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Danae and Chris (and now Sophie Adei, Charlotte Grace, and Rowan Jiles ) live and play in Oakland, CA.

Archive

Jul
17th
Sun
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Just out smarted by a two year old!

Yesterday I baked zucchini muffins— with optional cream cheese frosting.  Today, Sophie had one for a snack and asked for another.  I said, “maybe…if you eat a good dinner.”

A few hours have gone by and we just finished a truly farmers market dinner made by Chris— a salad of asparagus, corn and zucchini, steamed broccoli and asparagus, and grilled nectarines.  Sophie didn’t really eat much (not surprising due to the absence of carbs or cheese).  She excused herself and began to play.  As we lingered around the empty dishes, Sophie came back and said, “I had a good dinner.”  For a moment, Chris and I really thought she was complimenting the food.  Then, she said, “I would like another muffin please.” 

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Jun
22nd
Wed
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It’s Started

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new phase for Sophie…the “why?” phase.  I think I got a total of fifteen whys through the course of a 5 minute dialogue while getting ready in the morning.

“Please keep your shirt buttoned.”

“Why?”

“So your clothes stay on.”

“Why?”

“So you’re not naked.”

“Why can’t I be naked?”

“Because you can’t be naked for Judy’s house.”

“Why?”

“Because it would be bad manners.  Please put your shoes and socks on.”

“Why?” etc. etc. etc.

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Jun
11th
Sat
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Today marks Charlotte and Rowan’s three month birthday!  They still seem so small that it’s hard to believe they are already three months old.  Thus far, we have learned the following about our two new friends:

Charlotte (aka “the smurf” or “the dove”):

  • still has very deep blue eyes and dark brown hair that is very curly when wet
  • keeps very good posture
  • seems quite delicate and gentle—this comes out in how she smiles, holds her hands, and sleeps.  (Poor thing does not sleep very well.  There is usually too much commotion at cranleycasa so she has developed the preference of being held until she falls asleep, or else requires a very tight swaddle).
  • takes comfort in a binky
  • coos when she eats
  • is a definite snorter!

Rowan (aka “the shark”):

  • eyes have turned from blue to green/gray and has lost most of her brown hair
  • has long periods of calmness where she will stare you down
  • is incredibly generous with her HUGE smile
  • is like a little ball to hold
  • will suck a binky vigorously and then spit it across the room 
  • just seems intense
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Charlotte and Rowan snuggling 

Charlotte and Rowan snuggling 

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May
31st
Tue
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It’s no surprise that during the past couple of months Sophie has taken a huge interest in the baby dolls at school.  They are her favorite toy and she has asked to bring them home on more than one occasion.  Well, over the weekend Sophie got to choose a baby doll of her own.  This baby is complete with a removable diaper and binky— the same features that interest Sophie most about her new sisters. As we were leaving the store we asked Sophie was she would like to name her new baby. Mom and Dad threw out several suggestions.  Sophie latched on to the fourth name we threw out— Clementine.  We immediately complemented her choice and began singing…”Oh my darlin’ Clementine”. Well..later that night when Papa Cranley asked Sophie the name of her new baby. Sophie stopped and thought for a few moments, very clearly trying to remember the name she had selected an hour previously.  After a few minutes, she very confidently said, Darling. My baby’s name is Darling.  And Darling it has been ever since!

It’s no surprise that during the past couple of months Sophie has taken a huge interest in the baby dolls at school.  They are her favorite toy and she has asked to bring them home on more than one occasion.  Well, over the weekend Sophie got to choose a baby doll of her own.  This baby is complete with a removable diaper and binky— the same features that interest Sophie most about her new sisters.

As we were leaving the store we asked Sophie was she would like to name her new baby. Mom and Dad threw out several suggestions.  Sophie latched on to the fourth name we threw out— Clementine.  We immediately complemented her choice and began singing…”Oh my darlin’ Clementine”.

Well..later that night when Papa Cranley asked Sophie the name of her new baby. Sophie stopped and thought for a few moments, very clearly trying to remember the name she had selected an hour previously.  After a few minutes, she very confidently said, Darling. My baby’s name is Darling. 

And Darling it has been ever since!

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May
23rd
Mon
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Bee Swarm (in Apple Tree) at Thornhill House.  There are a lot more bugs in our lives now that we live in the “country”, but none more scary than when bee swarm relocated into the front yard.   Danae was not sure she could leave the house.  A few phone calls to Chris’ old bee keeper friends later, they were remove, unharmed, to continue making honey somewhere else in the Oakland hills. 

Bee Swarm (in Apple Tree) at Thornhill House. 

There are a lot more bugs in our lives now that we live in the “country”, but none more scary than when bee swarm relocated into the front yard.   Danae was not sure she could leave the house.  A few phone calls to Chris’ old bee keeper friends later, they were remove, unharmed, to continue making honey somewhere else in the Oakland hills. 

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Chris’ Girls

Chris’ Girls

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4 Generation Photo

4 Generation Photo

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May
2nd
Mon
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More pictures of our girls!

I haven’t received our actual CD of pictures yet, but I can’t wait to share these photos of our girls taken by the fabulous Monica Wharton since I saw the preview of them on Monica’s blog.  Check them out!

http://monicawhartonphotography.com/blog/?p=998

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Apr
25th
Mon
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After nap time on Easter, we all headed to Tilden Park to ride the steam train.  This fabulous train ride offered full bay views!

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