Baby Steps

Chicago

(Photo courtesy of Peter Kileff)

We went to Chicago for a couple of days. I had some meetings to attend for work and the whole family came along to hang out with my sister and brother and their spouses (more pics coming soon). I had a lot of fun back at work for 1 1/2 days. Rode the el to a from work just like back in the day when I did that every day. I did miss the boys.....but not too much! Jonathan had some time to be the stay at home parent....and the boys had a lot of fun going to the park and watching the el (which we did over and over again) by my sister's place.

Cute Babies

Before Amund was born I didn't think another baby could be as cute as Islwyn. It just wasn't possible. Here is Islwyn when he was around 1 year old. Those big brown eyes and dark hair. What about those fat little cheeks?

I was proved wrong--Amund is just as cute! In his totally unique way, with his big BLUE eyes and blondish/reddish hair. And his totally different personality than Islwyn. While Islwyn was mainly serious and always had to think about things very deeply it seemed, Amund has always been incredibly happy and gurgly. He is seriously going through the most adorable phase right now and it reminds me so much of how it was when Islwyn was this age. I think I forgot how adorable they are around the age they turn one. They have that cute half grown up and half baby face. They get so excited about everything and are just learning to toddle around and look so proud while doing it.

Amund was having all kinds of fun with Dada today. He loves making all kinds of different noises and thinks it is hilarious when other people do it.


Islwyn had to get in on the action too.
And look at that curl! I just can't even stand it. He has curls on both sides of his head and on the back of his head. And my mom keeps trying to cut his hair!!! How could you even think about cutting of that perfect little baby curl Mom??? :) I understand that he is growing up and that he has hair that kind of gets into his eyes because it is so long in front....but I just can't let his hair be cut yet. Once he gets it cut, he just won't be as much of a baby anymore....and he is still the baby....even though he is over a year and starting to walk....
Actually, he needs to leave his hair long so he fits in with the other boys in the family....

The Farm

Islwyn's class went on a field trip to a local farm today. I took both boys. We got to go on a hayride.

Pet and hold ducklings.

And kittens.

This one was our favorite. It was hard for me not to try and bring her home! I resisted since I know we will be moving in a year to who knows where /.... and then moving again, and again. But the boys LOVED this kitten....

There were also pony rides, but Islwyn didn't want to do that. He loved all the animals though. Goats, hens, roosters, cows, pony, ducklings, goslings, kittens, etc. etc.

watercolors and bears

Islwyn and I were watching Martha Stewart the other day and they had a segment on how to make your own watercolor paints. And all the ingredients are things most people have already in their pantry. Here is Islwyn refusing to smile with all the ingredients for our paints.

mixing baking soda into the vinegar.

Stir until it stops fizzing and bubbling

Then you add some corn syrup and corn starch and stir that in. Then pour into little bowls or egg cartons.

Mix your colors!

We made orange, blue, purple, lots of shades of green, red, and yellow.
Then we had lunch! Islwyn was roaring and pretending he was a bear.
Then Amund had to do it too. SUper cute.

rain and more new clothes

We get awesome puddles in our front sidewalk after it rains. Islwyn loves playing and running in them. He also LOVES his new hand painted t-shirt from our awesome friends in Maine whom we miss sooooo much. AnaSofia is the first friend Islwyn made--they met on the swing sets in the park by our old house. Thanks so much for the cool t-shirts guys.

And I designed and sewed this outfit for Amund. I wanted it to be kind of form fitting, but also the shorts to be all the way to his knees. However, I made it a little too short! He can barely squeeze into it with a disposable on (which he rarely wears during the day). Hopefully we will have some warm days soon so he can wear it at least once or twice before he gets too tall! So....anyone who loves it and has a little boy who is between 6 and 12 months....you may be getting a new hand made creation... :) I made it out of an old shirt of Jonathan's.

Spring and Grandparents

Jonathan's parents took some time out of their busy schedule to visit us this last weekend. We had a really great time. Jonathan fixed their computers for them, we got lots of fun meals at home and at restaurants, we spent some time at the local park, we got to show them the library, and also just hang out. Islwyn enjoyed doing"family band" night. I will have to upload a video of that soon. But he likes assigning everyone an instrument and then he leads the music. Anyway, here we are at the park.

Celebrating Amund's birthday.

Amund in the park. Islwyn wouldn't cooperate.
With Granddad and Nani.