And Proud of It!

Library Day

I've decided that every Wednesday is now Library Day. Cambridge has a brand-new, gorgeous library right in the heart of the city and I'm planning on being their #1 patron! Last week I went in and applied for a library card (actually two: one for me, one for the kid) and today we hung out in the kiddie section for about an hour. Talmage really likes watching the other children and it's good for him to see how they behave. He also is really entertained by the books. We checked out 12 books for him and two for me...we're both very excited!

Talmage loved standing by the book bins and looking at all the possibilities!

He was all smiles as we flipped through a few books in the library.

He sat at the table like a big boy! It was so cute! He read the book, and then...

...he ate the book! Oh well.

Mommy and Talmage.

So this picture has absolutely nothing to do with the library, but I've been trying to capture his OH face on camera forever (like mother, like daughter!) I finally got it. I love those little puckered up lips!!!

Talmage's Highlights from Today

Woke up at his leisure. Mother rushed to his side, filled his belly with Mama's Milk. Received lots of love from Father before he left for school. Received lots of love from Mother. Had front row seats for his favorite morning show, Baby Einstein.

Was tortured by Mother (at least it looks that way.) He likes to be naked, he likes to be dressed--he HATES the process in either direction. Screamed inconsolably for at least 30+ minutes, just to let Mother know how serious a mistake she had made.

Made up with Mother and had fun at the park. Especially enjoyed the swing and Mother's tickle monster games.

Started eating the swing (gross!) Mother said no. He licked it again. Mother sat him in the seat like a big boy. More tears followed--no pictures this time for we were in public!

Dinner was delicious. Ate spaghetti and toast just like Mother and Father. Ate SO well (shocking, I know. Went to the Dr. today and he weighs in at over 20 pounds. That's my boy!)

The End.

TOYS!!!

Since moving to Cambridge I don't know who is more bitter about not having mountains of toys, Talmage or me! Today the University put on a playgroup for all students with children and I know T must have liked it because I was seriously in heaven! Look at all the options! They have these activities every Friday and with toys like that, you better believe we will be there on time (maybe even early!) every single week. There were lots of children, fun treats, nice parents and we even had singing/dancing time for the toddlers. It was great!

(The picture above is like a serious game of Where's Talmage! Can you find him?)

(Talmage of course was eating every toy he touched!)

(The picture above is of T and a little girl named Nadia (who is 7 1/2 months old). Her daddy is the only other Pembroke graduate student with children so we are going to get together soon! They were instant friends!)

Miracle of the Broken Bike

Yesterday started out as a no-good very bad day (or so we thought). My hair straightener started smoking (at least I didn't lose my hair this time!) and now I am stuck to just a British blow dryer and a ponytail holder. Bummer. But in news more relevant to the title of this entry, Jim was riding our newly aquired bike to school (thank you to the O'Connor's for lending it to us) when his back wheel completely fell off. Yeah, not good. He's so lucky he didn't get seriously hurt. He was late for school and seriously bummed about the situation. BUT, it turned out to be a really, really, really good thing! While he was working on the bike outside Pembroke he met a fellow student who was working on her bike. They started chatting, somehow Council Taxes were brought up (we have to pay a huge tax to live in the city), and before long Jim learned that with him being a student and me being a non-UK-resident-spouse we are exempt from paying Council Tax. YEP! I called them last night and went into the office this morning and sure enough, we're cleared. Can you believe that? We are feeling about 1000 pounds richer and we might even celebrate at McDonalds...I'll let you know. So, at first we thought the broken bike was a bummer, but now we know it was a blessing. I love the way Heavenly Father works!

A Piece is a Park

Talmage and I met Jim for a picnic in Parker's Piece this afternoon. I quickly learned upon arrival in the city that a piece is a park. I don't super understand why, but I'm going with the flow! It doesn't bother me much, except for the name of one park "Christ's Pieces." It just doesn't sound very nice, so I refer to it as CP. Anyway, Parker's Piece was beautiful. There were people playing soccer, cricket and frisbee, and Talmage was more than entertained. After being stuck inside all day yesterday because of rain he LOVED being outdoors and playing on the grass.

(Talmage wants to put everything in his mouth these days...even my face! He is such a cute boy, and I love those cheeks!)

Rice Cakes

I so wish that rice cakes tasted as good to me as they do to Talmage...it would seriously make dieting a cinch! I introduced these styrofoam-tasting wonders to the little man about a week ago and he adores them. I break them in half and in no time the cake is in his mouth (and all over his clothes, and all over the floor!) I'm just thrilled that he eats it all by himself, and he is VERY proud of himself! And doesn't he look so sweet? I could just eat him up!