Tucson & back in a week

Life never seems to slow down and this past week was the perfect example. Mom and I spent the first half of the week in Tucson. Cousin Camden must have known that I was missing Dad's kisses because he was always giving me kisses. It also seems that Cousin Camden has taken a page out of Uncle Matt's childhood book. Uncle Matt used to take Mommy everywhere in her walker when they were little and Camden was doing the same for me. Let's pray that Camden doesn't copy anything else Uncle Matt did when he was growing up...I heard he always gave Mom a hard time. I also got a lot of great time with my new cousin, Ashton. I was able to tell him a lot about what to expect in his first four months of life. I am so excited to get back to Tucson and see them almost everyday. My trip to Tucson also provided the perfect opportunity to visit my doctor. I learned that I've grown to be 25 inches tall (the 70th percentile) and I weigh 13 pounds 2 ounces (40th percentile). My weight has more than doubled, but I've grown less than 5 inches. Does anyone else see a problem with that? It is alright, I actually started a new diet this week that I'm hoping will help me. Friday night, Mom & Dad served me something called rice cereal. I'm usually not one to brag, but I was tremendously polite and obedient to my parents. I ate the entire bowl, (not counting what got on my chin, shirt, pants, forehead, neck, arms, hands, or in my hair, nose or ears), which wasn't easy because it was not very tasty. Despite being able to tell that I was less than happy with the rice cereal, Mom and Dad made it again for me Saturday night. They must have done something different because it tasted much better. I'm not sure if it was the rice cereal, spending some great time with Mom & Dad on Saturday and Sunday or trying to keep up with Lucy, Mia, Charlie & Sam all weekend, but I crashed for 10 straight hours Sunday night! Mom was thrilled.

I really wanted to make Mom & Dad proud, so I ate as much rice cereal as I could.

Eating with a spoon gets messy, fortunately Mia & Sam were around to help Dad give me a bath.

Nothing like a game of Nertz with Mom. We always win.

No offense to anybody else in Tucson, but I think I miss Cousin Camden the most, can you blame me?

Congratulations Uncle Roy & Aunt Erin!

My week started with an introduction to Bob and ended with an introduction to Cousin Ashton. After months of shopping and negotiations with my parents I finally got my new jogging stroller. I didn't want to rush into this decision, buying a new set of wheels is always a big deal. We finally all agreed that the BOB Revolution was the best stroller for me. I've heard nothing but great reviews from friends and family. I also have a special tie to BOB because I know one of their Mommy models. So far my BOB is living up to its billing. On my first jog with mom I fell asleep and stayed happy the entire hour! Normally I let mom know I'm done about half way through my roll.

On Thursday morning we drove to Seattle for Uncle Roy & Aunt Erin's wedding. Trying to get to GP & Bitz's place in time for a round of golf with Uncle Rhett and GP; Dad got pulled over by the state patrol. I was so scared I literally pooped my pants! But the officer was extremely nice and gave Dad a verbal warning...he called it a belated 30th birthday present. Thursday night was the rehearsal dinner. I learned a lot about Uncle Roy & Aunt Erin, everyone had a lot of nice things to say about the newlyweds. The entire wedding weekend went off flawlessly and now the happy couple are off on Mom's dream honeymoon-Fiji.

Sunday afternoon Mom and I flew to Tucson because we were going through Odell withdrawls. I am happy to report that it took Cousin Camden no time at all to welcome me back to Tucson with plenty of kisses.

Dad needed a little extra help at work one night, so I helped him with the nightly count.

It took us a while to find just the right jogging stroller, but the colors were never up for debate.

I finally got to meet Aunt Biza. She's great I can tell already she is going to be a fantastic aunt.

Calm Before the Storm

This past week was full of more fantastic summer days. A couple more firsts, a couple new activities and plenty of great times with Mom, Dad and all my roommates. I can't seem to stop thinking about my upcoming weeks. In the next week, I will get to meet some people I have heard a lot about the past four months-including but not limited to Aunt Biza and Cousin Ashton! I get to go to Uncle Roy and Aunt Erin's wedding and see all of Dad's family and then Mom and I get to visit everyone in Tucson. I couldn't ask for a better week; four grandparents, all my aunts and uncles, and Cousin Camden and Ashton!

Mom & Dad finally got the hint that I needed a new play space-it took them long enough. I've been rolling over the same direction and getting stuck for over a week now. My new exersaucer is perfect. It holds me up so I can stand and scan the room. If nothing interesting is going on it has some toys attached to the edge that I can play with. I love it (for 15 minutes or so at least). Mom and Aunt Jennifer also took me to the park at Wapato and I got to go on the swing set. What a great toy; I told Mom we have to go back soon. With so much to do everyday I am keeping busy. Lucy, Mia, Charlie,Sam and I had a great week of hanging out. I'm realizing it is only going to get harder and harder to say goodbye to them at the end of the season. We all seem to be bonding really well in the house, Mom says I'm a great catalyst--whatever that means. I'm sure it is good, Mom never says anything bad about me. She's the best.

My new exersaucer was so much fun I had to bring a friend.

I tried the teeter-totter, but I needed Mom's help, so I prefer the swing.

The soon to be newlyweds are frantically preparing for their Saturday wedding. I think they will be natural parents. Do I see another cousin in the near future?

Rolling through the Summer

I would like to say I can see the future, but in reality I knew that it would happen before the end of the month. I pretty much had it figured out last week, but the stars never aligned. Either my timing would be off, a toy would get in the way or someone would interrupt my concentration. Last week it was announced that I was on the verge of rolling over. Well last week, as a special birthday present to Dad, I made it happen--of course neither Mom or Dad saw the first roll. I could see the disappointment in their eyes, so now I roll over every chance I get. They get the biggest kick out of watching me do it. I haven't quite figured out how to roll back yet, so I just cry until someone puts me back on my back so I can roll over again.

Last Thursday was Dad's 30th birthday. Mom and I had a great time celebrating with him out on the boat. The water was choppy from the wind, which made it perfect for taking a nap. I wanted to show Dad this restaurant on the other side of the lake I had been to a couple of times called the Alpen Horn. He had never been before and I know how much he loves burgers and shakes so I thought it would be the perfect birthday lunch spot. He loved it. After lunch we went to the middle of the lake and just floated for an hour or so. I brought my peapod so I could nap. Dinner, dessert and presents with the roommates and I'd say Dad had a pretty good birthday party. The next morning the rumor was that Dad and Burke even beat Mom and Jennifer in Nertz!

There was a big storm in Chelan last week and Mom says those types of storms happen all the time in Tucson during the summer. We saw lightening, heard thunder and could see the down pour of rain all across and around the lake. The lightening was unbelievable. It got a little scary because a couple wild fires started. One was so close we could see the glow of the flames. Fortunately the fire fighters (including a helicopter with a giant bucket) put the fires out before they could get out of control.

Another month gone. This month I'm looking forward to Uncle Roy's wedding, Mom's birthday, seeing Cousin Camden and meeting Cousin Ashton--oh yeah and I haven't forgotten that Dad promised I could do some life guarding as well. It is going to be a great August.

Look Mom, one hand!!

I suggest always traveling with a place to sleep. You never know when you will need to take a nap.

Mom and I can never get too many kisses from Dad.

It was a wild and crazy night!