Liam's Birthday Picnic

I think Liam is starting to actually talk, although these early attempts are hard to distinguish from the general baby babble. BUT, it seems that he says the usual Mamamama and Dadadada and Nana for both banana and my mom (Nan!). I think he actually said "Nein" to me a few times, too. Ha! Mr. Bilingual already. Plus, he might or might not be saying "Na"-- the German "hey". He's kissing Jeremy goodbye and blowing kisses to his grandparents on skype. And of course crawling EVERYWHERE.

His birthday cakes were a hit-- wit the adults! I made a yogurt cake to try to tempt him, but he ate one strawberry from the top, and wouldn't touch the rest. Not even to smear frosting on his face.

The Extended Summer of Visitations

Can you tell that our lives have been too full to blog? It's really a shame that when interesting things happen and there is so much to blog about... I don't.

And it's hard to write about Göttingen this year. It was precisely magical. Of course I was a bit concerned about Liam and working and etc etc, but he did beautifully, bonding with Kathy and my parents and continuing his love affair with our Miriam. He's become quite adept at eating by himself (when in the mooooood), crawling super fast with a waggling behind, getting up and down suitably sized furniture, ripping up magazines, and imitating everyone to our perpetual delight.

But the real thing is... is that in Göttingen I feel like I came back to myself. After being pregnant and a new mom for so long, going to school and reading at night, writing papers in snatched nap hours and babysitting time, I was feeling a bit dry and dull. Who knew that a moderately stressful, full-time-including-most-weekends job would revitalize me. But of course I was doing what I love with people that I love with other people that I love around me. Seeing an opera take shape, being responsible for the recording of the stage movement, taking care of the hundred little details that are always surfacing with the production assistant was just so stimulating. AND we did a dance show in a historic schnapps factory-- the local newspaper even called my Venus "enchanting". It's a bit hard to come back to normal, as it always is after a tour.

Luckily, the summer is full of visitors and visting!

We've already seen Kathy and my parents, obviously. (more about our trip to Italy with my parents later! Or maybe they would like to guest blog...)
We had a surprise visit yesterday and today from Justin and Hazel, Jer's cousin and his charming wife. They're taking a year to travel the world after quitting their jobs and selling all their possessions, and just happened to be swinging through Germany.
Sue and Daria are coming in the beginning of July!!
(in August I have to write a big paper)
And in September we'll be in America for Jeremy's brother Ken's wedding.

Liam is a really good traveller. Let's hope he stays that way.

Happy Birthday LIAM!

Our boy now:




And a year ago:





There are too many ways in which you are the most amazing baby ever.

ooof!

Sorry it has been a month! Göttingen is always crazy busy and this year:

Miriam! opera opera opera Papa! Grandma Gigi! dance show put Liam to bed opera nap Nan and Grandpa! bed nurse dance show nurse opera nurse pump dance show dance show costumes costumes Venus Columbine put Liam to bed

Here's some pictures---

Miriam and Liam

from the last few months...

Liam in Göttingen

Everything is going pretty well-- Liam just looooves Miriam, so he's having a good time here. I'm in rehearsals all day, making sure the right arm is high on "valor", but Liam and I get to have lunch together. Miraim seems to be holding up very well, considering that napping is now VERY hit and miss.

You didn't expect him to sleep well, here, did you??

We had such a beautiful glimpse of a decent sleeping pattern right before we left...

But, anyway, there is a park right outside the door, and even a backyard-- so much green!! Göttingen is a charming town, and the weather is mostly gorgeous. You should come visit!

Here are some pictures that Miriam took--

(I have to remember to bring a camera with me, so I can get a shot of Liam crawling on the raked stage in the rehearsal room. Oh, and all of the singers just ADORE him.)

(AND he is entranced by the harpsichord. Hahahaha- score a point for baroque dance)

Why does the bunny have red eyes? Why?

Not freaking out about Monday

Would you care for some grass?

Perhaps a folder divider?

Never mind, I'm going to read my magazine.

Liam is taking morning naps LONGER than an hour, and it is really messing with my head.
I'm almost finished with my latest paper for school.
I finished my bag o' muesli this morning.
Everything is falling into place for

GÖTTINGEN

IN 72 HOURS

FOR SIX WEEKS

Yikes! I'm just hoping that by vacuum-packing our clothes that we will have enough room for the toys and baby medical supplies and baby tent and my coffee maker and shoes and blah blah blah list of hundred things to fit in one suitcase.

It's going to be quite an adventure-- our beloved babysitter Miriam is coming for the first two weeks, then Jeremy and Kathy, then my parents. I'm going to be working A LOT, but usually there is an hour and a half lunch break for some nursing and cuddling. It's Adventure Time people.