From Peaceable to...?: May 2016

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Visitors for Dylan

We are already back and settled in to our new home in DC!

Before we left, so many people came to welcome Dylan.

She is already SO loved.

Auntie Stace and Auntie June (who by the way is managing Dylan no problem with a severely broken clavicle- ouch!)

Poppy and Gigi. Dylan's middle name, Thea, is a nickname for Theodora...Gigi's name.

The Link gals managed to sneak in a visit before visiting hours ended!

And of course, Dylan's big sisters. Those girls will be unstoppable!

Thanks to our other visitors who we didn't catch pictures of - its so nice to know that Dylan already has so many people looking out for her in this world!

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

She's here!!!!!

Miss Dylan Thea was born May 24, 2016.

7 lbs. 21" in length

She's perfect in every way!

Already face timing with Auntie Sheela

Proud Grandma

In love with her Daddy

Today she will have lots of visitors! More pics to follow!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

While we wait...a blanket for Dylan

While we all anxiously await Dylan's arrival, I have been trying to keep busy with things that don't cause my feet to swell. Today I finished a blanket for Dylan! I'm thinking that it will probably be a stroller blanket or a blanket for tummy time (when her fancy pink elephant one is not around). It's really warm, and nice and thick. This is the first time I ever did an i-cord (the green border) and I'm excited with how it came out! Real knitters would surely be able to tell that a beginner made this blanket, but hopefully Dylan will love it anyways.

If you happen to be a knitter, I used a free pattern from Purl Soho (here). I didn't use all of their yarns because they are pretty pricey. But their yarns are beautiful and now that I know what I'm doing, I might splurge on their yarns if I make another!

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

New Pond Farm

Rachel decided that for her mitzvah project she wanted to work with animals, which made volunteering at New Pond Farm an obvious first choice! New Pond Farm is a 102-acre educational center and farm in Redding, CT. Their mission is "to connect people with the land that enriches and sustains us all." There is also a dairy annex, where David was able to find some delicious chocolate milk to snack on while Rachel was working! There are so many events happening there - from school field trips to astronomy lessons at the observatory, and at any time visitors can walk around and check out all the animals on the farm. If you happen to be in Redding, CT, definitely check out their website (New Pond Farm) for upcoming events!

Rachel volunteered in the learning center taking care of the reptiles and amphibians. Thatcher Taylor patiently trained Rachel in how to take care of the animals, and in no time she was totally comfortable taking care of them on her own. She's a natural!

We all fell in love with the animals. Chester was immediately labeled as Grandma Chris' boyfriend. Jill was smitten by Bazzle. Blaze, Monica's favorite, was always calmest in Jill's hands! And David just loved Scales....NOT!!! He's terrified of snakes! You could find David at the dairy annex with his chocolate milk :D

We only wish that we could continue volunteering there.

Thank you New Pond Farm for the awesome experience!

Great work Rachel!!

Rachel's Rehearsal

Yesterday Rachel had a rehearsal for her bat mitzvah. She got to practice reading at the podium into the microphone...and it was the first time we could hear her interpretation of what her Torah portion is about, the meaning of that to her, and how her mitzvah project (volunteering at New Pond Farm) relates to that. Without giving too much away, she spoke about treating people kindly and equally and how she draws on her love for animals as an example of how she would like to show love in her relationships with people. It was really beautiful, and we're so proud of her!

Jill (left): cool as a clam since she's not the one reading in front of the congregation this time! #beentheredonethat

Ready to go! Lets do this!!

I didn't want to reveal just how stunning Jill and Rachel look in their dresses before the big day...so stay tuned for more pics after the bat mitzvah this Saturday!