my mom's fourth trip to Melbourne!

After my trip to Manila with Arden, my mom flew back with us to Melbourne for a week-long visit - her fourth one, in the 3.5 years we've lived here! 

We always love it when my mom visits - she wants to spend as much time as she can with Arden, even if that means rocking her from 4am on and holding her for all her naps.

My mom's visit coincided with Mother's Day, which was really special. We all went out for high tea at a nearby bakery and cafe, and then my mom watched Arden while Ben and I got some quality alone time in the city.

at high tea for Mother's Day

During the week, my mom got to visit Arden's special activities - swim lessons, music class, and songbirds at the library. Arden's inquisitive and joyful personality really shines during these events, and my mom loved watching her in these different social environments.

Arden is obsessed with climbing up and down and up and down stairs, my mom learned.

the toddlers always get a bee stamp after music class. my mom got one too!

Arden was much more receptive about having my mom around this time (during her previous visit last December, Arden was still very clingy with us), even asking for her and not batting an eyelash when I left the room or even the apartment. After the visit, Arden did ask for her Ahma occasionally. She wasn't sad about it - although I'm sure that will come later, someday when Arden is able to learn the different types of goodbyes and the weights of each one. 

At least this goodbye is a pretty short one - in August Arden and I will be heading to Michigan for three weeks to visit my parents and brother. Afterwards, we'll meet Ben in Seattle to spend two weeks with his families. We're very excited to see everyone again, especially now that Arden is a lot better at meeting new people - and not, say, bawling every time someone smiles at her, like our visit last year.

Thanks to my mom for another wonderful visit to Melbourne - we'll see you soon!

CK