Summering in Maine

I had work meetings in Acadia National Park last week, and naturally, I brought my entourage.  We had a blast playing on the rocks, taking evening strolls along the coast, hiking, and biking.  On Saturday, Allen met up with his former climbing partner, who lives in Portland these days, for a bit o' Down East trad climbing.  

We rented bikes and went on an awesome bike ride on Sunday morning - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! - with an old friend from grad school who we randomly ran into in Bar Harbor.  Lu really enjoyed her spacious trailer, and was particularly fond of going downhill very fast! 

One last note - as is apparently her habit, Lu's next pair of teeth finally made their way out into the world (of her mouth, at least) while we were in Maine!  I'm trying to get a pic of all four chompers, but haven't been able to swing it yet. 

Post-nap wiggles

Lu's not crawling yet, but she's rolling like a log and scooting around and backwards to wherever she wants to go.  This video captures her wiggles post-nap as well as a bit of a tour of the house we're about to leave:

Upside-down

Lu LOVES to look at the world upside-down.  She is constantly arching her back, craning her neck, or otherwise contorting her body to change her view of any room.  I'm not exactly sure what this says about what kind of person she'll be, but I suspect she'll be pretty interesting.

This one's for you, Victor...

So Allen built this thing in one of our doorways that is meant to help his fingers get stronger so he can climb harder routes.  I think Lu's going to sprint right by her old man once her strength to weight ratio is a bit more balanced.   

Visits!

As is evidenced by the fact that I'm just getting around to updating the blog, the end of May and beginning of June were C-R-A-Z-Y times at Casa de McFincher.  I had to take my first week-long sans-Lu trip in May in order to attend a work retreat at Yellowstone NP.  It was so very hard to be away, but the bison, grizzly bear, wolves, and more all helped me feel a bit better.  (Pics from my trip here.)  While it wasn't easy for Lu and Allen, my mom came up and helped, which made things much much more bearable.  This pic was taken the day after I returned.

Then, just a week after I got back, Allen had to head to Austin to attend the tryouts for the soccer club where he'll be coaching again when we return in July.  His mom was already up in Knoxville for the Destination Imagination global finals, and she stayed for an additional week to watch Lu while I was at work and help in general! 

Lu had a wonderful time playing with both grandmothers.  We are so very very lucky that we have such wonderful families.  I'm so glad that we are able to spend time with them now, and am looking forward to more visits when we're back in Texas.

A Sad Goodbye

Lu's bestest friend in the whole world, Ilan, is moving to Copenhagen by way of North Carolina.  We said goodbye to Ilan and his parents Noa and JP today, but are taking "next year in Jerusalem" literally and are planning to meet them in Israel later this year!  This pic of the two pals was taken by JP at one of Allen's soccer games a few weeks ago.

9 Months Old!!

Time for another yellow chair pic!!

You can find her seven month photo here, five month photo here, her three month photo here, and her one month photo here.