Mama & Papa's got a new Pair of Shus: Summer '99 Update

We're getting to know each other.

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Just coolin' out on Grandma & Grandpa Shu's porch.

1. Just got back from a two week trip to the Northwest (June 13 - 27th) which was much like planning a military campaign (let's see, bring two car seats, two strollers, clothes for her, clothes for him, Amanda's bedtime books, her Elmo, her Po, her sound machine, the monitors, the binkies . . . . you get the idea.) But they did great! 2. Nathaniel's latest nickname is NATO (courtesy of CNN & the Balkan Crisis, plus it's another word that Amanda can say!)

On plane, Dad juggles napping kids, laptop and movie!

3. Amanda's verbal explosion has moved onto sentences (a 3-year old development!); her favorite's being: "Daddy works hard!"; "I like it!"; "Mommy cooks"; and the ever useful, "Baby cries a lot!".

Grandma Carol & Nate get intimate in the sink.

4. Amanda stood up without aid or support for the first time in Grandma Carol's backyard on June 19, 1999 -- and when she fell on her backside two seconds later, we all applauded (she didn't think we were watching -- she likes to work on big developments in private until she has them down cold!) 5. Nate enjoyed going to the "land of many arms" as his Mother likes to call it when we play "pass the baby" as he happily goes from one pair of relative's arms to another. Although he seems to crave human contact, Grandma Ruby found a substitute by padding a mini laundry basket (see top photo) that often did the trick.

Auntie Gretchen & Manda sing "If you're happy and you know it...."

6. Amanda & Nate enjoyed the Oregon Z-O-O (Amanda's first spelling word) which quickly moved "Curious George Visits the Zoo" to the top of her reading list -- just edging out "Curious George Visits the Laundromat", guest starring Auntie Gretchen as the "owner" of the laundromat.

7. Amanda loved exploring Auntie Gretchen & Uncle Mike's spacious free-flowing apartment, as well as their big screen TV. Gretchen & Mike got to be well-acquainted with Elmo from Sesame Street, Barney, and of course, those insidious Teletubbies.

8. Amanda got to meet her Boulder cousins, Dayton (3) and Fiona (1) for the first time; and Nate got to meet all the relatives both in Seattle & in Portland for the first time, as well as his birthday mate, Alicia Price, who shares his March 18 birthday. As well as a fun time at the Prices, we all got to here a wonderful Vivaldi concert by Matthew Price on the violin. We also had a nice visit with Leo and his mom at the SF Airport!

9. Toward the end of our vacation, Nate has started to emerge: personality wise, with a lot more smiles and laughing.

10. Next big summer challenge as Mom goes back to work in July is DAYCARE!