THE MONKEY!

A fellow Alma gave our little Alma this giant monkey that was won for her by a tall boyfriend at a fair.  It is hilarious to watch Baby Alma pet him and lay on him.  Good thing we have a bigger house!  Ha!  Everything about this stuffed animal makes me laugh because it is so wonderfully ridiculous!

Youngest Organizer

Alma has a great role model in her father.  While she will have to endure many public policy discussions during her youth, we hope that she will grow up to be well-informed and passionate about her community.

The Move

Due to the chaos, we didn't take many photos of the move.  But I just had to share this one that really shows how much Alma loved rooting through our boxes and pulling everything out for us.  Thanks baby! 

And while we are at it, here's our last photo in front of our last house.  I love this photo and know that I will always look back on it -- and that house -- very fondly.

Joshua's Fabulous Birthday Weekend

My new favorite holiday: Joshua's birthday!  It is so fun to celebrate him.  Plus, since he never buys anything for himself, I can shower him with tons of gifts. 

We enjoyed the weekend by going on a hayride to pick pumpkins, having him open a present every hour, working on the house (lucky Joshua!) and generally enjoying being together as a family. 

The corn house ... like a big sand box, but with corn kernels.  Alma was more interested in the older kids than the kernels.

Hooray for family fun time!

Babies Best Friend

 After eating meals, Alma likes to help the dog clean off her highchair.  She laughs like a maniac while the dog licks the chair and her hands.

Nana and Padre's Visit

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

Saving Money, Saving Lives

The summer I was pregnant with Alma I worked as a Samuel S. Fels Intern with Project H.O.M.E., an amazing non-profit in Philadelphia that is dedicated to eliminating homelessness.  I was tasked with producing a report that argued for a change in funding for services for those who are chronically homeless.  This report has recently been finalized and published.  Hooray -- my first official publication!

Check it out! Saving Money, Saving Lives

Scott's visit (cont.)

More from Scott's fun visit!

 Cause why wouldn't you put the baby in a pumpkin?  Don't they come from cabbage anyway?

Update: Only two weeks later and the pumpkins look like this. We learned our lesson (again) from carving too early when the weather is too warm.  Bummer.