Life Out Loud

June-uary!

2012-02-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

After a month chalk full of stressful life events, I was nothing short of gleeful to see we had a whole week of sunshine in our future! I made it a point to take Logan out for some Vitamin D every day and I know he enjoyed it as much as I did. We hit up our neighborhood part with Daddy which included the slide, checking out the river and pointing to all the airplanes in the sky. He loves to be outside! And yes, I know he needs a haircut, I'm working on it! Happy June-uary!

A Special Lady

2012-01-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

Last week we lost a wonderful furry friend and part of the family. Ally came to our family when we were barely a family, but merely a Mo and a Meghan and an impromptu visit to the animal shelter. She moved with me all over Los Angeles and took a flight up to Portland! She was a champ when we added to our family, both of the furry and human kind! She was right by my side for every rainy day and grand celebration. A decade never seemed to go so fast. An ambassador to feline kind, she will be greatly missed. This was the last picture of my girl, she loved the Christmas tree! I will really miss those green eyes!

Because I missed my January 30 for 30 - this month I will be splitting my donation between the Humane Society of the United States and the Agoura Animal Shelter's non-profit, Malibu Pet Companions (where Ally came from) - in her honor!

2012-01-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

After a long week, I am finally getting to post our California trip pics! I am already missing that sunshine and I know Logan is missing wearing shorts and t-shirts in January and spending all day with his family! Here are pics of our days on the beach, meeting other baby cousins and other general fun in the sun! Lots of relaxation, good food and good company.... only wish we could have stayed longer!

California Sneak Peak

2012-01-16T09:58:00.000-08:00

We spent a lot of time at the beach, and come on, it was 75 degrees, how could we pass that up?

It took Logan a few trips to warm up to the texture of sand, but I think he gets it now! More to come!

Logan - 18 Months

2012-01-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that we made it to 18 months - this feels like a milestone. No question we have entered full blown toddler-hood and things are changing by the minute. Logan is pushing all the boundaries of his little world, attempting independence all the time. This month he sprouted some molars, celebrated Christmas, got visits from Auntie Kelly Jane and Uncle Marty, went to see Zoo Lights for the first time, cried while sitting on Santa's lap and so much more. We continue to love seeing the world through his eyes, even when things don't go perfectly. As he becomes his own person, we see his personality come through - he is brave and loves a good adventure, whether that be climbing to the highest part of the playground or racing around on his bike - I see this as what is to come!

He also took his 3rd round trip flight to California - but that deserves a post of its own, so more to pics to come on that later!

How It All Went Down

2011-12-26T19:59:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful 1st Christmas in our new house - I'm not sure Logan totally gets the whole Santa/Christmas thing yet, but he loved having all the visitors, the new toys and lots of goodies to snack on. We should have Christmas more often!!! Can't wait to do again in Cali!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T15:37:00.000-08:00

Logan - 17 Months

2011-12-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

This was a fun month for Logan - he sprouted another tooth (brings the total to 8) got to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner for the 1st time and despite my fear of jinxing it by announcing it here today, he now sleeps through the night, like, all-the-way through the night! He visited the Christmas tree farm to pick out the tree and visited Zoo Lights with Auntie Kelly Jane. He loves going to kids world at the gym and always comes out in the best mood, he loves rough housing with Daddy and chasing the cats whenever he can catch them off guard. He learned to run and pretty much uses our 1st floor as his race track and when need be, he can cruise up and down the stairs as well. It's great to have such an independent little guy who really can be a great helper and as always, very entertaining. Can't believe we are rounding the corner on a year and a half - but it really is true, it just keeps getting better!

Heifer International

2011-12-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

My 2nd 30 for 30 charitable foundation is Heifer International. I really think this is an interesting concept that allows people to sponsor livestock or other forms of farming and agriculture for families and communities in need all over the world. You can literally buy anything from a dairy cow to a Camel to a flock of bees. I love that you can help people improve their situation by helping them to learn and cultivate a new form of income. I am choosing a flock of bees, but you can also sponsor projects or shares of larger livestock.

In the spirit...

2011-12-04T20:26:00.001-08:00

We are full-fledged Holiday around here - from our Christmas jammies to the noble fir sparkling in our family room, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Cause He's Cute!

2011-11-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

thankful

2011-11-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

We have finally settled into our home and gone are the days of crazy infant schedules & demands, it seems in a nutshell, that we are arrived at our new normal, and I pretty much love it. This year, I finally have a few minutes to sit down and be thoughtful about being thankful. For starters, no surprise, I am thankful for Logan. I am thankful that he is healthy and that he laughs and makes me laugh every day - really that is all I ever need. He has shown me the gift of being a parent - which at times leaves me with frizzy hair and lots of crumbs in my car - but it has also given me a depth that I could never have achieved on my own. I could not have understood it before him, but I couldn't imagine living my life without this experience.

I am thankful for the family - blood and not - that keeps me in sane in the moments when I question whether or not moving 1000 miles away was worth it - and on the days when its not, I'm thankful for snail mail, voicemail and email that keep me connected to everyone that I love. I am still getting used to this stage of life - and I am thankful for the moments when everything feels just right!

Sleeping in Seattle

2011-11-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

I would title this post Sleepless in Seattle, but it was technically our first "getaway" without the baby - so really, it was pretty amazing sleep! We had such an awesome 36 carefree hours - even if we did talk about Logan, a lot! We had an amazing view from our hotel room and were pampered from the moment we arrived. A visit to Pike Place market and the first Starbucks, check, check and it was on to some site seeing, shopping and of course eating and lots of coffee drinking. We rounded out our trip with a whirl on the monorail and the Space Needle, it was a great weekend and we will be back!

Logan Taylor - 16 Months

2011-11-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

Logan turns 16 months old today - and it seems like we have entered full blown toddler-hood and for the most part, I love it! Logan is active, loves playing outdoors in our backyard and even in the rain. He is social and loves to show off when people come over to visit. He is eating everything, his favorites are pizza, Daddy's chicken stew, pretzel bites and lolly-pops! He is wearing size 18-24 months in clothes and still has 7 teeth. This month he learned how to dance which includes some fancy foot work and spinning in circles. He is a ham and loves laughing, including a nice fake laugh when he sees other people laughing. He is a quick study and learns new "tricks" all the time, including showing us the inside of his mouth(see pics). We love taking him new places and watching the world through his eyes. Happy 16 months big guy!

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's no surprise that my first pick would involve animals. This is the heart of many of my life passions and I am so impressed with what this nonprofit has created. So my first pick for my 30 for 30 project is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the protection and conservation of wildlife and habitats in Kenya. Best known for the rescue and hand-rearing of milk dependent orphaned baby elephants and rhinos, so that they can return to the wild when grown, the DSWT also manages anti-poaching teams, mobile veterinary units and community outreach programs.

The save orphaned elephants and rhino's who are often left that way due to poaching. What an honor to help this organization serve the animals of Kenya and continue to fight for better anti-poaching laws.

On my bucket list of life is to see an African Safari - and I sure hope that by the time I get there - we still have many of these animals living happily in the wild and not just captivity.

30 for 30

2011-11-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

So I have decided to change things up a bit - for me at least. You see, I am turning 30 is 2 days - and while I think I have come to terms with the number, it does spur some questions about where I am in my list of life goals. I made a list last year and have completed most of the items, but after I turn 30 I am going to move on from the list and instead spend a little time every month learning about and giving to something I believe in. So every month on the 9th, for my whole 30th year, I am going to donate $30 to a charity and highlight the best of what they do. So stay tuned for the the first version on Wednesday!

A new Pumpkin Reciple

2011-11-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

I decided to keep with tradition and try and new pumpkin dish this fall. So, thank you to Better Homes and Gardens for the best ever Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese recipe. It was AMAZING! It really was pretty easy to make, just had to hit one extra store to find some good Fontina and has just enough of a pumpkin flavor to make for a great side or entree on a cold fall night!

A Spider in the House

2011-11-01T15:36:00.001-07:00

Last night we celebrated our first Halloween in our new neighborhood and it was Awesome! Logan was a spider and it was the perfect costume since he is no longer into hats or any decor for the head! He helped us answer the door and hand out candy and our door bell got some major action, it was a busy night! We also let Logan have his first taste of lots of different kinds of candy and I'm pretty sure he liked them all (ahem, he is my son after all) - but his favorite are the lolly pops!

More Pumpkins

2011-10-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

In fact, we had so much fun at the pumpkin patch - we took Daddy back for round two - which also included another cider donut!

Pumpkins All Around

2011-10-24T20:20:00.000-07:00

Last week, I went on a date with the littlest love of my life. We had an amazingly and probably the last for a while 70 degree day and we took advantage of it by hitting up the local farm and pumpkin patch. We saw goats, took a hay ride, shared a cider donut and did lots of pointing. Lots and lots of pointing. It was so fun to see Logan experience this fall favorite and pretty much made my whole week.

Beach Baby

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's no mystery that Logan would end up a beach baby - with an ocean loving family it was pretty much in the cards for him. But he truly loves his time in the sand and even though the water up here is a bit on the chilly side, he had a good time just the same.

Logan - 15 Months

2011-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Right on time this month -and what a fun month we have had! Logan popped another tooth, on the bottom - that brings the total count to 7 - and I'm sure there are 3 more waiting in the wings. We have had lots of activities this month including a trip the beach, a visit from Nana, his 3rd visit to the Zoo, a Pep Volleyball game and trying out some of the new INDOOR playgrounds. Logan loves the slides, loves to rough house and even throw the occasional tantrum, especially when we are leaving the park. He continues to eat anything and everything we eat and well, there is not much this boy doesn't like. He is now running, climbing and throwing like a champ - and while he will use the left on occasion, I think he is a righty! This is a great age for all kinds of new fun, he will usually jump right in and it makes for lots of funny moments! We love you toot!

Happy October!

2011-10-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

Still can't believe it's October already - I wasn't really ready for summer to be over - but I have decided to embrace fall. So in the spirit of the season, we broke out Logan's Halloween jammies! So here is to smelling fall in the air, getting over the fact that the rain is back and enjoying hot chocolate once again! Happy Fall Everyone!

Logan - 14.5 Months

2011-09-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

I have clearly missed the 14 month deadline, so we are going to just go with 14.5. This month Logan officially took on walking, all the time. He can successfully break into any drawer, open almost all baby gates and other baby-proofing devices, and he would rather play with kitchen utensils than toys.

He has really caught on to talking as well - he will repeat Mommy, Daddy, Baby and "ahh-goo" which stands for ah-choo. He still has 6 teeth but I have a feeling this month we will meet a few more. He learned how to snap his fingers (a miracle) and he points at everything. He is still a great eater and we continue to make sleeping progress! Below are just a few snap shots of our little man this month! Next month, I will try to be on time!

A Weekend in Pictures

2011-09-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be a part of this pretty little lady's wedding last weekend, and boy did she make a beautiful bride! Here are a few pics from the festivities!

Being in the wedding doesn't allow for many photos during the ceremony, so perhaps this is round one of photos!

Walking and more Walking

2011-09-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

Now that Logan is successfully walking around - our world of recreation has totally opened up! Last weekend we took him over to our neighborhood park where they have a splash pad for little tykes. Since my boy is a water baby - I knew it wouldn't take him long to figure out how cool this was. He pointed at it a few times and then jumped right in! It was great to see him have such a good time on his own!

Some Bloggy Updates

2011-09-13T10:44:00.001-07:00

Things make look a little different around here - it was time for some changes! And with that I am hoping to update a little more often with new fab pictures of everything we have going on. I'm trying to get up the strength to post a house tour - with my still present packing boxes and all.

What We've Been Up To, kinda...

2011-09-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to score my first DSLR camera on sale last week and in between house projects, I have basically been taking non stop pictures of my favorite subject, mister LT. And because little boys don't EVER sit still, I'm super stoked that my new camera actually captures this speedy little boy and everything that he is up to! Enjoy!

Logan - 13 Months

2011-08-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

Logan turned 13 months on the 15th and while there will be no more monthly photo shoots, I thought I can still talk about what he is up to these days. He is THIS close to walking, taking around 10 steps at a time with his hands over his head. He is so proud of himself when he makes it all the way to his destination. He still has 6 teeth, 4 on top, 2 on the bottom. He still loves eating, including chewing even when we are not eating and now showing us what is in his mouth. He has taken big strides in the sleep dept and has given up his beloved bottle for the sippy cup! We have moved full blast into toddler-hood and it's so exciting to watch him grow! We love you little man!

What I'm Loving Today...

2011-08-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

In my new house that is...

Kitty in the window

my feature wall, thanks Dad

our breakfast table, complete with flowers from our yard

Our front door - yes, its purple, and it works!

We've Arrived

2011-08-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

So I feel like August has gotten away from me. However, we did move, again! So we have arrived at our new house, this picture is from way back in May when we were just looking, I promise to update with the latest versions. It has already kept us quite busy with lots of trips to Lowe's and Home Depot and weekend projects. Today is Mo's birthday and we are officially taking a little home improvement break to celebrate. Just wanted to say that I didn't forget about my dear 'ol blog and I will be back with regular updates soon!

My Thoughts on Co-Sleeping

2011-07-31T21:23:00.000-07:00

I don't have any new pics to share, turns out that buying a new house totally consumes what was left of my free time and thus, no fun or new pics to share. But I have a few oldies that I will stick in for fun. I felt like these last few weeks we have turned the corner in the sleep dept. and therefore, I can finally share my feelings on co-sleeping. There is a book titled, I was a great mother before I had kids, and let me tell you, there are many days I think of that and find my self both agreeing and laughing. Mo and I certainly never set out to be a co-sleeping family, in fact, I would say that we were totally against it. Then Logan arrived and he had different plans. With bleary eyes and the unease of being new parents, we took his total comfort to heart and watched as he fell right asleep next to us. It seemed he hated his crib, he hated being alone, and what was I really going to do about that. In the middle of a move and the chaos that goes with it, we decided to go with the flow. Who knew that flow would last 6 months? And then, we cried it out. Well I also cried it out, how horrible was that? So from age 6 months+ we were only c0-sleeping half the night and now at 12 months+, we turned the corner to no co-sleeping. Bittersweet in a way, it is so nice to have my bed back, but as the mommy of a little boy, the only cuddle time I really get these days is during sleepy times. To watch my sweet little baby rest so peacefully was a gift that everyone told me I didn't want! Truthfully, waking up to that face was such a joy and I will never forget it. It's a very short time that your little ones are little, I really didn't realize that until now, and I am glad that I had that experience. I am no longer for or against co-sleeping, I believe that every family makes choices that work for them and it worked for us.

Last Post about Logan's 1st Year - the PAR-TAY!

2011-07-24T23:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, everyone knows, we celebrated our little monster turning 1! So we had a monster party and Logan pretty much loved every minute of a party that was just for him. The pics are pretty self explanatory and in no particular order. It was a small family affair and minus a few loved ones, an overall wonderful day.

12 Months

2011-07-17T15:55:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that I'm glad that I chose to document Logan's monthly milestone's, but I'm also happy these little photo shoots have come to an end. Not to say that I won't talk about his month to month changes, but if I have learned one thing about this age, it's that little boys don't sit still and trying to get a shot of him in the rocking chair became more like baby wrangling than photography!! This month Logan turned 1 year old, still can't believe we are here. He took his 2nd trip to California, sprouted 4 more upper teeth and is still chatty as ever. He is very much an adventurer and loves his new outdoor pool and all the sunshine we have been having. We have transitioned to almost all adult foods, with only a few purees left and he while he had a bout with teething this month, we are back on track with our healthy eater! He is still crawling, but I believe this is his month and he is so close to taking those first steps on his own. He loves to chase the cats around the house and feed the dog his leftover cheerios. What fun our boy has become - so I say, bring on the toddler years, we are ready!

Happy Birthday Logan Taylor!

2011-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday to my most favorite kid of all times! I can't believe how fast it went and how far we've come! You will always be my baby!

I love you to the moon and back, Mommy

Water Baby

2011-07-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Exploring

2011-07-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

While waiting for our home inspection appt, we decided to check out the park closest to our "new" house! It sits right on the river and it was such a beautiful day! Hubby wants to get some kayaks, but maybe we should buy a couch first :)

Logan - 11 Months

2011-07-01T17:30:00.000-07:00

I figured I should post about Logan's 11 month before his 1 year sneaks up on me, but really, it already has. My now very mobile young man has 6 teeth, is walking with the help of his toys and the furniture and says a few words pretty consistently. This month we took our 2nd trip to California, Logan was a dream on the airplane and a great traveler in general. We finally got some sun, had 2 picnics, swam in the pool and the hot tub and had a family beach day where he tested in surfing skills on the sand. My baby is well on his way to toddler-hood and we couldn't be more proud of him!

River Rats

2011-06-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but we are still here, lots going on in our world and not a lot of new photos to share. But we did manage a small picnic and some family time at our local river front park. I thought Logan would love the open grass to roam as he pleases, but he hung around Daddy and I in the shade under a tree. It was perfect weather, and so nice to finally be outside in a short sleeve shirt, I miss that!

Vacation Part 2 : Drift Creek Falls Hike

2011-05-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

We have always wanted to hike to Drift Creek Falls, and despite the mud and muck, we made the 3 mile round trip hike with Logan in the backpack and it was beautiful!

Logan's face is priceless as he walked onto the suspension bridge for the first time and looked over the falls.

AND this is what he saw.... what a view!

10 Months

2011-05-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

Logan turned 10 months old on the 15th and can I just say this past month flew by. He is wearing 18-24 month sized clothes, eats anything and everything I put in front of him and crawl runs all over the house! Still no real words, but lots of chatting. He loves to play hide n seek with his Dad and patty cake with his Mom. He will crawl up your leg when he wants to be held and pull down your pants if you are not wearing a belt! He laughs and giggles most of the day, and pretty much never sits still. He is still the coolest kid I know and I love more than I ever thought was possible.

Beach Trip: Day 1 - Newport

2011-05-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Sandy Toes

2011-05-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the absence, we were having some much needed family time at the beach! We had tons of fun, ate lots of fish and put our toes in the sand. I'll share more photos as soon as I get a moment!

Easter Recap

2011-04-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Silver Creek

2011-04-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we decided to head out for some sunshine and fresh air. We went to Silver Creek falls, and hiked around the North and South falls and along the creek It was a beautiful day and Logan didn't take his eyes off the water the whole time. The backpack is coming in really handy and he loves to hang out with his Daddy.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T20:37:00.001-07:00

Yes, I put Easter Bunny ears on my son....and I'm sure he will forgive me one day. Just wanted to stop in and say Happy Easter - I have lots of pics to share as soon as I get them off my camera - we headed to the beach this weekend and had some great family time. More to come soon!

See, he's even smiling!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday we celebrated my Dad's birthday with a family BBQ... and some cake too! Logan enjoyed chewing on kitchen utensils and got some quality time with Uncle Jeff. Despite the lack of photos, Mo and I were there too! Happy Birthday Dad!

9 Months Old!

2011-04-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

I was right - this month was huge for Logan! He not only became mobile - but he sprouted those ever looming two bottom teeth! We will start with crawling, he had been on hands and knees for a while rocking back and forth and twisting to sitting positions....and then...we were at the beach house and he just crawled towards the fireplace! And since that moment, we haven't been able to slow him down. We are officially in the middle of baby-proofing the house. He can pull himself to standing using almost any piece of furniture and prefers standing to any other position! He is very proud of himself and has begun a new version of smiling where he sticks his whole face out and shows you his new teeth! I can say this is by far the best age - he is so much fun and although it means I am a little more on my toes, I love my newly mobile baby - he can entertain himself for quite a while with his toys and getting into new adventures. He is eating everything we give him including his Dad's favorite Mango and even split pea stew! Next is more finger food which I am sure he will conquer with no problem. Sleeping continues to be our work in progress, he just wants to practice all his new skills even at 5am, but who can blame him, it's very exciting stuff! I can't believe only 3 more months until he is one, my baby is turning into a little boy slowly but surely and it's so fun to see what he does next!

Standing Tall

2011-04-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

This is how I left him ....

And this is how I found him ...

Good thing we lowered the mattress in his crib last weekend, I can't wait until he figures out how to climb out :)

Cheese Please!

2011-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

While Marty and Whitney were visiting last weekend, we all decided that an adventure north was at hand. We drove the hour trek to Tillamook and tried to convince Marty to take the 38 flavor ice cream challenge once we arrived. The tour was fine and all, but to get to to the good stuff, my favorite was the Garlic Chili Pepper Cheddar Cheese and any flavor of chocolate ice cream! Marty didn't take the challenge this time, but I'm sure they will be back!

A Rainy Vacation

2011-04-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

This week the weather was supposed to be nice , just in time for Uncle Marty and Whitney to visit. The weather was awful. BUT, we had a great time anyways. And not sure how this happened, I ended up with a lot of pics of the boys. And now they are headed home and we miss them already! Come again soon!

Marty and Logan wearing their onesie pajamas.

Breakfast in Bed

Uncle Marty in his crazy wet suit before he heads out to surf!

Piano Man

2011-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Adventure Saturday

2011-03-26T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today, Mo, Logan and I went on a nature walk in Tryon State Park. We took another test run with the new backpack and Logan still likes it! He is obsessed with the moving water of the creek and the height of the trees, he was pretty quiet sitting up there soaking it all in.

Bubble Bath

2011-03-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

8 Months

2011-03-16T10:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, Logan turned 8 months old and I finally got him to smile for our monthly photo-shoot. He sat in his rocking chair like such a big boy and posed for all his regular shots. This month Logan is all about moving around. He has mastered the downward dog and plank poses, but is still working on moving forward and trying to crawl. He sits up on his own and plays with his toys and can roll and twist his way across the room. He eats just about anything we give him and just started practicing with hand feeding himself some banana puffs. Still no teeth, but man are they close, I feel like I have been saying that for the last 4 months. He has mastered nap time, twice a day, and this makes everyone feel much better. It seems at 8 months we have finally settled into a real routine that works for everyone. I had my first trip away from home this month and Logan did great without me, just as I would have hoped. So all in all, it was a great month and I fully expect next months update to be discussing a fully mobile baby.

A 24 Hour Getaway

2011-03-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend was my first real getaway since Logan was born. It was 24 hours of Scottsdale Wedding and wonderful ladies time bliss. Flights were on time, hotels were great and the wedding cake did not disappoint. Being away from Logan was a little weird at first, but it worked out great, I feel recharged and really enjoyed getting to see Arizona for the first time (the 75 degree weather didn't hurt either) Congrats to Ashley and Darius on their beautiful wedding and thank you to my ladies who were such great company!

A Pepperdine F Suite Reunion

First dance as Mr. & Mrs.

The view from the Inn at Eagle Mountain!

Nap Time

2011-03-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

My son has finally mastered the art of the nap - except this is how I found him. Kicking his new mobile to change the songs. I love him.

A New Ride

2011-03-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

For Logan that is. Our big boy no longer fits in his favorite Bjorn, so we decided to upgrade knowing this baby would get a ton of use, especially as it inches closer to Spring and some warmer weather. We can't wait to take it for a test drive.

I'm pretty sure that Logan already approves!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

A Special Visit

2011-02-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

This week Logan and I must have been good, because we had a very special visit from Aunt Kelly Jane. We took a cruise into Portland and hit up NW 23rd street for some shopping and lunch.

Then we hit up Voodoo doughnuts... crazy and good.

Mine came with cocoa puffs on top!

Thank you my bestie for snuggling and loving on my baby! We miss you already!

Our Little Swimmer

2011-02-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we took Logan swimming for the first time. It was a slow start as seen by some of our pics, but after about 5 minutes, he got the hang of things and was having a good time! We took him around the "deep end" and to check out all the fountains and bubbles, but he loved watching all the other kids splash around. It's safe to say, we have got a water baby on our hands!

7 Months

2011-02-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

Today Logan is 7 Months old - and while I have lived everyone one of those days right along with him, I can officially say that it seems to be going quite a bit faster than before. This month was big is a few areas. Eating really took off, Logan LOVES sweet potato's, peas, bananas, pears and apples... and he doesn't really care for but still eats: carrots, squash, cauliflower and zucchini. We are mixing foods and trying new ones every week, he is very interested in watching other people eat and particularly chew anything crunchy - this makes me laugh! We also made some strides in the sleep department. However torturous it was, we decided to try crying it out. And after 3 days, Logan learned to fall asleep in his crib with no tears. As for staying there all night, we are still working on that, but hey, we like progress!

He is on the verge of sitting up and crawling - he loves to practice all of the above, so its fun to watch him scoot around the living room or his crib. He still loves being out in the world and people watching, which makes taking him places much easier on dear old mom. I know I am on the verge of a mobile baby, so I am trying to enjoy these last few moments of peace. We are also ready for some warmer weather so we can get outside more, however, I'm afraid its not in sight anytime soon up here, we might have to make another Cali trip to get some sunshine :)

ps.... still can't get him to smile for the camera :)

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day - these showed up on my porch courtesy of my wonderful husband!

We celebrated on Sunday with a family day! And this is my lucky year, I get two valentines!

Does He Look Like Me Yet?

2011-02-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is Logan and I at roughly the same age, 6.5 months - I can kinda see it, if a squint.... hmm... I think he has my ears. Well, he's super cute regardless.

First Pony Ride

2011-02-06T17:55:00.001-08:00

Until he's big enough for a real pony, this will have to do. Salem has a riverfront carousel and Logan loved the lights and sounds! We even got to meet the man who carves the horses and get the story behind a few of the ponies.

A Day in Pictures

2011-01-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

*Animals courtesy of the Oregon Zoo!

Half A Year

2011-01-17T13:55:00.000-08:00

My boy is 6 months old. Wow! This past month just flew by full of milestones. We had a great time getting ready for the holidays, we celebrated two Christmas's, Logan took his first 2 flights (which were much easier than anticipated) and we spent 2 full weeks in the California sunshine. This month Logan has really taken off with his eating, including his first go round with peas and lots of oatmeal. He discovered his feet and prefers them to any toy. He loves being out in the world and smiling at the ladies who tell him he's handsome, he graduated to the big boy car seat and still loves to be carried around in his Bjorn (face out so he doesn't miss anything). Logan is truly a joy to be around, he's funny and curious and I can't wait to see what the 2nd half of this year brings!

We are still working on smiling for the camera - he gets mesmerized by it and loses all focus :)

A Zoo Expert

2011-01-13T13:53:00.000-08:00

While visiting LA, Mo, Logan and I headed out with our friends Juliet and Tristan to the Los Angeles Zoo. Logan just might have been more interested in the blowing trees, but he did talk to the snow leopard that came out to see us. We had a great time showing Logan one of our favorite spots!

But it doesn't end there! Logan must have been good because the next week we headed out to the Santa Barbara Zoo. We fed the little giraffe Betty Lou and got to see all the baby otters. Poor Mo, he missed it! How lucky are we to see 2 zoos on our trip, Logan is going to be an animal lover just like his mom and dad!

Now if it would stop raining long enough to visit the Oregon Zoo - we would really appreciate it!

We're Back

2011-01-10T12:47:00.001-08:00

We're back from our California Christmas - we had a great time visiting with our friends and family. Logan got to bust out his rash guard and board shorts for some beach time and we got some much needed sunshine. I will post more pics of our many adventures, but while I get settled back in, take in my two boys having fun together!

All I Want for Christmas

2010-12-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

This year has been unlike any other Christmas I have ever had - for starters, the holidays snuck up on me faster than before, but it was like I had a whole new reason to get into the spirit! When Mo asked me what I wanted, I honestly couldn't think of anything that stuck right out - I don't believe I walk around in a blissfully happy state, but for the first time, I feel truly contented in my life. Sometimes being a first time Mom is scary or frustrating, but most of the time is just feels like this is the way it was always meant to be. So this year, I don't have a house or a car or a Caribbean vacation on the horizon, but it's truly the happiest I have ever been. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Merry Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

We are off to California, hopefully to enjoy some much needed sunshine and visiting with friends and family! Have a wonderfully Merry Christmas!

First Christmas

2010-12-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

Because we are off to California on Christmas Eve, we celebrated Christmas in Oregon last night! I'm not sure Logan knew exactly what was going on, but it was fun to watch him take in all the chaos! He tried to open his gifts all by himself, but needed a little help! He even debuted his very own Santa hat, love it!

5 Months

2010-12-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

Logan turned 5 months old yesterday and I can say that this month, he is starting to feel more like a boy and less like a baby. First of all, he finally has some hair on his head, it may not look like much, but its coming in dark like his daddy. He loves talking, laughing and wiggling! There are 2 bottom teeth showing themselves, but they have yet to break through - but that didn't stop Logan from trying solids for the first time! He can control his head so well and loves sitting in his high-chair at the dinner table. He will grab anything you put in front of him and his latest obsession is anything that makes a crinkle noise! He loves going out into the world and checking things out - he is curious and doesn't seem to be timid about much! He is the coolest kid I know!

When special people meet

2010-12-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, Logan got the chance to meet Santa, he was very cool, calm and collected, that's my boy! I don't know what he asked Santa for this year, but when I went to pick him up, Santa told me my boy has quite a grip! Yes, I know Santa, you're lucky he didn't get a hold of your beard!

Learning To Eat

2010-12-12T16:11:00.001-08:00

Last week, we got the clear from the pediatrician to start Logan on solids! It never fails to be an entertaining life moment, he didn't quite know what to do with the spoon or the food, but it didn't take too long before we got a few swallows.

I'm having a few problems with Blogger trying to upload the video we took, but as soon as I get it figured out we will post Logan eating in live action.

Oh Yes We Did

2010-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas Tree Recap

2010-12-06T10:59:00.001-08:00

This weekend we headed out to see the Willamette University Star Trees get lit up with lights, complete with Hot Cocoa! Then Sunday we went to cut down our own tree at a local farm. Logan spent lots of time outside and in the Bjorn, he did great!

Our blue spruce with lights but not yet finished. A completed tree will be posted soon.... p.s. Logan loves Christmas music, I knew he was my son. He sings along and gets in a great mood whenever I play it. Go figure.

Flashback

2010-12-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

On this day last year, we were out doing this...

And later that night, we found out about this...

Oh, what a difference a year makes! It has become somewhat of a tradition to cut down our Christmas tree, so today, we are going to remember this little anniversary by going to find our tree with Logan in tow, but I plan on drinking at the end of the night, so no little (or really big rather) surprises for me! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend....

Guess What Came Today?

2010-12-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

So excited!

A Thankful Weekend

2010-11-29T11:13:00.001-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend filled with great food and some R & R at the beach house. We started off our holiday with a new addition to the table, a high chair for Logan, so he could officially be a part of the family during meal time. He loved it, I'm sure it helped that a new toy came with it.

Mo feeding Logan some pear. Then it was time to head to the beach. We went exploring and visited Pacific City - and haystack rock!

All in all, it was a great weekend, but as usual, Monday comes too soon! At least the holiday season has officially begun, it is my favorite time of year!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

A White Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

This morning we woke up to this...

Could it be? A white Thanksgiving... I cannot recall ever having snowfall in November, but I think it's pretty cool. If I can't enjoy the sunshine in Cali, I might as well enjoy the early snow here! So, we are staying inside today, but I do plan on taking Logan out to touch his first bit of snow later today. I'm hoping it stays cold and we can enjoy the Holidays all cozy inside!

Logan staying warm!

Flipping Out

2010-11-19T13:10:00.001-08:00

My husband is a wonderful guy, and luckily for me, an excellent gift giver. So because of him gifting me this....

I am able to bring you this....

It's my first trial run with the Flip Cam, so don't judge my inability to hold the camera steady, I'm getting the hang of it. But I am so excited to be able to include video from now on! Things will get a lot more exciting around here!

4 Months

2010-11-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Logan turned 4 Months old yesterday! We are really starting to see his personality form - talking, laughing and just enjoying every one's company. We have settled into a routine and everyone is happier because of it. He loves his jumperoo, his swing, and just about anything that plays music. No teeth yet, but he is drooling up a storm. And every few days Mo and I put a new fruit in his mouth to taste, so far grapes are the favorite. I'm looking forward to starting him on solids in the next month or so, I think he's ready for something new! This month we had some new adventures and Logan did great, going to see Multnomah Falls and his first live sports game! He is a joy to be around!

A Wonderful Birthday Week

2010-11-15T13:04:00.001-08:00

Birthday week started off with a bang! I woke up to find this in the living room!

And then some Sprinkles Cupcakes on the table, yes please! So far, so good. Later that night Mo's parents flew in from LA and we had a big family feast of Mexican food, my favorite! Then it was off to Portland to stay for a few nights, get in some outdoor adventures, some Volleyball and some Logan/Nana/Poppa time! All in all, it was such a great time and I'm glad I got to share it with the family! Below are our pics of Multnomah Falls, Portland and the VB game(which Pep won)! I'm ready to do it again!

Multnomah Falls

Walking around Downtown

Time for some Volleyball

The Littlest Wave!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

29 Reasons To Have a Great Year

2010-11-09T10:15:00.000-08:00

I'm not so scared about turning 29 today - because I know that I have 365 days to enjoy whats left of my youth. I made a 30 before 30 list today - I like lists - with 30 adventure/bucket list to-do's that I would like to accomplish by 30! Since 28 was pretty much spent pregnant, with a hubby across the country and then with a little one, I'm hoping this year we can get out of the house a little more and enjoy ourselves together! So bring it 29 - I'll worry when I'm 30.

A Wine Filled Afternoon

2010-11-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

We had a great afternoon last weekend Wine tasting for my friend Autumn's birthday! We were lucky enough to be invited to join the birthday girl in her PINK HUMMER LIMO for the special day. We visited 4 different vineyards and had a great time, even sober Mo enjoyed himself as seen by the picture below.

Witness Tree Vineyard

The gang

The fabulous Limo!

TGIF

2010-11-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

So thankful that Friday is here, Mo and I are off wine-tasting this weekend for a friend's b-day. Coincidentally, she shares my birthday, but she's one year older, always been kind of fun to have a b-day buddy! We have some exciting stuff coming up, including special visitors and volleyball games :) But I leave you with some funny pics from this week - these are a few of the many faces I love!

Photo of the Day

2010-11-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

I saw this photo on the Spearmint Baby Blog and it just made me smile. Thinking about Logan when he was just born seems like years ago - he's practically out the door to college. Okay, maybe not, but he did sleep through the night last week and that makes for a very happy momma.

Spearmint Baby: photo of the day

All Hallow's Eve

2010-11-01T11:30:00.000-07:00

We had a great Halloween weekend including some much needed beach time and fun dressing up. I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Fall Friday

2010-10-29T03:08:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween weekend and I have pumpkins on the brain. The leaves have turned, the rain is officially here to stay and baby, it's cold outside. Well it's a high of 50 degrees and thats cold for this Cali girl. Here are a few pics to usher in the weekend, we are headed to the beach, maybe we will catch a storm and hopefully relax with dinner and a movie! Have a great weekend!

Mini Pumpkins

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

And because I couldn't resist my boys in plaid flannel!

More Please...

2010-10-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we got around to trying a new recipe and it was extra yummy courtesy of our wind storm outside. We added black beans, fresh corn and some cumin, perfection!

Pumpkin Turkey Chili Recipe - Allrecipes.com:

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound ground turkey
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 dash salt
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and saute the onion, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and garlic until tender.
Stir in the turkey, and cook until evenly brown. Drain, and mix in tomatoes and pumpkin.
Season with chili powder, pepper, and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
Serve topped with Cheddar cheese and sour cream."

A Week in Pictures

2010-10-21T12:58:00.000-07:00

It's easy to tell who I spend my week with. Next time, I promise pictures of people other than Logan or possibly other people with Logan :) Have a great week, I am off to bake Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins - its fall and I'm ready to bake away my afternoons!

Pumpkins!

2010-10-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend we headed out to a local pumpkin patch for Logan's first fall experience. He loved being outdoors and seeing all of the activity. We visited the Cider Saloon for some fresh apple cider and walked through the pumpkins for some photo ops, we can't wait for next year when he can pick out his own pumpkin!

3 Months

2010-10-15T11:29:00.001-07:00

This has been a big month for Logan - he learned how to smile, laugh and "goo" as I call it. Not only is our boy active, but he's chatty. I will catch him cracking himself up while he's swinging or hanging out in his crib, a good sense of humor runs in the family. He is still growing like crazy, wearing 6 month clothing in most cases. He is almost sleeping through the night, but still wakes up around 2am for some chow, but that's just fine with me. He still loves the bath and is starting to take interest in his toys. He is a such a blast - we can't wait to see what next month brings!

A Portland Adventure

2010-10-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend, hubs and I are headed to Portland. We are going to check out some smaller outskirts and then head into the City for some bright light adventuring. Hopefully we will hit up some great neighborhoods and a good restaurant if we are lucky. Here is what I am looking forward to: the infamous Voodoo Doughnuts. Yes please. If you are thinking, would this girl drive up to an hour for doughnuts...don't tempt me, they have a Bacon Maple Bar.

Okay, okay, I will likely combine this outing with something equally exciting for the hubby, perhaps the Hood River Fruit Loop. Either way we are excited to get out of the house for a while (okay, that's just me) and do some old fashioned wandering around.

Its Better at the Beach

2010-10-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

We had such an amazing time at the beach - it was relaxing and a much needed break from the grind. We even took Logan out with us to dinner and made it through an entire rented movie - we were feeling quite accomplished! We headed down to Depoe Bay on Saturday and walked around looking at the stormy waves and doing some shopping! We can't wait to head back and find some hiking trails!

Daddy and Logan at Depoe Bay

The waves were crashing up over the rocks

We stayed cozy for the fire.

And we caught a smile on camera for the first time!

Blast From the Past

2010-10-07T04:00:00.000-07:00

As we come into some cooler weather (I actually saw falling leaves yesterday) - I realized I missed the warm weather, but not just any warm weather - the kind that you find on a certain island in the middle of the pacific. Hmm... it might have to wait a while, but I will come again Maui - don't you worry. The mister, both big and small, and I are headed to the beach house this weekend, lets hope we get a little sunshine while we're there!

Makena Beach - In front of our hotel - May 2008

Someone Got a New Toy

2010-10-06T14:18:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I attended a Babies, Bellies and Beyond event, and I picked up this Jumper for $35 bucks and it might have been the best moolah I have spent in a while. My independent little man loves to jump around on his own, I might just have to attempt to capture this on video.