Growing up by the second.

Pic 1: Now that I have two teeth, Mommy and Daddy make me brush them with my Pooh toothbrush every night before bed.

Pic 2: So I left her alone to fill the tub with cool water last night for her evening bath.  Seconds later, when I returned to her room, here is what I found.  I seriously thought Kevin did it as a joke, but realized that he would never leave her alone like this.  Hehehe.  Looks a little proud of herself, huh?  I think she scooted to this standing position.

Happy Birthday Auntie Kacy!

Happy Happy Birthday Auntie Kacy!  We can't wait to celebrate with you next weekend!  Today we celebrated for you with a trip to Lost Lake, at the foot of Mt. Hood.  We went up for the day with Auntie Liz and cousins Owen and Fiona.  Also, 13 year old Nick (nephew of Liz's friend) accompanied us.  It was a gorgeous, albeit sizzling summer day, with record-breaking temperatures over 100.  Check out how we cooled off.

Pic 1: Owen getting ready to test the frigid lake.

Pic 2: Liz and Fiona chillin.

3. Ryn chillin.

Pic 4. Ahhhh, summer.

Pic 5: Owen taking a break from newt-hunting.

Pic 6: Kicking up her feet for an afternoon snooze.

Hello summer, so nice to FINALLY meet you, and, my husband is a GENIUS!

First, my husband is a GENIUS.  His idea to put the high chair tray on with Camryn's hands on her lap, thus preventing a ginormous mess of pureed projectiles rivals those of Edison, da Vinci, and George Foreman.  And it's so cute to watch her sit there all quiet, opening her mouth like a little bird waiting for the spoon.  Like this:

Brilliant!  And speaking of brilliant, today we enjoyed the SUN!  Had almost forgotten what that felt like.  Auntie Lizzy brough cousins Owen and Fiona over for an afternoon dip in the pool and a barbeque.  Tons of fun and a necessary method of cooling off in this 90 degree weather (with no AC in the apartment, of course).

Pic 2: Got my sunscreen on, just waiting to hit the water!

Pic 3: Fiona and Rynnie enjoying the water.  Awesome bee floaty from Grandma Kerry!  Doubles as a teether toy when nomming the eyes...

Pic 4: The gang.

Pic 5: Love my Auntie Lizzy!

Pic 6: Owen reading a story to Ryn.  Fiona restraining her from eating the pages.  Doesn't this just melt your heart?

Drop and give me ten!

Pic 1: No, this is not an optical illusion, it is indeed Ryn doing a legitimate pushup.  This is what she does all day long.  Must be in training. 

Pic 2: Doing my pushups. 

Pic 3: Can you tell I'm getting my two bottom teeth in?  What gives it away?

Pic 4.  Best. Invention. Ever.  This mesh feeder can be filled with any goodies you can think of for babies to suck on, all while preventing choking.  We are currently keeping it full of ice; the perfect soother for those sore gums.

Independence Day.

Some people say you lose your independence when you have a child.  I say you find a part of yourself you never even knew existed.  Who knew cramming six people, two strollers, a 25 gallon cooler, a mini barbeque grill, all the fixins and a box of Chardonnay into a minivan could be so liberating.  We schlepped it to Hood River on the Columbia Gorge for a traditional 4th of July parade and family celebration with our good friends Jenn and Chris Pfaus, and their darling four-month-old (and Ryn's boyfriend) Oskar.  We had the perfect American day complete with cowboys wearing sombreros, snow cones, firefighters manning grills, delicious barbeque, a jazz ensemble, Twizzlers, kids on unicycles, happy pups, gleaming GTOs and the best company we could ask for.  Definitely going back next year.  

Happy 4th of July!

Pic 1: On our way to the river.  Piled in the minivan.  Note the ladybug antenna.

Pic 2: Touched grass for the first time.  Note the patriotic visor that Oskar gave her.

Pic 3: Waiting for the parade to start.  Note the red hat.  Note to self: stop buying her hats.

Pic 4: Watching the parade with Mommy.

Pic 5: Playing in the park with Daddy.

Pic 6: The Schjeis.

Pic 7: Mini Ryn.

Pic 8: The Pfaus family.  Jenn, Chris and Oskar.  Isn't he a hunk?  Ryn wanted me to add that.

Pic 9: Totally wiped out on the ride home.  Holidays are hard work!

P.S.  And in case you're still wondering...though they look different on the way out, peas are STINKY!

New tricks.

Pic 1: Who needs a pool when you have the Whale Tub.

 

 

Pic 2: New car seat!  It's more like a throne.  With bunny straps.

Will it look the same coming out the other end?

Finished up the six month appointment this afternoon.  Miss Ryn is in the 95th percentile for weight, and the 75th percentile for both height and head circumference.  She charmed Dr. Smart and we were given the go-ahead for real food!  She said no honey, eggs, nuts or citrus fruits until at least one year, but everything else is fine.  So, tonight little (big?) princess got to taste peas.  She enjoyed making a mess the most I think.  Lesson learned by Mom and Dad: no more offering food in the living room; from now on the high chair stays in the dining room (and thus so does the brightly hued puree).

Pic 1: Hmm...these oats taste a little funny.

Pic 2: Give me the spoon NOW.

Pic 3: Her long giraffe tongue went crazy during this process, it was hilarious.