Turtlenecks & Asparagus: Peers Park and a few other Palo Alto things

When I was a young lass we went to Palo Alto every 9 weeks to visit grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Some families went skiing or camping, or maybe to Hawaii, we went to Palo Alto and sometimes Palm Springs. Mainly Palo Alto. I have so many memories of good times there it can just make a girl ache. Thus saith I, there are few things that could bring me more joy than to see my child playing at one of my old haunts: Peers Park. We met up with the Jacobs and the Lassens (Paughs) which sweetened the deal even more!

Also, I pin it on all the brain power swirling through the air here, but Jude decided he was good and ready to stand UP from a sitting position! Sarah and I were watching him Gollum-crawl around in their apartment when he just straightened himself to standing! It was plain as day he was 9 miles over the moon about his new trick and could not stop squealing and clapping for himself -- in fact, the only thing that knocked him down was his spastic clapping! Sarah and I were in stitches and clapped for him and waxed shrill, "GOOD JOB, JUJU!!! GOOD JOB, BUDDY!"

Since then he's...get ready...taken several steps as long as his destination is me, Jeff, or the iPad. Now I truly realize how tall he is, and the thing that makes this milestone more awesome is the elation dripping from his sweet face. What a thrill!

Also, we met a whole bunch of third-year law students and professors that know Harry. Every single one of them had so many specific, complimentary things to say about him and then they'd say to me, "Oh yeah, you're Sarah's sister -- you look so alike!" We still don't totally see it. Anyway, it was so nice to hear such lovely things said about the guy my sis married.

Back to the trip: Jude has had access to the iPad maybe 3 times. Each time he's been so excited it's like his head was about to explode. While he was begging to be released from the car seat as a last ditch effort I picked up the iPad and just seeing his reflection in the photo booth soothed him. We took a bunch of pictures which had him all excited and I could even see him without cranking around....