Is it just me...

...or are chubby baby cheeks completely irresistible?

Mint Design, Inc.

Just as I was heading out the door to go for a run and also run some errands, I stopped. Sawyer had the great idea to call Jacob to see if we could meet up with him for lunch. A couple of weeks ago on a nice sunny day, Sawyer and I picked Jacob up from his office and took him to the park and ate lunch while watching kids splash around in the wading pool. It was so much fun we have decided to make it a more frequent event. Especially since we live within walking distance of Jacob's office, we decided we should take advantage. So, today we had our second picnic. When we took Jacob back to his office, we went in and played a little with "photobooth" on Jacob's computer. So here is our family portrait :) I like visiting Mint. Just hanging out in a Design Studio makes you feel somehow more hip and with it (even in running attire). Anyway, here we are after our picnic. Thanks, Jacob, for a fun lunch date! And happy 3-day weekend to all!



PS - Mint Design does awesome work. If you want to see the kind of stuff Jacob does at work, check out their website here.

A Visit with Auntie Tia Part II.

We took Aunt Tia on a hike over the weekend. The weather was PERFECT!

Sawyer loves hiking. While en route, he loves to look up at the trees and usually takes a snooze.

It always feels good enjoying time together with family and in nature. We love it and try to get out as often as we can.

Tia confessed she got nostalgic for the Great Northwest, as it is hard to get out into the beauty of nature while living in Boston without a car. She had a splendid time on our hike.

Once out of the Ergo and at our destination (Fragrance Lake, near Bellingham), Sawyer was all bug-eyed looking at everything around him.

He even dipped his toes in the water. How refreshing!

Jacob got this cool shot of the sun shining through a bug-eaten leaf.

The great view we saw of the San Juan Islands from the lookout point, about half-way up to the lake.

We also enjoyed a wonderful Vegetarian Thai dinner with Auntie Tia. Sawyer, as always, got the celebrity treatment from those around us. (I find it fascinating how many people stop us just to tell us how cute our son is...as if we don't already know! :)

Auntie Tia and Tysha got a treat - a girls' night out - while Daddy and Sawyer had some wild and crazy "boy time" at home one evening. We saw the broadway-based movie-musical "Mama Mia" and it was such a blast! We highly recommend it if you haven't already seen it - especially if you are a long-time ABBA fan, like ourselves.

We met up with our dear old friend from high school, Dena, and two of her beautiful children. At the mall. It was so great to catch up with her. We had a great visit! We met at the Rainforest Cafe, which is quite the dining experience. If you're about to be four, like little Jessica, it's probably a little bit like heaven.

Sawyer spent the better part of two days roaming the floors of the mall with Auntie Tia (who loves to shop when she has the chance). She even treated him to a super cute button-down striped shirt and some swim shorts that will be perfect for next summer, not to mention a little beanie that says "BOO!" in anticipation of her favorite holiday, Halloween. Thanks, Auntie Tia!

Tia and Jessica bonded at the play place. They are both princesses :)

We took Tia to the airport this morning after a nice brunch at the Sunflower Cafe. Ahh. Auntie Tia. We had so much fun with you. We will miss you mucho! How the time flies by when you're having fun! We hope you had a fun 10 days with us!

Bye-bye for now. Maybe we'll get to come to Boston and cheer for you when you graduate with your Masters Degree next fall at Emerson College. Sawyer is so lucky to have an Auntie like you!

A Visit with Auntie Tia Part I.

We took Aunt Tia to the Seattle Center to watch a concert on Saturday night. We saw local artists Palodine and Rocky Votolato. It was a great show and a perfect night.

Our friends, Brady & Solveig, were visiting from Indiana. They met up with us at the show. Sawyer got to meet them for the first time. I think they thought he was a cutie (he is!).

It was record-breaking hot in Seattle that day, so after the show, we walked over to the International Fountain and had some fun in the water. It is nice that we live within walking distance to the Seattle Center. We walked home and had ice-cream to top off a great evening.

We also went swimming on Saturday. It was Sawyer's 2nd time at the Mounger Pool. This time he was so sleepy, he slept even as we dipped him into the pool. So he sat in the shade and we took turns hanging out with him and swimming. It felt so great to cool off in the 90+ weather. (I know it doesn't sound that hot, but mixed with the humidity and the fact that no one in the city has air conditioning...it was hot!)

Sawyer hanging out and napping poolside - check out his little thunder thighs!

Auntie Tia hanging out with Sawyer so we could take a little dip in the pool. (Thanks Auntie Tia!)

Sunday we had a nice BBQ dinner, and our friend Ryan came over, too. We ate and played games and then he and Auntie Tia went to hear the "Monks" of St. Marks sing that night. Monday, we went to the Woodland Park Zoo. We met up with Tysha's friend, Gretchen, and her little boy, Michael. It started raining and hasn't stopped much since. But we haven't let that stop us from having fun! So much for our 90+ weather!

Tysha, Tia, and Sawyer at the Carousel. Auntie Tia took him for his first ride.

Tuesday we went walking around Greenlake - in the pouring rain. It felt more like we were swimming, actually.

We saw this cool bird in the water. We think it's a crane.

After getting drenched and a good 3 mile walk around the lake later...Auntie Tia treated us to MooBerry. (Seattle's equivalent to the popular PinkBerry in CA and NY).

We also did lots of dancing around the living room yesterday. Dad will help us post video later. Sawyer loves to smile at his Auntie Tia. He thinks she is pretty neat-o. She also appreciates what a good baby he is. He only cries when he truly has a reason and the rest of the time, he's just a happy little guy who smiles and kicks his legs with energy and joy. We'll fill you in on the rest of our fun with Aunt Tia in a few days.

A little trip down memory lane...

This morning me, Sawyer, and Tia were having a little dance party in our living room and reminiscing about songs of our past. When we thought of the 80s, we remembered when we would lipsync to this song - I did the Stevie Wonder part. Ahhh, the 80s...

Fun game: see how many of these artists you can name!

Having a Blast!

Auntie Tia is here and we are having a blast! We'll be sure to tell you about all our adventures...when we have a moment! We hope you are all enjoying the last few weeks of summer!

Sawyer is 2 months old!

I am 2 months old.
I weigh 11 lbs. 11 oz. (I've doubled my weight in 9 weeks!) and I am 22 inches tall (grown 4 inches!), which puts me in the 25-50% for weight and 25% for height and head.

This month was exciting because I:
Went to my first bonfire at the beach (Golden Gardens).
Started Early Literacy/Baby Story-time at the local Library with Mom.
Went swimming for the first time (at the Mounger Pool, Magnolia).
Saw a Beatles cover band at a concert at Magnuson Park.
Received my Baby Blessing from Dad (Grandpa Carter, Gramps Kemp, Bishop Metcalf, Ken Hadland, Josh Heckathorn, & Paul Steinheiser were in the circle).
Went to Mom's group and met up with friends at the park.
Had a visit from both sets of Grandparents as well as Aunt Jamie and her really nice boyfriend, Brandon.

I love to smile socially and do it on cue.
Have made a couple of very cute attempts at laughing.
Am getting strong – my neck and legs, especially.
Have discovered my hands and like to suck on my fingers.

I love to:
Take baths.
Listen to Daddy sing and play his guitar.
Look at books and listen to stories.
Sing songs and do rhymes with Mom.
Look at the big Elephant picture above the sofa.
Look at my new mobile.
Go for walks outside.
Take naps with Mommy.
Listen/dance to music.

Excited!

I am excited to meet Auntie Tia. She is my mom's identical twin sister. I wonder if I'll get them mixed up? Hmm. That would be interesting. She's flying in from Boston tomorrow to visit us for a whole week! We are going to have fun!

Beatlemania!

For our Friday night date, we went to see a Beatles cover band at the Magnuson Park Outdoor Family Concert Series. Every Friday in July and August they have a different genre of music for families to enjoy. We saw the same band last summer, and they were so much fun we thought we'd make it a tradition. Hands together for Creme Tangerine!

We packed a picnic dinner and dined on the lawn of the amphitheatre before the show began.

It was Sawyer's second time seeing a concert in a park. He quite seemed to enjoy it. We quite enjoyed watching all the crazy kids and their parents rockin' out on the lawn.

Sawyer just loved playing his "where's Sawyer?" game with Dad. If I get smart all of a sudden and remember how to post video without Jacob's help, I'll post some fun ones. If not, look for some fun videos in a day or two...

And for anyone who lives in the area and is a fan of the Beatles, we recommend checking this band out. You can find other performances and info about Creme Tangerine here.

Mmmm....

Okay, so I've yet to post anything about food or a recipe on here (except for reviews of restaurants). But today, I had all these fresh blueberries sitting around waiting to be eaten, and I decided to put them to work. Alas, these are the best muffins I've had for a long time! If you happen to have some blueberries sitting around your home...here's what to do with them:

Fresh Blueberry Muffins

makes 1 dozen

2 cups fresh blueberries
2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
3 oz. cream cheese
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. butter, melted
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Toss blueberries with some flour before mixing in.

Now, you know what to do: wet with wet, dry with dry, and then mix it all up real good. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Enjoy your yummy smelling kitchen. Enjoy your delicious tasting muffins!

Sawyer's new toy

I think Mommy is just about as excited as Sawyer is about his new mobile. The plan is for Sawyer to enjoy these contrasted safari images above his bassinet now...and then have something familiar to look up to when we (eventually) transition him to his crib. It won't be for a while (we're thinking 6 months)...but wow are these fun to look at!

I was going to make my own mobile with origami cranes...but never got around to it. I like this mobile because you can always change it up for something new...hmm...I think some cranes will eventually land there. Anyone else have any fun ideas for what we can hang on the mobile?

Splish Splash!

Tonight we went to the Mounger Pool in Magnolia for Family Swim (they keep the water in the little pool at 94 degrees so it's nice and warm for the little people). It was Sawyer's first time in the swimming pool. No crying — he seems to take to the water like a fish. Well, at least we know he likes it!

Many people commented on seeing such a little baby in the pool. A whole 7 weeks old! (PS - thanks Aunt Rachel, Uncle Jared, and cousin Jackson for the super cute rash guard!)

Yes, he was all smiles after his first swim!

Maybe Sawyer will be like his Daddy and go lap swimming very early in the morning? We sure had fun tonight!

6:05am

This is what Sawyer looked like at 5:55am. Oh, so peaceful. Mind you, he was up 3 times last night. I am puzzled. He was getting up only once a night (about 3:30am), which I thought was great, and then all of a sudden 3 days ago, he started getting up every 2 hours. Hmm. At least he doesn't cry when he gets up. He just makes a sucking noise so I put him in bed and feed him, change his diaper if needed, then right back to the bassinet and he goes right back to sleep. At 5am I just keep him in bed with us. Maybe I should just wait until he cries before I grab him up? Maybe it's me who has the real problem waking up at night? I guess I have always been a night owl!

This is Sawyer at 6:05am. Kicking his legs like mad, and smiling at me, super happy (Daddy was at the gym). I guess he got enough sleep to feel chipper :)

6:15am. Sun beating in, fan blowing air on us like a fresh summer breeze, windows open, and birds a-chirpin'. Night-gown comes off. (Note: the double chin. We have started calling him the "chunky monkey".)

6:20am. Well, if he can be in such a good mood in the morning...so can I! Let's play! Time for a photoshoot so we can always remember what fun we have in the morning!

I hope your morning was as wonderful as mine, and that your evenings rest was 10 times better! Here's to a wonderful new day! We are taking Sawyer to the pool tonight for his first Family Swim (actually, his first swim besides the bath tub)!