by politicians to have it razed, the building on North 27th Street - winner of an "ugliest house" contest by a community group - is a reminder of the difficulty of progress in the nation's poorest city.

"Thinking about Camden's capacity to govern itself, this is a perfect example of how the capacity is still not there," concluded Brother Jerry Hudson of Camden Churches Organized for People, which organized the competition.

(For the full article, please visit the Philadelphia Inquirer.)

Happy New Year!

We rang in the new year by going on a family walk over to Broad Street to enjoy the Mummer's Parade.

Our 2009 felt like The Year of Advent with most of the year focused on the arrival of our little Alma. (She was definitely worth the wait!)

However, in glancing at the photos we snapped this year, our year was more than simply waiting. We had a great year with family, friends, trips, work, outdoor adventures, weddings, birthdays and so much else. This might have been my favorite year ever ... I really enjoyed 2009.

Here's to a joyful 2010 with time to wonder at all the blessings in our lives.