Finley Gray Freeman

Finley's Best Quote Ever

2010-02-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long, friends. Life has been moving along quickly - Finley is growing up so fast and she is so much fun. She is sleeping in a big girl bed, potty trained, talking a ton, and loves to dance and sing. She does say the funniest things. I really cannot think of someone I'd rather be with all day, every day. She makes it so much fun. This morning at the breakfast table had to be one of her best moments yet.

Ian: Finley, chew and swallow. Finley: (her mouth stuffed to the brim with a blueberry flax muffin... who knows how she manages to even get a word out, let alone something that we can understand) I can't! My big, big mouth is too full.

In other news, baby number two, Finley's little brother, is due out tomorrow (Monday the 22nd) at 8:00am!

Grandma and Papa's House

2009-07-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Papa had a slew of toys for Finley to play with when we arrived. And she sure enjoyed wagon rides out in the big back yard. However, her very favorite thing was the kitties. I think that's when we first discovered Finley's love of kitties. She now has a new favorite down at the pet supply store in Edmonds... Tatu. More on that later.

Compo Beach

2009-07-02T21:02:00.000-07:00

Westport has some very nice draws for the young family set... including an AMAZING children's section (actually it's a whole floor) at the Westport Library, and the best playground we've ever been on at Compo Beach. Finley had a great time sifting through the sand.

A quick day in the City

2009-07-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

Although Ian and I would have loved to spend more time in the city, we found it a bit more difficult than it used to be. Could it be that NYC is easier when you're without kids? We did take Finley for a quick tour of the Upper West Side, salvaged a cool chair from the curb near my old apartment, went for a romp in Central Park, and had dinner with Yve and Seth at their place in charming Park Slope.

Yve and Seth's Wedding

2009-06-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at Yve and Seth's wedding. The weather worked out perfectly, complete with a downpour just minutes after the outdoor ceremony ended and we were moving inside for cocktail hour. Finley LOVED the dancing. She'd never been to a Jewish wedding before, where the tradition is to lift the bride's mom (and many other people) on a chair and practically toss them into the air. The music was great - actually maybe someone can remind me of the band's name. Klezma? Something? Anyway - Finley had a great time dancing and seeing family.

Bunny went as Finley's date. She's a great dancer.

Close friends

2009-05-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Earlier today we had our friends Suzette and Vivian over to play. They're only two months apart in age, two houses away in distance, and we're hoping they'll be close friends as they get older. Working on a duet...

One of the cutest things I've ever seen was when Vivi and Finley decided they both wanted to hang out in the bed for a while.

Fox Hollow Farm

2009-05-14T22:13:00.000-07:00

This week we took a trip down to the cutest equestrian center and farm that I've seen on the West Coast - Fox Hollow. It's in a gorgeous setting, filled with so many animals that you can visit and pet, and really friendly people.

First, a quick visit to Starbucks. Mia's just checking her email while Finley cleans the bagel off Bunny's face.

Mia really likes to feed Finley things to drink.

At the farm, we saw plenty of horses, ponies, the sweetest miniature horse, Daisy, chickens, peacocks, ducks, bunnies, kitties, a couple of baby goats... and baby turkeys (neither Finley or I had ever seen a baby turkey before!) Mia was a big girl, riding on the rope swing in the hay loft. Finley was fascinated with the animals, but her favorite part of the day was throwing rocks into the stream. It's serious business.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely Mother's Day today - and happy mothers day to our moms and mommy friends and friends' moms. Finley's Aunt Diana, Uncle Jared and Great Aunt Bun came over for dinner tonight. Finley was kind enough to do a demonstration of the newest product in her skin-care line: Prune Facial Mask. As you can see, she's very excited about it.

But she doesn't want a lot of media attention before the big product launch, so she was a little sensitive about the camera.

Look how radiant she looks in her new sunglasses and skirt from Aunt Bun, hanging with her Aunt Dinana and cousin-to-be, who is due on July 12th. We can't wait to meet him!

In the great green grass

2009-05-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

Finley ran up and down this little hill at my parent's place so many times. She thought it was hilariously fun. Ok - she didn't "run" up. She walked up, crawled up and was carried up. But she really did run down.

La petite fille francaise

2009-05-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, we'd like you to meet Capucine! Our favorite little French girl on the web: http://www.vimeo.com/2113477

Finley and Daddy

2009-04-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

I love these pictures.

Hey, what's the big idea!?

2009-04-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Business as usual

2009-04-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Looks like she's out of coffee... "Can't you see I'm on a call here?"

Look, It's Finley!

2009-03-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

So I'm posting late, yet again. This was back in March... Finley discovered herself in the mirror.

If I had a face like this, I'd probably spend much of my time looking at the mirror as well.

Our little crazy

2009-03-10T15:14:00.001-07:00

Doesn't she just look a little nuts here? Meal time has gotten a bit messier since we've tried letting her feed herself with utensils.

Mia's Birthday Party

2009-03-10T14:56:00.001-07:00

Our friend Mia turned 2 just recently and had a raving dance party to celebrate. Finley was the youngest one there, but did her best to keep up with everyone. Here's Mia enjoying her cupcake...

All the kids settled down for a couple minutes - just long enough for a couple quick pictures. Is it just me, or does Mia look annoyed at something/someone?

Love this picture of Maddie watching Mia open one of her gifts. Mia looks so curious and excited.

Michelle and her little one, entertaining Finley with her big chunky necklass. For anyone that watched "The Bachelor" as religiously as I did, Michelle looks so much like Molly - it's uncanny.

Finley, in the car on the way home. She fell asleep holding onto the balloon that she took home from the party.

Grandma and Grandpa

2009-03-03T14:41:00.000-08:00

Ian's parents came for a visit in the middle of February. It was fun to have them, and so nice to see them hanging out with Finley. They hadn't seen her in 3 months, so she had changed a lot. Lots of "talking" and walking, of course. But what they were most surprised about was how much Finley actually understands at this point. You tell her to go kick a ball with her foot and she does it. You ask her where Bunny is and she'll start walking around the house in search of her.

Finley had plenty of fun and was really kept busy while they were here.

She played the piano...

She painted...

She played in the seaweed at the museum...

She rode her pony...

Talked with Grandma about her pony...

Grandma taught Finley to feed Bunny and her dolly...

Finley got really good at it. She's such a great mother...

Finley also learned how much fun it can be to run around and play inside her bed...

So much fun!

(here we think she looks just like her cousin - second cousin (third cousin?) Anna)

In the bedroom

2009-02-27T15:58:00.000-08:00

Reading one of our favorite books, written by her Great Aunt Mizey...

Beloved Bunny

2009-02-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

This bunny goes everywhere with Finley. We even have a bunny understudy, should bunny one day be left at the fairgrounds or fall out the window on the freeway. Yay! Bunny is clapping... Looks like Bunny is going to drive Finley around on her Formula 1 car...

Surprise

2009-01-30T20:32:00.001-08:00

Tonight we were hanging out in the den. Ian and I were looking at something on the computer, and when he turned around...

ta da!

Finley had climbed up on the coffee table! Over the next ten minutes, she climbed up, climbed down and climbed up again - no less than 10 times.

Sunday night at the Pancake House

2009-01-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

We went for dinner with Jared and Diana and Finley wore her tutu, favorite jewels, and adorable coat that Shar got her before she was even born.

It's been a while

2009-01-27T10:25:00.000-08:00

A long while. I've been very bad about posting, and what makes it worse is that I keep telling myself I need to go back and catch up on all the posts before I can post anything new. No... that's not happening. Let's be realistic. I'll catch you up one day with pictures from our trip back to Connecticut in November, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Finley's first Birthday. For now - just some cute pics that were taken in the last week of Finley chillin' with her favorite lovies and wearing her new tutu.

Fun inside

2008-10-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

It's October and we're starting to spend more time inside. Here's Finley having just woke from a nap, playing in her room with the scarves, and practicing her standing at the window seat.

We went to Hawaii

2008-09-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally doing a posting of our hawaii family vacation. We went in mid/late September and had a blast. I love Kauai, and now Ian and Finley feel the same way.

Aloha relaxation and fun

2008-09-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Mahalo Mom

2008-09-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my mom (that's grandma, to Finley) for hosting the week-long party. We all had a blast.

Hawaii!!

2008-09-28T16:56:00.000-07:00

Look, a picture of the three of us!

Hawaii

2008-09-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Big in Japan

2008-08-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

I'm shocked at how fast Finley is growing up. She's always seemed plugged in, to me, however now she's really got a handle on things. Like how to untie her crib bumper, pull it down and spy on me as I try to sneak out of her bedroom. She also sits on the kitchen floor and uses wooden spoons like a big girl.

She can stand on the window-seat like big girls often do.

She's still my tiny baby. Check out the jumper we got at a garage sale!

Playtime these days

2008-08-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

She loves these cards that were once part of a mobile.

Gearhart

2008-07-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

It was a little gray, but all-in-all, not bad weather. At Cannon Beach for the day Goonie Rock!

Gearhart

2008-07-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Grandpa loves Finley.

Finley tells Daddy secrets.

My baby.

This is our favorite house in all of Gearhart. There's another one by the same architect/builder. Wish I could find out who it is. Perhaps we'd get the cute baby discount and they'd build us a house for $10. That'd be sweet.

Time to go home.

Grandma and Grandpa Arrive

2008-07-18T22:19:00.000-07:00

We had a great visit from Ian's parents. Hung out at the house for a day or so, then took off for the beach down in Oregon.

Swimming Party

2008-07-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

Picnic

2008-07-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

We met Lindsey, Trevor and Mia down at the Marina park in Edmonds for a picnic. Here's one of our very few family photos and shot of Finley that just makes my heart melt.

Way back when

2008-07-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted in a while (again). Some pictures here of a trip Finley and I made up to Bellingham in early July. We met our friends Lindsey and Mia up there and hung out by the lake. Mia was just learning some key new phrases, such as "go buy ice cream" and "more chocolate" and "nice to meet you" (which she does while gesturing to shake your hand).

Fourth of July

2008-07-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

On the Fourth we went for coffee, then walked around Edmonds. Finley got to ride on Ian's shoulders and she was just loving it. She was in such a funny mood - smiling at people as we walked past them and talking to them. It was really hilarious, I wish I could have gotten it on tape.

Blanket Head

2008-07-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

Skinny Dipping

2008-07-05T22:40:00.000-07:00

On a nice hot day, Finley likes to hang out in the nude on the deck and have a swimming party with Olive.

You like it, don't you?

2008-07-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

Grandma brought Finley a very special hat and new sunglasses. She not only looked precious, she acted precious. She seems to know when she can really ham it up. She LOVED being the center of attention in her cute new look.

What a big girl!

2008-06-24T22:04:00.000-07:00

In the last week, Finley started eating a little rice cereal. She seems so grown up!

Toe Sucking

2008-06-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to capture a picture of Finley sucking on her toe for Grandma for quite some time. After many failed attempts, I finally got it.

Finley's Dog Walking Service

2008-06-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

We took care of Aunt Bun's dog for a week while she was in California. Boy was it interesting walking with three dogs and a baby. Good thing Finley was so helpful about holding the leashes.

First Boat Trip

2008-06-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

We took the ferry out to Friday Harbour for Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate Jared's 30th birthday. Spending the night on the boat with the whole crew was somewhat of a challenge, but we had all a great time.

Playtime

2008-05-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

Finley is getting to be a lot of fun. Now that she can interact more, it's so nice to watch her do some things on her own and really go after her own desires (like those nice little plastic toys that hang overhead the Excersaucer, or Olive's tail).

A new toy

2008-05-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ian got this really cool toy for Finley. It's called a TI n-spire. Doesn't she look inspired?

Hanging on the deck in the nice weather

2008-05-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Four Months Old!

2008-05-10T15:49:00.000-07:00

On Finley's 4-month birthday, we took her out for Mexican food. She loves Mexican music, and apparently margaritas as well.

Grandma's Visit

2008-05-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Toucan Sam

2008-05-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Finley had been trying SO HARD to get this toucan in her mouth and Grandma came up with a solution.

Mom goes back to work

2008-05-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

Who knew going back to work would be so hard? I only lasted 3 days. I found myself taking pictures of her before I left in the morning so that I could look at them on my camera throughout the day.

Almost 4 months

2008-05-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Admittedly, it's been a while since I've posted. Here are a few pictures of our girl in late April.

Out for coffee

2008-05-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

Learning to suck her thumb

2008-04-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

April Snow brings May ...?

2008-04-18T15:43:00.001-07:00

Well today it snowed. We took the opportunity to don our warm coats.

Finley Takes a Bawth

2008-04-18T11:23:00.001-07:00

First Sunglasses

2008-04-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa got Finley her first pair of shades while they were in sunny Sonoma. We tried them on her, thinking she'd probably throw a fit, but she actually seemed to love them (and all the attention she was getting for looking so glam). Maybe she'll take after her mom and wear sunglasses when it's raining.

One Sunny Day

2008-04-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

We had an absolutely amazing day one day a while back. It was gorgeous out... so sunny and it just smelled like summer.

Loving Daddy

2008-04-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Library

2008-04-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Finley's 12 week birthday, and our first trip to the Edmonds Library. She was really fascinated with the fish tank.

Sad Face

2008-04-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

Finley is making so many expressions now. Here she is with our friend Nadia, getting ready to put on her sad face.

Almost 12 Weeks Old

2008-04-02T16:52:00.000-07:00

Finley Nose a Good Time

2008-04-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

Grandma's Jewelry!

2008-04-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

Polka Dots!

2008-03-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

I must comment on these shoes. Glenda made them by hand (and a few other fabulous pairs) and I could not believe my luck when I found this polka dot dress to match. She wore them out for happy hour tonight. Weirdest thing was that we couldn't actually sit in the bar. She's underage, you know.

Olive

2008-03-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

She respectfully requested (read: insisted) that she be included on the blog from time to time. Of course there are a million wonderful pictures of Olive. She really doesn't take a bad picture.

Posing

2008-03-21T22:55:00.001-07:00

She's just so precious! And we love these new tights that Grandma got us.

Another visit from her only Aunt and Uncle

2008-03-21T22:52:00.000-07:00

Napping on the Couch

2008-03-21T22:50:00.001-07:00

She was sleeping SO WELL for a while! And then, as our more experienced parent friends warned us, she went back to waking in the night. It's certainly not like it was in the beginning, but boy do those nights of 7 to 8 hours of sleep sound nice now.

Hanging on the Bed

2008-03-21T22:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in the afternoon we like to have a little photoshoot. It's so fun to get pictures of her during these moments that I want to remember forever and ever.

Hanging with Dad

2008-03-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Early Spring Walk

2008-03-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

Early Spring Walk

2008-03-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

On Dad's Shoulder

2008-03-10T15:48:00.000-07:00

Dress up!

2008-03-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

We went to see the Sharps on Saturday night and Finley got to play dress up with some of Mia's old clothes.

What Oscar will do for Finley

2008-03-07T12:14:00.001-08:00

Yee ha! Looks like Olive is keeping a watchful eye.

Looking at the Shape Mobile

2008-03-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

Who knew simple shapes could be so entertaining? She loves this thing. It's so fun to see her really start to plug in and enjoy certain activities.

2008-03-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

2008-03-07T12:07:00.001-08:00

Such precious little hands.

Almost Two Months Old!

2008-03-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

Taking a nap on the floor with her buddies.

Auntie O loves Finley

2008-03-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Visit from Grandpa Gray

2008-03-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Finley goes flying

2008-03-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

A visit from her Aunt and Uncle

2008-03-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

One Month Old

2008-03-07T11:22:00.000-08:00