"Run Toward Me" (The Game)

This is one of Shepard's favorite games. This is an early version of it, though, created over a month ago, when he was only 7 months old. The laughs right now are much more raucous. I will attempt to capture the current evolution of this riveting pastime.

The picture taker

As the chronicler of my children's escapades, I'm rarely in the pictures myself. Here are two "autoportraits avec bébé," as a Frenchman would say. The first is from December 18th (7 months) and the second is from late January, so you can see what a difference a month makes in a wee babe's life.

The hilarious coaster

In my next life I will also find coasters hilarious, and conduct myself accordingly.

Jolly . . .

This kid loves jumping. I have no idea how to parlay that into a long-term life vision for Shepard, but hoo boy, if he's half as good at ANYTHING as he is at jumping, then he will live a happy life.

Cousin mermaids

This was what they had all been anticipating: the first trip to the pool in the Florida oasis, avec cousines. Lovely.

And now, a moment of Zak

All those guitar sessions my by brother has held with his kids is clearly paying off. Zak has these moments of such extreme lightness and musical swagger, I had to capture it. He obliged. Fun guy.

The outfit

Anticipating the trip to Florida, Olivia dons multiple hand-me-downs from idol, Cameryn (plus Mama's humongous scarf). The effect: breathtaking, as always.