Walking

Have I mentioned that there is a new walker in town?  Yessss!  That would be Reed.  All of a sudden, one Thursday, he just went for it.  Here is a progression of his mad walking skills.  Sorry--Hope the video is not too annoying.

 

Already, in just 1.5 weeks, he has gone from both hands straight up in the air while walking, to carrying a running shoe while walking, to having one hand on his chest (a la whatever Latin dance it is that the guys have one arm up and one arm on their chest, swinging their hips--Reedy doesn't do that part yet--).  Will try to get more vid as he progresses!!  In the meantime, we have to get super serious about baby proofing this place.....

Karen's Unfortunate BD Weekend

Karen's favorite thing to do on her birthday weekend is to head to a Winter Wonderland, known as Scottish Lakes High Camp.  We have celebrated her birthday there for the last five or so birthdays.   The cabins are rustic, the backcountry trails are endless, the company superb, the skies typically bluebird........  Except for this year....

The cabins were still rustic, the trails endless, and the company superb.......(except for the fact that we had Reed, and it was not an easy weekend to have less-than-ideal conditions).

We all got sick.  Sick, as in, it would have been really great if the cabins were plumbed.  The weather was kind of terrible---grey, cold, super windy.....   Promptly after the Annual Saturday Night Potluck, we were all (minus Cory and Reed) either tossing our cookies, or in the snowy outhouse.  It was terrible. 

Cory did not get sick until he got home, which is why all of the pics are of him.  The rest of us were not exactly camera-ready.

It is a 4 mile snow mobile ride in......  Reed was kind of nonplussed.

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 Cory was pretty much in charge of keeping Reed fed, happy, and warm.  Cory woke every night, two or three times, to stoke or rebuild the fire.  He was totally our Hero.

I caught this one one early morning--Cory awake with Reed, playing in front of the fire, as the rest of us sickies were in our sleepingbags, trying to sleep it off.

At somepoint, I don't know when, we managed to get out for a little showshoe.  All bundled up.  And naturally, Cory was willing to carry Boy. 

Happy Belated Birthday, Karen!  Here's to hoping next year is wayyy better!

An idea

Maybe if I do shorter, quicker blogposts I would update this thing more often.  Here's to a new idea.

Because I haven't posted a bath pic in forEVer.  Amy, our Nanny, got this one.

This is a temporal artery (forehead) thermometer.  Reedy mistook it for an oral thermometer.  (I'll cut him some slack, because his temp was right around 103 when he was taking it)

This is the face I found in the back seat after a cookie and an hour-long car ride.  We were all happy!

Have a great week!

Sunny San Diego

We got to escape the grey February Seattle skies and head to San Diego for a visit with Nan, Gramps, and Auntie MK.  Funfunfun.  It was way too short of a visit for us, but we were so happy to spend some great time together.  It seems that my camera spent far too much time in it's bag....but I have tons of the Reedy Racetrack Series!!  Nan and Gramps found the perfect toy for Reed.  They are really shaping up to be professional grandparents.  :-)

Reed and Gramps had a few Gentleman wheel races on the track.

 And sometimes Reedy got sidetracked...

And all tangled up...

Back on track!

Tag team, fun with Auntie, and posing.

 

Karen and I got to sneak away for a two night Reedy-free stay in a fancy Palm Desert Resort.  It felt weird to be away from Reed, but it was also kind of delicious.  We had some long sleeps, some poolside margaritas, some spa treatments, and some downright, serious relaxation.  Thanks to Jim, Joan, and Mary Kate!!!  (who were a bit understandably bedraggled when we returned)

This is the only picture I took on our little soiree:

Love the blue skies, but I think palm trees are dumb.

 And here is Reed all packed up at the airport, waiting for his boarding pass to get back to Seattle.

Thanks again for the visit, Guys!~  I am so happy you live in San Diego.  What would we do if we had to go to Detroit to visit?  That would be bad.  I love you all, and I love San Diego (but not as much as i love you).  Thank youuuuuu!

Catching Up

Well, here it is, mid-February.  It seems like Halloween was just yesterday.  And in just a few short minutes, it will be April 26th--Reed's first birthday!  Time is flying.

Here are a few highlights of the last couple of months:

A very sunny day at Discovery Park

Barley's still got it! 

Such a love baby

The Seattle area experienced a really big storm, termed Snowpocalypse 2012.  We took Reed up to the pass for some sledding and snow fun.  We think he had fun.  At least he did not hate it.  And please tell me that this is not the cutest snow suit you have ever seen (thank you Lush or Fenner or Muench family--sorry that I cannot remember where it came from!)  I do know we will never ever lose it!  :)

Getting all bundled up in the car

"I can't feel my lower half because I can't bend in this thing!"

These next shots make me laugh.  Reed looks like the Orange/Pink Snow Leopard, as seen in Mutual of Omaha.

"I had to crawl in the snow for six miles, in my bulky snow suit, all by myself, just to get to school in the morning."

"Kind of over this, guys."

Sledding at the park by our house.  With every other person in the neighborhood. So FUN!

This day Karen skied to the store.  I think she was out of beer.

Here are some pics from a dinner party we had with the cousins.  Reed has finally realized that kids are way more fun than adults.  He loves other kids.  Any size, and age, any kid.  They are all so very interesting, they have better toys, they are funny, and he loves them.  Hadden and Clara are soooooo sweet with him.

Here are some shots from hanging around the house and park:

Still can't figure out what is in his mouth, but who needs water to enjoy a bathtub?

Berry face

Bigger berry face

"My aunt is hot--and single"  Thanks, Ali! 

This is by far Reed's favorite toy--a hand me down from Gabe and Nelson.

My first slide!  I love it!!!!!!!!!

Before I forget, here are some fun Reed updates:

We are in trouble, cuz it seems a certain somebody is interested in learning to walk.

He pushes around that plastic wheeled toy all the time.  With skill.

He lets go of the couch when he is "cruising" to test his balance.

He falls before a second is up, but he tries.  And tries.  And we are really in trouble.

He has  TWO teeth!  They seemed to come in overnight.  Yay!  Teeth!

Reed had his first big fever--the highest I caught was 103.2.  I freaked out.  Turns out he had a virus called Roseola.  Sounds gross, and it made him feel gross too.

He waves to everybody, constantly.

He learned to clap.  He won't play the "Patty Cake" song, but he likes to clap when we least expect it.

 

For some very sad news, I was in Billings two weeks ago to help my Aunt Sheila transition my Uncle Butch to hospice.  It is a very difficult time, and it hurts to be so far away from them.   This amaryllis is living in Sheila's house.  It is beautiful and very unique, in that it is in full bloom in February (they typically bloom around Christmas), and it is the hugest amaryllis I have ever seen.  It has the biggest blooms I have ever seen.  I couldn't take my eyes off it when I was there.  It felt like it was part of the family; like it was there to help.

Hoping for a peaceful passing.  And all the love in the world to Sheila.

We head to San Diego next week to see Nan, Grampy, and Auntie Mary Kate.  Can't wait!  Looking forward to the loves and the sun and a sweet little get away to the desert!