We like to start them young at our house. By the time Will is 2 maybe he'll be able to trim the hedge. I don't know how we did it, but this house has twice the amount of leaves compared to our last place. I swear by the time you've raked or swept up all the leaves another batch has fallen. Will actually is quite handy in the yard. He's very good at putting leaves into the bag and insists on having his own rake!
Jack has been eating (more like tasting and then spitting out) rice cereal for about a week. He's a good sport and will open his mouth but he usually ends up spitting it out. He also makes an awful face when he first tastes the cereal. I tried it - it's very bland and not exciting at all. I think it's the texture he isn't sure about. Also, we purchased a second seat it's exactly like Will's. Jack's doing a great job of sitting up, occassionally he'll start leaning to one side and has a hard time straightening up. I cannot believe how big he is getting!
We went to the pumpkin patch this weekend. I was really hoping for a picture of Will trying to pick up a pumpkin twice his size, I would have even settled for a picture of him looking for a pumpkin. No such luck. The only thing he was interested in was the great big tractor, used for the hay ride. Doug spent most of our trip holding Will and I was holding Jack so figuring out how to pick up pumpkins required some creativity. We went to Lee Farms on SW 65th. I strongly recommend it - there's lots to see and do and even though there were a lot of people it didn't seem crowded.
I'm starting to notice many of my pictures of Jack are taken while he's in the jumperoo. It looks like he lives in the thing! (I swear he doesn't!) He does enjoy it and as you can see he's started tucking his arms in, not sure if this gives him more control over the jumping, but he looked so happy...
Another thought, I realized the other day that Jack is now at the age Will was when I got pregnant. I cannot believe how quickly time has past, and it seems to have sped up since Jack arrived.
I'd like to start out by saying "thank you" to the person(s) who invented the digital camera. Will has become so difficult to photograph lately. I'm not sure if suddenly he's camera-shy or if he just cannot sit still (I think it's the second one). Thankfully I can continue trying for the perfect shot without worrying that I've almost used up all my film.
We did it! Team Peppmeier flew to Oakland last weekend for my grandmother's 90th birthday. I was really curious to see how the boys would do on the plane (especially Jack since this was his first flight). More important I was really curious to see how Doug and I would manage hauling around two full size car seats and diaper bags while trying to keep the boys in the stroller. Let me tell you, the security line was a real treat. The flight to Oakland was great, my mom (Tutu) was with us and she helped Doug keep Will entertained. I lucked out because Jack fell asleep 15 minutes into the flight. On the way back it was just the four of us, and again the boys did great. We sat them next to the windows, Jack in front of Will. That way other passengers did not have to sit next to our darling children and when Will kicked the seat he was only really bothering Jack.
Where has the time gone? I cannot believe we are already to this stage. Jack had his six month check up yesterday. Here are his stats: 28 inches long (90th percentile)18 pounds 5 ounces (60th percentile)Jack is a busy boy - constantly moving whether making himself bounce in his bouncey chair, rolling on the floor or jumping in his jumperoo, I think he takes after his father with this constant movement. He is very social, always has a smile for anyone (including strangers and Gus). He still likes his binky and has to have his blanket snuggled up around his face and neck if he's going to sleep. He's sleeping through the night, usually going to bed around 7 or 8p and waking by 7a. He can almost sit up without being supported and if you lay him on his tummy his legs are ready for crawling it's just the upper half that isn't quite there. Jack is a constant joy. He is so darling in looks and personality, every day Doug and I are amazed and thankful we have such wonderful boys.
Team Peppmeier decided to load up in the car and head out to the beach today. It was a bit wet and rainy, but we did have a destination and sometimes it's nice to get out of town. After leaving the house close to the time we had planned, I was feeling pretty good about myself. Here we were, being spontaneous with children and then I realized we forgot the camera (we had plenty of snacks, diapers, change of clothes, etc., but we forgot the one thing that could document this trip) so there aren't any cute pictures of the boys all bundled up in the double stroller braving the elements as Doug and I took a brisk stroll through Cannon Beach. We drove down to Manzanita to check out a possible lodging location - Coast Cabins (thank you Renee!). The grounds and the buildings looked quite lovely from the outside, we look forward to staying there. Then we drove through tiny Arch Cape and admired the homes and saw wild rabbits. We finished up in Cannon Beach, had a very late lunch, took a quick walk and headed home. It was a nice trip, I was reminded how much I enjoy where I live and more importantly how much I enjoy spending time with my boys.
