New Toys

So, you know how Chariots are hundreds of dollars......but SOOOOO cool?  Well, they are.  They can be a jogger, a bike trailer and a cross-country skier.  And we wanted one BADLY!  But we just couldn't justify spending that much money on something we didn't technically need, sense I already had a regular stroller.  Then.....some of Derek's friends from work had a second child, so they got a double chariot and GAVE us theirs.  GAVE!!  As in for FREE!  How rad is that?  We have had so much fun with it.  It is so much easier for me to run with Smith in the Chariot, and we love hooking it up to our bikes and hitting the coastal trail.  It's been such a fun blessing this month, and we are excited to pull Smith behind us while we X-Country ski this winter!

See, he loves it!  He actually loves just being outside.  It was really hot this day, so on the way home, we lifted up the plastic cover, and only left the screen down. I never looked back to check on him, because he was so quiet and being good.  When we got home, he was COVERED in dirt that sprayed him through the screen!  It looked like had had eaten a dozen oreos, and had all sorts of black eye boogies.  But, he was happy so mom was happy!

We've been using a Bumbo more and more.  Smith is to the point where he likes to be UP!  He'll lay on his back for a little while, but he'd much rather be sitting up in the Bumbo or propped in the corner of the couch.  Even the carseat is too flat, we'll look back at him and he'll be doing crunch after crunch trying to sit up higher.

Contrary to this particular picture, he can hold his head up.  All though his favorite thing to do is dip his head down and suck on the part that separates his legs.

And lastly, just my current favorite picture and desktop background!

Camping

Last weekend we went camping with our friends, the Petersens, and we had SUCH a BLAST!  We like camping, but camping in Alaska is different.  There are bears.  EVERYWHERE.  And I'm not cool with sleeping in a micro-thin tent and calling that shelter with bears as my neighbors.  But the Petersens have a small RV that we slept in.  It was the best of both world- campfires, s'mores, hiking and hotdogs, and a mattress at night.  We had a great time.  And Smith did awesome.

Smith and I waiting while Dad packs.

Pretty sure the reason he liked camping was because it meant that with Mom and Shasta both there, he never got put down!

Too happy to go to sleep....

Finally ready for a late bedtime.

The family at Eklutna lake.

Derek kayaking.

For about 20 minutes, because Joshua fell into this freezing glacier fed lake!!  So cold.

Smiles!

Smith is smiling and 'talking' now, and almost laughing.  He smiles more predictably now, and not just at me.  His talking is just so fun too.  He's just getting more social which is so great.  We had his 2 month appointment the other day, and he's about 45th percentiles for everything.  So nice averaged sized kid.  Now on to the pics!

Some Daddy time.

Picture of his blessing outfit.

His cute cap fits now!  Finally, a cute accessory for a boy!

One second he can be this....

...but it always turns back to this!

Lists and Pictures

Things I've Learned/Noticed Since Smith

1. I will never have enough burp rags (and as a result.....)
2. It is impossible to get 100% caught up on laundry.
3. Smith has most definitely learned to fake cry.
4. Having a baby has inspired what I like to call "bathroom humor" with Derek.
5. Exercising has become a chore, not an activity .
6. I love Baby Wise.
7. Changing into a clean outfit invokes a new mess....vicious cycle.
8. I had some set strong ideals on parenting---easier said then done.
9. I'm willing to do just about anything to get Smith to smile.
10. Being a mom is downright fun.
11. I live in Alaska-so I deserve (ok maybe just want) one of these.

and
12. Everyone wants to see the baby, not you!!  So here you go!

Mmmm, I just LOVE his eyes.  Love em.

We just couldn't get a picture yesterday without him yawning or closing his eyes.  But we still wanted to show his cute outfit.  Polo onsies are my current favorite. 

So sweet. 

We were trying to get the stereotypical sleeping baby shot (I'm not creative, ok), but he suprised us all and stayed awake until I put his clothes back on.