symphony dance

This is a (subtle) dance session captured by Gramma Sam from the holidays.  We had a full house of Gramma Sam, Pop-Ppo and Gramma Lo.  Lots of wonderful mornings spent exploring the neighborhood, the driveway, the living room, and the new gifts.  This one -- Symphony in Bee (?), is a big hit.  Enjoy the video  . . here.  Will post some more pictures as time allows.. .

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Don't we look so cheery outside, enjoying a wintry day as a family (minus Carl, who was taking the photos)?
Well, Carl claims our "blog" is not really a blog if we are sugar coating our real lives and leaving out the main themes, which, today included: fatigue from the work week that we feel we left only seconds ago despite it being Sunday, stress from too much holiday planning still not done, guilt for gifts not yet purchased-wrapped-mailed, annoyance at the absolute insanity of trying to get two squirming children properly outfitted for 20 minutes of winter temperatures, frustration with our awesome snowtube having broken 1 minute prior to leaving for a sledding trip, hunger from not ever getting to sit down and eat an actual meal, sadness for not ever getting to finish a full sentence, worry for the upcoming work week and all we left on our desks last Friday, irritation that it's supposed to rain on Friday just before a skiing partner arrives for Carl, uncertainty at how we are going to get through these long winter weekends until the flowers bloom again in MAY... and wonder at how our paths led us to this moment of parenting and and exhaustion and chaos and truly the good fortune to be able to call these our biggest hardships...  

 

 

 

counter!

Soren has recently figured out how to stand up on Alden's stool and access the counter by his own means.  This morning, while I made breakfast, I gave him a few cheerios -- apparently, he was hungry.  Video here.

Lights

 

 

 

brothers

 

 

 

friday night bath

 

 

 

 

 

soren watching mom dance

Apologies for all the videos recently.  But we've been too busy to upload pictures recently.  This one is of Soren watching mom dance in the kitchen shortly after waking up from a nap this weekend -- nothing much at all happens; just a cute moment.  Enjoy: here.

soren (assisted) walking!

From the library yesterday -- our first glimpses of walking (with help).  Enjoy video: here.

Videos with Soren Eating from Hands!

Some more videos - in case anyone needs them!  (1) Alden interviewing/feeding soren and (2) Soren with frist birthday cake.  Enjoy. .

November 4th!

 It was one year ago that on a regular-old Saturday night, Soren decided to make his arrival 5 weeks early, and our family was transformed into a team of four. Soren has been a wonderful, loving, sweet, happy addition to our (infinately more chaotic) lives, and we are so glad to be celebrating a full year of his little life. Here are photos of our day spent hiking in the cold, opening presents with Emily and Cale, enjoying a giant birthday cake, and then topping the day off with a family swim in an 85 degree pool complete with kid-sized floating canoes.
https://picasaweb.google.com/SorenTurns1!

Happy Birthday, Soren!

Happy Halloween!

 

 

Happy Halloween 2013!
- Aqua Man, Batman, Tired Mom in a Red Shirt, Lion

soren and monty on the couch

Soren is learning to be (intermittently) very gentle with the cats.  Here he is with Monty on the couch.

Enjoy the video: here.

Riggs Point

This is a belated post - from the trip Alden and I took to Muskoka with Jen, Gramma Sam and Pop-Pop this summer.  We were involved with closing the cabin down in September, and temperature was a little cold and overcast.  On the last morning, the house was being saturated with moth balls and warfarin, so Alden and I spent the time outside.  Alden had become adept at leading a tour around the peninsula (Riggs Point) of the property, so I followed him for one last trip.  Its a longer video with not a lot of plot twists, but it captures the beautiful paths from a kids' perspective - which is how I was exposed to them. .

Enjoy:  Trip Around Riggs Point

soren's groove

Not to be out done by his brother's infant bounce, Soren created his own dance - more of a shoulder sway.  Enjoy video: here.

Alden Turns 4!

Alden had a birthday party at local Wasem Fruit Farm yesterday -- we had a great time with friends who came out to celebrate with us, picking apples, running through the fields, eating 5 dozen freshly made doughnuts (!), and playing on all the farm toys. Today (photos at the bottom), we're having a more relaxed day at home while it's suddenly rainy and cold outside. Thanks to lots of family members who sent some wonderful cards and gifts that are keeping Alden entertained while we (sort of) read the paper.  Happy birthday, Alden!