Go Fly a kite

We spent this windy afternoon at the park flying a kite. This was our first family kite flying outing and I was a little concerned I wouldn't remember how, but it all comes back to you. Meghan was thrilled to fly the kite and we all had a lot of fun.

Sweetly Dreaming Boy

Nathan was sleeping so peacefully yesterday before I had to wake him up early to go and pick up Meghan. I love these photos. These moments are so sweet to remember...

A trip to see Santa

This week I took the kids to visit the friendly local mall Santa.  It's always been an experience trying to determine Meghan's mood and approach to Santa, and now I have two different ones to contemplate...  Meghan this year walked right up to Santa with a little prompting from my part and told him she was hoping for a Tinkerbell costume.  Thankfully we have dispensed with the desire for 'real wings that can fly'.  Even though she told us numerous times that Santa and his elves can make anything, we have informed her that his presents have to be real.  Anyway,  she had a nice little chat with Santa Claus being that there was no one in line (a miracle).  Talked about how hard she's been working in school reading, etc.  Nathan on the other hand was not overly fond of Santa.  I tried my best to sit on the stool while Meghan was chatting away and let Nathan warm up to the fellow, but he would have none of it.  Finally when someone did show up in line and the employees were indicating it was time for our photo, I sat him down in Santa's lap (er... the stranger in a big red suit), and Nathan proceeded to scream.  I indicated for them to just take the photo, screamer and all because that's how it is this year, and next year who knows, he may refuse to sit in his lap as Meghan did at 2 years old.  So, here you have it, this year's Santa photo.  Of course, our visit was not complete until the friendly photo employee loudly proclaimed to all in earshot range, after that Santa looks so thirsty he could die.  I nearly fainted and was glad that Meghan did not hear it and could not yet spell d-i-e because I turned to the lady and tried to nicely say (spell what she had said because she had forgotten how she phrased it) she needed to watch what she said around the kids because who knows what nightmares might ensue if Meghan thought Santa was going to die.  Geesh... and I didn't even get a free photo.  Parched Santa did get a drink of water though.

Nathan turns 1 year old

Today Nathan is 1 year old. I can't believe the time has flown by so quickly. He is a busy boy. Yesterday took 2 steps on his own and is climbing up every chair in the house, and loves the mini-slide to climb up and go down all on his own. He says Mama, Dada, and a version of 'Hi'. He has the cutest giggle imaginable, and is in general a super sweet boy. I particularily enjoy the fact that he sleeps 12 hours straight at night.. 7 to 7. He loves to copy Meghan... yesterday we took out playdough for the first time and I couldn't believe he only tried to eat it one time. He just sat there watching big sister and playing with the cookie cutters. He also loves to sit at the table and color with meghan. He will only use crayons or pencils, and not those nifty 'first crayons' that are out there... he wants the real deal. His favorite toys are balls. He will make a straight line to get one anytime he sees it. He is also an avid signer and just this week mastered the concept of 'more' and uses it often. We're so blessed to have him in our family. :)

Finding Fossils

Meghan is currently studying dinosaurs in her preschool, so last weekend we went in search of some local fossil sights. Michael found one about 1.5 hours away that fit the bill perfectly. The kids were in heaven in a massive sandbox, and we even luckily found a fossil. Luckily I say because I just looked down and there one was. I told Michael I honestly had no idea how to look for a fossil or find one, so Meghan was thrilled to have one to take for show and tell this past week. We now have a book on fossil hunting so as to read up on the procedure. At any rate, the kids were thrilled and really enjoyed the family time

Nathan in the Leaves

I'm currently enjoying my new 50D Canon camera that Michael bought for me. Also learning how to use some fill flash, and taking in the beautiful fall color. I had the opportunity to take Nathan out this past week for his 9 month photo shoot (Of course he's almost 11 months now, but hey I got a session in for him sometime!). Here are the results...

Nathan's First Haircut

Today, we had a family day out at for hair cuts. Nathan had his first cut and of course we had to take pictures.
Meghan was 22 months when she had her first haircut, and was able to sit by herself, but since Nathan is still so little, Daddy had to hold him and he did quite well. When he started to squirm, the store owner grabbed a broom and a paper cup and proceeded to keep him entertained. Who needs cartoon cuts when you have such a great family oriented location. We all had a blast and Meghan had her lollipop, of course.




And, for comparison, here is a shot of Meghan on her first haircut... since I didn't have a blog back then. :)

Nathan loves to climb

Nathan's favorite activity lately has been climbing... Climbing the slide, climbing up the stairs, you name it and he wants to climb up it. Of course he can't walk yet, and he usually can't climb down whatever he went up, but he enjoys it anyway, and it makes for an interesting time to watch him, and then rescue him time after time.

A visit with the Alpacas

Every time we visit Santa Fe, we go and visit the Que Sera Alpacas . The first time we went, Meghan was about 18 months and she loved them. They gave her kisses and were so cute. This photo of her was even used on their business cards and website. Last summer, she was quite fearful of everything, including the Alpacas so the visit was more about overcoming fears than anything. Today however, Meghan was having the time of her life playing with the baby alpaca as if it was another child. Several times the 2 month old Alpaca snuck up on her and nuzzled her neck, and once chased her around in circles around my legs. I felt like there were 2 three year olds in the pen instead of just my Meghan. When it came time to leave, Meghan was so sad to say goodbye and she begged for more visits. They are headed to the New Mexico State fair later this week.

Nathan is now Signing!

If you've never heard of using Baby Signs with your babies, it is the most amazing thing to investigate if you have young babies that are not yet talking. We used them with Meghan and at one point between 12-18 months she had about 40 signs she used to communicate. We've been teaching them to Nathan and just in the last month he has started using a few here and there. Today he started signing for dog which is a 'panting' type action. We were out and about with Grandma and Grandpa and encountered a dog. I noticed that besides Nathan's eager interest in the dog he was doing a funny panting type thing. I then realized he was using the sign we had taught him. He then repeated it later in the afternoon when we heard another dog, and again when I read the Baby Signs for Animals Book. I was able to capture him on video doing one of his first obvious signs... He has since learned two more in just one day... the sign for frog and for fan. It's just so darn cute and he is so excited to be able to communicate... Now we just need to work on the useful ones like more, eat, drink, all done!

More Smores Please

We (Meghan, Nathan and I) are currently visiting my parents in Santa Fe. What a lovely thing it is to have two other adults present and actually outnumber the children! Anyway, today we went up into the Santa Fe National Forest to go 'day camping'... no tent, and come home for baths at night, but all the fun of camping. We had a blast. We arrived and grilled up some hotdogs. After eating our fill, Meghan and I walked to a little bridge to play 'Pooh Sticks'... a favorite past time for Winnie the Pooh. Anyway, we got sidetracked by some beautiful wildflowers and amazing dandelions. They were the biggest dandelions I think I have ever seen and Meghan had a wonderful time blowing them everywhere so there will be plenty more of them next time we are there. Meghan and Nathan played nicely together which is always a wonderful thing to encourage. Meghan had a blast picking wildflowers and making a beautiful bouquet for Grandma. We also found some cool rocks (always a highlight), and by the end my pockets were full of things... seeds, flower petals, and rocks, and her hands were full of flowers. Time to return for Smores. Meghan of course LOVES smores. Tonight she told Grandma when she was getting tucked into bed that her favorite part of today was the Smores. Being that we are on vacation, I stretched the rules and Meghan probably ate more marshmallows than are considered healthy, but hey we're at Grandma's house, and rules can be broken within reason.

First Day of School

Meghan started preschool again this week. She was excited... well mostly. She returns to the same class and teacher at her Montessori school right around the corner from our house. We walked to school and she jumped right out and went into her class all by herself. Nathan, of course was happily tagging along for the ride before his morning nap. He is a very happy baby. Unfortunately he has come down with his first cold of the season. Nathan just had his 9 month check up where he is in 90% for height (30 inches) and 21 lbs 3 oz which is 65 % for weight. He's a big boy. He is easily pulling up now and it's only a matter of time before he's walking... Look out!

Nathan at the beach

Every week there is a new theme on PhotoHunt . This week's was Colorful. Anyone can play


I love this little picture of Nathan at the beach in Costa Rica. He was a handful to keep out of the sand and I definitely failed on more than one attempt. Here we are at the Manuel Antonio Beach just passing the time away...