Easter Break'n it with Grandpa

Growing up, I've always loved that my parents had the same vacation time as I did.  Since I'm a teacher, too, it's nice to continue to look forward to the same time off. To celebrate our last day of spring break, we hopped on a train to meet Auntie Michelle for lunch in the quaint, historic, mission town of San Juan Capistrano. Kyle loved catching the same train Grandpa was already on. 

His face was plastered to the window the whole ride. 

The view of South Orange County was beautiful. Though the fields have dwindled one by one, there was still plenty of agriculture to show Kyle. 

Gavin's 1st train ride! :)

We love this station. It is historic, picturesque, and very tourist/walker friendly. 

Little cafe's and coffee shops line the depot on either side.

Kyle didn't want to leave the tracks. :)

Eating on the roof-top at a little diner.

Just a really beautiful building right next to the petting zoo. 

I had my hands full with Gavin, so didn't get any more pictures. We had a great time and all want to go back soon! We'll especially want to visit when Gavin and Kyle are old enough to appreciate the Mission. Until then, the train ride is the highlight of the day for Kyle! Oh, and having Grandpa's undivided attention, too! ;)

Hello Spring!

During our adventure walk/ride through our new favorite spot with our friends, I had to stop and take a few pictures. The fields of wildflowers were speaking to us, and we drank in the sight of spring.

Among other things, we got to show our boys the California Poppy. 

I just had to include these... this is what you get when you ask boys to pose for a picture. 

Not quite what I had in mind but cute nonetheless! And how do ya like that sport coat? Even to go riding in the dirt, he had to wear it. You may remember this one from last year's Easter picture... yes, last year. Mr. 27lbs gets good use of his clothes. :/

Oh the joy...

...of starting solids!!! At least he's looking joyful about it. (He really likes his teething biscuit.)

I don't mind changing poopy diapers, handling the occasional blow-out, or getting spit up all over me, but I've come to realize that having to feed a baby solids (mostly when starting the process) is probably my least favorite. On the upside, it's nice to have him at the table with us and I love Kyle's (and Gavin's) enthusiasm about sharing new things together. Kyle has loved having Gavin "eat" with us! It will get easier later on, but for now the work involved just isn't my favorite. In case you don't know or have forgotten, I'll break it down for ya:

1. Pump milk (to mix with the cereal- I know, I know... I could use water, but I want to add calories, nutrients, and better taste) This takes about 15 minutes.
2. Package and label milk
3. Wash and put away, one by one, all pumping paraphernalia 
4. Mix and warm the cereal
5. Attempt to get the cereal inside baby's mouth :) This may take 30 minutes (or more).
6. Take baby to sink or bath to clean every square inch of skin that somehow has crusty cereal in/on it
7. After baby is washed and dressed, clean high chair and everything within 3 to 6 feet around it (yes walls, carpet, bookshelf, etc.)
8. Wash/scrub bib, tray, bowl and spoon
9. Then nurse the baby (to complete the meal)

Total time: a minimum of 1 hour
Do this 3x per day. 

Compare this to what feeding Gav was like a week ago when all I did was nurse him:

1. Pull out boob and feed. 

Ahh, life was a tad bit easier a week ago... but soon this will become normal and get easier and easier as he gets the hang of it and even starts eating on his own. That will be fun! I look forward to cooking for my boys and watching them eat and interact together at the table. Until then, I smile, applaud, say, "YAY!!" and do all the tricks I know to get Gav to open his mouth and eat! ;)

All this to say, Gavin is eating SOLIDS!!!! :) :)

Outside Entertainment

Have I mentioned how much I love being a mother of boys? Well, I do. So much. Yesterday and today, we spent over 6 hours riding bikes and scooters, throwing rocks, playing swords with sticks, building a campfire, and riding on a train. Kyle was in his element getting exercise and testing limits. We were quite proud of how well he did, his attitude when he fell, and his desire to keep going. He's a tough kid.

On Friday, we met our friends at a local park/nature preserve that has undergone massive restoration through a bond that voters passed awhile back. My friend and I were shocked to find just how perfect it was for our boys. Though I am loyal to our Back Bay, I had to admit this place was significantly better for the stage our kids are in. The trails are flatter (unless you're on the bike jumps) and are used primarily by walkers and joggers as opposed to speeding cyclists. It's a lot safer for a certain easily-distracted, little rider. :) The possibilities for adventure are endless (with Rudy leading the gang!) and the terrain is so diverse (eg. woods, desert, river, sand dunes, and vernal pools). It was great to find a new, favorite spot!! We had so much fun that we brought our husbands/daddys back on Saturday to show them.

Kyle and his buddy, Nate.

 Testing out his Razor on the bumps.

 Riding the bumps with Daddy

 These two are peas in a pod when it comes to adventure.

Then, Mommy took a turn.

Three years old and riding through this thing like it was nothing. (You can't tell from the picture, but there are much bigger hills farther back.) Proud and scared!!

 Kyle took this picture of us. Pretty good right?

 Gav's first time on Daddy's shoulders!

Besides building a campfire and doing a little orienteering...

... the boys got their first "hunting lesson." The dads taught their boys how to survive "in the wild."

Then, we hopped over to the train station. Kyle reeeally wanted to take Gavin, but they wouldn't let the baby on. He still had fun watching a conductor add coal to his little steam engine.

Lovin' our weekends. Lovin' our neighborhood.

Gavin - 6 months

Happy 1/2 birthday, Gav-man!! These 6 month pics show Gav sitting up, playing with his books and toys, and getting up to crawl!

The little man is already a half a year old!! Amazing. He's as sweet as ever and ready to move!! He wants to crawl so badly and loves being on his tummy either airplaning around, scooting here and there, or rocking up on his hands and knees. He loves faces, people, and watching Kyle play around him. He also loves his toys. Never saw a baby get so into his toys. It's pretty cute.

At 6 months, Gavin:

• weighs 15 pounds , 8.9 ounces
• is 26.5 inches tall
• can sit up with his hands to support himself
• is just days away from crawling!
• entertains himself (what a bonus!) with his toys
• loves to reach out with both hands to touch and "kiss" our faces
• laughs and giggles just by being smiled at (especially hearing the Zzz sound)
• says, "dadadada"
• loves to turn the pages of his board books
• two bottom teeth are finally breaking through the surface!!
• wears all 6 month clothes and 9 month jammies 
• nicknames: Zippy, Shaboo, Chango, Gav-man, Brother, Gavie

Gavin, you are kissed and hugged, pestered (!) and loved oh so much! :)

Family Time

We've waited a long, long time to have our weekends (without Rudy having to study) and even after almost a year of it, we still have to pinch ourselves and can't believe we're actually able to enjoy a life without papers, tests, and unpaid internships. I love that his job involves minimal take-home work (the opposite of a teacher, unfortunately!) and that when he's home he's able to just be a husband and father. Cause that's all this house really wants. Getting the "I'm on my way" text and hearing the keys unlocking our front door are two of the biggest highlights of our day. The best? Getting to say, "Daddy's home!!" So, it should come as no surprise, that our weekends with Daddy (as he's now known) are ultra special and we enjoy the freedom to do whatever we please! :)

A few snapshots:
Hours and hours of staring, smiling at, and doting on our boys.

Depot, Depot!! Making a race car.

 A free 1.5 mile-long train ride I've been taking Kyle to ever since he was a wee one.

 Hiking/Orienteering/Exploring...basically being outdoors in as much nature as we can.

 Fishing/Beach trips

 Gav loves to touch the sand.

Fishing off a new spot in the harbor. Gavin was fascinated by the feel of grass.

 Kyle loves to play pretend. Here's his "campfire" where we cook our snacks at the Back Bay.

 Playing pretend at home. This time, a homemade kayak and Kyle's new paddle Rudy just made.

Kyle always wants to share his experiences with his brother. :)

Glad there's one more day to this weekend... :)

A Train, Auntie, and "San Clemento"

For a little over a year, Auntie Michelle spent the night with us a few nights a week. Kyle has really missed her now that she's in her own apartment. Lately, I felt he could use an "Auntie Date" and fortunately, Michelle was free this weekend. Kyle's #1 request was to ride the train to San Clemente just like the two did awhile back. He was beside himself with excitement and when they first got to the train station he told Michelle, "I love spending time with you." :) They had a great day!

Kyle is all about maps and directions.

 Excited and patiently waiting for the train...

...10 minutes later, "Where is that train?!"

Finally on the train and sharing some special snacks!

San Clemente

 Kyle ran straight for the sand and just started digging. He loves his shovel.

 Eating pizza on the pier.

 Kyle photography. I think he did a great job!

Thank you, Auntie Michelle, for a great day (for all of us!).