We are in count-down mode for Phil being done with residency (one more day!!), vacation, and moving so it will probably be a good long while before I get a chance to post anything new on the blog. Amazingly the day to day schedule for Sasha and I has remained somewhat normal this week. It helps to have professional movers this time around who will pack up all the stuff the day before we move. We've been getting together with friends one last time, going to favorite restaurants, and checking off things on our to do list. The end is now in site and we're excited to start the next part of our lives!

This was at my last outdoor concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis. Phil spent most of the concert trying to keep Sasha entertained during her cranky time of the evening. It is definitely harder for her to just fall asleep wherever now. She's pretty routine--needs a quiet, dark environment or else movement (stroller or carseat).

We started Sasha on some solids a couple of weeks ago which justified the purchase of a highchair. She's not a fan of plain cereal, but tolerates it mixed with some bananas for now.

Sasha and her Pop on Father's Day. It's a love affair to be sure. Isn't she starting to look more and more like him?

The weather has been so gorgeous lately that we try to spend as much time outside as possible these days. Sasha loves to sit in the grass and feel the different textures of leaves, flowers, and bark. I will really miss the canal walk downtown Indy--a great hour-long stroller ride with lots of fountains and other people to look at.

Sasha with Grandpa Fred in Goshen (from a couple weeks ago). My parents are coming down this weekend to watch Sasha while Phil and I tackle some heavy duty sorting/pitching/recycling in the attic. I can't believe Phil graduates in a week from what once seemed like an endless residency!

My curly-headed "Bean" as we call her.

I've been meaning to post these pictures for some time--they were on our other camera which was just now downloaded. Anyway, Sasha and I went to Columbus, Ohio about 3 weeks ago with several of my friends from nursing school to visit another one of our friends who just had a baby. It was a fun day of catching up with each other and watching the kids socialize.

From left Michelle and Jill holding new baby Finn, me with Sasha, Sarah holding Nora, and Melissa (whose house we were at) holding Sean.

The wee ones look a bit like bowling pins in this shot.

Sasha tried out her water legs for the first time at Jill's pool on Memorial Day. She was a little tentative at first, but seemed to enjoy it or at least not hate it the rest of the time.

These are just a few other pictures taken during a recent trip up to Goshen.

Sasha has started taking a keen interest in Burt, the cat. Whenever he enters the room she immediately stops what she is doing and follows his every movement. He is a good sport and lets her "pet" him even though the end result is baby fistfuls of fur.

Phil and I are amazed by how content Sasha is now that she can sit up on her own. We surround her with toys and books and she's set for 10-15 minutes at a time.

This is a rare smile captured during tummy-time. Her aversion to this position makes me wonder if she will ever crawl....

Straight-haired monkey in the laundry basket.

A less-subdued hairdo later in the week.

As of this last weekend, Sasha is sitting up on her own and loving the view.

New Mexico Trip

It seems I'm always about a week behind in my blogging with the lag time to upload pictures. Anyway, we went to New Mexico 2 weeks ago for a week of vacation with the purpose of finding a house to rent next year in Santa Fe. After looking at about 12 places, we settled on a 3-bedroom townhouse downtown right by the Railyard District which is the up and coming gallery, restaurant, farmer's market area and is right where the new train between Albuquerque and Santa Fe will come in. It's a great location and now that we can picture ourselves in a house next year, we are very excited about living out there. Phil was relieved to finally get the contract signed with the hospital during this trip as well. We enjoyed spending time with my sister Megan and brother-in-law Uli and my aunts and uncles in Albuquerque. A taste of good things to come next year.

A hug from Great Aunt Carolyn.

Sasha hoping the life-size doll will be her friend.

A picnic on the UNM campus with Megan and Uli.

My First Mother's Day

Sasha and I goofing around before church.

Both of our parents came down for Mother's Day and to attend my last concert with the community orchestra that I've been playing in since I moved here 8 years ago. Here is a 3-generation shot.

The Yoder Smucker family on Mother's Day.

Grandpa Smucker entertaining Sasha out in the hall during the orchestra concert.

These are just a few other recent favorites over the last week. Sasha is officially 4 months old now (since the 6th) and we both agree that it just gets better and better.

I've been so negligent with this blog recently. I know there's not any great excuse, but with the move to Santa Fe looming over our heads, trying to sell our house, and take care of Sasha, it feels like a busy time. We did make it out to Ohio last weekend to see Phil's brother Ben, Rachel, and cousin Mary and then on to see great-grandma Yoder and Jess's aunt and uncle.

Aunt Rachel tries out the new carrier she made on a littler baby.

Great-grandma Yoder meets Sasha for the first time.

Mother and daughter Mother's Day weekend.