He's finally CRAWLING!!!

Will has been working on this for about a month, but he is finally crawling ALL the time, not just a few steps here and there. It is such a big milestone and one the therapists have really been working on.

We are still concerned that William's upper body strength is lagging behind his lower body. This milestone is so encouraging because he is obviously strengthening his arms and shoulders and stomach while crawling around. It also helps his reflexes so that he can learn to reach out and catch himself when he falls from standing. PLUS, it makes him very happy to get around so much faster.

This is a video that I took tonight after we had been out in the cold. He took off before I could take off his snowsuit, but it didn't seem to really bother him (except the slipping around). You can also hear a nice clear "bye-bye" at the end. Enjoy (and please ignore the mess)!

Leavenworth, Washington

Hmmm...just realized that this never got posted. Oops

We spent the afternoon in Leavenworth last Saturday

or, as we told Ian it was called,"Christmas Town". Some pictures of our day...

Finding our perfect tree.

Michael and "our" tree. We went to Trinity Tree Farms, which is actually not far from our house (about 10 mins) although it felt like we were out in the woods. It is one of the things we love about where we live. We are so close to the mountains, but also only a little way from Seattle. It is a great location.

We had a lot of fun with Ian picking the right tree. There were so many to choose from that Ian was a bit overwhelmed and wanted them all. "How about this one, and this one, and this one..." He was very excited. Plus, Ian is always up for open spaces where he can run around without getting into trouble. He had a great time.


Our family self-portrait. I love that the boys are looking at each other. Will loves riding in the sling on my back. He tells me lots of secrets while he's hanging out back there...I just can't wait until I can understand more than "ball", "tickle", "kiss" and "woof" which are his only real words right now. :)

Ian hiding in the trees.

Will and I waiting for the "big guys" to finish cutting down the tree. I like being in charge of the baby. I always get to watch the hard work. :)

Ian and Papa showing off their (Papa's) handiwork. Our tree!

Carrying the tree to the road...luckily they come by with four-wheelers and tag the trees and take them up to the front for you. After all, this is "U-cut" for yuppies!

Ian exploring the trees that were more his size. We were up pretty high and completely in the clouds.

Ian driving an old fashioned fire-truck at the tree farm. It was a bit hard to drag him away.

Santa was visiting the tree farm! We finally figured out the way to get Ian near Santa - get William to start crying. :) Ian was very unsure, but he was a lot happier to go make Will feel better. He is actually a very protective big brother when he isn't shoving William over! So, I think this is the best Santa shot we'll get this year. I thought it was probably successful that only one boy was in tears.

William, after being rescued from Santa, waiting happily in his car seat while Papa ties the tree to the top of the car.


Let the decorating begin...

Ian was a little impatient waiting for Mama to get the lights up, but after that he had a lot of fun hanging ornaments. In fact, we were very impressed at how good he was at hanging ornaments. Unfortunately he wants to do it everyday, all day. Every morning I catch him trying to "put the decorations in the right order". I guess he always thinks it needs a little tweeking. :)

I hope that everyone is enjoying the season. We are missing all of you!

Thanksgiving and the "day after" (i.e. Nana and Mama torture everyone else by dragging them out shopping)

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with Nana and Grandaddy. It was our first time spending a Thanksgiving in our own house (good thing Nana was around to do all the real cooking) and we finally had a reason to use the good china. Maybe Mike and I are growing up after all.

We had a lovely lazy Thanksgiving day with good food, the Macy's parade on West Coast time, lots of playtime and plenty of relaxing. We followed it up by braving the crowds in Seattle, looking at Santa from afar, but never getting too close, and enjoying the Christmas lights and carousel at Westlake center. It was a good way to kick off the holidays!


Michael and Ian watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Ian is in pajamas as he almost always is. In fact, even when dressed he usually has pajamas on under his clothes. At least we are pretty close to fully potty trained which makes Mama more willing to allow creative dressing.

The boys waiting for dinner. Yum!

Something funny in the kitchen!

We agree that aprons are not the most flattering attire, but I couldn't leave all pictures of us out. Notice the chicken on the counter. We decided to forego a Turkey since none of us really wanted one AND they're huge AND this was a grocery store rotisserie chicken that we didn't have to cook. Ssshhhh....

William guarding the table. He was content to watch the action and LOVED dressing but only if we left the gravy off. In fact, when I tried to add gravy he cried. Note for Christmas: dry dressing only please. Another note for all you wondering what "dressing" is: our version (perhaps a Southern thing) of stuffing but made from cornbread. It's good stuff.

Black Friday Fun...

Ian looks like he's up to something...

William trying to stay awake and hanging in there. He was a pretty good sport for a long day of shopping.

Riding the carousel. Ian absolutely LOVED this. I think he could have stayed all day.

Welcome Christmas! The lights are on in downtown Seattle!