Milestones

3 months old! Friend Becca (a jack-of-all-trades, whose history includes shark biologist and professional photographer- amazing!) came over last week to get some shots (Thank you Becca!)- here are my favorites:







First movie: Baby Einstein's "Baby's First Sounds" (Thank you LeighAnn!) He thoroughly enjoyed it, as did big sis Cate, seen here hogging the Bumbo.


Ryan has taken to sucking his left thumb lately- a LOT. I try to replace it with a pacifier, and he's fine with that too, but really, it all boils down to the very strong possibility that he may indeed become a thumb-sucker. I have to admit, he DOES look pretty cute, and it's amazing to me that he can consistently get it in his mouth at only 3 months old.


First swim! But no pics, as I was alone at the pool with both kids while Mike was in the U.S. last week on business. We will head to Waterstones again this weekend, and I will be sure to get shots of Ry-Ry enjoying the pool- he does really seem to love it!

Talking! Wonder where he gets it from? If he's anything like me and Catherine, Mike is in serious trouble. Here's a shot Becca took as he babbled away to me. He's got "AAAAA" "OOOOO" and "UUUUU" down pat! And sometimes, if he really concentrates, he'll get a "BMMMMM" out.

....and then I woke up.

I had an epiphany today.

We live in India. Huh. We live in INDIA. Wow! We live in FLIPPIN' INDIA!

I think all the hullabaloo over the past year (since the offer was laid on the table) has distracted from the truth of it all.

We live in India. Crazy, amazing, cultural, fascinating, full-of-wonder India.

How lucky are we?! What a chance of lifetime! And to share this exciting trip with each other, as a family, is just the best.

Sometimes life hands you things that are never expected- but certainly welcome.

Come visit us!

Waterstones

We bit the bullet and finally joined Waterstones, a to-die-for "country club and spa" here in Mumbai. It has a wonderful pool, spa, salon, gym, restaurants, daycare, movie room, music lounge, library, bar, etc, etc.
I'd visited a few times as a guest and once he'd taken the tour, Mike agreed- it's an amazing (and sometimes absolutely necessary) escape from the craziness Mumbai offers.
I love it because I'm able to take advantage of the childcare and take my time with each child- swimming with Catherine while Ryan plays/naps in the Juniors room, or cuddling poolside with Ryan while Catherine runs around, or get a pedicure while both of them are entertained. :)
We hope to use it lots and lots and lots...........and lots.
www.waterstonesclub.com

Photo shoot

Ryan celebrated his 3-month birthday last week- so I thought it was high time for a photo shoot. Actually, this is just a super-casual one...a local friend is going to do a better one for me later this week (thanks Becca!).
Weeds, these kids! Weeds, I tell ya!

Monkeys and Camels and TREES- oh my!

We realized that we had yet to go on any type of excursion since our August return, so last Saturday we hopped in the car and took a drive to a local Hill Station, a town called Lonavala. The scenery is incredible- sooo much different than Mumbai, and amazing that such greenery could exist so close outside the city!
It was a fun day- camel rides and monkey-sightings! And just plain spending time together- which makes us all happy! :)