Tuesday, August 31

Oh little buddy...

You are getting so tall and are such a walker!  Last night, you walked all the way down the driveway to the gate and had fun banging on it with Titus' chuck it-ball thrower.  We haven't been 'blogging' much lately... as we've been out and about and doing lots of things.
Gramma came to visit last week and stayed with us for a few nights.  She brought you a darling bowl that attaches to your highchair... and you LOVE it.  When it's time to eat, you point and grunt for it.  Very cool present Gramma!  The three of us took a trip to Hood River one day, and of course... you flirted with the ladies!
Gramma and you posed for this picture during lunch.
She needed a photo of her reading for school!
Someone sure enjoyed his grilled cheese and french fries.
Look at all those teeth!  
6 so far, and two more coming in on the bottom!
Mommy went and got a massage while Gramma put you down for a nap.  It was successful for us all.  Yee haw!
We love having Gramma visit!
She'll be back for a long weekend in October.  Yippee!

Saturday, August 28

Wednesday, August 25

No worries...

A couple weeks ago we lost power in the morning.  The first thing we thought of was, 'How will Jessica be able to clean if there's no power?'.  Second thing was, 'How do we cook breakfast for us all?'.  Well, we called Jessica and she switched us to the afternoon and then we lit the grill.  No worries at all!  Mommy cooked you eggs in the side burner and made oatmeal too.  Awesome!
We know there's a plan for us all in life and that we don't have to worry about things... because things will always work out.  Life will present you with many learning opportunities and lessons.  We hope that you'll grow up feeling secure and loved... and know that we will always always love and support you!

Colorado Trip...

It's been a couple weeks since we've written!  Busy and fun days for sure!  Since then, we've been to Nederland, Colorado... where we visited Ruth and Glacier.  This was our first big family vacation with just the three of us!
 You did a fabulous job traveling on the plane.  As we took off, you fell asleep as it was your nap time.  You slept for a couple hours and Mommy watched "Man vs. Wild" and Daddy read and listend to music.  You did decide to "sing" for the passengers when Mommy went to the bathroom. 
After we landed, we got our rental car and met up with Ruth in Boulder, had dinner, and then headed to her beautiful cabin-home!
The views are gorgeous!

That night we did some grocery shopping and the next morning we took a walk into town.  Later, Mommy and Ruth got massages (her friend came all the way up to work on us) and you and Daddy went exploring.  He took you to the swings and you loved it!
Later that afternoon, I went back out with you and Daddy to explore the area again.  We drove way into the "wilderness" and you played by your first mountain stream!  Daddy brought back two rocks from the river for you.  Hopefully you won't try to eat them as you often do with our driveway rocks.
 You are so happy and so adorably handsome!
That night you we were all tired... 
you slept with us and got up pretty early the next day!  
We fed you some snack puffs and you listened to the iPod.
 Ruth borrowed a pack n' play from her friend and you had a hoot playing with her pots and lids.  
Glacier loved visiting you during mealtimes.
On our second day, we went into Boulder to run errands with Ruth.  She gave us a tour of her office and later that night, took us out to an amazing local-organic restaurant in her town.  You ate homemade pasta and were so patient!  You blow us away with how well you adapt to your environment.
You ate soooooo many cheese puffs as we waited for dinner.  
I think now you are half cheese puff!  That night Daddy put you to bed and Mommy and Ruth spent over an hour in the hot tub, catching up and relaxing.  

On Tuesday we all took a hike up to Lost Lake.  It was less than two miles and about a thousand feet elevation gain.  Absolutely beautiful views surrounded us and you took a nap as we hiked up to our lunch spot.
On the way back down you were awake to see and talk to us.  On the way up you chanted and fell asleep... that's a new trick for you.  Do you like the vibration sounds?
 
 That night we had another amazing sunset and after Daddy put you to bed, the three of us chilled in the hot tub and you rested for our trip back home.
 We had such a nice trip out to Colorado, and what fun we'll have returning again... wait til we're all skiing together!

Uncle Jon stayed with Titus.  Thank you so much!  
 And he stayed with us to hang out for a few days after we got back.  Every morning I point out pictures on the fridge and you ALWAYS smile when you see his picture and I say, "That's Uncle Jon!"


Tuesday, August 10

Tears and hot dates

We had our first official hot date tonight... and you stayed home with Emily.  Your tears started before we even left and as I opened and shut the farm gate behind us, I could hear you crying on the back deck.  It's so painful to listen to you cry and knowing that you want Mommy.  We love you so much and know that in time you will adjust.  It's important for Daddy and I to get some "us" time sometimes.  Emily is such a fantastic sitter... and we are so blessed to know her.  I'm sure you will smile and have fun with her soon.  For our date we went to the produce stand and bought some fruit and veggies... and then hiked around Round Lake with Titus.  It was a beautiful night.  Then we drove around town, checking out new roads we hadn't seen before, and came home a couple hours later.  You were asleep in your crib and we woke you up to give you some food and milk since you only ate a couple goldfish crackers for dinner.  Now Daddy is putting you to bed again and you must be tired from all your crying.  Sweet dreams little one, we'll see you in the morning! 

We love dirt!

You absolutely love exploring outside.  Yesterday we sat on the grass and you walked-crawled over to the middle of the driveway and played with the rocks, dirt, and weeds.
Then we played with Titus!

D.O.L. day

You waited oh so patiently at the department of licensing with Mommy this morning.  I think I lost my driver's license, or should say 'left it at Nordstrom', when I returned your shoes last week.  So, we headed into Vancouver and had to wait til our number 146 was called (when we arrived, the people were only on number 72.)  It took about an hour and half until we were called and you crawled around on the floor, played with things from my purse, and fell asleep right as we finally received my temporary card.  Here's a picture of you with my sunglasses on.  
Le'ts call it "Entertainment at the D.O.L"

Sunday, August 8

Sunday funday

This morning we hit the dog park early, played at home, then you took a long nap, ate some lunch, James and Jalaine came up with Cookie to get their treadmill and to visit, and Emily came up to the house around 3:30 to play with you while we went over to Bill and Todd's for dinner.  Todd cooked a totally healthy meal for us... and was super sweet and thoughtful about asking specifically what we eat.  He said it was a fun challenge to cook for Mommy and the food was so tasty!  A couple hours into hanging out with the guys, Emily called to say that you wouldn't stop wailing and that you wouldn't eat anything.  She called back again later, so Mommy walked back up the hill to you, and we turned our dinner date at Bill and Todd's into a progressive dinner!  First, dinner at their house, followed by dessert at our house.  I gave you a quick bath while the guys cleaned up dinner.  Then, the fellas walked up to our house and the five of us hung out on the back deck.  Titus totally snuggled up to Todd... he hopped right up on the couch outside and begged for some lovin'.  Not Titus' normal behavior to do that... it was cute!
You enjoyed dropping things off the deck, playing with/trying to 'climb in' your water table, and grunting and making gestures for Daddy's beer. Maybe he shouldn't have given you a taste- you like it!
What a great evening with our friends... 
you are lucky to grow up with them in your life! 

Saturday, August 7

Our day

This morning we hung around home until after you woke up from a little morning nap.  Then we headed over to Nordstrom to return your shoes, then drove over to Portland to trade and sell back parts from our collective Thule and Yakima rack systems.  Between all the cars we've owned and your Daddy and I being outdoorsy, we had a lot of extra parts that were just sitting around... so we got used-new parts we needed and sold the rest.  You and I played in the car while Daddy waited for the sales folk to help him.  Then we all hit REI and you crawled all around the store in your bare feet.  Some of the ladies who were working in the clothing department sure had fun talking to you.  Your Daddy found you some some cool sandals in the clearance bin!  Eventually you let us know it was time to go by "serenading" the entire store... so Daddy took you out to the car while I paid for the replacement BOB tubes for our flat and some camping clothes for our trip.  On the way home you snoozed!


Daddy took these pictures last week.  You actually liked the sunglasses and were taking them off and putting them on by yourself.  You are such a quick learner!
  
You pulled my hair when I put you on my shoulders!

It's an "egg"ceptional morning!

 Eggs are tasty!
Time for a morning stroll with Daddy and Titus outside!