Sunshine and Ducks!

We have had BEAUTIFUL weather for the past few days and it is supposed to remain nice until Tuesday. Today we decided to check out a park we had never been to before. Actually - we didn't even know it was here until Sara and Todd told us about it. It was such a nice park and we walked around for a while. Baron was very relaxed in the fresh air!
After our walk, we went down to the waterfront. There were a bunch of families fishing off the shore and many more out in the water in their boats. We woke Baron up (he usually doesn't nap in the morning) and then Nate set Baron up on a rock so we could take his picture. Baron thought it was a slide and kept leaning forward to go down it!

In Nate's baby book it says that one of his favorite things to do as a child was to feed the ducks. We didn't have any food with us, but I think Nate really enjoyed showing Baron the ducks. Baron wasn't so sure when one of them decided to get really close.

Judging from Nate's continuous smile all day - I think we can write in his adult book that one of his favorite things is hanging out with the ducks and his son.

It was such a wonderful family day. I wish everyday could be a sunny Sunday!

Fighting Off a Cold

Baron has had one heck of a cold for about a week. He wants to be healthy and run and play, but he usually ends up crawling into my lap and crying instead. It is difficult when you can't explain to him that if he just relaxes, cuddles and lays low he'll feel better sooner. There is one item in our house that seems to excite him despite not feeling well - the vacuum! Today I left it plugged in and he turned it on and off about a million times while I made lunch. It was one of those days (heck - it has been one of those weeks) where I decided the noise of the vacuum was better than him crying. So have at it kid! He also wanted to vacuum the stairs with me instead of playing with his dad tonight. That was odd - nothing usually trumps playing with dad. It really won't be long and he'll be able to do this himself if he wants to! Woohoo!!! It's almost as if this kid wants chores. He loves to feed Gus - one pebble at a time. He also likes to carry a treat for Gus to our room (where Gus hangs out when we leave). He carries it all the way to Gus' bed and waits for Gus to catch up. Then he throws it at him. I guess the reason I am sharing these things is because I am amazed. Children learn so quickly and get satisfaction from the most simple of tasks. I love it! It also makes me realize that Baron will be a great big brother. I can just see him grabbing a burp rag for me or pacifer and taking pride in the fact that he is big enough to do it.

Enough dreaming - it is time to get this sweet, sick boy healthy!

Happy Valentines Day!

Aunt Susie brought this little outfit back from Japan last spring. This is the first time we put it on him and it had Nate and I laughing hysterically. Poor Baron was feeling a little shy. We couldn't decide if he looked like a true Japanese man or more like "Hef" minus the robe and cigar. Either way it was about the cutest thing ever. Baron seemed to like the silk too. Did I mention that he is walking on occasion now? He does it selectively and nothing is more surprising than seeing him come out of a room walking.

All Done!

I was torn between calling this post "Helper" and "All Done." He is such a good helper as he demonstrates below. I know he just wants to make sure I am never bored! However, Baron's favorite saying (and it is very clear) is "ALL DONE" and once he emptied the small sandwhich bags and the large ones he said "all done." I should have known from the silence that he was up to something. Thankfully he is learning to put things back. It is a game we are playing alot lately and I am praying he is learning something from it.

The Dream

I have a dream to live in a neighborhood someday...a particular neighborhood. This weekend we were visiting my dream neighborhood to celebrate Nate's birthday with family. The weather was beautiful so as soon as Baron woke up from his nap we walked to the neighborhood lake front park to play on the slide and swings (and when I say "we" I truly mean it and have proof!).

Baron thought it was more exciting to watch his dad throw rocks down the slide then to actually go down it himself. Can you see the intensity in that face?
Sorry for the blurry pictures - we must have had the camera on an odd setting.

If you hand a monkey a banana...

it may stop the screaming in the car. Just beware that the monkey is smart and may figure out how to open the banana and eat half of it before you are home!

My attempt to be creative just inspired me to find this book.