Growing Up!!!

Nicholas sure has been making some major changes lately! He is becoming so independent and often tells us he wants to do things all by himself. He is now in the "why?" stage, and can often ask it up to 50 times in a single conversation regardless of your answer. Sometimes cute, sometimes annoying! He is a nosey body and if we are having an adult conversation he often asks "what are you talking about guys?" And he is also very curious often asking "What does that mean?"

But the biggest change is that he wears big boy underwear!!!! He is officially potty trained. I can really take no credit, as I think Nicholas was just completely ready. He threw out his diapers nearly two weeks ago (I went and pulled them out to save them for Christian) and I can count how many accidents he has had on one hand. It has been much easier than I thought, but only because I think I waited for his perfect time! We will see how it goes as we travel this coming week! We are so proud of him! I know he will kill me in later years for posting the pictures below!

Underwear model

so proud of himself!

His pediatrician said at his 2 year visit that sometime between the 2nd and 3rd year they go from not liking stranger attention to reveling in it. Well, I think it is certainly true in Nicholas' case. Today he fell while playing and said he needed to go to the doctor, a year ago he would have cried at the idea of visiting a doctor. He also got his haircut this past weekend and sat perfectly still again; it use to be a nightmare taking him for a haircut.

He had his first dentist appointment and he was so good! He got a full cleaning and opened nice and wide the entire time. He got to play with new toys, watch a movie on the ceiling and get his "teeth tickled", he was in heaven! He even walked out of there saying, "I had fun!"

say aahhhhh!

I'm loving this new stage, but I am also secretly sad that he isn't so dependent on us any more. His quest for independence can also lead to some stubborn behavior sometimes which clearly tests my patience but I wouldn't change being a mother of a two year old for the world!

Christian is 6 Months Old!!!

Christian turned 6 months old yesterday! Today we had his wellness visit at the doctors office. Everything is great, he continues to follow the same growth pattern of long and lean. He is 14 lbs and 11 oz (10th percentile) and is 28 3/4 inches (off the chart, 99 percentile and above for height). I looked at Nicholas' 6 month information and Christian is 1 1/2 ponds lighter than Nicholas was and two inches taller than Nicholas was at 6 months. Wow!!! What a difference! Christian is nearly half of my body height!

He is adorable and happy as can be! He is eating solid foods now and loves carrots, sweet potatoes, avocado and pears. He has no teeth as of yet, although one week I thought for sure he was going to get one, he was so cranky and waking up a bunch at night, I even thought that I felt something but it must have been in my own sleepless imagination! Anything and everything that he can get his hands on goes in his mouth. He cracks up at everything, but mostly at his big brother. He has his own way of making his way from one side of the room to the other via rolling. He sits up on his own for a few minutes before eventually toppling over. We love each new day with Christian here and can hardly believe 6 months has passed! I can't believe he is half way to one, it seems unimaginable that in another 6 months he will be walking around!

P.S. I got a new camera, aren't the images great?!!

Happy, happy playing in his exersaucer!

gnawing at his fingers

sitting up, but on his way down

doing the super-man on his belly

pure joy!

More of Summer ~ 2010

Well, I cant believe it's Labor Day already. The summer has really flown by. It seems like just

yesterday was Memorial Day. This summer was so much fun. Having two keeps me very busy!

I realized today that I needed to post some more pictures before the summer is officially gone in a few weeks!

We spent a day on the Puget Sound a few weeks ago with our friends. The Puget Sound is what connects Lake Washington to the Pacific Ocean. It was amazingly beautiful and we got to see more natural marine life than at the Aquarium. These pictures were taken by my friend, but I wish that I had remembered to bring my camera. Hundreds of the most gigantic starfish I have ever seen; purple and orange ones! Huge anemones, we were too scared to touch and lots of big crabs. Only in the Pacific Northwest will you see our little ones dressed in boots and sweatshirts while others kids were in bathing suits swimming in the water. The Puget Sound, in my opinion, is too cold to swim in with water temperatures in the high 50's. Thank goodness for the lakes, they are much warmer for swimming!

Nicholas and his buddies gazing out into the Sound.

On our way to check out the starfish under the ferry docks!

We've also had lots of time to check out cool playgrounds and parks!

Nicholas and India on the see-saw.

and enjoying a hike on a near by nature trail!

We spent many warm summer days swimming in the pool in our backyard. One day it was so hot that Chris and I joined in the fun and got in too!

King of the pool!

Cutie pie laying in the shade!

and taking a quick dip!

We have so many fantastic lake beaches to choose from around here, all within a 10 minute drive. Few houses have air conditioning around here because it only reaches the 90's maybe two weeks out of the summer, so everyone flooded the beach on Lake Sammamish on this one hot summer day.

Coincidentally, we ran into our neighbors so Nicholas played with them in the sand and ate lunch with them under their big beach tent. Nicholas was such a gentleman sharing our watermelon with all of the girls!

Another warm day swimming in Lake Washington.

with his buddy Hudson, after a mommy stroller work out along the lake.

He has already started climbing trees like his favorite monkey, George. (yes, that is his new favorite, almost trumping Thomas!)

Great-Grandmom and Grandpop McFadden's visit.

We had such a fantastic time when my dad and grandmom came to visit us for a week. I am blessed to see my children spending time with their Great-Grandmother because it brought back so many memories of all of the fun times I shared with her when I was a little girl. I miss them both so much already and can't wait for their next visit!

Having fun throwing rocks into the water on Lake Washington.

Grandpop Bob and Nicholas watching the boats.

Our day at the zoo!

My dad carried Christian around the entire zoo that day.

Chilly afternoon at our downtown waterfront.

Me and the boys at the park down the street from our house.

Nicholas playing in the park pushing a truck while his brother got to socialize with some other babies. Hmm, is he a little grumpy because not all of the attention is on him?!

Christian holding hands, that's him in the plaid jumper!

We try to give Christian as much one on one time as possible which can sometimes prove challenging since Nicholas is so demanding of our attention lately. Sometimes he gets bath time with Mommy...(he is a natural back floater!)

...and other times he gets snuggle time with Daddy!

I just wish he would stay this little forever...

But I know that he won't! Big boy started rice cereal this past week!

We also had a great weekend visit with our friends, the Rowell family from Sandpoint, Idaho. To see pictures of our fun weekend together click on the link below:

The Rowell Family: Summer Vacation - Take 3! Seattle!

Fun In Seattle

I have been meaning to post some of these pictures since before Christian was born, but I will start with the most recent. We have been having a blast here is Seattle. Some of our most memorable moments are the simple ones, mostly spent outdoors; rain or shine as you have to do is Seattle! Luckily, the weather has been beautiful lately. Our summer arrived late, but it is here and there is no rain in site! Our 4th of July was chilly and gray but everyone here says our summers do not start until July 5th, and sure enough the is exactly what happened! I'm so thankful that I have made new friends, through my kids of course; otherwise I think I would be a hermit! But, we are also fortunate to have some old friends here too that we knew from NH, Nicholas just loves Ruby and Tessa!

We have had lots of visitors this summer and a very busy month of August. My mom just left yesterday and we have some friends and more family coming at the end of the month!

August

Nicholas gets his face painted at the aquarium with Mimi. He picked the design, "SHARK!!" (one of his favorite things at the moment!)

Mimi in the back yard with the boys!

We got Nicholas a scooter this summer and he does great!

July

Out to lunch after Nicholas' first successful haircut EVER, he sat still and didn't cry!!!! Proud moment for us, becoming such a big big boy!

Every Wednesday we go to our local farmers market to get fresh local produce and grab dinner, the bonus is that it is right on the water of Lake Washington!

The babies at Nicholas' friend Roman's house. His mom and I met at a park while we were both pregnant and have become good friends!

Nicholas and Roman, action shot!

4th of July Parade

With his friend India...I met his mom in the hospital w/ Christian, our babies share the same birthday!

Wednesday Play Group

Ring a round the rosie...

Ashes, ashes we all fall down!

Pop-pop and Mom-mom's visit

Funny fake back drop picture on our way up to the Space Needle.

Monkey Boy at the zoo

Mom-mom's birthday! We were so happy to get to spend her day with her this year. We all went out to a nice dinner and then Nicholas' favorite part, a cupcake shop for a sweet birthday treat, singing and a candle. Happy birthday again Mom-mom, you are the cherry on top; the creme de la creme of grandmom's (and mother in-laws!!)

Nicholas LOVES the Boeing Museum of Flight and luckily Mom-mom and Pop-pop take him every time they come out.

Pony ride at a friends birthday party!

Riding the Seattle Ducks, Nicholas loved the quacker he got to blow the whole time.

June

We spent my birthday this year at the zoo!

Quiet birthday dinner at home with the 4 of us...

Fun at the Strawberry Festival

Wee, down the BIG slide with Daddy!

Nicholas and Ruby at the Wednesday Farmers Market hanging out by the water eating pizza and fresh summer fruit!

So lucky we get to meet Chris for lunch once or twice a week. Me and Christian at Nicholas' favorite week day spot to meet daddy, Red Robin!

Without exageration, the happiest baby around!

Nicholas with his blankie!

Chris and Nicholas at a local carnival

Big helper!

May

Nicholas at the May Day Festival with his Friday play group at Three Cedars Waldorf School

Seattle Winter and Early Spring

Ruby and Nicholas at a nearby park...

At our neighborhood playground

Nicholas having fun painting his own face at the children's museum.

Nicholas LOVES his trains!

Our Picasso

Picasso needs a bath!

A warm sunny winter day at our local park/playground on the lake...a week or so before Christian was born.

Still loves to play outside on the cold rainy days too! Luckily, our school play group goes outside rain or shine!

Hanging out front is one of our favorite pass times!

Make a wish!!!!

Videos

Swim class video of a free/fun day practicing their jumps. Nicholas has become such a good swimmer and can swim 3-4 unassisted and retrieve a toy from the bottom of the pool!

Quacking...

Nicholas' first ever scooter ride, not bad for his first time!

At the end of the day I am so thankful for our family and our health!

Ranalli Family ~ June, 2010

Most of all, I am so glad that at the end of the day I have Chris by my side (awww, I know, ridiculously cheesy!)Chris and I heading out for a much needed and well deserved date night this past weekend!

Chris and I enjoying our back yard with some libations after the kids are in bed on a long summer day!

Now that I'm completely caught up, I should be up and running again on the blog! Check back soon!