'round here

September is probably my favorite month in Oregon (other states may have different preferences :). And so far it's not letting us down. Still warm, still sunny, but with a touch of routine and rhythm in the mix--like a mini New Years. And I love fall, so with that around the corner it's lovely to enjoy the end of summer. 

I got to chase Eli at the park while these two watched.

Hanging out on Eli's bed

Eli loves stacking random, misplaced bricks at this little community garden near our park. He says " fell down" every time the tower is knocked. One of his many phrases we are now hearing regularly!

We pulled out the next size up in gardening boots (have been gleaning kid boots for some time! What size are you? Probably have it) for digging and general mud play (his favorite)(can we say midday bath time).

Moved the burley inside for pajama-clad morning rides with daddy who is running a few times a week. Henri can join when he's a bit older and doesn't mind getting squished next to big brother (closer to one year is recommended for these things). Also doubles as comfortable "rest nook" for Eli, something we're noticing he really needs/wants but usually is mid-meltdown before we all realize he just needs some milk and Richard Scarry's "cars and trucks and things that go", for example.

The end :)

More of September photos to come!

3 months of baby H

I feel like it's hard to watch this baby getting big (in size and age) so fast! But with each day I find a new way he grabbed ahold of something, a new smile, a new move, new teething pains, and so on. And the same, sweet, patient, chubby baby!

3 months old
16 lbs

our community group has 8 little boys in it! four of us (couples) already had four toddler/little boys and then we were all four pregnant at the same time and then we all four had four new boys! so we had a little summer party where all 8 boys were present and, of course, needed to line up on the couch for a photo. it took a bazillion pictures (some quite funny!) to come up with one where everyone is in focus and at least not having their head hidden by a balloon (the balloons were key to getting big boys to sit on the couch :)

From the phone

Snapped today on the ol' iPhone

Growing boy

Scrambled eggs and kipper. 

Watch out: toddler on a scooter! Eli has no concept of presents, as in anticipation of and excitement over unwrapping and such, so we knew we wanted to get him this for his 3rd in a few weeks. But now he can milk what's left of summer as he scoots around. No waiting or unwrapping  necessary! 

(Funny story: we actually had a fancier, more expensive scooter for him that was wrapped via toy stores free gift wrap. It sat for a couple days waiting for the right time to open and assemble. He just liked looking at the truck wrapping paper and didn't seem curious about what was inside. Then while on a walk with the boy, moon found a great scooter in a free pile--like lady was in front yard telling him to take it and all--so we returned fancy scooter (kept truck wrapping paper of course) and got this basic toddler, 3-wheeled one until he's ready for the awesome free one. Don't scooters just appear for free where you live? Portland at its finest with the free piles, I tell ya!).

Lately

Encouraging eli to do things himself, which of course he wants as well, we now have water he can dispense himself. If you come over and ask for water, watch out. He will very gladly pour you a glass of water to the tippy top! I have joked that this idea of mine is really Gods way of helping me keep my kitchen floors clean!

Always "digging dirt" to quote the boy himself! 

Summer weight baby sling! Such a good yard sale find. Loving all these sweet neighbors with kids and nice things having yard sales. (And it's nice to now be wearing this boy all the time! I have a carrier for every climate now ;)

And while I was finding above sling I had to set the babe down and guess what was right there in the grass? This bumbo seat that he then tested out. He sat there for a solid 5 minutes happy as could be looking around so we obviously had to leave with it as well. Oh, and Eli got a truck plate with a digger on it! Oh the thrills that brings. 

back to the colorado mountains...

these images are from a month ago.
such lovely memories…

We went to the beach!

Again. 

Eli loves the beach. As you can tell..

Henri looks so chubby and adorable and is just that, if I can say so. He's great. Did cry a bit in the car (but we don't drive a lot lately), but both crashed on way home.

And best part was escaping 100 degree temps in pdx. 75 and sunny at the coast! 

2 months

Henri is such a sweet baby. 

He's a big boy and doesn't much like these hot days we've been getting in Portland this summer. (but currently low 80s so we're getting a little respite from the heat!). He wants to be held, loves to be carried, and when it's hot inside in the evenings we try to just take him on a little walk. 

He smiles and coos at us and has begun kicking his chubby legs when he gets excited, just like his big brother used to do. 

He really likes watching Eli… watching him play, run around, etc.--Henri will just try to follow him with his eyes. When we give him kisses or come close he will break from his serious face into a big smile. 

Moon and I comment that Henri will be our "lap baby" since he seems so content to just sit and watch as long as he's on a lap (we have a hard time remembering Eli ever being that still for very long). 

But for now, today, with all the ups and downs of going from 1 to 2 kids, we couldn't imagine life without Henri! So grateful he's part of us.

Grateful

These days with both have been rough at points. Henri now 2 months and pretty much the sweetest, biggest baby. Yet it's been hot out, no AC, can't wear him for long without the poor guy throwing a fit (who can blame him?), so sleep has been tricky at times. Eli full of energy and ideas, not to be slowed down by baby brother. Finding new ways to bring dirt inside, do it all himself, and leave us worried every time we hear his little voice say "uh oh" from another room. Yet he's still happy to give out cuddles, share his blanket with Henri, kiss his daddy goodbye, and even clean up his toys (occasionally, but hey, he's learning!). So I'm finding my groove. Slowly. Snails pace slow but that's fine too. And I'm simply grateful for the dig pit that Eli is really into at the park. These chubby baby legs with cute booties on his feet. A dear friend to hold my baby and give me refreshing, good conversation. Grateful indeed.

He's actually happy just making sad looking faces!

Swimming