Our New Routine(s)

We have been living in our rental apartment in suburbia for 8 weeks.  Going from living in a  home with a backyard to living in a small, temporary apartment and no yard with a toddler and a very energetic 80 lb dog has presented me with more than a few challenges.  I sort of feel like we are living in a cross between a poorly decorated hotel and a large playroom for a toddler.  Our largest respite these past weeks has been that the weather has been very un-Oregon, allowing us to really enjoy our close vicinity to the river and the lake.  Emmett, Vivian and I literally get up every day, have breakfast and then head outside for a jog or a walk.  If I wait too long after breakfast to get us outside, Emmett grabs Vivian's leash and climbs into his stroller himself while Vivian waits at the door staring at it as if she can will it to open with her gaze.  These morning outings are necessary to keep Vivian happy (and not so hyper I want to let her go play in traffic).  I am also hoping that on some level all of this activity will resonate with Emmett later in life and even if it's subconscious he will feel that getting out everyday for some exercise and fresh air is a mandatory activity.  A mom can dream, right?

Another part of being living space challenged is that Emmett and I are doing everything we can to participate in activities outside the house.  I joined a great Mom's group in Lake Oswego, and through this group we have been doing Gymboree, other children's "gyms", book time at the library, going on play dates and walks and are even trying our first "Art" class this Friday. (The last one should be an experience!)  I've also gotten to attend a few Mom's nights out and socials, which have been a great way for me to learn about our new community.

The only real curve ball in our activity has been Emmett's schedule.  For the last 6+ months, we have had a beautiful, wonderful, predictable schedule.  Emmett would sleep 12 hours a night.  He would wake up and we would play and go for our morning exercise and then he would take a 1-2 hour nap 2 hours after he woke up.  3 hours after his morning nap, we would repeat the process for his afternoon nap.  Bedtime was 7 pm.  It was glorious.  It was like clockwork and I knew what to expect every day.  These days, it is less so.  We are in an awkward transition period where Emmett is between needing 1 and 2 naps a day.  It is more like he needs 1.25 per day.  I never know which child I am going to get in the morning- the kid who wants to play until noon and then snooze until 2 pm or the baby who needs his 3 hours of naps in the morning and afternoon.  When I misjudge, meltdown doesn't begin to describe the situation.  It also makes getting to our scheduled activities more challenging.  We really have to play it one day at a time and make a lot of loose plans.  Fortunately, we have run into a number of parents with older kids recently who have commiserated with us and told us that 12-18 months was a really rough phase for their toddlers and that magically at 18 months they entered into another golden period.  I cannot wait!

Beyond the whole napping and ensuing tantrum issues, Emmett is wonderful. He is adorable and healthy.  He chats up a storm.  Only he and his beloved stuffed bunny understand most of the conversation, but they seem to be having a lot of laughs.  We have 5 words that Todd and I understand- Mama, Dada, cat (CA), dog (DA), banana (BAbaba) and occasionally up. He has gone from walking to running.  Everywhere.  Preferably away from his parents in public. At the same time he is also still appropriately, and wonderfully clingy.  Whenever he is warming up to a situation or is unsure, he makes it very clear he still needs reassurance from his Mom or Dad and we are happy to oblige. :)  He loves his parents, his pets and he loves to PLAY!

Where we run every day.  There are worse views in the world.

Emmett walking his dog.  Yes, our crazy 80 lb dog lets the baby walk her. Until she sees a squirrel, that is.

We recently took a vacation with my parents.  They rented a lovely house on San Juan Island.  This is one of the incredible sunsets we had looking out at Orcas and Lopez Islands from the balconey.

Baby beach attire in the Northwest.

He loved the water.  He would have just gone right in if we hadn't held on to him!

The bay at Roche Harbor was calmer than the water in the previous photo AND there were little fish he could see. He was determined to sit in the ~50 degree water and catch them.  Obviously we didn't allow that to happen...

"They won't let me sit in the water...sob...I just want to sit in the water and play with the fishies.  NO pictures."

Our little water baby.

Grandma and Grandpa always get smiles. :)

Ode to 3206 SE Lincoln (and other updates)

In south east Portland, on the corner of 32nd and Lincoln St sits a little green house.  This sweet little house was not just the first house that either Todd or I bought.  It was our first home together.  It was where we became a family.   We got engaged and married while living there.  We went through our first pregnancy, decorated our first nursery and brought Emmett home to that house.  Emmett learned to crawl and walk there.  We learned how to be parents there.  On August 2nd, the three of us walked through the house one last time, trying to soak up all the memories, and then drove away for the last time.

I can honestly say, I was shocked at how sad I was to leave our home.  As we walked through each room reminiscing and saying goodbye, it occurred to me how much of ourselves we had put into the house and how big a part of our lives it had been.  There wasn't an inch of that house that we didn't leave our mark on and that doesn't hold a very poignant memory for one or both of us.  Now, a new family will be living there and making it their home.  We have to move on to the next chapter of our lives-  the suburbs. 

Our next house is in a new development in Lake Oswego and will not be finished being built until December.  Right now, it is currently just a dirt lot with a bunch of stakes marking where our driveway, house and backyard will be. Until this dirt lot has been magically transformed into our new house, we are renting a small apartment in downtown Lake Oswego.  The location is great.  That's all I can really say about the apartment.  And honestly, as long as we are all together it feels like home and I am happy.  That said, we are really excited and anxious to be in our new house. Everyone keep your fingers crossed it will be completed on time and we can spend Christmas in our new house and start making memories in our next home!

Emmett is becoming a toddler before my eyes.  He is walking, and trying to run now.  He refuses to hold my hand in public because he's too independent.  He is starting to try to talk- he has gotten out "Hi" and "Cat".  (Although sometimes cat sounds more like gat.)  He attempts to talk to people by letting out high pitched squeals when his limited vocabulary or adorable smile fails to  engage them.  He is really into mimicking everything we do now, especially when we eat- every meal needs to start out with him using a plate or a bowl and sometimes utensils.  (All of which inevitably end up on the floor...) 

We took him on a trip to Seattle this weekend.  We saw lots of boats, planes, cars, trucks and went to the aquarium.  Anything with a motor is a big hit these days- he is all BOY.  Below are a few photos from our trip AND a link to all the photos from first birthday party we threw with the twins back in June.

CLICK HERE- Emmett and the Twins First Birthday Party

We caught him right before he put two little hand prints on the shiny red car.

He thought the anemone was awesome.

Jelly Fish.

Looking at the seals play.

Bill Gates' car.  Todd and I were less than 5 feet from the man when he pulled up to our hotel and ran past us. Turns out I had been standing next to his father who was waiting for him to have dinner.

My Sweet Little BOY!!

A year ago at this time I was eagerly (and impatiently) awaiting Emmett's arrival. It's both hard to believe it has only been a year and amazing at how quickly time has flown by. It seems like it was yesterday that he was laid on my chest after being born, his sweet newborn cries being answered with my inadequate greeting of "hi".  There really is no way to describe how full our lives have become since that amazing moment.

The changes a baby goes through in the first year of life are so profound and rapid that if you blink you just might miss something. During this time there are so many moments that need to be remembered and cherished. I think that we have done a great job capturing these moments with photos and videos, but as our sweet little angel begins transitioning from an entirely dependent baby to a less dependent child, there are more tactile things I know I will always miss and am so scared I will forget.  Like how soft and perfect his skin is, the smell of his hair, the way he always rests his head on your shoulder in gratitude when you first pick him up, the feel of his little fingers as he grabs at me for reassurance, the warmth of his little body cuddling up to me as he falls asleep every night, the funny bird noise he loves to make by rolling his little tongue and the way he looks at me when he laughs...oh my, that sweet laugh. It melts my heart.

As sad as part of me is that tomorrow he will be one, a bigger part of me is so excited to see the toddler, boy and man that he will become.   Emmett is amazing.  He is perfect.  He also already has very distinct and inherent personality traits.   As his parents, we need to learn how to best mold the perfect little human we created based on his innate personality.   As I have been pondering the nuances of my sweet little man, I have been thinking of all the things I want to teach him as he gets older.  The list is long.  Of course it includes the typical parental hopes of creating an adult who is kind, good to others and successful.  I am sure as time progresses my list will change with his age and the success we have in guiding him.  At this very moment, I would say these are my the things that I most want to instill in my perfect little boy:

• Emulate your father. He is an unbelievable role model to illustrate to you how to treat your partner in life and take care of your family.
•  Remain appropriately sensitive.  You have one of the most wonderfully expressive dispositions I have ever encountered. Continue to let yourself feel everything but don't let your emotions rule your life. 
• Stay excited. I wish I could bottle your unbridled joy in everything that you do, see and learn.  Please don't ever loose this excitement.  It is part of what makes you so amazing and such a joy to be around.
• You are stubborn.  You inherited this trait from both your parents. Harness this to become tenacious and determined. If you do not let it define your character, it will enable you to achieve great things.
•  Appreciate life. No matter what is thrown your way, you are one fortunate, blessed and loved man. Never loose sight of how lucky this makes you.
• Seize opportunities. This is different from taking risks. It is our job to teach you the difference between the two. Lesson #1- Running for the stairs when I forget to put up the kiddy gate is a RISK.  Grabbing food off my plate when I am not paying attention is an opportunity. 
•  Be confident, not overly proud.  You like to show off all that you accomplish, which is adorable in a baby.  It is not in a grown man.  
• You are beautiful.  Physically.  Emotionally.  Intellectually. Beautiful.  Don't forget it and don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.
• Share.  Right now you are the center of the universe, and you LOVE it.  This will not always be the case.  I promise, we will have enough toys (and Mommy's time) to go around.
• Seek Fulfillment.  You have been given so many unbelievably amazing natural gifts and we will  provide you with every possible advantage that we can.  Please, please, please take advantage of this and do something that will make you happy and be fulfilled in life.
• You are loved.  Your father and I will always love you more than anything in the world. No matter what. No matter where you are.  No matter what you do. You are the most important person in the world to us. This will never, ever, ever change.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!!

The morning after he was born.

4 Weeks

8 Weeks old.

3 Months

4 Months

5 Months

6 Months

7 Months

8 Months

9 Months

10 Months 

11 Months

Yesterday (Almost 12 Months)

Our Little Jet Setter

Well it has been a BUSY 8 weeks!  We have been on three trips, celebrated 6 birthdays, gone to a beautiful wedding and put our house on the market.  Emmett has been a real trooper through all of this activity and honestly seems to enjoy all the travel and borderline chaos.  At 10 months old he has officially been on a plane more then his daddy was before he was 21.

Emmett is getting so big and strong.  He is standing up without any assistance, walking along objects, in between objects and has even taken a few "hail mary" steps with no assistance to get to his next desired walking aide.  He is into everything- there is not a cabinet, trash can, basket, stool or drawer in our house that has not been hit by hurricane Emmett.  He has 4 teeth and is about to cut his 5th and 6th.  (How much longer does this teething thing last for?!)  The newest edition to his bag of tricks is jabbering.  This truly started a few weeks ago, and like his mother...the boy loves to talk. Non stop.  No seriously, he doesn't ever stop.  Apparently, he has a lot he has to tell us.  When we don't listen, he actively seeks out other people to speak to. Which is less than desirable when we are out eating...or on a plane.

Our first trip was to Indiana, to celebrate Grandma Deb's birthday.  It was surprise for Grandma and Emmett got to meet Auntie Danielle, Uncle Chad, Great Grandma Sophie and four of his cousins!  It was a wonderful trip and Emmet loved getting to spend time with his family.  :)

He loved his cousin Aubrey.

Meeting Great Grandma.

A little love from Grandpa.  Why won't this drawer open?

Hmm...how do you want me to get to your hands Grandma?

Cousin Wesley is cool.

So is cousin Brady.

Auntie Danielle Emmett.  She definitely has the magic touch.

Cousin Aubrey giving Emmett his bottle.  What a little helper :)

Jeffrey's pretty cool Mom.

Did Grandpa teach you guys to do this, too?

  Our next trip was to California for Grandma Betsy's birthday.  This was our quickest trip, but it was still action packed!  Filled with cousins, Aunts and Uncles and Emmett's first swim. (This made Daddy really nervous.)

Focus on the baby, ignore his human life preserver.

Emmett and I with Uncle Rob and Aunt Melissa.  

Emmett with Aunt Kacie.  Seriously Dad, no more photos of this outfit.

He loves the water, just like his Mom.

Kick! Kick! Kick! Kick!

Our last trip was to the East Coast, we managed to hit New Jersey, NY and Connecticut in 6 days. (Oh, and Pennsylvania unexpectedly for 18 hours thanks to an emergency diversion because of plane issues.  THAT was exciting!)  We spent 2 days in Manhattan being tourists and seeing Alicia and Ryan, spent 2 days in Connecticut for Geir and Rae's beautiful wedding, and then went to the beach for the first time with Alicia and Ryan and stayed at their lovely new home.

Emmett's liked flying first class...this is the life Mom & Dad!

Are we tourists?

Yes, definitely.

Emmett's bunny enjoying the beauty of Connecticut.

Hmm...I don't like this flavor sand, Mom.

Dad, you know the ground moves when I walk on it, right?