Oxbow Park

We have this local park in our area. The funny thing is that after 10 years, I have only been here twice and Ryan only once. Did you know it is also a zoo? Yeah a zoo in our neck of the woods. Pretty cool.

Patrick thought it was pretty cool as well. He loved watching the otters and the hawks facinated him (I almost said birds, but my dad would kill me if he knew I referred to them that way)

They also had some farm animals. A small horse, a few goats, a donkey and a couple baby calves.

Patrick enjoyed watching the animals. We were told by the caretaker that the one calf was kinda dumb. I think he was just missing his momma. He was only a week old and already they made him wean.

We had a lot of fun just letting Patrick wonder. There aren't a lot of places that we feel like we don't have to watch him every minute.

After the zoo we ate at a local cafe. We ordered Patrick his own lunch (mainly because we didn't want to share!) and he ate almost the whole thing. This kid loves him some mac and cheese!

After lunch we headed to a playground and once again, Patrick got to roam around. It is amazing how much he can do physically now. He climbs on everything, crawls through everything and he evened hopped down a step with two feet (although I don't think it was intentional)

It was the perfect family day!

Family Fun Night

On Friday night we went to a family fundraising event. I think this may have been our first public "family" event. It is weird, but I am used to kids and families but not a "family" event. There is a different vibe there and everyone has the same agenda. Eat quickly, try to not loose your child, and have a little fun. We joined some others at this event.

We got through the "eat quickly" part with Patrick eating at the picnic table like a big kid. We didn't really have to worry about the "loose your child" part, because Patrick didn't want to leave the music.

In fact, this kid is obsessed with dancing and music.

I had never seen the kid dance this hard. He had a blast and got the other kids to join him on the "dance" floor.

I was lucky enough to get some snuggle time with Mr. Miles. (notice the side eye my child is giving me though!)

We had to drag him off the dance floor in order to get to bed. We definately had fun!

Cousins

Patrick is a pretty lucky kid. He has 3 cousins that live in the same town as him.

Madison is the caregiver. She watches out for dangers and takes Patrick anywhere he wants to go. Her bright personality is infectious to those around her and Patrick can't help but smile and light up when she is around.


Luke is the inquisitive one. He will wonder about the many things around him and carefully plot his next moves. He is the youngest and I think we just get each other the way only youngest children can. He likes things the way he likes them, and I understand.


Caden is a thinker. He appears to not pay attention to things around him, where in reality he absorbs it all. He quietly thinks through things and then when he speaks it is well thought out and prepared.


Yeah, Patrick is a lucky kid to have these cousins.

Rraawrr! *Insert Vikings horn here*

Apparently the first Pre-Season game starts tonight. I like football, I do. I just don't set my watch by it, or my activities or my life. I leave that up to Ryan.
I'll sit down and enjoy a couple plays, but I have never spent a whole day in one spot barely moving to lean over for another slice of pizza. Not me. I think I got a week off between softball and football. One little week.

Apparently my son is now being groomed for this football stuff. Complete with a jersey that my husband spent more on than I ever would for myself. RRAWRR! *Vikings Horn* it's football season folks.

16 months

I'll keep calling him my baby, even if my baby is 16months old today!

Here is the latest on Mr. P.

The kid is a climbing fool. If he can get his little leg on it or pull himself up with his freakishly strong arms, he will. He is now a regular on our kitchen chairs (although he has been found on the table as well), he has climbed our kitchen stools, he has been found on the coffee table, end table, couch and chair. He'll use us as human steps when he can. At the park he likes the big kid equipment and will scale it like nobody's business, even climbing on the chain ladder!



I'm not sure if he is a picky eater or just a complicated one. On one hand, sand and pepples are fine fare, but on the other blueberries, chicken and peas end up on the floor. mmm.. He is getting to be quite adept at using utensils lately. He prefers a large fork but will settle for a smaller one and a spoon if a fork is not available. He is getting quite good at getting food on them and to his mouth. He will throw a plasic fork though, metal only for this kid!

Not sure if it is because he is such an extrovert or not, but this kid loves to talk. He is teaching us what words he is trying to use. Even if we don't understand a lick of it he will still tell large tales to anyone in the room. Here is a recent list of words:
Ball Shoes Apple Puppy No Go Birdy Tree Baby Hi

His favorite activities are still playing with anything that has wheels or is a tool of some sort. Carts, wagons, brooms, rakes, hose etc. He has also taken a liking to his baby doll and blankie at night.



Sleeping seems to be getting much better. It has been tough since he added 2 teeth this month, but he is still making progress. We now nurse and read stories before bed, then mommy gets some awesome kisses, then he gets an additional bottle and rocking from dad and then to bed. He will scream for 5-15min, but then seems to fall to sleep after that. Only if teeth are bugging him will he wake before 12:30-1:30 or so. Then it is another quick bottle until around 4:30 or so when he joins us in bed for an early morning nurse. I know it sounds like a lot, but trust me, this is an improvement! Each morning Patrick will wake and either run to get his baby doll or climb downstairs so he can dance to the ABC song toy on the dishwasher.

He sure has grown taller too, although I'll get out the tape measurer to be sure.

Happy 16month my baby boy!

Welcome Baby Norah!

Welcome to the world Baby Norah!

We can't wait to break out the pink and dress you in fantastic clothes. Patrick can't wait to touch your beautiful hair and poke at your eyes!

See you soon! Don't grow too much before we get there! 9lbs is plenty big enough!

Already dreading winter

Ryan and I have been asking ourselves lately. What are we going to do once it gets cold out and we can no longer go outside?

A high energy toddler stuck in the house all day just doesn't sound like fun to us.

And my pictures won't sustain it either. This kid won't stand still for more than a second in the studio anymore.

I have also realized that if I don't get a wireless trigger soon, the studio is done for. Just look at the guilt on this kids face as he pulls down my light with my camera's sync cord and promptly breaks my bulb.

Can I just say that no other child in my studio (and I have had many!) have ever come close to let along actually breaking a piece of my equipment. I am really not looking forward to winter!