Leaping Greenly Spirits

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2009-08-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Hello from Julia!

2009-06-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

Almost walking!

2009-06-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Julia on the move!

2009-06-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

The kitchen help!

2009-05-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

Our first Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

Today we spent a lovely afternoon walking and napping in the gardens at the Franciscan monastery, and visiting the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (dedicated to Mary). What a blessing to be wrapped in the warm sun and glorious spring colors with my loving family. I continue to grow in admiration for my own mothers and I celebrate your gifts of gentle and generous love.

2009-01-18T19:19:00.001-08:00

New skills: eating and sitting!

2009-01-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry it has been so long since I've posted! I'll just have to catch up a little at a time. We started Julia on rice cereal this week for her 6-month birthday and she loves it. We give her a spoon to play with while she eats and she lost it during one meal - see the photo for where it was hiding. She can sit so well by herself now and even play for a little while before toppling over. Hooray for back muscles!

Happy Halloweekend!

2008-11-05T19:34:00.000-08:00

Jason carved the family pumpkin at YM last week. A squash with a geometric soul. Julia made her Halloween debut as a Formula 1 racer with her pit crew in tow. We flew to Chicago in time to catch Magnus in his skeleton suit - what a cutie! We celebrated Magnus' blessing and Jenni and Reid's Chicagoland tour and enjoyed spending a few precious days with our family.

Smiles!

2008-11-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

Denise found a spunky new friend for Julia in the toy bin at Old Navy. We named the pig Olivia Dora. And here's a shot of Jason reading to Julia before the plane took off from Chicago. The man next to us said that he was grateful to see that parents are reading the same books he read to his kids 20 years ago. I read "Where's Spot" at least 100 times to Tristan...and now I'm making the rounds again with Julia, who is also quite fond of Sally's hunt. Unlike the flight to Chicago, which had a serious crying spell (Jason heard a passenger behind us say to his neighbor, "You're just going to have to get used to it, man"), the trip home was a dream, thank heavens.

With Denise at Matisse

2008-11-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

Last week Julia and I went with Denise Doolan to see the Matisse cutouts at the National Gallery. The security guard told us that he wasn't supposed to voice any opinions about the art but he took great pride in showing off the cutouts and discussing their history. He said that he takes notes when the curators come through. I love the faces that Matisse painted in the middle of these cutouts - they convey a unique grace with such spare brushstrokes.

New trick!

2008-10-27T19:39:00.000-07:00

Today, out of nowhere, Julia decided it was finally time to start lifting herself up on her elbows and rolling over. I couldn't believe it! Normally she fusses during "tummy time" and endures my cheerleading for a while until she feels she's given me enough of a show with a slight head raise. Last week I started rolling her over like a child on a grassy hill, so that she could try something new. Did this trigger something? Who knows. In any case, today was a quantum leap for Julia's physical tricks! I thought it was so fun that I put Julia on her tummy at least ten times in a row and she kept on rolling over. She is also super into "walking" - when she's supported, she'll step all over the place. It's so fun to see how mobile she wants to be!

West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful!

2008-10-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

We spent this past weekend in a cabin near Berkeley Springs, WV, with Peter and Bethany. Having started "The Music Man" on Jason's birthday, we finished it in celebration of Peter's birthday and now we're all stuck with "Shipoopi" in our brains. Our cabin gave us a scenic view of the railroad, much to Jason's delight, inspiring visions of a hobo lifestyle dancing in his head. We enjoyed walking among the yellow and orange dashes of birch leaves and curling up with our books by the woodstove. Peter and Bethany played with Julia while Jason and I got to sleep in...such a luxury! What a beautiful weekend.

Fun with Jules

2008-10-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

One of Julia's favorite books is "Barnyard Dance" (thanks for the recommendation, Cassidy!). She also loves another Boynton book, "One, Two, Three" - we discovered yesterday and again today that when we get to the page "Ten makes a celebration LOUD LOUD LOUD!" Julia just breaks into smiles and laughs - something about that page really strikes her as funny! Tristan, the lizard photo is for you. Now you need to teach Julia about the real deal. And thanks Jenni, for the cute pajamas, and Aunt Laura, for the smashing hot pink dress!

Our little "wild thing" is learning how to smile!

2008-10-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, Jason!

2008-10-27T09:44:00.001-07:00

First day of school

2008-10-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

My former colleague in the College Guidance office at the National Cathedral School, Erin Johnston, is teaching a Psychology class this semester and she invited me to bring Julia to class as Exhibit B for their human development unit. (Exhibit A was the still-in-the-womb baby of another faculty member, a biology teacher, who came a few weeks earlier to talk about conception and pregnancy.) The girls asked great questions and did several reflex experiments on Julia (who performed like a textbook case!). Julia could not have had a better first day of school, and I really enjoyed seeing the my friends at NCS again!

Mumford babies on the town

2008-10-26T18:52:00.000-07:00

We got to watch Reid and the Kellies race in downtown DC and then we so enjoyed seeing Lyle and Susan play with their new grandbabies. We took an evening walk with Reid and Jenni down to the sculpture garden and celebrated Jenni and Reid's wedding anniversary - congratulations! Jenni conducted an early morning photo shoot with the "super hero" cousins. (Thanks Jenni, for these pictures!)

Julia's Blessing

2008-10-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

We are so grateful to the family and friends that surrounded our little Julia with love and support on her blessing day at the Chevy Chase Ward. Our parents, Reid and Jenni, Heather and Josh, Bethany, and Leslie and Kevin were all with us on that lovely morning.

Celebration of life

2008-10-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Bethany and Peter prepared and hosted an amazing dinner party for our families in celebration of Julia, with a Mediterranean feast, speed scrabble, good music, a super cute cake, and a guest appearance by Julia's new cousin, Magnus! It was so fun to gather as a family to delight in these new little people. Thank you parents and sisters and brothers for coming to be with us for Julia's blessing, and thank you Bethany and Peter for a delightful party.

Family weekend!

2008-10-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Our family weekend in September got off to a fun start with a spirited game, lots of time talking at home, and an excursion downtown to the FDR memorial where we happened upon a polo match!

Out and about with friends

2008-10-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

Lots of adventures in the last month! Denise Doolan took us on a wonderful tour of the Franciscan Monastery in NE DC, as well as to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and to Colonel Brooks' Tavern (great hamburgers!). We celebrated Bethany's birthday under the trees at the National Cathedral, followed by cupcakes (and a striking pose by tough girl Julia, "What part of NO don't you understand?").

Dr. Reid!!!

2008-09-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Reid defended his dissertation in particle physics at Johns Hopkins. We were honored to have the newly minted Dr. Reid stay with us for a few days - and not just because he came bearing pictures of the cute Magnus baby! Reid's expertise runs from Lambda-B lifetimes (the world's best measurement, explains his advisor, Petar) to The Milkshake, a field-tested pre-burping ritual (see photos). Jason got to see Reid steer through an hour and a half tour of the world's most amazing science and celebrate with his colleagues over Yoo-Hoo and champagne toasts. Reid, we so admire your determination of mind and body to succeed through eight years of study and work. Congratulations to our amazing brother, and to Jenni and Magnus!

Pop quiz with Peter

2008-09-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Julia's bottle-training with dad pays off!

Playing and resting at home

2008-09-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

Camp Mumford

2008-09-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

Richard (14) and Patrick (12) Merkle came to stay with us two weekends ago while their parents were away visiting Bill at the Air Force Academy. We started off Camp Mumford with a kitchen dishes challenge course at the Merkle home, which the boys passed with flying colors, and then we headed to the Natural History Museum to see the Hope Diamond. I found the boys wandering in the Ice Age looking for a wooly mammoth (missing). We discovered that Richard is a pro stroller maneuverer and we're finalizing a signing bonus for his pro tour with Julia. Jason took the boys grocery shopping and they came home with an heirloom tomato the size of Patrick's head. We made pizzas, discussed Roman history (Patrick is reading about Hannibal's campaigns) and Greek mythology, and played Maask late into the night. After church on Sunday we played UBI with our good friend Gary Burgess, who finally decided to come home after a magnificent tour of Europe and the Middle East with Jason Durtschi. When one of the UBI questions prompted Gary and Jason to break out into a Lawrence Welk rendition of an old-time song, we knew it was time for Sunday naps! RIchard and Patrick made fantastic sculptures for Julia's art collection while Jason and Julia and I rested. After a walk in the park, during which the mosquitos made off with much of Richard's blood supply, we said goodbye to the Merkle boys. It was a super fun weekend!

Julia meets Julia

2008-09-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

One of our highlights this past week was a trip to Philly (Julia's first outing beyond DC) to see Julia Kirby, who was visiting from Yemen/Bahrain for a few days. Little Julia absolutely loved to be held by Big Julia - she was content to play and sleep on Julia's lap for hours. Julia K is headed back to Bahrain through the end of the year, after which she'll most likely be moving back to the East Coast. We're voting for a DC landing! It was so fun to see Julia, her mom Susan, and boyfriend Justin. We love you and miss you!

Back online

2008-09-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

Apologies to those who have checked this blog over the past two weeks. I had technological problems posting pictures and without Marshall nearby, was totally stymied. With only a few minutes of spare time each day, e-problems are not a popular way to spend my time. However, technology aside, we've been having such a wonderful time with Julia! She is learning how to smile more, she's lifting up her head constantly (makes for some wild rides when we're carrying her around the house), and she has some fun new syllables like "ngaa." I'll keep posting pictures today as long as I have time...Julia is taking a rare afternoon nap WITHOUT being on the move (usually requires the sling or the stroller).

2008-08-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Julia likes her new "Groovy Girl" - thank you, Vickie! And thank you again Mom, for the wonderful quilt! Here is Julia modeling the teddy bear outfit sent by her dad's workmates. Pretty cute bear cub!

Mazel Tov!

2008-08-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we attended the wedding of Jon Fichter and Molly Silfen, our wear-your-sock-feet-to-dinner neighbors at the Delano. Their ceremony took place under a gorgeous huppah woven with Chinese silks by a friend's mother. According to Jewish tradition, the huppah is a symbol of the home to be created by the newly wedded couple, and Jon told me that the huppah cannot be a permanent structure because it needs to be created en situ by the couple's family and friends. Thinking about our recent move, I am very grateful for the family and friends who carried our huppah from one side of DC to the other to help us create a home where we can nurture our little family. Julia wore a cute pink dress from her great-grandma Boyce (thank you, grandma!) and was on her best behavior, tucked away in the sling. Jason and I even got to dance a few numbers with Julia swingin' in her sling. Speaking of dancing, Jason got to help hoist Jon's chair for the celebration. You can see our happy friends in the middle of the crowd!

Visit from Sarah!

2008-08-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

This week we had a wonderful visit from Sarah Benis Scheier-Dolberg, who brought some awesome culinary books for Julia and gentle wisdom and encouragement for Rachel. I am so lucky to have such a devoted friend! Bethany took us all to the Phillips Collection to see the "Migration Series" by Jacob Lawrence. Lawrence painted all 60 works simultaneously, one color at a time, to ensure the unity of the series. Amazing. I also enjoyed an exhibit of Richard Diebenkorn's New Mexico paintings, though of course my favorite two pieces had the only dashes of primary colors in the lot (tan being the dominant theme). I tend to consider myself a "narrative girl" - I'll take Genesis over the prophets, thank you - but I enjoy the challenge to experience color and form without immediately constructing a story. What is the experience of tan? I like to experience my tan with a dash of redemptive blue and red.

2008-08-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Nothing puts Julia to sleep like a long walk, buckled in her car seat in the stroller. Too bad we can't go walking at 3:30 am. Inspired by her aunt Kirsten, Julia assembled her own aviary this week. Sunday afternoon included some reading time with dad and Julia's first piano lesson. Julia was being fussy and I decided to introduce her to the piano. She was completely calm within five measure of Schumann's "Mignon." It was totally amazing. (And I am thrilled that she took so quickly to Schumann - a girl after my own heart!)

Visit from Marshall!

2008-08-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday night we got a special treat - an impromptu visit from Marshall! (Little does he know that we paid United a pretty penny to stall his flight home for 24 hours...) We found Marshall standing on top of a Jersey barrier in the airport pickup lane, grinning and waving his arms wildly. Only Marshall can get away with this in the top-security lockdown at Dulles! Marshall accompanied us to the hospital for Julia's hip ultrasound (verdict: her hips are now good to go) and the radiologist was delighted to have someone present who actually understood all of the anatomical details! No ordinary pre-med student, this Marshall. It was wonderful to have an infusion of Marshall's exuberant and thoughtful spirit in our home. Julia is super lucky to have such a fun uncle!

New use for the Sitz bath

2008-08-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Last night we attempted the fourth installment of bathtime. The past three episodes were traumatic dramas for all involved. Mom encouraged me to try a partially submerged bath, now that Julia's cord has fallen off, rather than submitting her again to the sponge bath. We have never heard Julia scream as loudly as she has during the sponge bath. (Then again, do I like sponge baths??) After another fussy evening, Jason and I weren't sure what to expect, but Julia decided that this was DEFINITELY a better option. Even with the suboptimal bathtub (we tried the as yet unused Sitz bath from the hospital - turns out Julia is way too long for this...we're still figuring out her dimensions!) she was at least intrigued and mellow. We couldn't quite scrub all of her little crevices with her body jammed in that tiny tub, but this was definitely a step in the right direction. Jason is relieved that Julia has potential to be a natural-bodies-of-water playmate...thank heavens!

2008-08-03T17:44:00.000-07:00

Julia loves to look at her Mondrian quilt before drifting off for her morning nap. Thanks, Kirsten, for a most amazing work of art!

2008-08-03T17:40:00.000-07:00

Julia received her first letter on Friday, from Beckett Baird. Beckett sent Julia a lovely blanket (made by his mom, with fabric selected by dad) and other fun treats. Thank you, Jeanne and Bruce!

2008-08-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

Julia has already grown so much in just a few weeks!

2008-08-02T14:15:00.001-07:00

Sleeping in the sunshine with Grandma Sue

2008-08-02T14:07:00.001-07:00

Susan helped Jason solve the Shaker weaving puzzle. Our rocker is almost done!

2008-08-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

Julia loves the book "One Red Dot" from her Aunt Kirsten! (So does Jason...)

2008-08-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

Grandma Sue and Julia wearing their matching purple outfits

2008-08-02T13:49:00.000-07:00

2008-08-02T13:48:00.001-07:00

Julia will like this one when she's a teenager!

2008-08-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

Jason with his baby girl

2008-08-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Aunt Heather teaches Julia about modern dance

2008-08-02T13:27:00.001-07:00

Jason and Heather went to work building a rocker for Julia...

2008-08-02T13:15:00.000-07:00

Grandma Joan and Aunt Heather took such good care of us!

2008-08-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Taking our little paratrooper home in her intergenerational Mumford outfit!

2008-08-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

Peter and Bethany brought good cheer and healthy (and tasty!) food to us at the hospital, while Joan and Heather packed their bags and came down on the next flight from the North Country to greet little newborn Julia.

2008-08-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Getting down to business: Pictures of our Julia Lena, born on July 13, 2008 at 4:00 a.m.!

New family blog

2008-08-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Jason and I have been debating whether to share our family adventures cave-art style (pictures on the digital wall) or with text. Jason is reading a New Yorker article that points out that there have been only 200 generations of people since writing was invented, while there were more than 1200 between the beginning of cave art and the invention of writing. Do we need to make up for lost textual time? Or are we complicating a good thing? After visiting the cave paintings in Lascaux, Picasso said, "They've invented everything." And I thought the 5th century BCE was the golden age.