Dear Pumpkin,

We’re finally all moved in, but our busy schedules have kept us too much on the go to really get settled in yet. I’m behind in your monthly posts by two months, but April was a good one. You got to meet the rest of your family! We captured a lot of special moments on camera throughout our visits, but my favorites are the candid shots of you playing with your grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins.

Our shipping container arrived at the beginning of the month – just in time to unpack our beds, leave the rest strewn about, and head off to North Carolina to introduce you to the gang. It was a great trip, and you finally met your Grandpa, Aunt, Uncles, and cousins. Your cousins, though a couple years older than you (3 and 6 years old) were crazy about you. Amanda wanted to constantly hold you and Josh gave you lots of smiles.

Many more family photos are posted on PicasaWeb:

We spent two weeks in Raleigh, which still was not enough time to visit all of our old friends and favorite places, but it was a good trip. Papa and I were even able to sneak away a couple nights and leave you with Grandma and Uncle Dane to babysit. We also took you (and Amanda) on your first geocaches, toured you around your future college (UNC), and did several photoshoots at Duke Gardens and in your grandparents’ backyard.

Photos from more of our Raleigh adventures are posted on PicasaWeb:

While we were away, you also hit some big milestones. You got your first two teeth and started solids. We gave you cold cantaloupe to sooth your sore gums, and following your interest in our food, we decided to introduce you to pureed solids. So far, you’ve liked everything I’ve given you except spinach. Bananas, carrots, broccoli, and prunes are your favorites. I’ve had a lot of fun steaming and pureeing your food, but be warned…my cooking skills plateau not too far beyond that. :)

Also on our trip, Grandma showed you how to get up on your knees, and shortly after we got back home, you were scooting into position and rocking back and forth. You learned to finally roll over from your back to your front and have become a tummy sleeper. Unfortunately, the teething screwed up your habit of sleeping through night for a few weeks.

You’ve started making some new sounds, with mamamama as your main one. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to mean me, but instead “help me” like when you’re in your crib and want out. Your doorway bouncer is still a favorite activity, with peels of laughter always guaranteed.

The weekend after we returned from NC, Uncle Mikey drove up to San Francisco to see you too. He’s determined to be “The Outdoor Uncle” (as opposed to The Gadget Uncle and The Uncle with the Hat) and took us hiking along Land’s End and across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a brief weekend trip, but we promised to visit him soon in San Diego.

More photos from his visit are on PicasaWeb:

That’s about all we could fit into one month, but it was enough family to last us a while.

Hugs and kisses,
Mama