Water Baby

Today we put Mya in a swimsuit for the 1st time so that she could join Daddy and Max in the outdoor kiddy pool. Good plan for a hot day, right? Not in Mya's opinion. She far preferred the warm bath we had for her inside. She's a lady of luxury already.

Camping

Alex and I are not what you would call avid outdoorsmen. Okay, we've never been camping in the 7 years we've known each other. However we couldn't resist an invite from Dad, Sue and Sydney to join them for the day at a campground near Zig Zag. This is the same campground that Dad took Tyler, Shelby and I on weekends when we were Sydney's age. I was having flashbacks to orange soda, Zig Zag Inn pizza and Dad's campfire stew. Thanks for the hospitality, Dad!

Max's hat by the way is his new favorite item. He associates it with Dave on Imagination Movers and stuffs it on his head every morning...always backwards.

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Field Trip to the Fire Station

My dad is telepathic. Have I mentioned that before? Well, he is.

This morning I was planning in my head how I was going to get the kids out the door to make it to the play park in Lake Oswego. The play park is just a few blocks from my dad's fire station. Hmmm, maybe we could stop by there on the way back? Everytime Max hears a siren he pipes up with "Fire! Fire!" Boy is this kid in the right family. My dad, uncle and soon to be brother-in-law are all in the fire service.

But back to my telepathic dad. So my inner monologue went on to decide that it was too much of a bother to find my phone and call him at that time so I'd save it for another day. No less than 5 minutes later my phone rings (Oh, there it is!) and it's Dad. Long conversation short, we ended up taking a field trip to the fire station today.

I brought my camera with the goal of getting a picture of Max on the antique fire engine in the lobby. My sister, niece and I all have photos of ourselves as toddlers on this. The picture below will tell you what he thought about that idea. No worries, Max, I think you have a couple years before Papa retires.

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Are you trying to tell me something?

My friend Melissa has a son, also Max, who is 6 months older to the day than my Max. She is always full of great ideas for play dates and invited us to join her at Jamison Square to play in the water fountains. By no means is the following representative of my outings with 2 kids but don't you feel sometimes like luck just isn't on your side? As though somebody is trying to tell you something?

As the time to depart approaches...

-Mya still sleeping. Decided to let her sleep and pump instead. Pump parts are dirty and need to be washed. Can't find bottle brush so have to locate a spare. Finally get everything in clean and ready.

-Max decides pummeling Mommy while her hands are occupied with pumping is fun, fun, fun! He then decides that pooping his pants could only add to the fun. When I pull out the wipes container there are only 4 or so wipes. This is no 4 wipe job.

-I wake Mya up and proceed to change her diaper. Max must have filled her in on the plan because she pees all over herself as the diaper is pulled off of her.

-We get in the car to leave. Melissa calls me and is glad that I am running late because I can run back in the house to grab a towel which she forgot. Hey, maybe it was meant to be. Right?

-Find great parking spot. Doing good! Kids are a bit restless as I'm getting them and our gear out. Max ends up crouched in the front passenger seat footwell tearing apart the Lunchable he found. Capri Sun straw rolls into street gutter. We attempt to pay for our parking but the meter is busted and we have to walk around the corner to find another. Sigh!

-We finally make it to the park and spot Melissa and her Max. She has set up an amazing home base for us in the grass complete with a sun umbrella, 2 chairs and a waterproof blanket.

-We settle in. Mya eats and Max gets down to business with his Lunchable. After Mya finishes eating I sit her up to take in the sights. "What a nice day", I think. Mya decides I need to be put back in my place and proceeds to produce a diaper blowout that explodes onto my capris, her clothing, blanket, etc.

Such is life! It was a hectic afternoon but I know that I am super lucky to be able to spend this time with my kids. I love them dearly, poop and all.

Sweetie Pie

It was either "sweetie pie" or "thunder thighs". I thought she'd prefer the former. My adorable daughter is well into her 3-6 month clothing at this point. I could smooch those chubby cheeks all day! The guy holding her ain't so bad either! ;-)

Zoo Trip

We took a trip to the Zoo today. Miss Sydney was nice enough to join us. She was excited about seeing fruit bats and eating a bag of cotton candy. Check, check. I was impressed at what a great helper she was. In the truck on the way there she fed Mya a bottle. At the Zoo she kept an eye on Max and warned us when he was in danger. Max was thrilled that she was by his side and kept lifting his arms to her asking her to carry him.


At the meerkat display Max stood welcoming everyone who arrived with a cheery (and very loud) "Hi!"

Mya napped happily in the Bjorn.

Max and Daddy keep an eye out for elephants.

Mya's Bath

Mya is such a sweet girl. These are photos that Alex took as I gave her a bath a few days ago.

I'm throwing in this one of Max because he is sweet in his own special way. :-)

4th of July 2009

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