Pumpkin Decorating

Happy Halloween! It is remarkable what a difference a year makes. Last year, we were propping Zahara up in the pumpkin patch trying to get one shot of her sitting upright. This year Zahara decorated her first pumpkin!

We got washable paint and let her go. The results were mixed. Of course the first thing she did was put the red paint in her mouth. But after that, she seemed to get the hang of it.

We made a "Z" out of painters tape with the idea of peeling it off when the paint dried. Unfortunately, the pumpkin got wet. It turns out washable paint doesn't mix well with rain. At least we had fun!

Dear Zahara: 15-16 Months

Dear Zahara,

Most of the craziness of our move is mostly behind us now. We finished our travels across the United States in mid-September and have spent these last few weeks getting settled into our new home and new routine.

It took us a little while and mummy and daddy were pretty stressed, but we found you a great daycare! You started full-time October 6th. You are in Ms. Christina's house with three other children who are all right around your age (you are the youngest by a couple of months). I was really nervous, but at the end of the first day Ms. Christina said it was the best first day she had seen in her 20+ years of working. The second day was terrible and you cried most of the day, but by the third day you were fine again. You seem to be doing really well there and are enjoying playing with new friends.

First day of daycare

You are developing so quickly, it's hard to keep up! You don't even walk now, you run! You also learned to stomp your feet, which you love to do while dancing. You've got more words by the minute, and said your first two-syllable word: apple!

Apple picking in Maryland

You've got four more teeth coming at the moment (yuk!), which will bring your total to 16. Quite a mouthful! You didn't love your first time at the dentist, though she said everything looks great.

We visited the zoo for the first time, and you were in love! I think this face says it all. This is you seeing a sloth bear for the first time.

It's been a hard transition moving from England, but seeing you experience new things and watching you grow here has made it all worthwhile. We love you to the moon and back!

Date Night

Last week marked a huge milestone in my life: it was the first night I've spent away from Zahara since she was born. In the 15+ months that she's been alive, I have been there every single day and night. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being her mum and really do cherish our time together. But, let's be honest, I needed a night out with my husband.

It's not that I didn't want to leave Zahara earlier, but logistics made it impossible. Until very recently I lived across an ocean from any family. Even now, we're still a plane ride away from both sets of grandparents. Luckily for us, my wonderful in-laws came to visit last week and let us have a night to ourselves. 

A little blurry, but focused on what counts: the drinks

Zahara was amazing! She was the perfect baby, is what my mother-in-law said! As for Dan and I, we had an incredible night out. We went to a movie (Gone Girl--LOVED IT!), out to dinner and drinks; and even stayed in a hotel. Pure luxury!

Though we were only a 15-minute drive away, and we were gone for less than 18 hours, this was a huge step forward. It was a practice run for when we leave next month on a four-night cruise! Hooray for grandparents!

What We've Been Up To: Part 2

Here are some more highlights from our last couple of months. See Part 1 here.

San Francisco/Sonoma:

An all-garlic restaurant; not for the faint of heart (or vampires)

Pier 39 in San Francisco

Harrogate friends at Alisha's brewery!

Sonoma

Hanging out with the Barrs!

Dallas:

Celebrating our 6th anniversary

San Antonio:

Zahara reading with her great-grandmother

Great-grandfather Pop Art, Great-uncle Rand, and Z

Moving Home:

Such a pro at air travel

Thank goodness for good friends

Jewish Holidays:

Dan's homemade challah

Apple Picking:

What We've Been Up To: Part 1

Hi friends! Wow, it's been a while. I finally am starting to feel a bit more settled. The boxes are all unpacked and we're getting into a new routine. So much has happened since I last posted:

• a move across the world
• visiting six cities in three time zones (not including Harrogate or Washington, DC)
• moving into our new/old house
• Zahara starting day care
• Dan starting work
• Me starting the job hunt in earnest
• Zahara's first time at the zoo
• The Jewish high holidays

I can't possibly post about all of those things...I'm just way too behind. Instead, I'll post a few highlight pictures. I have no idea where this blog will go in the future, but I do know that I love it and hope to continue recording my adventures and memories here. 

Our Move:

Rachel and Chris hosted an amazing farewell party for us in Harrogate

Had one last glass of fizz with the girls (missed you Kristiina and Vicky!)

Cape Cod and Boston, Massachusetts:

Relaxing in Cape Cod

Visiting cousin Nina

Seattle:

Seattle Duck Tour

...more to come in Part 2