Censored Bath Time

When it is bath time, Allister goes like this...

...and like this...

...and like this...

Walkin', Talkin', Crackin'

My precious niece has many wonderful sides to her and I was lucky enough to catch just a glimpse on video.

Fingerprint

We call this one a "Papa shot"

Apple Trees and Memories

Recently, while Allister and I were taking our morning stroll, I spotted an apple tree and I was reminded of this time last year, strolling through an apple orchard on a cool crisp afternoon in Korb, Germany, a small village a few miles outside of Stuttgart. Five months pregnant at the time, we made a mini-vacation out of a business trip, our last as a family of two.

I was reminded of the precious time we had with very dear friends, one couple who lives in Frankfurt and the other on furlough from Bangladesh, surrounded by the bright oranges, deep reds and burnt yellows of the Black Forest autumn.

Oh how I find myself missing our adventures on foreign soil, but I wouldn't trade it for these days I get to spend with my boy.

Thank you God for Albuquerque autumns, days with my boy, apple trees and memories...and maybe someday we'll share overseas adventures as a family of three (or more)!

Reflections

This afternoon, as Allister was playing in front of a mirror, he caught my reflection.

He stared at me for a bit, with a quizzical look...
...and then turned his head around to see me.

It was so neat to see his little mind at work trying to figure it all out. Then we had a nice little chat about reflections.

Can you guess...

...which one is Peter and which one is Allister??














I know I already posted a picture of Allister wearing this old outfit of Peter's, but now that Allister can sit, I thought I'd take another shot at it. I just barely squeezed the little man on the right into this outfit and found a spot in our own home that most closely resembled that of the shot on the left. What do you think??

My niece

I love this girl!! So cute!

Photo Shoot, 2

Photo Shoot, 1

Allister and I spent an afternoon trying on clothes to see which ones still fit...it turned into a photo shoot.

It's Time to Rise and Shine

This is what I get when I wake my little man-cub up from his nap.

Still Trying...

...to figure out this whole sippy cup thing.

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

Just checking out my voice...

Green Beans and Carrots, Anyone?

Allister has begun to eat solids, well...purees, actually. For my baby shower, I was given the Beaba Babycook...one word, AWESOME!!! I'm really wanting to make his food at home, and this is making it SO easy!



Basically I put food of choice (whether that be meats, veggies or fruits) in the steamer, add some water, 12 minutes later I take out the steamer basket and dump the steamed food into the blender (same compartment) and blend for about 1 minute until the food is pureed (less when they are eating thicker foods). Then I scoop into ice cube trays, freeze, put into baggies and WAH-LAH, I have meals for Allister.



"We" are currently enjoying rice cereal, sweet potatoes, peas, pears and prunes...and today he started on green beans.
Clean up is easy and it really doesn't take more than an hour for the whole process. And with two sweet potatoes (~ $2), Allister has ~15 meals (about $.13 a meal for sweet potatoes).
Now if they would just make a Beaba Adultcook (minus the puree part).

He's 6 months old, and...

...loves playing airplane

... loves eating rice cereal, sweet potatoes and peas, though isn't too sure about pears

...poses every time he sees the camera

...loves being outside and LOVES the grass

...is working on a sippy cup

...loves swimming (though I look a little more excited than he does in this photo)

...could sell Aquafina

...and, is sitting (though still a little wobbly, hence the pillows)

Ideal Afternoon.

Sitting underneath the shade of our apricot trees, boy in his swing, momma with book in hand.

Should I or Shouldn't I.....

...actually update our blog??

"Where have we been for the past couple months?", you might ask.

Well... here goes:

At the end of July, Peter, Allister and I made our way up to Horn Creek, a family camp in Colorado that my family has been attending for about 21 years. This was the first in about ten years that our entire family was able to make it. My parents, my sister, brother-in-law and niece and we were all actual campers. My brother made it up for a day and my youngest sister was working her third summer at the camp.

The scenery was beautiful, as always, and it was neat to take my son to a place where I have so many fond childhood memories.

I have been working on my grad degree since summer 2006 and FINALLY graduated mid-August! My husband, who CANNOT keep a secret, threw a killer surprise party for me. I seriously had NO idea and walked into my house filled with many of my friends and family. It was SO special!! ...and so very devious of all of those involved!

Our baby boy turned 5 months...and soon 6th months. He is just SO cute and we're lovin' him so much!! It is so fun to see his little personality develop!

We've started on solids. Actually, this is our second go at it. We actually started mid-July, but then went on vacation, then graduation...yada, yada. We've started back up again, and Allister is doing pretty well. We've only had rice cereal thus far, but he seems to like it and he opens his mouth ALMOST every time!

We've cut our first tooth...and, I think, working on the second. In the picture below you can almost see it on the bottom...if you squint...it's there, anyhow.

Peter and I celebrated our fourth anniversary! My parents took Allister for the day and we headed up to Santa Fe for the Farmers' Market and Indian Market. It was fun to enjoy the, very warm, day together, walking around Santa Fe.

And, just in general, we tried to enjoy our summer as much as possible. I tried to post a picture of us swimming, since that is a very summer-y thing to do, but I accidentally posted this picture and now it won't let me take it off...so...here you have it. Allister does spend some time in his "exersaucer" and he loves it!! He bounces and yells and bites and plays...it's fun to watch, and I'm just glad no other kids are involved (especially with all the biting that's going on).

Hope all of you have had a good summer, too.