16 months

This kids keeps us moving. He is extremely "active". I know most boys are but he does NOT stop from sunrise until bedtime. The only time he is not moving is when he is strapped in his car seat or high chair. His favorite way to get from point A to B is running. His coordination isn't aligned yet with how fast he wants to go so we have lots of bruises.

-With all his running he is burning those calories so he is only tipping the scales at 22 lbs.

-Is using his signs more to communicate; please, thank you, milk, & more.

-He can show you where his eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, hands, bell-e, and feet are located.

-Still chatting up a storm. Some new words are; Carl (our cat), says "hi" & "bye", papa, uncle, car, up, more & bath.

-When he is upset or not feeling well the show "Wiggles" calms him. The four guys kind of creep me out but I'm happy we found something that he likes to watch. Gives me at least 5 minutes to do a chore.

-He doesn't want to sit during evening book time anymore so I sing to him instead most of the time.

-Still a good eater but eats better earlier in the day.

G-ma & R sporting their Halloween duds.
Our silly monkey
Mama and her monkey.

Trick or Treat!

Lil man got yet another virus, this time it was hand, foot & mouth. It was not a fun week for anyone involved; especially R! His horse voice from the sores in this throat broke my heart.
Helping "unfold" my laundry.

Surprises & " I do's".

We went up to Seattle a couple of weekends ago for my dear friend K's wedding to her soulmate. It was a great weekend & was my second night away from R. It was so nice to be able to have my full attention directed towards the friends we do not get to see all that often and have a real adult night out.

We also were able to surprise B's bf AJ at his birthday brunch at Salty's in West Seattle which was coincidently was the area of Seattle we were staying in. I had been telling B for months to call AJ to say we would be up there for his birthday weekend & make plans to meet up. Well my hubby is a typical procrastinating man. Yes, it is a stereotype but is fitting for most of the men in my life. If your man is not like this, let it be known he is probably the exception to the rule. Well, in a positive light it ended up benefiting us that B hadn't contact AJ so we could surprise him. Everyone was sitting at the table when we arrived & AJ was pleasantly surprised that we made it up. It is always nice to give someone a much deserved special surprise.

Here are some photo memories of our weekend full of two special events!

B & AJ
E, S, A & B
E squared
I love this beautiful pic, look at that sun setting!
WWU girls!
Love these girls.
Sorry T, you got caught checking those scores!
Childhood friends, so glad S married this goof ball.
Cake time & it was soooo good!
B thinking he is really funny!
Girls & Mrs. Brown
Sangalli's & Trinhs
Two of the best ladies I know.

The Patch.

This weekend was R's first trip to the patch. We went to one of the smaller, less busy farms to avoid the big crowds. I wondered if R was too young to enjoy this experience but I was way wrong! He had so much fun running and tripping over all the pumpkins. He was also having fun picking up pumpkins that most likely weighed more than him (which isn't hard).

We were lucky it was a perfect fall day!

Scanning his pumpkin options
Photo op with mama
Climbing on the hay stack.
Weight lifting.
The chosen one.
R & Bri

15 is fab.

Now that R is walking, oh I mean running; our house looks like the tazmanian devil blew through it. Regardless, our house has also been more fun than ever.

R has increased his vocabulary and loves to babble. Some of his new words include; bath, more, ball and gra-ma.

He can show you his eyes, nose, and belly. The other day we asked him where his belly was while he was wearing a onesie tee. He was trying to pull up his shirt to show us his belly and couldn't figure out why his shirt would not come up.

He is a climber. If he is determined to get to something he has figured out how to create a stair to get to what he wants. Today I even found him hanging from one of my bathroom drawers; his little feet kicking off the ground.

He still is loving food. His teachers at school know he will be happy in the morning if they have his breakfast ready. If it isn't he will just help himself to his neighbor's breakfast.

It is alway so interesting to hear what others say about your child when you are not around. R's teachers tell us he is helpful and easy going. He is content playing by himself or with others. He has gotten more comfortable playing outside on the playground and will explore more now.

I can't wait to see what new experiences will come next month.

Love you my lil tazmanian devil.
R loves to sit with Dada on their stair.
Walking in his Halloween duds.
Waiting to pet the goats at the zoo.
Taking all his toys out of the toy box so he can get in it.
Playing on Carl's toys.

Bath talk...

...can you translate?

A night out...

...on the town.

Our friend started a production company that puts on charity events for children services in Portland. This event was a 1920's cocktail party benefiting Trillium Family services. It was held at a great newer restaurant in the Pearl District called Irving Street Kitchen. It was a wonderful event that these hard working people put thousands of hours into I'm sure to make a success. I was excited for the yummy food and Brian was excited for the hosted bar.

We had fun with 3 of Brian's good friends from forever and being out on a saturday night. I felt like a teenager who had snuck out of the house. That how weird it was to be out again, in a bar on a saturday night.

It was a later evening than we had had in forever, well not counting sleepless nights with a teething or sick infant. Brian even made me end the evening in the T-bell drive thru.

Nights like this remind me mamas and dadas need to do this from time to time.

Walking to the event
Brian and Ira
Photo time with props, took some convincing but they were having fun!
Paul and me.
Bootleggers at the Ball.

Cold & flu season...

...is here.

I have been dreading fall & winter this year, which I usually love. I love the leaves changing colors, picking out my pumpkin to carve, Halloween, rainy/lazy sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas movies on t.v. and the spirit that is in the holiday air.

Unfortunately as summer ends I can not focus on any of those things. All I think about is the dreadful cold and flu season. The last two weeks of school we have already had many teachers and students out with various illnesses. Which makes me worry what is to come in the next months.

Well yesterday we have had our first virus of the season. Luckily is seems R is in less discomfort than he was as a infant but it doesn't make it any easier. Although I would rather me be sick than him why does it seem I always get whatever he gets making it doubly as hard to take care of him. I guess this is why mothers are the strongest people=).

From our house to yours I hope your families stay well during the cold & flu season! I will also extend a question...Are you getting your children the flu shot???