Morning Tea

Tea-time at breakfast for Jul and Gemma! Today Gemma asked for and was given her own little mug of milky tea to drink with breakfast. With this pregnancy, I've gone off coffee again in the mornings (not liking the smell) and have been drinking tea. (Decaf, don't worry.) Since Jim is away two days in Detroit for a meeting, it was the two ladies home alone this morning - and of course Gemma was standing on a stool at the counter wanting to help fix breakfast and sip the tea. She liked it! As you can see!

Smile! Say "tea"!

And I couldn't resist including a photo of our matching mugs. Jim and I bought these at a local pottery fair in Cape Town (imagining a day when a child could drink out of the petite one) - and now, here's Gemma, drinking her first sips from this mug!

Following in HIS sister's footsteps

Looks like our baby BOY will soon be following in his sister's footsteps! 

Yes, folks, that's right! There's no mistaking those boy parts and there's no mistaking these two cute little feet (viewed from below) on the ultrasound pictures. He is now at 21 weeks and so far following his big sister step-by-step; that is, kick for kick and roll for roll.

...for reference, here is the post from Gemma's ultrasound at 21 weeks and that awesome pic of her leg and foot.

And how is Gemma handling the news, you ask? As a matter of fact, just this past week we finally brought it up with her that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. Now she  initiates by pointing at me, "Baby, tummy. Baby growing. Hi, baby!" 

Today she lifted up my shirt and said, "Baby tummy. Open it!"

One more Durham post - so many good times

What a perfect day we had a Jordan Lake! (despite the somewhat murky water) Kids and adults all in the car by 9 AM and back home in the afternoon for naps. Not to mention a delicious picnic lunch. Oh - and warm water perfect for splashing and wading, and sunshine (but not too hot)! By the end of the morning, Asher & Gemma were happily acquainted with all the fun that sand can be for digging and splashing and letting it run through your fingers.

Gemma and Asher begin their explorations of the lake.

Grandpa helped Gemma start floating & swimming in the water. It didn't take her too long to really get into it; she laid herself right down in the shallow water, and pushed herself around on her hands, getting a few gulps of water here and there - to which she would come up smiling.

Even Adah Joy was very happy in the water! All smiles!

There was a nice sandy playground at the lake, too.

 

Who can't love this happy picture!

Here we are on a quick afternoon visit to Duke Gardens. We could have spent the day there learning about all the flowers and bushes and trees, but instead satisfied ourselves with meandering through the paths and different gardens for a couple of hours. (Although Gemma was a bit disappointed that she couldn't join the fish in the koi pond, despite sticking her feet in before we could stop her.) 

It is amazing to see how Duke Gardens has continued to improve and expand over the years. So much upkeep, and it is done so well! Just another great reason to live in Durham!

Let's take a break for the moment in the shade. Isn't this a classic Hawkins pose?

Asher and Gemma were so sweet to each other...

my lovely sister

Happy Father's Day!

Wow, three siblings together on Father's Day! What a great dad we have!

I couldn't resist this photo below - Adah Joy loves to be held like this when she is tired; she will purposefully throw her head back and arch her back until she is comfortable. 

One more photo before we head to the airport!

J&G in Durham for family time

While Jim was slaving away up in hot B-town, cranking out hours of dissertation work and eating interesting huge salads for dinner (his specialty) and baking banana bread for neighbors, Jul and Gemma had two lovely weeks in Durham at Grandpa and Jaja's house. "I see it! Jaja's house! Grandpa's house!" Gemma would exclaim every time we drove up Oakland Ave and returned to the house after a trip out to the grocery store.

Our first Saturday we joined Rachel & Asher (and other church friends) and spent the morning at a nearby lavender farm on their annual festival/visit day. Asher and Gemma weren't interested in the lecture on growing lavender...they liked seeing the pony and dogs and chickens on the farm, and running up and down the aisles of lavender.

Adah Joy is five months old, and what a sweetie! So social and happy and interactive. She gives big open-mouth grins when you talk to her, and responds so intentionally, "Gah, gah."

Gemma enjoyed helping Jaja water the flowers in the garden. Mostly so she could stick her hands up into the spray and have a little shower.

On Rachel's birthday, the 9th of June, Pete and Rita hosted us all for a cook-out. On the grill: chicken, pork chops, pineapple, peaches, zucchini and mushrooms. Plus chips and three dips. Cous-cous salad. And strawberry pie. Somehow I didn't get a pic of the birthday girl, though...

Auntie Rita bought these great folding chairs for Asher & Gemma to use - and of course they also ended up being the entertainment for the day as they climbed in and out.

Sit still for the picture! No? Then you get tickled!

"Woa, Gemma! Woa, Gemma!" was her refrain to herself (and the rest of the house) while she colored her rainbows. Gemma's coloring skills took off during our time there, since Jaja has a table at just the right height for toddlers. Notice the left-handed coloring. Yes, her mother is excited.

And Adah Joy finally got into the jolly jumper - and loved it!! If you can't tell, she is squawking happily in this photo.

I personally loved being able to use our B-town Wonderlab Museum membership at Durham's partner museum, the Museum of Life & Science. I wish we could have gone three or four times - there is so much to see, indoors and outdoors: animals; hands-on exhibits and play areas; moon landing exhibit;  butterfly house; outdoor playground; musical instruments; train ride through the woods.

New cousin and niece!

Adella Kathleen Hawkins

born June 5th

8 lb 3 oz, 20 1/4 in.

 

sweet Adella at 5 days old

Congratulations to Matt (Jul's brother) & Hannah and the three big brothers! Hurray for some pink in that house! What a beautiful little girl. "Adella" and "Kathleen" are both family names.

Adella (9 days old) with her brothers: Samuel, Phillip and Daniel

New Orleans, post 5: The French Quarter (part deux)