some of my favorite days

 

a few months ago, Papa Rob, Grandpa Jim and I started scheming about a trip to Oregon.
It was (and still is) important to me that Max get to see his grandparents

and the area where his dad grew up.
and all Max wanted was to see Grandpa Jim! (and maybe his pacifier).
so we went. and it was one of my most favorite times ever as a family.
I tried to lower my expectations since we were traveling with a toddler.

but, we managed to fit in everything!
it was perfect with all its imperfections.

 

 

 

 

we walked to the splash pad. 

we played in the spray!

I saw pure joy on Max's face.

He loved climbing on the rocks.

He loved the teeter totter at the playground.

 

 

 

 

turns out grandparents have lots of fun new toys.

Max loved the water table.

Especially the waterslides on the table.

And dumping water out of the table.

And having multiple outfit changes a day.

 

 

We drove the coast.

I got to walk on my beloved Cannon Beach and squish my sand between my toes.

Papa Rob found me a BIG starfish!

We showed Max lots of tidepools with green sea anemones.

We touched all the mussel shells.

We watched Papa Rob splash in the cold surf up to his knees.

We spied on puffins and common muirs (life birds for me!)

We ate at Moe's...yummy clam chowder for Papa Rob!

 

 

 

 

 

We explored the Oregon Zoo.

It was hot, hot hot.

Max fell in love with goats all over again.

We saw the Condor exhibit.

Of course we went to the photobooth.

 

 

 

We got to spend time in the Columbia employee store. 

Somehow I didn't buy a thing...but Papa Rob and Max got some great deals!

Lunched at Deschutes Brewery.

Walked a bit in the Pearl.

Hit up the Ducks store for some new Oregon gear!

Tried on a foam finger :)

Shopped the local farmers market.

Oregon Berries are so fresh and yummy!!

 

 

Got to shop at Bridgeport.

Spent twenty minutes alone in Anthropologie...just browsing..it was heaven.

Played around at the toy store.

Got free balloons...and hours of fun!

Ate frozen yogurt :)

 

 

 lots of cousin time.

Met new family and made new friends.

enjoyed coffee

and strolling.

 

 

 

 

 

we enjoyed each other.

we enjoyed fresh peas from the garden.

and special peanut butter.

And delicious ranch dressing (thanks for the recipe Grandma Sugar!)

Max discovered bean dip and tortilla chips and ate his weight in them.

 

 

we held hands

we drank

we laughed

we relaxed (Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sugar's deck is amazing!!)

we explored.

we loved with big hearts.

it was so hard to leave....

and I'm already dreaming of our next trip.

XOxo


Happy Fourth of July (belated!)

I couldn't let a holiday slip by without some cute pictures of Mr. Max, now could I?

I found his picture from last fourth of July on my phone and I absolutely had to do a little comparison...this comparison led to my ovaries twitching just a bit. :)  It's honestly a little mind blowing how much he changed in a year!

 

 

We were leaving for Oregon on July 5th - so I knew we would not be getting together with my Dayton family...which as everyone knows made me a little sad.  In fact, I contemplated driving down there after work (yes, work...more on that later) - but once I talked it over with Papa Rob, we agreed it was probably best to stay put.  Wahhh!  What's a girl to do?  Well, this girl decided to make the most of it...starting with work! 

 

(Red, white, and blue beauties!)

 

We had a half day session of "cheetah camp" on Friday morning. 

The gals and I decided to grab some breakfast at Scramblers beforehand and putting our best patriotic foot foreward.  In this case - it was not a foot, but rather with hair accessories! 

Thank you to Becky for providing all of the lovely bows, hair ties, and headbands!

The morning actually passed quickly and before I knew it - I was reunited with my boys!

 

(Obligatory family photo...like you do :)

 

Rob knew I was really bummed about not having any "exciting" plans (aka parties, fireworks, and barbeques) - so he suggested taking a walk at our favorite park.  Turns out they were trying to be festive too!  The naturalists at the park had prepared lots of red, white, blue, stars, and even stripes biofacts.  The three of us had fun looking at pictures of constellations, touching the fur of a "striped" skunk, and Max and Rob even compared their wingspan to that of a very patriotic bird..the Bald Eagle!

 

(Fly like an eagle!)

 

After our time in the nature center, we took a little stroll on the paved multi purpose trail before heading home!

 

(Tearing up the trails!)

 

Once home - we had a family barbeque...complete with happy hours on the deck!! 

 

(Turns out happy hour looks a little different with a toddler in the mix)

 

We served hot dogs, baked beans, deviled eggs, and zuchinni fries...all of our favorites :)  Max ate almost a whole hot dog, tried the baked beans and zuchinni fries, and opted for some pears too!

 

(Dining al'fresco on the Fourth)

 

We gave Max a patriotic send off to bed...and it was time for some sparklers! 

 

(I'm not sure what's happening with Rob's eyes...other than a blinding flash?)

 

The cool part was that as we were doing our sparklers...Worthington's fire works were going off just above our treeline.  So - we got a good view of some real fireworks after all. 

It turned to be a great little holiday with the three of us...

XoXO

14 months

(taken on Grandpa Jim and Grandma Sugar's deck in Oregon!)

Age:14 Months
Stats: 25 lbs 8 oz. and 32 inches (this is offical as we went to the doctor today because the little man was running a fever and had a weird rash.)
Clothes: Wearing size 12-18 month mostly. Some of his shirts are even 24 month -but those are from some of the indie clothing companies I purchase from.  Size four diapers.
 

Favorite Foods: Bananas (still), Cheese, Yogurt, and smoothies made by Mama.  Honestly - the food thing varies from day to day.  One minute he likes it - the next he's throwing it on the floor.

(loving the big boy grocery cart)

 

Favorite Words: Uh-oh, bye-bye, No, and Mama

 

Favorite Activities: He still loves pulling out all the books and sitting still to listen for about five seconds.  His new favorite books are the "poke" books and his button book (thanks Auntie Stacy)!  Mim and Grandpa Tim got him a plastic farm with all the animals...and he will actually sit and play with the animals for about ten whole minutes! ha :)  He likes to shove all the animals through the hole in the roof (I think it's actually a chicken coup hole). Another favorite would be pushing the "stop and go schoolbus" around the floor.  I think he would still spend most of his time outdoors - loves to stroll around the neighborhood, toddle around on the deck, watch daddy mow the grass, and pull all the toys out of his water table. He spent a lot of time pushing his fisher price walker up and down the sidewalk...good practice for walking!

(Up and down the sidewalk...then repeat)

 

(always going...going...going...)

 

 Least Favorite Activities: Diaper changes, sitting in the grocery cart for longer than five minutes, when you take away the pacifier, and when he drops something on the floor and you don't give it back.  

(trying on hats at Old Navy...)

Favorite Things:

Books:  "Poke a Dot" and "Poke a Farm" - found by Auntie Stacy!  These were lifesavers on our recent trip out to Oregon!

Water Table:  particulary the one at Grandpa Jim's! 

 

Farm Animals - plastic sheep, cow, horse, and chicken and stable.

 

Any kind of blanket for snuggling and play wrestling!

(enjoying some splashes in the water table in Oregon!)

 

Signature Moves: pointing to his books/shelves when you take him into his room.  Trying to climb the stairs all the time!  Pointing outside and trying to get anyone to take him out there. Throwing his sippy cup on the floor.  Having about three dirty diapers a day.  Letting you know he's done with a meal by throwing all the food on the floor. Having a little cry when you put him in the car seat but getting over it usually pretty quickly. Also - the "double point" with both index fingers...usually reserved for special occasions :)
 

Mom's Proudest Moment: Seeing him take his first unassisted steps (about four of them!)...and perhaps getting him to sleep for about two and half hours on our plane ride out to Oregon!

Dad's Proudest Moment: Seeing him learn to walk!

(Happy Fourth of July!)

 

Other Milestones:

 

Finally, walking!  Not all the time - but definitely more than ever!

Can point to his nose, head, and toes.

Can you usually point to a cow or horse in a farm book.

Completing his fifth and sixth air plane rides (to and from Oregon).

Growing a total curly afro...this Ohio humidity is crazy on his curls :)

I know I'm totally biased but his big smiles just melt my heart!
We are having the best summer...can't wait to see what the next month brings :)
xoxo