Photoshoot: New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve in Kansas City was unusually warm.

We had arrived the night before after a long day of travel. Our flight was delayed four hours at LAX because of fog that closed down the entire airport. What the what! I guess the weather here isn't always perfect. I had been nervous for months about flying with Alexa. She is spirited. And energetic. And ... it was fine. She didn't even mind the four-hour delay as much as I did.

I was way too eager to meet Lola Belle, my new niece. The only setback was that Alexa and I were both getting over that awful Christmas cold, and we couldn't hold or touch the wee newborn. My cameras got pretty friendly with her over the course of 24 hours, though. (This post is all point-and-shoot. I'll break out my DSLR shots soon!)


 

We went for a brisk walk around my brother and sister-in-law's new neighborhood, which included independent coffee shops, bookstores and toy stores. We saw some crazy stuff in the science lab part of the toy store. Two-headed cat in formaldehyde, anyone?

The nice weather brings out the little boy in my dad.




Back at the house, we sat outside to enjoy the patio my brother built and the afternoon sun beating on our faces. I checked in on Beatles Week, which was happening on the blog ...



Lola slept in her mama's arms. I think she liked the outdoors, but that's just a guess ...




Alexa explored the area and found the perfect lookout spot.





And here, the new parents and now two-time grandpa.



We barely heard a peep out of Lola the few nights we spent at my brother's. It was more difficult to get Alexa to sleep in a pack 'n' play in a new environment. She would wake up howling in the middle of the night. I had to rock her to sleep half the trip, and I haven't rocked her to sleep since she was 4 months old. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it somewhat. And having her curl up to me and snooze on my shoulder ... awww. Holding her like a little baby is so few and far between anymore.



To be continued ...