Busy, busy, busy...

The title explains how all of us have been feeling. We have had lots of visitors this summer (Yay!), we have some shows we are working, Maggie has been taking classes for her master's, work has still been really busy for James, and Aoife is just blossoming...it really is a pleasure and a privilege to watch her grow. The videos I am including are a little old at this point, but they are fun! I am also going to include just a couple of our favorite pictures from the last six weeks or so.

Our little girl has gotten quite good at taking care of herself, and everyone else. She is also extremely playful, as demonstrated in this video. Part of this taking care of others can be seen in the beginnings of her imaginative play. She feeds all of her little animal friends and says, "Num, num, num, num," in a sing-song way as she does so. She also covers them up with little blankets, rocks them in her arms, gives hugs and kisses, and tucks them in, saying "Nigh-nigh." She is such a lovey little kid!

As we mentioned before, Aoife loves music and dancing. We are going to find an outlet for this ASAP. She goes to Gymboree music and movement classes for now and we are on the look out for some good dance classes to switch her into soon. The video shows her moving to what quickly became her favorite book and song. Since the video was taken she mastered all of the actions, including roaring out loud and squeaking like a mouse, oh my gosh it is sooo cute when she does either! I think that the book actually helped her to start making animal sounds in general, because now she also moos like a cow, baas like a sheep, oo-oo-aa-aas like a monkey, neighs like a horse, and pants like a dog ; )! I could go on and on, she is so much fun!

Fun at the beach!

I'll show you, Daddy.
Aoife especially loved digging her feet down into the sand, up to her ankles, and just wiggling her little toes! Starfish are super cool!

Hiking with Mommy and Daddy! Daddy gave me a great flower ; )! Thanks Daddy!

I love all my friends. -- Aoife actually sits in or on the ottoman, in a chair, or on the couch and directs us to bring her little friends to sit with her. She then positions them all around herself and sits happily, playing with them.

Aoife is excited about the arrival of her little sister. Every morning when she wakes up she wants to talk to the baby, hug, and kiss her. She says, "baby," and pulls on Mommy's shirt and then pats the baby, hugs and kisses Mommy's tummy and says the baby's name, which Aoife has insider knowledge on...more on that for everyone else later ; ).

We love you all and hope that you enjoyed the update.

We will work on being more diligent with our postings, but I won't make any promises because it doesn't look like life is going to get any less packed any time soon.

Besos,

James, Maggie, Aoife, & Baby Girl Stuhan