First Haircut

We held out to have Adeline's first official haircut done by her very own Auntie Michelle while in Minnesota for Xmas. She was hesitant at first but proud of the final look (and it didn't even hurt a bit).

Cooper in Flight

I believe I can fly... I believe I can touch the sky...
Sorry for the sappy song reference. We just had to document little Cooper's first plane ride. It was a long one too - 3.5+ hours to Minnesota for Xmas. It was a real sleeper for him, though. Barely woke up at all to enjoy it. Whew!

The Lady's Man

Ah, baby Zia, we meet again... Why do you look away when I make this face at you? Don't let this jungle bib frighten you, I am not a ferocious cat. Grrrrrrr....

Double Trouble

I couldn't resist making a "mini me" jacket for Adeline from the remnants of my original one. The only problem now is coming up with excuses for her as to why we can't wear them out at the same time...

4 Months and Counting!

Well I gained another month and somehow lost my neck...

"I Want Vacation!"

For our 4-yr. Anniversary, we decided to load up the gang and get out of the city for the weekend. We headed 2 hrs. north to Guerneville, off the Russian River. Here Adeline goes for a stroll with Dad in a redwood forest. Her first words out of the car were, "Where's the swings?" She's such a city girl! We had been promising her a "vacation", which apparently she misunderstood as a tangible object that she was going to receive on the trip. One over-tired afternoon she broke down crying, "I want vacation!".
Cooper and Adeline getting cozy before bed in the cabin we rented. Adeline was excited to use her "travel bed" which is a toddler-sized airbed. Cooper slept like a champ in his pack-n-play.
Since October marks the beginning of the off-season, we had the beach virtually to ourselves. Adeline practices her stone skipping. Watch out for those ducks!

In Stitches

"It's only a matter of time," we'd say about our active 2-yr-old. We knew we'd soon see the day when we took that first ER trip. Well, the time had come. Adeline took a tumble into the side of a door and split her forehead wide open. (Slippers should have tread on the soles, right?). So we grabbed the family and headed to St. Lukes just down the street. She was an absolute champion! Waiting so patiently while coloring and inquiring about all of the other patients. The doctor told her he had to stitch her head and he even showed her the needle explaining that he was going to sew her wound closed like mommy sews clothes. She shook her head and let him do the work without even shedding a tear. The parents, on the other hand...
Days prior to the door incident, Adeline stuck her thumb into the straw-hole in her beverage lid. This was no ordinary flimsy plastic lid! Unfortunately we were in transit from Mel's diner to our house when it happened. Luckily, she found the humor in the situation and waited until we got home to let Mom cut it off (the lid, not the thumb).

Slathered Up

Yep, it's naptime and yep, that's Desitin slathered all over Adeline's arms. Ah, the horror, but wait, let me get a quick picture before I tell you "that's not funny".

Mary Had a Little... Popeye?

Ahhh, Halloween is finally here and Mom is satisfied with this year's costumes. Adeline is obsessed with Mary Had a Little Lamb, so that was a no-brainer. Cooper's costume was already picked before he was even born.
Cooper made such a great Popeye, not to mention a good sport. He didn't exactly like wearing the hat, but once he saw all the attention it got him, he grinned all evening.
Stepping out in her finest frock, Mary totes her lamb in her trick-or-treat tub.
Adeline calms Cooper's pre-trick-or-treat jitters. "It's o.k. Cooper-Duper!" she said.

Crown of Cobwebs

At Adeline's preschool, they had a Halloween Parade in which all the kids paraded around the school in festive headgear and collected lots of candy.
Here Adeline & Oscar look on as I unwrap a piece of chocolate candy. Goodbye sugar-free innocence!

Cooper Reflecting

"Tummy Time" is fun once you put a mirror in front of your face. Hey handsome, I know you!

Dancing With Myself

Just add tutu!

Pumpkin Patch

We took the kids to a real authentic working farm / pumpkin patch in Petaluma. Adeline picked a green pumpkin for herself and a small striped variety for Cooper. Aside from the pumpkin-picking, we took a tractor ride and ate homemade ice cream. Adeline passed on the animal-petting and cow-milking.

Pajama Jamz

Let me set the stage here. It's our typical morning routine to lounge in our robes watching shows such as Yo Gabba Gabba. This particular morning we are learning a new dance move from DJ Lance. The best part of this video (no, not my untamed mane) is little Cooper - he really gets into the action.

Opa & Oma Visit

Today we got to visit with Oma & Opa on their way to the airport. Luckily Cooper didn't do any projectile vomiting on anyone's clean clothes. Adeline, however, did some damage with a red marker. Noticeably on her face and then some on Opa's shirt. Oops!

Smiles!

C'mon, don't you think this hat looks just a little bit silly?

Camouflage Cooper

If I sit here really quietly, my sister won't even know I'm in the room....

Uncle Tim & Cousin Ellery Visit in a Nutshell

Chinatown!

Painting in aprons & capes!
Trolley rides!
Wrestling!
Did I mention WRESTLING?!?

Bucketswimming

On a rare warm Summer day, we pulled out our red water bucket to cool off. Adeline was enjoying a nice cold "poppy-skull" and invited Mama in for a dip.

Too Cool for School

Preschool Day 1:

* Cute, yet comfy outfit - check

* Combed hair - check

* Bag of spare clothes - check

* Mom & Dad a bundle of nerves - check

* Adeline cool as a cucumber - check!
When Mom & Cooper came to pick her up, she was excited to show them some new tricks on the play yard. The teachers assured us that she had an excellent day and was a staff favorite! What a charmer...
The huge aquarium as well as the turtle tank were big hits too. Let's hope her enthusiasm lasts in the following days & weeks!

Hard Letting Go

The beginning of preschool meant the end of our nanny-share. We were so sad to say "goodbye" to Claudia who has been a part of our family for the past year. We know that she'll be in our lives for a long time, but we'll miss our day-to-day visits. Oscar will continue on with Adeline at the same preschool - hooray!

Hot Potato

No, you're not looking at an infant CPR mannequin, it's Cooper during a heat-wave we had today. This is literally the only Summer outfit he owns (or needs for that matter).

Monkey Business

Adeline "monkeying around" with buds Frankie & Roy. Frankie was visiting from Minneapolis with mom, Jan. Looking forward to seeing them again in MN this Christmas.
I wish I could say this was a spontaneous shot... took a lot of convincing to get these two to cuddle up. Ah, worth the nagging.

Gramma Visit

The kids had a blast with Gramma Pam when she came to visit recently. Adeline sneaks a lick of batter during the cookie baking.
Cooper got lots of good snuggle time with Gramma too!

Here Come the Cousins!

First up, we got a short yet sweet visit with Nayana & Ella. They were excellent baby holders and Adeline was beside herself playing with the "big girls".

The next weekend Kaili came for a visit. She was also very confident in handling the newbie. Adeline wanted to make sure she knew what she was doing so she demonstrated the technique with her own baby doll.

Lil' Cooper

Getting her first real look at Cooper at the hospital.
Back at home he settled right in.
All that practice holding & shushing her baby dolls really paid off!

My Baby Brother!

Adeline meets her new baby brother Cooper for the first time at the hospital. Her enthusiasm says it all. She's going to be a great Big Sister!

Power Trio

Here we are on the eve of the Bun's birthday. We figured it would be nice to have a final pic of the Power Trio. Soon to be the Fantastic Four!

Life's a Beach

Summer has finally hit the Bay Area so we headed up to Crissy Field this weekend for some beachin' around. Adeline thoroughly enjoyed the sandpit that Dad dug for her.
Lesson to be learned: never use the sand as a pillow...

For the Birds

Adeline enjoys an afternoon of feeding pigeons at Stow Lake.

Another Fabulous Father's Day

How could we pass up such amazing weather! We took a nice drive down Highway 1 along the coast and found a "Pick Your Own Strawberry Patch". I think Adeline ate almost as much as we took home.
We had San Gregorio Beach virtually all to ourselves. There were lots of driftwood "forts" that we played in.

Big Green Thumb

Now that our house is off the market (hooray!), we decided to pretty the place up a bit and plant new flowers in the flower boxes. Adeline sported Mommy's gloves and dug right in.

Serious Cereal

In an effort to nurture Adeline's independence, we've been letting her eat her cereal all by herself while watching her morning shows. As seen here, she is covered from chin to toes to avoid becoming a milky mess. I have to say that she's doing quite well!