The Baby Reunion

In the early morning of the 26th, 

Casey dropped Orin and I off at the airport.

Nine hours and four bags of peanuts later, 

we arrived in Massachusetts and were greeted warmly

in baggage claim by Grandma Elisabeth, Auntie Andy, 

and Auntie Robbi

We were not, however, greeted in baggage claim by my luggage.

That would end up arriving around dinner time the following day.

Matthew, Robbi, and Alden were in town for a short Christmas visit

so as soon as we got back to the house

we let the babies catch up.

At first, everything was going smoothly,

 Orin and Alden were playing together happily. 

Then, all of a sudden, Alden, using her exceptionally fine-tuned

ninja baby skills...

made a mad dash at Orin

She tackled him, pinned him down,

crawled on top of him, and started smacking his head

and screaming.

When we thought it couldn't get any worse,

she went in for the kill.

Needless to say, Orin needed to be rescued.

After some consoling, we offered him a new toy

and he started to calm down.

But as soon as she saw him playing peacefully,

she broke free of her captors and viciously 

stripped Orin of his prize.

Later in the evening the babies made amends after

discovering a common interest in opening Orin's presents. 

The cousins further healed their wounded relationship

over dinner.

I suppose we can't hold her accountable for picking on Orin,

Alden is just seizing her once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

to be the better Baby Fighter.

The next time the cousins meet up, Orin will have mastered crawling

and maybe even walking,

and with several inches and a couple pounds on her already,

he will have a distinct advantage.

Justice is coming Alden.

The next morning the cousins said goodbye

and Alden headed back to Maryland with her parents.

As for Orin and I, we will be leaving tomorrow 

with Aunt Andy to go visit

Grandpa Jack, Grandma Carla, and Uncle Alex.

Updates are on the way.

Hope you enjoy your last day of 2008!