A whole new world

Ryden's new mobility has introduced him to a whole new world to explore. He exudes curiosity and wants to check out every nock and cranny. Here are some pictures of his current explorations.
Looking out the front door window
Trying to get under the gate to Carl's food and toys
Playing with the blinds and looking out into the back yard
Feeling the vent
Kneeling

Happy Bday Mom!

It was mom's 65th birthday and I have to say she doesn't look a day over 55! In honor of her, Bri and I took her to Andina, a restaurant in Portland we love and knew she would too! We had a lovely evening with great food and drinks. We are blessed enough to have great family friends; Auntie Maryann and Uncle Danaimal to watch Ryden while we hit the town!

Gulf coast prawns
Scallops....my favorite dish there!
Traditional Peruvian lamb shank
Mom with her dinner

Auntie Maryann and Ryden

St. Paddy's Day

Although we are not Irish, we were still Irish in spirit. Go green!

Roomies

We met in our freshman dorm 14 years ago, lived together in a house for 2 years and have been ever since. Although they live in the Seattle area and I'm down here we have made it a tradition to have girls weekends at least twice a year. Not including the other visits with all our college girls. This weekend when the girls, plus Sarah's youngest Elijah came down we did some of our usual things. We visited the adidas employee store (thanks E), took Sarah to Voodoo for some donuts and got some great Stumptown lattes. At night Bri bbq'ed up some awesome salmon. I wish you girls lived closer but am thankful we still have our girls weekends! xoxo Elijah
Elijah and me
Sarah and Cam
Sarah and Elijah
Bri and his new bff
Roomies: Sarah, Cam, Nat and Coco
Elijah and Ryden
Ryden and Ohna (only 3 days apart)

Great 8

This has been a month full of big milestones. Our boy wonder now babbles more than ever and to Bri's distress he can't stop saying "mama". He started crawling and it is amazing how quick he has gotten in a mere 2 weeks, if I knew of more friends with crawling babies it sure would be fun to have a crawl off=). He is also pulling himself onto his knees to play. He almost has a toof for every month of his life, just one short, which has made for some sleepless nights and a changing appearance. Good bye gummy smile, hello pearly whites. He continues to give away smiles freely to anyone who smiles at him. He is a flirt when it comes to the ladies. He loves being sung to but unfortunately neither Bri or I could ever be the next American Idol (well we are to old now anyways). No stranger danger yet for this kid, Bri drops him off in daycare and when he puts Ryden in front of a toy he is already in tune-out mode to Bri's good byes. I'm worried I didn't start tune-out mode until at least middle school?!

The complaint I have about this kid thus far is his inability to let me sleep at night. We are still waking up 2-3 times a night for feedings. One week he slept from 9pm until 5am in the morning and I thought I was in heaven but that was only one sweet week. Spring break is coming so maybe some hardcore sleep training is too?

Ryden you get sweeter and bring us so much more joy with each passing month.

Notice in the "8" month pictures below, Ryden is no longer cooperating=(.

Thank you chair.

Dear vibrating chair,

Thank you so much, you were truly heaven sent. You allowed me to have nice, relaxing showers while occupying my little man. You were a truly dependable friend. I'm sad we have to say good bye and do not know what I am going to do without you! Unfortunately Ryden no longer fits in your pillowy comfort! You will be missed!

xoxo, Nat

I watch you sleep.

I know a lot of mothers or fathers probably feel the same way as me. Sometimes you can't help but count the minutes until you put your baby to bed so you can have a minute to yourself. That minute or two might be to watch a show you have on the dvr, take a shower, or just pack your lunch for the next days work. So you finally get your minute and it feels good, but then you start to miss them. How can you miss your baby already when you just laid them to rest an hour ago but you do. So you creep into their room to watch them sleep in all their beauty. What are they dreaming about, you might think or just stare in disbelief on how quickly they are growing. I can't take enough shots of the little man sleeping because I don't know if I can think of anything more beautiful than a precious baby sleeping.