Random Summer Photos

On top of the Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier with Papa and Tia Shas. Apparently this little baby has no fear of heights. This is also a perfect image of his wave. He now waves any time he hears "hi" or "bye bye". He also waves at inanimate objects (like photos) and people that are paying no attention to him. It's very funny.

Driving race cars with papa

Riding the baby carousel...

"Look everyone, Papa won me a stuffed animal at the carnival games!"


Out to dinner with Mama and Papa at our favorite pasta place. Notice Alex reaching for my wine glass. He is SO my child.

Out for lunch and a stroll with Uncle Seth....

Alex is still a little wobbly and highly distractable, but he's definitely a walker now. No more monkey crawl for this little boy.

Dancing at a party at Miss Deisy's house...

Tia Shassel now takes care of Alex the days that I work, so we don't see as much of Miss Deisy. Alex misses her but also loves being with his tia.

Dancing at Todd and Wenny's magical wedding...

This picture has nothing to do with Baby Alex except that it was only the second night that we spent away from him. We left him with Grammy and Granpa in Santa Cruz while we celebrated with the Katzentungs in Sonoma. It was an amazing wedding! And could only have been made better if I had remembered to bring the pump. Yeah, forgot the pump and went 24 hours without it. Ouch.

In other development news, Alex not only waves now, he also talks on the phone. And everything is a phone to him! He will pick up a goldfish cracker, put it to his ear and say "hello? hello?" It's extremely funny (even though I can't help thinking he's making fun of me). We've had our share of tumbles and owies, but fortunately nothing more than he's been able to handle. He's walked himself right off the bed, pulled a hot cup of coffee off the table right on to himself, lurched himself out of his stroller at full speed and put every matter of foreign object in his mouth. We are counting our blessings (and the help of a few angels I'm sure) that he's still safe and strong and happy. Meanwhile, Alejandro has a few dozen more gray hairs and I'm sure I would too if it weren't for my hair stylist. But we're happy and loving life with this cute little pumpkin.

Alex Does Seattle

Hello blog readers! After a very busy summer and hiatus from blogging, we're back with fun updates on our adventures this summer. In August we went up Seattle to visit Aunt Ruthie. It was a very fun trip.

Alex got a private tour and photo opp in the cockpit (thanks Virgin America!). It was the most enjoyable part of the flight. He didn't cry, but it took constant attention to keep him entertained. Then on the flight home (our mommy friends will appreciate this) he had TWO poopy diapers. TWO! In a three hour flight. Oy vey. It's not so much fun to change a diaper on a plane.

Next up, Alex got to pose on Jame's motorcycle. I think we were more excited about it than he was. What he got really excited about, though, was the Aquarium. He loved it. And I think I heard him say something that sounded like "water".

A view of Puget Sound with Mama and Aunt Ruthie
Alex very seriously enjoying apple juice at the farmer's market... Ruth and I agreed to each buy an ingredient at the market that we'd never cooked with before. I ended up with some greens called purslain that were actually pretty tasty. She made eggplant and...fondue! Delicious cheesy heaven. We definitely ate well in Seattle.

Dinner with the Olsons (Ruth's boyfriend's family). We had fresh salmon from Puget Sound, played with the dog and celebrated John and Carol's 36th anniversary with them. Congrats!

We made the obligatory tourist trip Pike Place Market and posed with the brass pig. I'm sure there is some story behind the pig, but I have not idea what it is. Of course I drank lattes every day too. That's what you're supposed to do when in Seattle, right?

And then the zoo...

Alex posed for all sorts of pictures with primates

And penguins...

And that's Seattle!