Happy Halloween!!

From October 2010

From October 2010

San Francisco: AOA conference 2010

George and I recently traveled to San Francisco so he could attend an osteopathic conference. We also took Grant, since he is still a regular breastfeeder.  Henry stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Capper.

From October 2010

Here's a few lessons we learned along the way:
1. San Francisco is fabulous this time of year (if you don't hit the start of the rainy season -- we missed most of that weather -- but since we haven't had many rainy days at home either, we rather enjoyed the change of pace).

From October 2010

From October 2010

2. We can travel with a baby, sight see, and survive. We won't sleep much and the aftermath will be pure exhaustion, but we will survive. At times, in the midst of our best intentions, I wonder where we land on the spectrum between smart, stubborn, or naive parents. This time around, I think we were simply overconfident, chalking up an experience like this to the "how hard can just one child be?" mentality or thinking "we've done this once before, anyway, we're pros by now, right?".  We DID learn, by observation, that in the future, bringing travel companions (such as grandparents) to the conference might be a good idea. Back up is a must for small children and traveling. For future trips and destinations (there were signs for "save the date" Orlando, FL in 2011. I think I will!!) Grandparents take note!

From October 2010

3.  It's nice to get away.  George and I, despite our lack of sleeping, really enjoyed some conversation, a break from the routine, actually just the fact that we saw each other for more total hours than we spent together in the previous month. No kidding!

From October 2010

baby yoga

Grant has been busy learning to crawl. Here's what he's accomplished so far:

cobra

From October 2010

plank

From October 2010

downward dog

From October 2010

Gee, I wonder where he picks this stuff up?

modified plough pose

From October 2010

Grant's christening

A beautiful weekend to share with family near and far (everyone!) to celebrate our little guy, Grant. We love you.

bike rides

we've been taking them daily.

Henry yells "pedal power" and makes motorcycle noises.

I get thumbs up from passers by. Maybe it's the ingenious strap to help guide Henry and assist him on steep hills. Or having Grant hanging out on my back.  But most likely, it's the whole show. In a "the whole is greater than the sum of the parts" kind of a way. Like a goofy, homemade parade.

"Off leash"
Henry is getting stronger and stronger.








Grant catches a nap during our outing.

My Favorite Tree

This is my favorite tree in Warner Park. Last summer, on a nature walk, I learned that it is around 100 years old.  It's an oak tree, which isn't spectacular for fall color, but I love the location and the shape. I've watched this tree for 8 seasons now, which is how long we've lived in our house near the park. Keeping track of the seasons based on what goes on at this tree seems to be continually timeless. Sun, rain, snow, rinse, repeat.  100 years.

fall time

 More fall days that feel like summer keep us outside as long as possible to soak in the sun and warmth. Actually, it's impossible not to, as the shade has fallen from the trees almost entirely!

Henry has been singing more and more recently. I love it. I love hearing his sweet little voice try to find the correct pitch.

Today, he was spontaneously singing a song from his preschool class. Sung to the tune of London Bridges:

Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down.
Autumn leaves are falling down, 
it is fall time.


Autumn leaves are yellow and green, yellow and green, yellow and green.
Autumn leaves are yellow and green, 
it is fall time.

co-sleeping

has become a misnomer.

we're working through some tough times in the sleep department. It's so bad, it can only get better from here. It's unfortunate, because until now I've enjoyed many snuggles with Grant. However, it's time to actually get some sleep!

Mr. Mischief

Lately, Henry has been playing independently more frequently. I think this is a great development. Until I find that damage control is the second stage to his time alone.

Dog Days

We've had some frost, leaves are turning color, but we're enjoying some lovely, warm, fall days in our backyard. Minus the mosquitoes, for the most part (seriously, though I still swatted one or two today - no kidding!).

These are the days we never had this summer. Some lazy afternoons in the sand box, soaking in the sun's rays on a blanket and birdwatching (a great horned owl sighting last week was exciting, especially among our crow population!).

two boys in a bath

Now that Grant can sit up, bathtime can happen together!


Parent lesson: this is almost two birds with one stone. (At least it will be when the parent doesn't have to play lifeguard so closely!)

Henry christened Grant with a bucket of water over the head.  Ever helpful older brother.

5 months

Busy boys. Silly boys.