Halfy birthday, Liberty!

Can you believe it -- Liberty is SIX MONTHS OLD today!

In some ways, it feels like she still just got here. In other ways, it feels like she's always been here. Regardless, she's such a precious part of our lives: so calm, cheerful, sensitive and delicate. She fully embraces the Haven part of her name, bringing peace to everyone she meets.

To celebrate her "halfy birthday," please enjoy this video of Liberty trying her first bites of solid food!

Diaperless and Dandy(lions)!

On sunny days, we often enjoy going to parks, soaking up the rays and being carefree with one another.

Recently, at Bella Vista Park, London shed his diaper and gave himself some air while he picked dandelions and provoked a wrestling fight with Daddy.

Enjoy the video!

And... we're back!

Wow... sorry! We've been gone for a little bit, due in part to the fact that we weren't able to find our camera -- the source of all our media -- and the fact that Mama Bear was stricken with the flu.

But the camera's found, Savvy's all better, and we're back!

Here's a little peek into how London is more and more warming up to his sister.

Just one perk of having a little sister

London has discovered that having a little sister has its advantages... one being that he can get some mad air in Liberty's bouncer. Liberty's not too keen on the bouncer quite yet, so London's keeping it warm for her as he propels himself into the air.

London learned a new word tonight: popcorn. And he also learned that he really likes the kettle corn variety of microwave popcorn. He couldn't stop eating it! Kept saying "more" and doing the baby sign language for it.

Savannah's been sick the past few days, so Daddy and London have been enjoying some quality time together while Mom and Libby rest.

Check out the video!

London's fatherly instincts

During bathtime, London showed us that he's been paying attention as we've taken care of sister Liberty. He loves to say the word "baby," and during bathtime tonight, showed us that he knows how to handle a little one of his own. I kept trying to get him to do the "top-top, bottom-bottom, middle-middle-middle" burping song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but he only did it to himself briefly.

Watch our son be fatherly! It's hilarious! (Sorry about the green "blinks" -- not sure what caused those...)

London's latest antics

London's doing SO much better these days. His appetite is back with a vengeance, and he is back to his happy, Tasmanian Devil self.

He never ceases to keep us laughing, whether it's the way he says "Hi-eeee!" to everyone who walks by, the way he says "ball" with a Southern accent (it sounds more like "bawl"), or the way he flirts with every lady who walks by (but then says "NO" to the less-attractive ones when they flirt back).

Daddy got to film his first video with both babies last week, but of course London stole the show while Liberty napped. This boy just can't stick to a script! Check out the video below!

Calming (and chowing) down!

Things are settling down around here at the Hathcock cave.

London's appetite slowly is returning. Liberty's is increasing. London's still having some difficulty sharing Mom, but for the most part has returned to his happy-go-lucky self. He has, however, become an anti-homebody, regularly toddling to our front door and banging on it to go for a walk or out on an errand. Outings make him happy.

Illness, praise God, has left us, and now, nearly two weeks after Liberty was born, we're finally able to focus on getting into a rhythm. We asked ourselves tonight, "How much more would we have it together if we would have been home since Feb. 6?" Probably lots more... oh well!

We really have felt supported by our friends and family, who all have lent a hand. On Friday, Savannah's cousin Mary made us a delicious chili dinner with salad and brownies. On Sunday, our good friend Alexis made us a wonderful chicken and noodles dish (I'm not a cook, so I couldn't tell you what it was... but it involved angel hair) a salad, some yummy carrot (cup)cakes and a sweet card. More food's coming our way tomorrow!

Here's some food for thought: a video of little Liberty in her bouncer! She's such a sweetie!

London and Liberty

We're home again... finally.

I (Marcus) went back to work today for my first half-day, a scenario I will repeat throughout next week to ease the transition back into the "normal" routine.

Our little guy, though, isn't transitioning so well. He's had a few meltdowns since getting home. It's hard for him to see Mom and Dad's attention divided between him and this new, mysterious invader. That's been tough on him, emotionally, and when you throw in his getting over norovirus, it's no wonder he's not eating too well. We're hoping and praying his appetite returns soon.

Liberty's doing quite well. She needs to go poo a little more, but other than that, she's happy and healthy... cooing and alert.

London actually is somewhat fascinated by Liberty when he isn't jealous of her. Check out this video of some of their first moments together. I like it when he squawks at her. The very first time he saw her, he actually made the noise he makes for a monkey, telling us he thought she was a monkey. He loses interest pretty fast, but we know they'll be great friends when they can actually play together.

Watch this!

Bathtime fun!

London really enjoys his baths. Chillin' in his special baby mini-bath, London enjoys playing with his special water toys -- the coolest of which is a wind-up turtle -- and splashing around.

We took a few minutes during our bath tonight to show you how much he loves to splash around. Mommy tries to play tug-of-war with him -- which usually makes him explode with giggles -- but the game goes totally awry.

At one point, when London is asked to wave to everybody, he says, "I did."

Enjoy the video!

(Oh, and of course, we're still waiting for Liberty. We're 39 weeks today! I would be saying "C'mon already" if not for the fact that I've come down with the cold. I can wait a few days to get better before she comes!)

Three minutes with London (and Liberty update)

Yep, still waiting!

Went to the doctor Monday afternoon, only to discover that Liberty is bobbing up and down in the womb, making predicting her birth extremely difficult. (Apparently this is normal for second-borns.) Since Savannah's prelabor episode Saturday morning, all's been pretty quiet, except for some unusual back pain.

So, we're just waiting!

Of course, around here, waiting doesn't mean inactivity. Oh no... not with London Josiah! If you ever wanted to see what just three minutes of entertaining our cute little gremlin is like, check out this video we shot tonight.

Liberty: Any day now!

Well, Liberty is on her way!

See the countdown clock in the upper right hand corner? It says how long until Liberty's due date, Feb. 7.

Well, she's probably not going to wait that long. Doc says Savannah's probably going to go early, and by the looks of things, I'm guessing that our girl's going to be here within a WEEK!

Check out these signs of imminent labor. Savannah's got all of these but the water breaking.

Even as I type this Wednesday night, Savannah's having some short contractions within a decent amount of time. We're really excited, but not 100 percent prepared (as in, totally packed with a complete birth plan...)!

London, still, is unaware that his fancy-free days of only-childdom are coming to an end. Today he blew me a kiss when I asked him to over the phone. He's been playing with an old stethoscope (Dr. London) and is learning new words every day. On this video below, he even says "I don't know" for the first time.

Enjoy!

What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's, apparently.

Well, our first night away without London went off without a hitch. Savannah and I (Marcus) enjoyed a fantastic time at McMenamins Edgefield, watching "Madagascar 2" in the theater pub, playing rousing games of UNO and table shuffleboard, and listening to the wild wind whip through the trees.

Meanwhile, London, Grandma Nomi and Grandpa Steve played games, ran around and chowed down. London also went to sleep without a problem and visited Great-Grandma and Grandpa Hurt at their house.

That's about all we know.

Grandma Nomi and London repeatedly said, "What happens at Grandma's STAYS at Grandma's..." and from the looks of this video, London is keeping pretty tight-lipped! :-)

Come on Best Friend, let's go!!!

So, 2 years ago at Christmas, Marcus' parents very sweetly gave us a gave us a gift card to the McMENAMINS to stay at one of their hotels. Whether it was misplaced or we just didn't have time, we never used it.

We were going to use it at the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove tonight -- that is, until the management told us the room was going to be in the basement, next to the bar that is hoppin' until 2:30 a.m. So instead, we're going to use it Sunday night at Edgefield -- much closer to home.

I (Savannah) am extremely excited and a little nervous to leave young London (not because it's with his Grandparents, just because it is scary the first time ). At this location they have soaking pools in heated gardens, a movie theater and much more. We will have to take full advantage of this and try everything!

Marcus is so fun during new adventures. He is willing to drop the bags at the room and explore all our options. He considers what would be nice for the prego, which is so considerate. Since our honeymoon, we have an ongoing motto of NO REGRETS! So even if we barely sleep (which is pretty standard for me these days) we will have BLAST no matter what.

~ Now Liberty just needs to chill until we get home!

For your viewing enjoyment, here is a video of when London took some of his very first steps at Grandma and Grandpa Dunn's house in Vancouver during Thanksgiving:

London is STEAMED!

You don't want to get our little beasty MAD! He growls!

The many faces of London

Here... check out this fun video we made with our new webcam. Lots of fun features!