What are we doing??

a) Practicing our moving skills
b) Getting rid of our ant infestation
c) Creating a BIG run-around area for Ilana
d) Getting our living room carpet cleaned
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...
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The correct answer is: D!! We have THE BEST housekeeping staff in the North Village. They spent 3 hours in our apartment last week steam-cleaning our nasty carpet. I didn't realize how smelly our apartment was until about 30 minutes into Miss Sonya's work. Our carpets are officially the cleanest they've been since we moved in, and now we're moving back into our living room. :)
And of course, here's a video of Ilana enjoying the fan we used to help the drying process along...

As far as the other options go, we haven't had any ant infestations what-so-ever this summer (YEAH!!) and as much as I'd love Ilana to have a big area to run around in, we also need a living room. Maybe some day. But I have a feeling we'll need to practice our moving skills before that day comes along. :)
-H

a confession

Well, I must confess that now that I have a Facebook account and my internet time is divided between it and blog-land, recently Facebook has been winning out. Sorry...I'm back...I'll try to be better in the future. So for those who still don't have a Facebook account, for whatever good reason, here is an update...
We are completely back to normal, or at least the "new normal" now that Ilana is walking. She is being very... "helpful" around the house these days. She loves to help unload the groceries...
unload the paper shredder...
help me keep the pictures on our computer organized...
and even sort the laundry!
Who knows, in a few weeks, she might even be doing the dishes. Now THAT would be a miracle!
Here's a recent video, so you can see her in "full action." Yes, this activity was her idea, don't worry the diaper is clean. Enjoy. :)

-H

Paul Bunyan

Paul decided to keep his 3-week beard for me to "experience it in all its glory." I wasn't a huge fan...So he started shaving it off. I (maybe) could have handled this...but definitely NOT this...He's back to his "old" Paul again. I forgot to get a "finished product" picture. He says he misses his beard, but I must admit, I'm glad it's gone. :)
-H

SHE'S WALKING

Apparently Ilana was waiting to walk for Paul because tonight...

and a few minutes later she added the laugh...

and just after that...

It happened just like THAT! It was crazy. I can't believe it. I have a feeling I know what the next few days will be full of - SLEEP! She's going to wear herself out in no time at all. Let the good times roll, I mean WALK. :)
-H

Annapolis, MD

Wow! This past week has flown by. We have had so much fun playing with Gigi...

re-organizing Nonni's tea collection...
seeing old friends...
swinging...

(she seriously did NOT want to get out)

playing with bubbles...
swimming in the pool...

pestering Simon the cat...

eating more corn on the cob...

playing with cousins Sami and Caroline...
and learning about all sorts of animals...

but we are SO ready to be home in Texas (crazy, I never thought I'd be saying that!). Paul, we'll be home soon, I promise. We can't wait to see your 3-week beard!

-H