We want to send out our wishes of health and happiness to everyone. We hope that our letter finds you and your family in the best of spirits this holiday season.
It’s been tradition to start out our letter with our news of family growth. Last year we brought home an adorable 8 week old puppy named Phoebe. Previously, we announced the pending births of our daughters. This year is no different. Once again, we’ll be adding to our family. However, unlike last year, it’ll be human. We’re expecting a third child the 4th of July. We’ll find out in another three weeks or so whether it’s a girl or boy (we like to be surprised — until the ultrasound technician tells us). Joel is happy either way. Laura wishes to have more beautiful girls. Abigail has expressed interest in a brother. Regardless, we’ll be happy if the newborn is healthy and happy.
Abigail, now three years old, attends preschool twice a week and loves every second of it. Every few weeks, Laura works in the classroom and sees Abigail's development first hand. Abigail can now draw a pretty decent self portrait and insists on wearing the “dress-up” clothes for the entire class period. She’s focused on princess stuff, dancing, and (to her parents chagrin) boys. All that and she’s really taking on the part of big sister, watching out for Collette.
Collette turns two in May. She’s not much of a talker, but has been trying hard recently. She’s athletic and will climb (or attempt to climb) most anything. She can’t sit still (sometimes making long car trips difficult) and loves to tap dance (in princess shoes, no less) and march around the room. She’s also taken to crawling on top of Phoebe and trying to ride the dog like a horse.
Finally, this time last year we were just getting settled in the Bay Area with Joel working at Google. In fact, we mentioned that we were in the Bay Area for good! Now, Google is offering our family the opportunity to move to Boulder, Colorado for the next couple of years, and we’re going to try it out. We’ll miss family and friends in the Bay Area, but are excited to try something new. And, as with all Laura’s pregnancies, it seems we just can’t manage to have a baby near family! We’re excited about being moved, not quite excited about packing and moving. Please keep in touch as we move yet again!
