Fall catch up

Hi friends and family,

Well, we've been pretty quiet recently and the reason just might have to do with this crazy thing called adjusting to being a family of four! It's no joke! Tish has been back at work for about a month and it's quite the circus around here.  

But first and foremost, we learned today that Elliott's hematocrit is normal, for the first time in his life! It's been climbing up now for a couple of months, so we've been expecting this, but I have say hearing it officially and being told (in the nicest way) "have a great life" by the pediatric hematologist is.... pretty wonderful. When he was born, he was severely anemic (for you numbers people his hematocrit was 19, which is really low - normal for a newborn is 40-50) - so we are very happy to say his little body has finally caught up.  

Other highlights from the past few months include celebrating Tish's dad's 75th birthday with a whale-watching trip, visits from cousins Kate, Ty and Will, Auntie Claire and T-Ma.

We have also been so incredibly lucky to have Bubbie living in Seattle to take care of Elliott when Tish went back to work! This has made the transition immeasurably easier!

Here are a few pictures of our big boy... 4 months old!

 Melina is an awesome big sister.

 He really is a happy baby!

....But he does have some sad moments.

Riding the ferry with his best Bubbie! They have a wonderful time together. 

 Elliott says Happy Birthday, Papa!!

 Out on the Sound on a gorgeous day, looking for whales!

 We didn't see the orcas, but we did see this feeding humpback! Which is rare for these parts!

 It was a wonderful day.

 We finished the birthday up with an amazing dinner at Tilth, then ice cream at Molly Moons. 

 Enjoying the big band music at the Ballard Locks with Papa.

 Gathering pollen from the flowers at the Locks - "Mama, I'm a big sister butterfly!"

 Summertime dinner...

 Ice cream with Auntie and Bubbie!

 Elliott meets Pete and Melissa

 Reading on the front steps.

 Visit from T-Ma...

 ....and cousins! Kate loved holding Elliott's hand. 

 So much good cousin playing time.

 Adorned with toys by his fans.

 Auntie Claire! 

 Snuggles with Kate.

 Visiting the Seattle Center with the family.

 Love this fountain!

This playground! I can't wait until Melina is a bit older and can play in the big structure. 

 Fun with cousin Will.

 All three cousins up in the structure.

 Biggest and smallest.

 More Molly Moons!

 Hanging out at the Locks.

 Melina was very excited to be wearing coordinated cousins outfits.

 Threenager face!

 Hopscotch in the backyard.

 Beach day with cousins and T-Ma!

 She loves algae, like her mama.

 Museum of Flight!

 Exploring Olympia!

 We took a whirlwind trip to Hood River, OR, where Tish gave a talk at a conference.  While Tish was at the conference, Morgan and Elliott visited the Church where his great-grandfather, Lester Bond, was the pastor many years ago. 

 Photo of Lester Bond at the church. 

Lucky Melina stayed in Seattle with Bubbie!

 We got to see T-Ma again!

 Getting our faces painted. 

 Melina wasn't sure at first...

 But then decided to go for it.

 Dress-up with Da-Da

Reading with T-Ma

This kid is a peddling machine!

Blood moon eclipse! We didn't quite get it together to hook up the camera to the telescope, but by the time the next cool celestial thing happens, we'll be ready!

Finally - a video of Ms. Melina - being herself at the museum of flight: