fashion bag

I happened to catch alden (post-sweeping) trying to figure out how we keep these grocery bags suspended from our shoulders (as least I think thats what hes doing.) Also, catch the request at the end: "Hold it, video."

I'm posting this video while he and mom are in Ann Arbor having landed a house and a job (!) with Grandma Lois -- the house is too quiet (and clean) without the dude around, I'm very much looking forward to their return tomorrow.

Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itLnrcpJJbg

nanny sara

The many talents of nanny Sara are not taken for granted by Alden -- among others, they play the guitar together, one of them a bit too aggressively. We are so happy that Alden has grown up with such a talented and caring nanny. Thanks, Sara.

Whidbey, 2.0

This posting is a bit late, but last weekend we celebrated Carl's 31st birthday out on Whidbey and had the luxury of staying at Jenne Farm, where we got married 3 (short!) years ago. It was pretty amazing to be back there with Alden and to be tromping around that big, old farmhouse with our toddler. In the coming years, we are going to miss having that spot so close by.

Along on the trip were Kate and Julia, as well as April, Molly, and Harper (below). Harper took the lead in quietly snuggling with her family, but we're hoping that Alden may have picked up some of her skills in this area. Here is the happy family at Ebey's Landing.

And the kids in the bathtub together, which was a much-documented event.

making a snack: a tutorial

A 10 step program for making snacks (with minimal efficiency).

Watch the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWjtBg3cgaw

morning ritual

OK, so this has only happened once. But it was very un-staged. Alden brought his personal toilet into the bathroom to join his mom, and asked for a "mag-zine." He was frustrated to see that this back issue of Pediatrics did not have any info on how his stocks were doing.

Grandma and the Animals

Grandma Lois swooped in for a very quick visit and was an enormous help - she even did some overnight shifts on her own. She and Alden got a chance to reconnect and further solidify their growing friendship. Alden woke up most mornings with, "Mom! Dad! Grandma!" before he had even emerged from his crib. Above and below are Alden with his new favorite toys -- the animals from Grandma, purchased at our very own Seattle Zoo. Thanks, Grandma!

Shades of Dad

Carl has been working an absolute ton lately, but somehow around the edges he has gotten to spend some quality time with Alden. One weekend he designed and built yet another bookshelf (far below) for Alden's ever expanding library. More recently, he has been helping Alden learn how to sit at his little table and build forts for the animals that Grandma Lois bought at the zoo. I am so happy to be done with my traveling and home with them both.

(Notice the red coffee cup in the background above... a hint of dad's influence on the animal habitat.)