Bocce on Sundays

Just a few hundred feet from the Atlantic Ocean we are rolling balls down a sandy box towards a little bright colored ball. It is Sunday morning and we are with our friends at the Key West Bocce Courts. Our friends Simone and Geri got this new "tradition" started and we have come as a family a few times. It is a fantastic way to start a Sunday morning!

Today Samara was passed like a baton as each of us took our turns. She did not mind a bit and was excitedly cheering both teams, but I know she was probably partial to the Girls team!

We will Keep meeting as long as there are interested people and a set of Bocce Balls!

Caroline Taylor on Stage Again!

The Studios of Key West (www.tskw.org) put on the third annual production of "One Night Stand". This is a creative 24 hour period where local writers, directors, artists, actors and stage people band together for one 24 hour period to create and perform original plays.

Caroline was one of the actors this year. She played a bitter and haggard Virgin Mary who has gone from blessed sainthood to lowly appearances in a crazy woman's toilet.

I was not able to record the whole 10 minute play, and I am hoping that there will be a more "professional" version from someone else. I was able to get some of the opening segment leading up to Caroline's first "appearance".

Here talents are never-ending. Samara listed to the recording just now and was smiling and laughing!

The video clip is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ewpu_JQyY

A Star Is Among Us!

Caroline has completed her second acting workshop since Samara's birth. At the end of this one, she and her fellow actors performed in on of the premier playhouses of Key West, the Red Barn Theater.

The theater was packed with people even sitting in the isle. Caroline's performance was fantastic, but don't take my word for it, see it for yourself on YouTube!

This is the Link: Caroline's Monologue

Keith's Fathers Day Card from Samara

My favorite place to rest,
is upon my Daddy's chest.
I am so safe and warm,
safe from any kind of storm.

I hear his strong heart beating,
and it always makes me grin.
It tells me that he loves me,
his Miss Samara Quinn.

The THREE MONTH Mark with Samara

We are supposed to be updating this BLOG more often and we thought it would be a great venue to give everyone updates on Samara, but, when it comes down to sitting in front of the computer and typing away - or - playing with our oh-so-cute baby, the baby wins every time!

When she is sleeping, we catch up on chores and catch up with each other. Having Samara is the most momentous thing we have ever done and we are enjoying the journey very much.

Samara is now 13 weeks old, but more simply she has passed beyond 3 months. This is an important milestone because in many respects from 0 to 3 months she is still a VERY dependent creature who needs as much support as she got in the womb. Now, though, she is developing more of a personality, starting to get control over her hands and feet and becoming much more aware of the wider world around her.

Just the other day she rolled herself over (perhaps by accident) while we had her tummy-down on the quilt Grandma made for her. She smiles a lot, mostly in response to other smiles and positive affirmations, such as "you are sooo cute!".

We have converted a 3-wheel bicycle into baby transportation by through-bolting a baby car seat onto the back platform. The bike is a good size for either one of us to ride and Samara is safe right behind us.

We have also ordered the most expensive infant life jacket you can buy ($69.95), but it is worth it because it is specially designed for infants up to 25 pounds. Which brings me to weight, the main measurement of baby development and health, here is Samara's track:

March 11: 7lb 7oz (delivery)

March 13: 6lb, 13oz (normal to lose a little before leaving hospital)

April 2: 8lb, 5oz

April 9: 9lb

April16: 9lb, 13oz

April 23: 10lb, 1oz

April 30: 10lb, 7oz

and more....!

okay, okay - this is getting a little obsessive! She weighs 13lbs 1oz now and basically this means she is healthy and doing well!

Caroline is back to work 2 days a week, which gives Keith 9 hours each of those days as solid "Daddy Time". Keith is still working flexible days between boat captaining and computer work.

Oh, whats that? Samara is awake? Gotta Go play with the baby!

PS: Samara's Video Debut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWDCX0FKDH8

Sorry for the Delay... More Posts Coming!

We got completely absorbed in the last month of pregnancy and the first week of having a baby, but we are going to start catching up on our blogs this week!!!

What Does a Baby Mango Need?

People Keep Asking, So Here It Is!

A List of things we still need to be ready for baby “Mango's” arrival.

• Foam Changing Pad with Cover
• Any Assorted Baby Cloths: Newborn to age 18!
• Waterproof Changing Pad with Terrycloth on One Side
• Sleepers (newborn – 3 months)
• Side Snap T-Shirts (all sizes – Mango will be wearing these a lot in Key West)
• Cotton Sweater (probably only 2, it is pretty warm here)
• Brimmed Sun Hat
• Washable Breast Pads
• Medela Feeding and Storage Set (bottle, nipple & cover) (4)
• Cotton Diaper Covers (Bummies are a good brand): (2) Newborn, (4) 6 month
• Bibs: Newborn and 6 Month
• Hooded Swaddling Towels (2)
• Cloth Wipes
• Books to Read to the Baby
• Baby Carry Pack – for front or back carry

All of these items are available through Babies R Us web site: www.babiesrus.com

But, we also would be very happy with second-hand things as well, this reduces our impact on the environment and saves money. So keep us in mind next time you are in a thrift store or at a yard sale.