Lauren Speaks

...and apparently is washing her hands (literally) of a few things (see video below). My level of fluency in speaking "Laurenese" is still not too proficient but I believe she may be saying the following:

"Hark my fellow global citizens - allow me the kindness of your consideration. You see by my body contortion that I am a 'flexible' person not only physically but also of character as my mommy tells me I am agreeable most of the time. However, I must reprobate certain acts of malfeasance from individuals who clearly have just got it wrong in the following instances:

- Paul Wolfowitz, as president of the World Bank (and former co-architect of the Iraqi war), continues the Bush administration's smearing of American global credibility with his cronyism and double standards by giving his girlfriend, who also worked at the World Bank, a fat raise and double promotion to the State Department. I wash my hands of this fool!

(dramatic pause)

- It's clear that ol' George "Dubya" will never own up to the catastrophic results of a foreign policy lacking in realism and genuine good will. I wash my hands of all the mess he's caused around the globe!

- It doesn't matter that the Yankees are 13.5 games out of first place behind the Red Sox right now. There's plenty of games left in the season for a traditional Boston meltdown and NY resurgence. I wash my hands of all nay-sayers out there!

- I just don't like having baby food peas as part of my daily haute cuisine. When will my mommy and daddy realize that it just simply isn't pleasing to my palate?! I wash my hands of yucky baby food!

So many things that I just can't comprehend right now. At times, I wish I could just cover my eyes (literally) and let it pass. OK, I am now tired and want to take my nap. Thank you for your attention."

OK, I'm not 100% sure of what Lauren said but I hope I was close. *grin*. Check it out:

Lauren Laughs, Smiles, Splashes, and Stands

Over the past few weeks, Lauren has become very vocal with baby babble monologues and bright bouts of laughter. It's wonderful on so many accounts yet a reminder of how quickly she's passing through these milestones - it's true, they do grow up so fast. Nevertheless, it's quite precious to watch her develop each day. I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. We just shot this video tonight - seeing such reactions from her make the stresses of a long day at work vanish...



Other recent pictures from the past week:

Lauren gumming a frozen banana enclosed in a mesh contraption (great for her teething gums)...



Lauren started holding her own bottle a few weeks ago - she prefers to go at it alone, especially while watching TV...



Lauren with Daddy (and then Mommy) before going out to the mall in an outfit from my New Jersey friend Kyung...







Lauren making waves in the bath (the splash was well-captured for strategic anatomical placement)...





Lauren and Aunt Helen for a quick visit while in the OC...



Lauren has always fancied being on her feet since she was a month old. She constantly wants to be held up or propped next to something she can hold onto...



I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day weekend. We'll try to keep this blog updated more frequently. Keep visiting us!

Miscellany

Lots of recent events and lots of pictures to share...

May 14th - Lorraine and Lauren visit fellow Midwest Mom transplant, Sueann, and her daughter Eve and Baby Sam, who all fortunately live nearby...







May 16-18 - L&L visit Lorraine's Chicago-based life-long friend, Kerri, her husband, Martin, who's here for work, and baby Libby...







May 20 - Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary; we got Lauren "warmed up" at home with some stretching and biting exercises, dropped her off at my parents for Aunt Helen to make her debut as babysitter, and we celebrated our anniversary together at the Stevie Nicks concert in Los Angeles. Pics below of her exercises, Lorraine and me in the parking lot after the concert (I forgot to take the camera into the concert), and babysitting went well aside from Lauren not wanting to go to sleep despite her aunt and grandfather's attempts. We're home now and thankful for the help!

Happy Mothers Day Everyone

A very happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there. Here's Lauren on her first Mothers Day with Lorraine and also my mother...







Lauren even had time to play with dad...





Flashback to her Aunt Helen's graduation last week (finally got the pics today)...





Lastly, look who likes the pool...

Good News in May

Two very good recent bits of news to report:

1) On 5/6, Lauren's aunt, Helen, graduated from Loyola Marymount University graduate school with an MS in Environmental Science. She's now one step closer to being able to solve global warming. We're all very proud of you, Helen! Attendance included her family, boyfriend, and friends...







Sorry no pics of the graduating tree hugger (I'll put them up after the weekend) - they are on my brother's camera but he's inaccessible right now (see next paragraph).

2) "JohnDawn" (in the same celebrity-ness of TomKat and Brangelina) is now official! The couple escaped to Hawaii immediately after Helen's graduation, away from the paparazzi, so that John could pop the big question. We're happy to report that she answered in the affirmative on 5/8 during a romantic dinner on the beach. Welcome Aunt Dawn! (to the crazy Lee family)...



Some other recent pictures of Lauren (5 months old today and taken this week)...

Just like peas and carrots...

...are Lauren and Grandma. It fills my heart with joy to see them bonding together. Here are a few of my favorite pictures so far this visit...

Lauren & Grandma - just likes peas and carrots


Happy as can be playing together in the jumperoo!


So sweet!


Sharing a secret...


Lauren & Grandma poolside...




Mommy was allowed to come, too : )