Daily Life and an Easter Egg Hunt

Here are a few snapshots that give a glimpse into what I do everyday :)

Laura loves to put clothes on and then take them off again and necklaces are a must!  She also can never be too far from her water cup as she drinks from it constantly.  I have to remember to take it with me whenever we go out because almost without fail, I'll hear the, "click, click" of her tongue asking for a drink.

She found her hat in the diaper bag (emptying it is one of her favorite things to do) and then wore it crooked for 30 minutes.   

In an effort to keep my own purse for myself, I gave Laura an old one of mine to play with and filled it with mommy-like accessories.  She loves it and carries it all over the house while constantly dumping and refilling it.

 She must see us on the phone a lot because she loves to play with phones.  Does this bode ill for her teenage years??

 We went to Hauterive one Sunday afternoon for some fun by the river and a quick grill-out. Laura helped Daddy make the fire-ring.

Lounging (with her water cup not too far away) 

I dressed Laura up (thanks for all the cute dresses, Lu!!) for the Easter Egg Hunt that our friends hosted this past weekend.  Laura missed the hunt, but was more than happy to fill her basket with the colorful eggs we spread out around her. 

She already knows how to carry things on her arm...do I do this a lot? 

She was fascinated with opening and closing the eggs. 

She looks like Spring :)  Thanks to Margaret for the cute sweater!

Spinach

Surprise, surprise!  This girl loves spinach.  She eats it plain.  She then begs for more.  I'm not quite sure where she gets it from, but I'm not going to complain!  I thought she was too funny covered in spinach and happy as can be.  She's learning how to feed herself and doing a pretty good job of it.  I don't always have the patience to let her do it (my kitchen is enough of a wreck as it is), but I do try to let her at it as much as possible.  She's already got the, "Mama, I want to do it!" look down pat.

Holiday in the UK

Our British friends from Switzerland moved back to the UK last year, so we decided to go visit them at the end of February.  We had fun seeing their new place, sloughing through the muddy countryside with them and having a traditional Sunday Roast at Richard's Mom's.  I love the UK and hope to have many more visits there!

 Strolling around rainy Cambridge

 At one of the bridges next to the University

 Rich and Em who graciously welcomed us (baby and all!) into their house and lives for the weekend. 

(Notice the people punting in the background??)

 The University campus was absolutely gorgeous.

 One of Laura's many scones during the trip.  (Don't be fooled by the face, she really loves 'em :)

One of the few times she actually fell asleep in the car (and of course it was 10 minutes before we arrived at our destination). 

Our traditional British Tea in Cardiff and one pitiful looking Laura.  Poor thing got sick, but she was still a pretty cheerful girl.   As for the tea, we got to choose our tea and our cake.  Tom got plum cake and I somehow managed to ask for chocolate-chili-orange cake.  It was... interesting... I don't think I'd get it again, but it was an experience.  The tea was delicious (I got pearl jasmine and Tom got Russian caravan in case you're interested) and Laura chowed down on the scones.

Playing in the Dirt

This winter has been unusually beautiful and warm for Switzerland.  I have no complaints, though - I think it has been wonderful!  We've been to the park, taken walks, and enjoyed quite a few hours on our porch.  All my porch plants are dead, but the plant-less pots make wonderful playthings.  Laura loves moving the dirt from one pot to another, flinging dirt everywhere in the process and generally making a big mess.  I love it, too, because it keeps Miss Laura occupied and out of trouble!  I really enjoyed watching her play.  She was so intent on what she was doing.  The pictures were taken Feb 8 - I still cannot believe she is outside without a coat and hat!

Continuing the Trip through Time

 Nov '10 - a beautiful day to swing in the park

 I love this photo :)

 I wish I knew what she was thinking here.

 Nov '10 - Laura has Tom's eye color - some indeterminate shade of grey/blue

 The newly-weds! Sadly, we weren't able to attend their wedding in Russia.

Nov '10 - She is finally learning how to hug :)

 Nov '10 - L is really ticklish underneath her chin

 Nov '10 - I'd dressed Laura in at least 4 shades of pink, so Tom wanted to document her "pinkness"

Nov '10 - one of L's favorite toys is my wallet.  I'm really afraid that I'm going to forget to look for it when I'm out shopping and it won't be there.  Then I'll get to explain in French why I have to put all my groceries back.

Nov '10 - At our apt in Colmar - this is an example of what my floor looks like on a daily basis - can anyone else identify with me??

Dec '10 - Our 9th tree together!

Dec '10 - A picture downtown with the Fribourg Cathedral 

My stroller wasn't quite up to the challenge.

The best picture we got of Laura in front of our Christmas tree.

Dec 24 - Checking out the presents after the Christmas Eve service.

 Dec 25 - trying out her new toy

 Ded '10 - snow in Atl!!

Dec '10 - Father and Daughter hug after an epic snowball fight (by Atlanta standards, that is).

 

Dec '10 - Sweet girl in front of my parent's tree

Dec '10 - Wearing Tia's present on her head...

Jan '11 - A typical pose for Laura - lounging in her chair.  She often asks for a book once she gets into this position.  I love her little round belly in this shot.

Jan '11 - The plastic chair was not the most stable, so we decided to invest in an Ikea option.  Laura loves it!

Laura and I made love-bug valentines for V-day

A Quick Trip Through Time

My baby is no longer a baby, but a budding toddler.  She's walking, talking and starting to display her little determined will!  She still coos and babbles and is generally sweet and precious, but babyhood is behind her.  How quickly it does happen.  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what she looks like now!  Get ready to watch her grow before your very eyes :)

May '10 - A visit to Nice with Ellie

May '10 - Introducing Laura to climbing early

June '10 - Laura playing with Daddy one afternoon while Mommy took a nap.

4th of July and a visit from Cristina - what could be better? 

 July '10 - Enjoying the makeshift pool on the porch

August 1st - on top of a mountain after eating brunch at a local farm on the Swiss National Day

 Aug '10 - A trip to Gruyeres Castle with Great Alice

 Aug '10 - A stop at the Nufenen Pass in CH

 Aug '10 - Training Laura to like airplanes early

Sept '10 - my cutie pie 

Sept '10 - eating a banana with silly Daddy 

Oct '10 - a happy girl at bath time 

Oct '10 - playing on the teeter-totter with Mommy

Oct '10 - Family portrait on a toy that is way too small for Mommy and Daddy

 Oct '10 - Being mischievous while Mommy had her back turned

 Oct '10 - At a local farmers market - Laura loved eating the apple with her two lone teeth

Oct '10 - Aunties, Gramps and Grammy all together at last

 Oct '10 - Happy 1st birthday, Laura!! (She's asking for "more" in the background)

 The birthday girls and Daddy

 Oct '10

 Oct '10

Nov '10 - Out for a stroll in wet, but picturesque Colmar

 Dec '10 - playing in the 1.5 feet of snow on our balcony 

(the happy face only lasted a minute or two and then we quickly came back inside)

 Well, that at least gets us up to right before Christmas, but it is late (will I ever get to bed early??) and I must sleep.  Hopefully I can get the rest of my update up sooner rather than later - stay tuned!