Baby BB-Ford: Lance Julian is a cousin!

Generation II

I am over the moon. My amazing sister-in-law, Yuki, delivered my niece, Aya, on Friday, February 17th at 8:52pm. She is a big Batten baby, weighing in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces. One of the best parts of having Aya is that Obaachan Mineko was in town! We miss her now that she's back in Japan.

Proud Mama

DJ, Yuki, Aya

Baby Karl at the hospital. Resemblance?

They labored at home through the night and it served as a good little reminder for me. LJ has been enchanting me with his cuteness; I had completely forgotten about the horrors of labor and was actually considering having another one. Now I remember. I'm not doing that again for a long long time.

The Lances are so excited!

It is also so exciting that my big brother is finally a dad. He's already gotten to practice quite a bit with his nephew, but now he'll be the one sleep deprived! Muahhahahahahaha! But seriously, he has always been a wonderful big brother, he has been a great uncle and now he gets to be a fabulous daddy. Aya is one lucky girl. We are all so lucky. I can't wait for Lance Julian to be a big brother-cousin. It's about time he have to share the spotlight around here!

Introduction.

Deceptively cute.

Lance Julian is exploring the word of solid food and the verdict? Meh. Cough cough. Choke. He enjoys feeding himself, but it's hard when you only have two bottom teeth. We're all learning about what makes him gag--everything--and what makes him happy--everything. I guess that makes it simple. Some of the crowd favorites are rice, the pictures say it all.

"Cool. This food sticks!"

Those aren't teeth.

Yay! Banana!

It appears Lance may skip crawling altogether. He is "cruising", walking along while holding onto any low surface including a hunched over parent or grandparent. He loves it. He is quite proud of himself. His personality is really blossoming too. I don't know if it is comparing him to a newborn or what, but suddenly he is no longer a baby. He is so interactive-- he fake cries, flirts, whines, has legit likes and dislikes and as grandma says, he is showing more respect for books (i.e. not eating them)--it's incredible. I'm enjoying the show.

Just doesn't seem like a baby anymore.

See, we do look alike!

As LJ grows up, he and Naima have even more in common.

In his Caribbean outfit.

Leighton and Mineko make soba noodles!

Aya likes music too.

First Swing!

The boys hanging out--LJ, Teddy, Enzo.

Lancito got his first trip to Chamakome. Leighton and I hadn't been to the ranch since the wedding and it sure looked snazzy! The weather couldn't have been better. We only forgot a few things--a crib, a baby carrier and any warm weather clothes. But we managed. Leighton created a fort out of cushions and Eleanor stuffed Lance into her backpack. Literally. The highlight was mushroom hunting with Sam. Even DJ enjoyed it!