Again... soon??

Here it is July 1st - nearly halfway through the summer and halfway through the year. It hardly seems possible! We're glad that so far, July has brought much cooler weather than June!

We've recently returned from a whirlwind tour of the Mid-Atlantic. Or at least, all of the Mid-Atlantic that matters to us. We started with a wonderful visit to Joe's sister Joyce and her family in their home just outside of Richmond. We had worked with Calla before we left to learn names: Aunt Joyce, Uncle Tim, Gene, Jason, Jacob and Timmy. She did really well with those new names, but found it so much more fun to put names to new faces when she finally met them all. She was well-loved by her cousins and she loved them right back.

Calla with Gene and Jason

Calla with Jacob and Timmy

Next, after a quick Amtrak ride up to DC, we were with Carrie, Brian and Julia for Julia's baptism. Julia did great - she giggled her way through much of the liturgy. And Julia's so close to walking, which means she has all sorts of new and exciting walking around toys, much to Calla's delight. We also had a chance to visit with our good friends Sally, Mike and big boy Jonah. A short visit with everyone, but so much fun.

Calla and Julia, both wearing their Mexico outfits.

By Monday, when we were driving home from the St. Louis airport, Calla finally had the total meltdown we'd been avoiding all weekend. She'd had her short car nap, polished off her chicken nuggets, and juice was all gone. About 10 minutes from home, she began her ear-piercing screams.

Joe was driving, so I was in charge of distraction. First attempt: "Calla, didn't we have fun with Timmy and Jacob and Gene and Jason and Aunt Joyce and Uncle Tim? Didn't we have fun with Julia and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Brian?"

Sob. Sob. Nods. "Again?" Sob. Back to screaming.

"Again? Of course, we'll see them again. And we'll have fun with them again!"

Sob. Sob. "Again, SOON??!!!" Sob. Back to screaming.

OK. Distraction Attempt #2. "Calla, look - do you know where we are? We're so close to home! Which way do we turn to get home?"

"Nooooooo!!" Screaming intensifies as we make our final turn on to our street. "NOOOOO!!"

So, let's just say that Calla had a great time on our quick trip to Virginia and DC. And that re-entry back to normal life was a little anti-climactic. Not to mention that she continues to wake up on the Eastern time zone. Here's hoping that the new black-out curtains I bought today help us all sleep past 6:00 am.

Thanks, family, for hosting us this past weekend - you're all so special to us and especially to Calla!