War College Museum

We also went to the War College's outdoor exhibits.  It was great to watch the grandchildren run through the bunkers and explore the space. 

Nana's Visit

Joshua was out of town last week (New Orleans for a work conference) so my mother came to visit.  What a fun time we all had at the library's story hour, an OB appointment (everything is going well!), swim class, touring the Lehigh Valley, visiting an ice skating rink and on walks around the neighborhood. 

Newest Thompson

My brother and his family welcomed their third child at the beginning of June, so we celebrated the baby's baptism this past weekend.

Alma enjoyed playing in the baptismal font with Grandpa, who she lovingly calls "Baw-paw".

The Big Three-Two

On the 12th, I turned 32. As a child, 32 was BY FAR my favorite number. I remember fantasizing about turning 32. I expected that by that time I would have a wonderful husband (check), house of our own (check), an interesting career (check), a cat and a dog (check) and a few children in high school (happily I missed the mark on this one -- 32 is much younger than I was imagining as a child).

Because Joshua had to work the night of my birthday, we shifted the celebration a bit.  I spend the night before celebrating with a delicious cake -- chocolate cake with orange cream cheese icing, which tasted like a chocolate orange.

The next morning, we went to Bada Bingg in Allentown for breakfast.  They had boots in cement to play on the mob-theme of the restaurant. 

Then Alma and I went out to Carlisle to hang out with my parents for a few days.  This cake was chocolate with marshmallow icing -- my go-to for birthday cakes. Yum!

 

Nana, Alma and I went for a great bike ride along the rail trail.   Even though she has a very serious riding face, Alma loved spotting the birds, farm dogs and squirrels as we rode. 

Katherine Grace

A year ago today, Joshua and I were getting ready for the arrival of our first child.  We were overdue and scheduled for some testing on Monday that we knew may lead to an induced labor (or so said our OB).  We spent the weekend cleaning the house, packing our hospital bags, decorating for Christmas and still debating the merits of different names for "SweatPea" as Joshua often typed our baby's pet name ("Sweet is spelled with two E's, Dear"). 

Looking back, we were surprisingly casual about the arrival of the baby.  I loved being pregnant and was feeling sad that I would have to transition to the next stage of motherhood.  However, ever the curious one, I was excited to experience childbirth.  Joshua and I had taken a great birthing class (thanks, Vickie!) and I had been listening to Dottie's hypnobirthing CDs during all of my naps -- honestly, I couldn't tell you what happened in the hypnobirthing CDs beyond the introduction, but I had great naps with them! -- and felt as prepared as I could be for the process.

However, our ease with every other element of preparation was clouded by my fear of naming the baby.  I was so tired of thinking of it.  I've been thinking about what to name my future children since kindergarten. Honest.  I remember talking about names with my best friend Linh.  Here I was just days away from having my first child and I couldn't land on a solid name for the life of me. 

To get my mind off of things and to take me away from the list of names I kept pouring over, we went with our neighbors Randy and Erin to get Christmas trees for our respective houses.  As we were driving in the car, we chatted about how our preparation was going.  Eventually, among all my cheery feelings about having a baby, I admitted that I was beyond frustrated with figuring out an appropriate baby girl name.  I vented something like, "I just wanted to name her Katherine Grace and be done with it.  That's a good solid name, right?  Who could argue with that?"  Everyone agreed that Katherine Grace would be a great name.  But I sighed, "That name just doesn't feel like the name of my child."  The conversation moved on to other topics and we all went home to set up our trees.

The following night my water broke and I spent the next day giving birth to a baby girl.  As Joshua and I sat together marveling at her in the delivery room, I said, "She looks like an Alma Kateri to me."  He agreed but we decided to sleep on it before we made the name official.  My parents eventually joined us in the birthing suite and also cooed over our darling, with Joshua and I being absolutely private about the possible name of Alma Kateri. 

After meeting their granddaughter on her birthday, they went back to our house to watch after our pets and ready things for our arrival home with our new bundle.  That night, my father ran into our neighbors and told them the good news of the day: "They had a girl!"  To which, Erin replied, "Oh, Katherine Grace!"  My father, confused, said something like, "sure" and went back into the house.  As he tells the story, his mind started racing.  He knew the name of the baby!  Should he tell my mother and ruin the surprise?  What should he do?  So, like the loyal and trustworthy man that we know him to be, he kept it quiet and marveled all night that he had a new granddaughter, whom he thought was named Katherine Grace. 

The next morning, as Joshua and I snuggled in with our daughter and my parents entered the room, we excitedly declared, "We would like to introduce you to Alma Kateri!"  My father, now even more confused, smiled brightly and joined with my mother in loving both the baby and the name. 

My father waited until Alma was nearly six months old before he told us this story.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Alma waiting patiently for her first Thanksgiving feasting to begin.

 Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday around the Thompson household.  And now with grandchildren it is even more exciting!

While the weather was rather cold, we were able to get outside a bit and enjoy the sunshine. 

We are thankful for so many things this year.  Here's hoping that we can keep that thankfulness in our hearts throughout the year!

Jumping Dog School

When I started at Mooreland Elementary school in kindergarten, my parents proudly pointed to the name of the school which was posted in the lobby above a life sized version of the school's mascot of a greyhound and said, "That's the name of your school."  So when someone asked me the name of my school, I proudly declared, "JUMPING DOG SCHOOL!" 

Obviously this was the wrong answer. 

Oddly enough, I ended up going to Jumping Dog College (Loyola's mascot was the greyhound) and now we live near Moravian College, who also boasts of a greyhound as their mascot.  So hooray for our new JUMPING DOG HOUSE!

Nana and Padre's Visit

Alma schooling my parents in the art of touch and feel board books.

Carlisle

We went to my parents house for a weekend of outside time.  Alma got to fall asleep in the neighbors swing set, get watered by Daddy as she enjoyed baths outside and go for bike rides around the neighborhood.  We all had a great time pretending to be "fresh air fund" kids! 

First Bike Ride

Ohmygosh, can anything be more adorable than Alma during her first bike ride?!

My dad and I rode about seven miles along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail near my parents house.  Alma -- although tired and in need of a nap -- had a great time and the new bike seat was beyond awesome.  I foresee lots of rides in her future!

We are still around ... just busy these days with visits, sunny days, the stomach flu (boo!) and getting ready for some summer adventures.

Soon enough, I'll catch up and share more cute photos from my visit with my parents and tons of fun shots from Erica and Kira's great visit from Arizona. Here's two to tide you over ...

Date Night and Tummy Time

A week ago Joshua and I went on our first official date since Alma was born.  Sure, we have been out to eat together, but Alma was always sleeping in the sling with us at dinner.  This was an official date with food, a show and everything!  How exciting!  It was great to reconnect and be reminded of how much fun we have together. 

Above is a photo of Alma being changed by my mother.  Alma loves laying on the changing table.  Below is my father feeding her.  They were great babysitters.  Thanks again, Mom and Dad!

In other news, Alma has been loving tummy time and our adjusted version of tummy time called "FLYING BABY"!!!  She rolled over for the first time (from tummy to back) yesterday, which seemed to surprise her as well as me.  She is very vocal when on her stomach ... see the video below.

We have been spending more time in the kitchen now that we purchased a second-hand highchair which can be rolled around and reclined.  She seems to like watching, although her attention span is short.  Simon is already getting excited for her to eat "real food" so that he can help with the crumbs.

And I just had to share the below picture of Simon because it is so sweet (and sad?).  Every day when Joshua is leaving work, he gives me a call. Simon has figured out this schedule and after the phone call he sits and stares at the front door until Joshua gets home.  Every day it is at least a half hour of waiting.  So sweet.  Simon loves his Owner Man.

To Nana and Padre's House We Go

Alma and I went to Carlisle to visit Nana and Padre for a few days.  It was great to be spoiled by the grandparents.  Here's Alma emerging from the sling after a restful mid-afternoon nap with her grandfather.

Here she is showing off her patented tongue-filled smile.

And her serious face.

Nana arranged to have a few friends over for a mid-afternoon tea party.  Alma also took a nap in her sling during that party but woke up to say goodbye to her guests. (Did we mention that she likes her sling?)

On the way back to Philadelphia, we stopped by Lancaster to visit with the Yoders.  Auntie Kate and Uncle Fun were also visiting from Pittsburgh.  It was so nice to see all of them. 

While Alma and I had a fun trip, we were excited to get back to Philadelphia and Joshua, who we both missed.  Alma was also very excited to see her beloved ceiling fan and recessed lights.  She actually giggled the first time she saw them again after the trip ... I guess even she likes the familiarity of home. 

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.