May 8 2000. Nine years ago we were married at City Hall in Beautiful Venice. Look at that view.

St. Bluford

The big boy would be 11 years old today. This picture makes me want to grab his snout and lay a big kiss on it. The picture was from our last cross country trip.  It reminded me of the years Bluford spent traveling with me for work. It was so nice having him with me, stopping at the park in the middle of the day or taking a stroll.  Some clients would have me bring him in to their homes. Another handsome pose below. We miss you every day

June2008June 2008

Lucie and Ludo on the beach in Lewes.
The had an oppurtunity to meet their Aunts and cousins living at the beach.

August 2008 Lucie is Olivers biggest fan.

August 2008.

Ludo driving, Lucie is copilot.

August 2008

The babies worked together to take this watermelon from my garden, they thought it was a ball.


October 2008

We took a trip to Atlantic City for the day, this is Lucie on the beach . The neighborhood has a Halloween parade each year, Lucie was a Ballerina, Ludo a Monster.

November 2008

Quality time with Papa showing off his truck.

November 2008

Ludo after playing in the sand box, he and his sister think it is funny to dump sand on one another, Lucie especially enjoys putting it in his hood.

November 2008

A day at the Please Touch Museum for Children


November 2008

Now it is fall, most of the leaves have fallen making romping in the back yard that much more exciting.

And now back to the 2 Little Poopers - Summer 2008

Our boy Ludovic absolutely loves bananas! or "Nana" as he calls them. Literally shoves all he can in his mouth at once - to the point he cannot close his mouth to chew.

They are both walking now. Luciana is a good 4-6 weeks ahead of Ludo - she is running around the house and likes to show us how she can walk backwards.

Ludo is an affectionate little bugger - he kisses his sister, his Mama - his little plastic egg!

Lucie is a true animal-lover, she is so comfortable around dogs - hugging Oliver at every opprtunity.

Lucie is such a ham when the camera comes out!

And we all miss the handsome hound.

In Honor of Bluford 1998-2008

He was born on May 7 in Bluford, Illinois. 10 weeks later he arrived in a mess to meet us at SFO. He spent the first night in our bed (after a bath).

He was one of us.

Bluford squeezed a lot of life into the 10 years we spent together. He swam in the Atlantic and the Pacific, journied across the country and through the Pacific Northwest, Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz to name a few. Through it all he was a loyal and trusted companion. As fragile as he was in the end I still drew an amazng amount of strength from him.

The lovely Jessica and I credit Bluford with literally changing our lives by getting us evicted from our home in SF. After which we moved to Marin County and well, life has defnitely not been the same since - it was such an amazing place to live, work and play especially with the big handsome hound at our side to enjoy it with.

Bluford was lucky too. He went to work with Mama and protected the car on nursing visits to the seedier sides of Oakland and Richmond. And there were countless beach walks and hikes up cascade canyon in mill valley during Papa's 'under-employed' phase.

Bluford was laid to rest on a warm, sunny day in the arms of the ones who loved him so dearly. That night the lovely Jessica had a dream of Bluford flying with huge angel wings - something about that image makes me feel like everythig will be okay.

Jessica produced a video montage which just about rips my heart out, the song reminds us of our weekly routine - driving to Muir or Stinson, baker beach, Crissy field or fort funston - big boy in the back, cartalk on the radio...

{please click the arrow to launch video and grab a tissue for me please}

We love you buddy - you did so good !

Spring is here!

Lucie and Ludo celebrated their 1st birthday Febuary 14th. Mama was unable to sing happy birthday because I had a bad case of laryngitis. A few family and friends came over to celebrate. Lucie and Ludo had their 1st taste of cake.

They play and giggle together. It is truly heartwarming.

Easter Sunday we went to Mom-mom and Pop-pop Ayers and played with cousins.

Spring is here and we have been spending alot more time out doors. They love it outside, after breakfast and clean up they crawl for the back door and try to get the door open. On warmer days we put water in the pool just enough to splash and giggle.

Lucie loves pushing carts, chairs, laundry baskets, even her brother. (Click on the arrow above to play video)

2008

2007 was a very good year. We celebrated alot of firsts including Christmas and a New Year. Ludo and Lucie were spoiled by Mom mom and Pop pop Ayers and Mimi and Pop pop Bob-o. Now 10 1/2 months and growing quickly. Lucie is crawling and pulls herself up to walk along the furniture. Her teeth are popping up like popcorn in a hot pan. She has six teeth as of this mornings count. Ludo has one tooth and enjoys the mobility his walker gives him, of course he can never get very far without Lucie crawling on board. Ludo is a dancer, at the sound of any music her begins to sway and wiggle. It's funny how the urge to dance is instinctual.

Rub a Dub Dub twins in the tub. Ludo and Lucie bringing in the News Year with a splash.

Ludo and Lucie in the wagon they got for Christmas.

Lucie climbs all over Bluford and he just sits and groans to himself.

Lucie posing.

Ludo with his ball.

Ludo standing (with help).