Fashion Friday #14: Fleece

Many apologies for the lateness of this post (it's almost Friday this week again!), but our internet has been down here in The Swaz. Anyway, onto the photos...

Last week's photos were taken in Edwardsville, where, frankly, we had run out of new outfits to show off...so we thought, until we realized Aviva's pajamas were pretty darn cute and deserved some attention.

Here's her pink Carter's 0-9M fleece sleep sack.





Her second "outfit" is a pale yellow Little Me 6M pajama...





...with pink hearts on the feet!




Happy belated Friday, everyone. We promise to get this week's photos up on Friday!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Our flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg was remarkably easy.

Aviva waited, with seat belt on, while Peter and I stowed our carry-on luggage.





She took very seriously the advice to sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight. Here she is with her beloved giraffe, and her favorite airplane-based toy: a plastic cup.


After a brief mix-up in Johannesburg, we found the right hotel. (Note to travelers: there are TWO Radisson Blu hotels within a mile of each other in Sandton, Johannesburg. One is the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel, and the other is the Radisson Blu Sandton.)

We had a nice dinner and relaxed for a while (though we were all somewhat on New York time.) The next morning Aviva practiced sitting up some more, in her new favorite sweatshirt from The Black Dog, a gift from Grandma Ellen. Thanks, Grandma Ellen! The sweatshirt is super snuggly and warm.







She even had time for some yoga (Upward Facing Dog Pose!) before we left for Swaziland.

Leaving Edwardsville

Two Fridays ago (March 25) we flew from St. Louis to Atlanta. The day we left it was snowing in Edwardsville! The flowers on my mom's poor magnolia tree probably all froze off.


Aviva got in some last minute snuggles with Ama.



We were sad to say good-bye to Ama and Agong.

Fashion Friday (on Tuesday)

Apologies for the *very* late post for last Friday. We were traveling on Friday, in transit over the weekend, and just landed in Johannesburg tonight. I forgot our card reader this time, so the photos from last week will be posted tomorrow afternoon when we return to Swaziland...I promise!

Life in Edwardsville

For Aviva, life in Edwardsville is pretty darn good.

She gets taken for walks in the beautiful spring weather by Auntie Sarah...


..and by Ama.



She gets held by Uncle Christian...


...except when he's mowing the lawn.



She gets visits from Fong Yin Ayi (Auntie.)



Not bad for a six month old!

More bath time and more sweet potato

I'll be honest. There isn't that much to say about these next four photos. I'm just posting them because they are so darn cute. Yes, it's true, right now this is just that kind of blog.

Happy Six Month Birthday!

Last Sunday (March 20) was Aviva's six-month birthday!

Unfortunately we didn't travel with the big stuffed cow, so we'll have to take a second set of photos when we return to Swaziland. For now, here's how we recorded the date.


In this next shot, Aviva looks like she's showing off some leg. She seems a little young for that if you ask me, but what do I know?


Here she's having a grand old time...


...until, as usual, all the modeling just wears her out.


Happy Six Month Birthday!

Sunday in E'ville: Part 1: Sweet Potato and Auntie Sarah

When we reached my (Callista's) hometown of Edwardsville, Aviva was reunited with Ama and Agong! Soon after our arrival, they all participated in one of their favorite activities: feeding Aviva new things. Sunday's menu: purple sweet potato!


Yum...it coincidentally matches my clothing...


Aviva was very excited to finally meet Auntie Sarah.

Sunday in E'ville: Part 2: Nicole & Co, Sitting Up!

Later on Sunday (March 20) afternoon, Callista's friend Nicole came over to visit. Nicole brought her two adorable sons, Hugh and Hudson.
Nicole gave Aviva a big squeeze when she arrived.


Hudson didn't like it so much when Nicole was only hugging Aviva, so he joined the next photo.


Aviva chose this day to show off her best sitting up skills yet!


Hugh studied the goings on all around him without saying too much (though he did count to ten in Spanish for us!)

Later on Sunday (Mar 20) afternoon, Callista's friend from high schoo

Saturday: Dan Snow, Great Grandma Miriam, Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Stu

Saturday in New Haven was a day of even more friends and family. Thanks to Brianne for many of the photos posted below here. Some of the same ones, as well as others, are posted here at Seamus's blog, The Daily Mus.

First, Peter's college friend, Dan Snow, came over to meet Aviva. (Dan and Marta Snow gave us many outfits that have been featured in Fashion Fridays.)

Jeff, Brianne, and Seamus came up for the day. Seamus continued to give Aviva pointers on eating one's hands.


Later, Aviva's Great Grandmother Miriam came over for lunch. Here she is with Peter, Richard, and Aviva.



And here's Miriam with just Aviva and Peter.






Aviva's Great Aunt Cheryl had also come down from Boston for the day.





While the rest of us feasted on yet another amazing meal put together by Susan, Aviva was so comfortable in Susan's arms that she dozed right off.

But later she woke up to hang out some more with Cheryl.

Aviva spent some time with Andrew.

Before Great Grandma Miriam left, Brianne took a lovely photo of her with her grandsons and great-grandchildren.


Peter enjoyed bath time with both Seamus and Aviva.



At the end of the day Grandpa Richard was put in charge of both babies, who enjoyed their bottles while snuggling with him.