why do we have a stroller, again?

Earlier this year, we invested in part-ownership of an Oregon Zoo pass. We have been getting some pretty good use out of it, of which I am quite proud. Sometime this summer (do you appreciate the attention to detail?) Michaela and I went to the zoo with friends Sarah and Lily and Kalina and Isaiah. We also met a new friend of Sarah's and her son. So it was crazy day at the zoo. For case in point of craziness, see below:

Look at Lily's cute little face... you won't believe what comes next!

Lily is pooped on by a Zoo Bird!

So, the kids all started out the day in their strollers. And after placating them with snacks didn't work any more, they had to get out. Plus, when you're 3 feet tall, it's really hard to see the animal exhibits from that low vantage point.

But I was so relieved to see that the strollers did get some use throughout the day.

Michaela's doll "Tiny" riding in Lily's stroller

Lily's baby doll(s), riding in Michaela's stroller.

And if I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure one of the girls was trying to crawl into Isaiah's stroller at one point, because of course, he wasn't riding in his, either. Share and share alike, I guess!

Big Girl Room

For much of the month of July (prior to our vacation and then a little bit upon our return) we spent a lot of time working on creating a big girl bedroom for Michaela. I wanted to have her moved out of the crib and nursery for several months before her little brother arrives on the scene. So, after purchasing bunk beds for a stellar deal online, repurposing and repainting some other existing furniture, and lots of organizing and convincing Michaela this was a good idea, we had her moved into her Big Girl Room just before her second birthday. Here is the proof:

The sleeping bed, with rails

The reading bed, with room for all the stuffed animals

Adam used to use this dresser. One of several things he had to give up as a father.

My dad built this shelf in high school... repainted 50 years later...

And... what allows Michaela to climb in and out of bed "all by self"

good ol' summertime

August, in summary...

                Playtime at the park (not pictured, Adam and I enjoying our morning coffee)

Popsicles with Daddy in the back of the truck (taking a break from tricycling and shoveling gravel, respectively)

Enjoying fresh produce from our garden - look at the size of this green pepper!!

Playing with cousins Greyson and CJ- (please note the baby doll that shows up with Michaela in every subsequent picture)

 ......feeding the donkeys (and eating any leftover crackers)

...feeding the chickens while Grammy helps Greyson

  ...exploring the "jungle" with Genevieve-

Fun times!!!

Happy Birthday Cake!

Our tiny baby turned 2 years old on Monday! Unbelievable. It seems like she shouldn't have changed that much from the little munchkin we met in August 2009. And yet...

Michaela had her doctor's appointment yesterday, and now weighs 26 pounds (40th percentile) and is 34 inches tall (60th percentile). She stood on the scale like a big girl to get weighed, and attended the appointment wearing her Minnie Mouse "big girl" panties, because she is doing quite well on her potty training (contrary to what she displayed during the excitement of her birthday party).

She loves to talk, and surprises me with new words every day. The longest string of words put together occurred this week, when she kept saying/singing "Happy Birthday to you." We have moved her into her "big girl bedroom over the past week, and she is sleeping in a twin bed with rails and doing fine now. She is even starting to refer to it as her "own."

I don't know where she's seen someone do that...

With gusto!

Really Papi? Did you have to ask her to show you her bite??

What does this toy do? Anyone?

Greyson coming to assist

Checking out the Mr. Potato Head toys

Daddy helping her ride her new bouncy horse - "Rody"

 We had all sorts of fun family over for a party on Saturday. We barbecued, and ate cake (see above), Michaela opened presents, and generally enjoyed each other's company. Perhaps everyone but poor, tired, little cousin Greyson had a great time.

"Here Greyson, want to see what I have?"

"Try looking at it up close!"

a little vacation

Adam and I had the pleasure of taking a get-away, no-daughter-allowed vacation at the end of July. It was a little weird leaving Michaela with Nana for several nights (we've only been away from her for one night at a time before) but I knew I had to grab the chance before baby #2 comes (for those of you who didn't know... this is the announcement!) and we don't have the opportunity for another 18 months.

So with that as the backdrop, Adam and I packed as little luggage as we could and headed off for Maui. It was the first time to Hawaii for both of us, and we loved it, though we could have done without the sky-high prices of everything. But I guess that's the price of paradise.

We didn't do a whole lot, but it was relaxing and a wonderful change of pace. I think our favorite day was the day we drive the road to Hana. At the end we visited a beach recommended by a local to eat our picnic box lunch, and it was truly spectacular. Enjoy the photos!

The beach where we ate our lunch on the far east side of the island.

A cheeseburger at the original 'Cheeseburger in Paradise'

The view from said cheeseburger stand

 Our hotel was located on Ka'anapali Beach, one of the best touristy beaches in Maui. At the far end was Black Rock(s?). The following photo sequence details Adam conquering the Black Rock like a local. I was just trying not to drop the camera in the ocean, so pardon the blurry details.

After swimming out, he climbs up the lava rock

At the top, conversing with locals and checking on technique

Taking the plunge! (Don't worry, he survived.)

The last morning at our hotel, we received kukui nut leis in farewell.

The Three Musketeers

From the 4th of July... Michaela and her buds...

Cousins!

Last week Adam was out of town for business. All week. It was looming large in my mind when my sister-in-law graciously agreed to undertake the long drive south and spend several days with Michaela and me. This meant lots of mommy talk and lots of fun times for little cousins. After nearly 3 full days with Greyson, Michaela still insisted on calling him "Baby." But she did have a fun time showing him the ropes at the neighborhood park and feeding him cheerios when her mom and aunt weren't looking. I was impressed with her ability to sleep through his screaming fit on the way home from the zoo. It's good preparation for big-sisterhood, I guess.

 

G-man loving his first time in the swings



This is really a decent picture of the two of them. It's practically impossible to get them both smiling (or even looking in the general direction of the camera) at the same time.

 

Tandem sliding

After a long day at the zoo, it was group bath time. Lots of splashes all around.