Let Freedom Ring

I decided that I wanted to celebrate the 4th of July by taking Bryn swimming for the first time, a very 4th of July-ish thing to do, right? So we got her a swim suit, swim diapers, lathered her up in sunscreen, fed her full of milky goodness and headed out on the 2 mile walk to the pool. Upon leaving our flat we noticed that during our swim prep the sun that had been shining earlier was now clouded over, rain looked promising, and a chill was in the air. We went back inside, added sweatshirts and pants to our swim ensemble and headed back out...I was determined to go swimming on the 4th of July! We made it to the pool, paid the equivalent of $15 to go in ($15?!), stripped off our winter wear and stepped into the "heated" pool. It was COLD! Additionally, Bryn's happy awake time had elapsed and she was ready for a nap. I would have to be crazy to stick an already crying baby into the cold water and then walk her wet body 2 miles in the cold back to the flat, so we gathered our clothes, got a refund, wrapped Bryn in a towel and sat in a nearby park and ate a picnic lunch while she napped. Too cold to go swimming on the 4th of July?! Only in England. We did, however, finish off the day with a BBQ and fireworks with friends. Very fun. Very 4th of July-ish.

Bryn's face portrays the tragedy that was our swimming experience

Fast asleep 2 minutes after leaving the pool

A couple weeks ago we went to the U.S. Embassy in London to register Bryn as a U.S. citizen. I felt so grateful that she can be a citizen of the United States and enjoy the blessings and freedoms that will be hers as a result. I love America.

Contemplating freedom adorned in her festive red, white, and blue.

A Cougar in the Making

There's a party goin' on right here

'Member those exams Justin studied hard for?

Well, last night at a party he found out his score.

I just have to brag 'cause he did so well.

His hard work paid off and it makes my pride swell.

So congrats to My Love who did more than just PASS.

He showed 'em whose boss; yep, he really kicked --- (bootie?)!

Seriously Justin, you rock.

F-I-F-T-Y

Today is my mom's fiftieth birthday. You've done some pretty amazing things with these past 50 years, Mom. Can't wait to admire what you do with the next 50. Happy Birthday!Also, this picture lends itself well to a quick shout out to littlest bro, Cody, who graduated from high school last week. Whoo-hoo! Congratulations Cody. You are freaking phenomenal.

What the what?!

Bryn isn't a huge fan of tummy time and today she really put her foot down about it. I set her on her tummy and immediately she rolled right over! It was very unexpected. I didn't know babies could roll over this young? I put her back on her belly and she did it again. And again, and again. So much for tummy time I guess.

A Night Out

We left Bryn with a babysitter for the first time last night. Our friends, the Plowmans, offered to watch her so we could go out to celebrate Justin completing his exams. It's amazing how quickly our love duo has officially transformed into a family trio; it felt so strange to be together without Bryn. I had to resist the urge to call to check on her every 20 minutes--totally lame, I know. It was great to have some "love duo" time though. Big shout out to Jessica and Scooter for being the best (and sneakiest...that's right, we're on to you two!) babysitters...Thank You!

The Man

Justin is not just a man, he is the man. Today he completed the last of four 3-hour exams. He has had one each day since Monday. (Talk about being reminded of how lucky I am to be done with school!) The tradition here at Oxford to wear a white carnation on the first day of exams, a pink carnation for the middle exams, and a red one for the final exam. Hooray for the red carnation! Bryn and I are excited to have a relaxed, care-free daddy/hubbster back in our lives. Justin still needs to write and submit his dissertation before Columbia starts, but it will be less intense than the strain of these exams have been (at least that's what we're hoping). Way to go, Justin! Woot! Woot!