MATERNITY LEAVE, THE SEQUEL

While off between jobs, Finley and I have hit the scene so to speak. #warriors

Observant viewers, can you spot Finley's cute head?

There is nothing better than reuniting with old friends, Hannah and Rani.

ALL FOUR COUSINS WILLING TO TAKE A PICTURE AT THE SAME TIME

And nobody was crying! Success.

GOOD-BYE COUSINS

After a magical, special week with her cousins, Finley needed the car ride home to catch up on some much needed sleep...

Finley did not leave her cousins without a parting gift. Finley loves Isaac, Gideon, and Miles a latke too...

MONKEY BLANKET WALKS

Mommy and Finley certainly enjoyed the milder weather of Washington D.C.

MILESTONE ALERT: Finley is now facing out in her carrier! #warriors

THROW BACK THURSDAY, LITTLE FINN

(Pic taken 6/19/2017)

(Pic taken 6/16/17)

BYE-BYE BLUEBERRY

With every new beginning, there is an end. This summer we had to say good-bye to my car, "The Blueberry" as it was not safe enough for our baby girl. Here we are posing for one last picture with The Blueberry. Folks, trading in and buying a new car with a newborn is no joke. Needless to say, it was a long (hot) day. #warriors

(Pic taken 8/11/17)

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

(Pic taken 08/18/17)

Finley and I became quite the neighborhood attraction during the summer of 2017 as we spent the bulk of our time on the porch swing. I often contemplated how strange and sad it was that I could live next to/near my neighbors for 7 years and barely say one word to them until Finley's arrival. Life is too short not to talk to your neighbors. Thanks Finley for enriching my life yet again. #warriors

HEY THERE, GOOD LOOKING

GOBBLE GOBBLE

As Great Aunt Judy would say, Finley is so cute who wouldn't want to gobble her up? Thanks for the turkey slippers! #warriors

COUSIN JAYLIN, THE FURRY FRIEND

Don't forget about Cousin Jaylin...

COUSIN ISAAC, THE GENTLE ONE

Always gentle and kind to Finley, Cousin Isaac enjoys observing her and touching her hair and toes. Cousin Isaac astutely observed that Finley has less hair than Gideon and smaller ears than pap-pap.

COUSIN GIDEON, THE PARTNER IN CRIME

Cousin Gideon is no bystander when it comes to Finley's antics. Rather, he joins right in. Turns out Finley is not the only one in this family who can put her toe in her mouth...

COUSIN MILES, THE PROTECTOR

Since mommy has a little break between jobs, Finley, mommy, pap-pap, and grandma immediately traveled to D.C. to see Finley's cousins, aka "blood brothers." Cousin Miles met Finley for the first time. Immediately, he took on the role of protector.

SPEEDY DELIVERY

(Pic taken 7/5/2017)

July 5, 2017 was a momentous day. Thanks to Aunt Hallie, Finley received her first piece of mail. Thank you! Someday Finley (and mommy) will head out west with Aunt Hallie and leave it all behind for a little bit.

PERFECT DAY

Perhaps, one of the first songs I ever sang to Finley was Lou Reed's Perfect Day. However, I sang it more like Pattie Smith sings it. Here I am singing it to Finley. "Oh it's such a perfect day. I'm glad I spent it with you. Oh, such a perfect day. You just keep me hanging on. You just keep me hanging on...Just a perfect day. You made me forget myself, I thought I was someone else, someone good." At the beginning, Finley, without a doubt, kept me hanging on. #warriors

THE COURAGE TO CHANGE

Finley has inspired me to make some major changes in my life. After almost ten years, yesterday, on November 10, 2017, I moved on from a job. Change terrifies me, but I am inspired to do what is best for my baby. All those years negotiating contracts finally came to use, as I was able to negotiate a start date of 1/2/2018. It's you and me kid, for 53 more days. #maternityleavepart2 #warriors

                                                                     
                                                              Super cute, indeed!

                                   
                                    Halloween pants after Halloween. No shame in our game!

THROW BACK THURSDAY, FOOTPRINTS

Upside down footprints...

(Pic taken 06/02/17)

I WANNA HOLD YOUR HAND

Finley is very social. She often tries to hold other babies' hands and sometimes they let her! Here she is holding baby Hannah's hand. What can I say, she's a chip off the old block. #warriors

I WANNA HOLD MY BOTTLE

Someone keeps getting bigger and bigger...

LOOK WHO IS ALMOST SITTING

With the help of her lion chair, Finley is almost sitting up. Finley likes to sit in her lion chair while watching people cook. So far, she has mostly watched Grandma as Mommy still has lots to learn in the kitchen. One night we had the pleasure of Aunt Hallie coming over to cook a very healthy meal for us. Finley was particularly intrigued by the sweet potatoes but did not appreciate the fact that she could not try one. Soon, young Finn...

RED GNOME

Attention readers, can you find the red gnome?

Clearly, Finley and I are not going to let the cooler weather keep us from our Saturday strolls...

#warriors