Erik is now two months into his new job at the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society (PCMS) and settling into his work with Marketing and Development. He loves being in downtown Philly - and often walks to Rittenhouse Square (2 blocks away) for his lunch break. Here is a photo of the front of his office building, 1616 Walnut Street.

Up on the sixteenth floor, PCMS shares a small office and employees with the Marlboro Festival - a summer school of music up in Vermont. Most of the staff with PCMS and Marlboro are musicians, so they share a lot in common. Of course, being true Philadelphians, the staff members are dye-hard Philly's fans so a day's work includes discussing the previous night's game, the most recent chamber music performance (along with their concert 5 or 10 years ago!), and with such great minds altogether, someone usually has some philosophical ponderings to share as well! It's quite a group! :-)

And here's his office.

Rittenhouse Square - where lunch is often shared with a colleague over a good conversation.

Check out the blog on PCMS' website, where Erik will hopefully post regularly.

Here is Erik happily walking to catch the train. MJ and I usually send him off by waving from the front porch or our sun-room window.

TEETH!

Yep...teeth. Not one...two! MJ's bottom front teeth popped out about 10 or so days ago. It was pretty monumental news around here. And now, we move into yet another new season of life.

See the tiny white tops peaking out from her bottom gums? They seem so cute and little, but Mama can tell you they are quite sharp. :-/

sooooo proud! ;-)

little friends: Meredith Jane and Anna Kate

Last Thursday, Meredith spent the afternoon at her "big girl" friend's house while Mama taught flute lessons. Anna Kate Sallade is one of MJ's favorite pals - she loves watching her run around and the two of them giggle a lot together. Here Anna Kate is being so sweet to MJ and giving her a love pat. :-)

Anna Kate's Mom is an excellent photographer and she snapped all these photos of MJ during the afternoon. Thanks, Jenn!!

Musical Ambitions

While we have been wondering what instrument MJ will play someday (cello, maybe...), it seems as if she already has ambitions of her own as seen every time she eats. Why the combination? Who knows, but in this particular clip, she might be inspired by her mama's flute lesson downstairs.

so pretty

Mama has been on a major sewing kick lately...and reading some excellent blogs with all sorts of tutorials for cute kid things. So...here are a few of the first few quick projects for MJ.

felt birdie sewn on a onsie and a blue felt flower headband (the band part is a strap from one of Mama's old camisoles! yay for repurposing!!)

Fiddling with MJ in the Johnny Jump-Up makes for a great way to burn some energy at the end of a long day. Gotta love her squeals.

MJ turns 6 months!

So...today Meredith turned 6 months! Crazy how time has flown!! And, she has grown and changed so much. :-) From a new born babe - tiny, weak and unknowing....to a healthy, strong, and highly observational kid! Just 6 short months. It's amazing and we love her sooooo much!

One of the things we've grown in knowledge the most as parents, is in understanding her cries (still her most used form of communication) When she was first born she pretty much cried if she was tired or hungry. Now...(on the other hand)...her cries could mean any (or all!) of the following:

> I'm really hungry, so get a move-on, Mama!

> Get me out of this crib, NOW!

> Where are you guys?

> I hate this toy!

> I have a load for YOU to change, NOW!

> Can you get me out of this house for once?!

> When is Dad going to come home?!

:-) Happy 1/2 Birthday, MJ.

XOXO love, your Daddy and Mama

Rescuing a goldfish from his fate

Last Thursday, we took a family trip to the Pet Store after deciding that we should get pet fish. It's our first step toward owning a cat or dog someday and seems like a failsafe way to try our care of an animal without much financial risk (I mean, if it doesn't work out, we won't have a difficult time paying off the 27 cent debt on our credit card).

Once at Petsmart though, we realized we were embarking on a mission to rescue a fish from an awful fate - being feed to other animals! I guess people don't actually come to buy the small goldfish to have as pets, and the fish seemed to know it. As the store helper was diving in for the catch, this is what ensued...

All 436 goldfish: "Swim, Swim!!!! The lady coming for the kill. Don't be caught!"

Bob (as we later named him) singing to himself: "Doo, doo-doo, doo-doo...bloop"

All 436 goldfish: "Hey look! Bob is lost in his own dreams again. He's sooooo dead meat!"

Bob: "Oh, rats! That was the net of death. I've been snookered into it. That must be what the other fish were yelling about, but who can hear anything when you're underwater."

All 436 goldfish: "Sucker. Should have been paying attention...hahahaha"

Meanwhile, in on the other side of the tank, we were discussing the mortgage the store clerk was trying to con us into through buying everything from a underwater house, plants to float above, and special medication for our fish in case he gets sick!! Ok, I'm exaggerating, but buying a small fish can turn into quite an investment if you're not careful.

Anyway, we secured what we needed to give Bob Foober (his full name) a comfortable life (i.e. food) and made our way home to introduce him to his new world. And that is where Bob gets the last laugh. While he was being made fun of at the pet store for getting hooked because he was dreaming of loftier thoughts, they are the ones to eventually become someone else's meal. Bob now has a cool bowl all to himself, food, lots of love, and his life to dream away.

Meredith giving Mama kisses!

This video captures one of the first times MJ gave me kisses. (just last week!) She's getting better and better at it everyday.

Slobbering, wet, mouthy kisses...my favourite! :-)