Giraffe Hat

Summer is here, bringing lots of excuses to wear fun sunhats. We love this giraffe-print one from Gymboree.

Double Stroller

Here is Piera with Owen yesterday en route the playground. She's cruising in the backseat of what some might refer to as a "pimpin' ride".

Six-Months Old!

Piera turned six-months today. She had an appointment with her pediatrician and weighed in at 19 lbs and 6 oz and 27 inches long—95th percentile. She barely flinched during her immunization shots. It's hard to believe this tough cookie was once a newborn.

Happy six-month birthday, Piera Lily (and nice ruffled leggings)!

Old Friends

Here is Piera with Maria and her daughter, Izzy. Maria and Izzy have known Mommy since she was a baby; they were both in the Birth Center waiting room the night Piera was born. Amazing!

Tail Grabbing

After Piera made an unsuccessful bid for Diego's tail, they both chilled out on the bed for awhile.

Daddy

In honor of Father's Day, here are some pictures of Piera's daddy, Michael, when he was small.

These are some things you may not know about Michael: He excelled at baseball as a child, especially pitching. He once studied acting with Mike Nichols. His middle name is Raymond, after his own father. He hates dressing up, especially wearing ties. He once worked for Lehman Brothers. Although he was born and raised in Vermont, the first time he tried downhill skiing (snowboarding) was with Mommy in 2007. He drives a black Jeep Liberty. Countries he has visited include Costa Rica, Italy and the Dominican Republic. He liked the book, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and he thinks The Godfather is an excellent movie. He's the youngest of four kids and has so many cousins that Mommy dare not try and count them up here. He is a very good dancer. He is good at a lot of things but refuses to brag.

Welcome, Loklan

Piera's new friend, Loklan O'Neil, arrived today at 8:30 am. He was 6 lbs, 2 oz and 19 inches long. He is the little brother of Adara, seen here (and here!)

Congratulations to the whole O'Neil family!

Father's Day Preview

Love you, Daddy.
XOXO

Good Genes

Because Mommy slacked on taking pictures this week, there's not much new to report. Here's a photo of Mama when she was Piera's age and of Auntie Dana around the same age. As you will notice, there's a strong resemblance. Piera definitely has her mother and aunt beat in the chubbiness department though.

Other Pieras

This is a little girl named Piera Bertani. She was the great aunt of Mama's friend, Piera Gelardi. Don't you love old photographs?

Shh!

Piera put that loudmouth "Daners" in her place.

The Playground

Lately, Piera has discovered the joys of the swingset. We are lucky to live near two playgrounds that have baby swings. Unfortunately, one park gets invaded by big kids after school. Yesterday Mama saw two girls, both taller than her, hanging from the same swing that Piera is in. Reader service announcement: If you're old enough to read this, stay off the baby swings!

Learning to Sit

Our little lady demonstrated her almost unsupported sitting techniques in the backyard on Saturday.

A Glamour-ous Day

On Friday, Piera went to work with Mommy. She had a blast meeting Mommy's coworkers, posing in front of the Glamour sign and attending day care. Might she be a future magazine editor-in-training?

Memorial Day Redux

Long weekends always mean lots of Mommy/Piera time. They both loved Auntie Dana's boat, the beach and barbecues with friends.

Juicy Couture

Juicy...as in dressing like a watermelon.

Caved

Piera is an Exersaucer enthusiast. Until this past weekend, this meant she could play on one at Molly's or when visiting Oma in Vermont. But on a chance trip to Babies R Us this weekend, Piera could not contain her excitement when Mama wheeled her down the Exersaucer aisle. Guilt overcame Mommy. The Exersaucer jumped into the shopping cart.

End of story.