Blinding stripes!

We didn't give it too much thought at the time, but Zachary almost matches the porch furniture. Just enjoying the breezes blowing through the screened porch, and watching Caleigh play around us.

We hope to post some videos from the recent past soon, now that we're caught up on the pictures. Stay tuned! ;-)

In the swing with Daddy

Zach enjoyed swinging the afternoon away with Daddy, watching Caleigh and Mama play in the sandbox.

He's our happy, beautiful, chubby cherub.

In their coordinating outfits

Thanks for the outfits, Sara B! The kids looked great for church in their greens and blues. Caleigh was a little more excited about this photo shoot than Zach.

Hanging out at the beach

Caleigh found some great shells for her collection. Zachary enjoyed the shade and the soft sand in case he toppled over from his sitting position. He adores watching Caleigh. She cracks us up coming over to him, softly patting him on the back, and asking in her soft little voice, "How are you doing big boy? Are you okay? Yeah...yeah. You're okay." and giving him a kiss. A great day.

Caleigh at the beach

We kept the kids in the shade especially for the afternoon visit to the beach. It was harder for Caleigh, though, as she skipped her early afternoon nap for more trips into the ocean water (with whomever would take her hand and go with her!). She rested a short while in the tent after lunch of her own volition, but soon quietly came out and started playing with the sand toys again. Without a nap, she became giddy (thankfully not cranky -- until the beginning of the ride home at 5).

She would walk into the water (always holding a hand) and pat it or 'stomp stomp stomp' or squat down to feel the water up to her chest. If she got a little surprised by the water she would want to go back to the umbrella. Then, immediately she would ask very sweetly to 'go back again!?' so she spent a lot of time in the water, enjoying every minute of it with big smiles and "yeahs" as the water just kept coming in for her enjoyment.

To the beach - June 2008

Zachary's first trip to the ocean! And we all enjoyed our first experience at the NJ shore. The water was pretty cold so he didn't keep his toesies in long. He sat up playing with the beach blanket and toys for a long time. He took a nice nap in the little tent on the beach.

Caleigh enjoyed her sand toys, especially the bulldozer. She and Dan built some sandcastles and and generally got all sandy.

We took advantage of our neighbor's beach house condo a very short walk from the beach. There weren't many other people and Zach and Caleigh enjoyed walking and playing on the beach with the Stenhouses. Mr. Stenhouse was especially excited to take Zach for walks to observe the fishermen and the "Brigantine" boat and ankle deep into the water. Caleigh entertained us all with her dancing about on the beach and constant motion. We 'hit the beach' twice on our day visit, with a breakfast on their ocean view deck and a yummy lunch from a local deli. How fun! We can't believe we haven't taken them up on their offer to visit the past two summers! Hopefully we'll make it out again in 2008!

First foods

Zachary took well to the rice cereal on a spoon gourmet dinner on 6/27. He thought it was fun to sit in Caleigh's chair and she didn't seem to mind at all. He was a little messy, but gobbled down 1 T full and then another! We'll look forward to starting him on fruits and veggies and such in the coming weeks. He has no idea what awaits him!

He has certainly been thriving! But it's time to supplement his milk intake. We'll have to wait and see if his weight jumps at the 9 mn appointment. ;-)

Hahahahaha

Just a happy boy. It looks like he is chortling behind his little fist. Then he looks so mature and 'skinny'! And then some laughs. We are so enjoying him as he grows and changes. He is more steady sitting up - reaching out and grabbing toys, waving his arms around, and watching us. He loves to smile, usually also sticking his left thumb in his mouth to partially conceal his beautiful gummy happiness.

More from the park

Caleigh caught on quickly to the airplane ride. It's not without some pride that I share her airplane was up the highest first. ;-) Hopefully the young girl behind her (with no control of the airplane) wasn't scared.

She also enjoyed riding in a ladybug, a bee, a frog hopper ride (finally something made her laugh during the ride!!), a kiddie coaster w/Mama, the ferris wheel w/Daddy...and she talked the ear off the poor girl in the balloon with her. Here she might have been singing w/hand motions.

Time to leave the park and have some dinner - but first a stroller hug. We were amazed that the kids were in the same clothes they started the day in. A great day!

Hershey Park!

I can hear Zach now saying, "Mama! Caleigh is on my side of the stroller. Can't you get her off me!?" Zach was enthralled by the action, people, sounds and smells (we assume...). Caleigh fell asleep on the stroller ride from the car to the park entrance.

The timing turned out well, though, as Mama got to ride two thrilling rides before lunch (with Caleigh and Zach asleep for the most part) and then Caleigh was able to be awake all afternoon and enjoy her rides.

Her first ever ride by herself were these spinning sleighs. Mama was more nervous than Caleigh -- are you sure you're okay riding by yourself? do you want to wait until the next ride? you can't move or get off in the middle of the ride... Caleigh was FINE. And, we realized, her stoic expression does not relate to her experience of fun. She consistently asked to ride a ride again (but then was ready to move on to the next ride, please). She had a serious expression (this amusement park stuff is serious business, you know) and usually threw her arms back over the seat of the ride (nope --not going to lift the reigns or ring the bell once the ride starts, no matter how much you yell encouragement to me as I circle past you over and over... I'm holding on here!).

She really liked the water park. There was a smaller area for smaller kids with a mushroom raining water, multiple small water slides and bubbling fountains. She loved it all, even getting her head and face all wet (she hates that in the bathtub!). Here she is completely drenched after the experience. And ready to tackle the next ride, please. ;-)

Comedy in yellow

Ever the photogenic kids... ;-)

Daddy and daughter

Still Father's Day.

LOVE that grin of Caleigh's! I appreciate the time just the two of them spend together -- breakfast, going to bed routine, playing. And I know that Caleigh is a happier girl because of her Daddy.