First Visit to the Pacific Northwest

We finally made it out to Washington and Oregon to visit very dear friends and family. Unfortunately (or fortunately) Dave and I had such a lovely time visiting that we didn't take many pics of our friends and no pics of family. Sorry all -- we will do better next time. Amber did take some great pics and has an awesome post on her blog, Planet Silas...

Here are Amber, Alden, and Silas enjoying a view of the sound...


We were all as excited as Alex to tour Bainbridge Island, where Amber, Dtew, and Silas used to live (They now live not to far away from there)...


Alden loved all the sheep! And sang the song, "Baa, Baa Black Sheep" for most of the trip...


All three boys were great on the ferry to Seattle... they especially had fun looking for, um, sharks.


Si is taking a picture of us!




Hi Seattle!


Enjoying a fountain in the rain...


Here are a few pics from our glorious drive from Washington to Oregon...








We made it to Seaside, OR!


Alden was so excited to feed the seals!


Brrr!


It was a lovely (even if cold, windy, snowy, and rainy) vacation!

Four-and-a-half months already!

Alex is growing fast, so I am trying to have him wear the sweaters I made for him as much as possible! He was 15 lbs at his 4 month check-up, which is about average. He was also average for height. He's developmentally on track and just a sweet baby. He might have a bit of reflux affecting his eating habits, however. Still feeding about every couple of hours - through the night as well. And his feeding are only about 5-10 minutes max. We started him on a very low dose of renitidine, so hopefully it helps!


Look, he can play and suck his thumb at the same time! :)


This is Alex today - snuggled in his Sunshing Sweater and Sunshine Blanket I made for him while on bedrest. He is resting now, recovering from Croup...


OK, now you are all caught up - next post will most likely be after the holidays! May yours be full of merriment! :)

Happy Halloween!

This is the first year that Alden really got into the Halloween spirit! He thought that carving pumpkins was especially gross and exciting...






Alden's little pumpkin is from a preschool trip to the farm...


Alex fit into Alden's old costume! My little pumpkin...


Alden loves to go fishing with his Daddy, Uncle, and cousin. One neighbor commented that he was dressed as a "true Wisconsinite." However, I had to promise Alden that next year he could go as a green and purple dinosaur. Better start looking for that perfect costume!

Your 12 week Alex Fix

Alex has some cool new tricks to share with you! He has been working on them for the last few weeks, but is now starting to have a few of them mastered...

He holds some toys and brings them to his mouth... but whether he's aware that his hand is holding the toy is anyone's guess...


Swatting at a toy, every now and then he catches it!


Alex now flips over with every attempt at "tummy-time..."






Take two...


Whoa!


How many times are your gonna to try this tummy-time thing???

Country Drive

We took a trip out to the country this past weekend to check out past-peak Autumn and see what the farmers are up to...


Farmer humor...


We enjoyed our country drive very much. Alden was in search of a combine cutting down all this corn, and even brought his toy combine to share in the experience. We did find a combine hard at work, but forgot to take a picture of it...


Yes, we stole corn. Don't tell anyone!


A memento to take home for our Autumn collection...

11 weeks old...

...and getting stronger every day!

Alex's first long-ish hike!

Alex and I hiked with my friend Kim along the east bluff of Devil's Lake yesterday. Alex has been on little hikes in our local arboretum before, but this was his first hike up and down a cliff! He tolerated the Ergo carrier for a few good hours, fussing here and there a bit, but mostly sleeping and feeding...it was the perfect, peak Autumn outing.


Nursing in the forest...



The marvelous view on the east bluff...we did it, Alex!


Heaven is a place on Earth...