Life with Little Piggies

A Week of "Stay"cation

2008-09-23T05:02:53Z

Well..we did the trendy thing this year and decided that, rather than hit the road with a 1 year old and all the gear that entails, that it might be more relaxing for all involved to do the touristy thing from home base. I mean there are enough venues right here in So Cal to keep the little one, as well as the whole family, entertained. However, we did start this time out with a short but exciting weekend excursion to Big Bear with our good friends Mark & Megan and their little one, Liam's best bud, Brodie. Well, right before we got in the car to head for the hills, Liam started walking!!. Finally at 15 1/2 months he did it!! We were soooo excited!! It made the trip all the more fun seeing as how Brodie, being 8 months older, is already very mobile, so Liam could keep up a bit better that way. To top off the weekend, Megan took a pregnancy test with her and found out that she is pregnant with their second!!! Too awesome!!Thanks so much Mark & Megan for a great weekend!

Next, we decided to purchase annual passes to that venue they call the "happiest place on earth" and what parents often call the most expensive. Nonetheless, it's worth it when you want to take the munchkin's someplace for a couple of hours to keep them entertained and to wear them out;) Liam was even so bold as to where a fun party hat and to place his hand in a viscous dogs mouth!! Fun times!

Next we headed for the San Diego Zoo....the best zoo ever!!. We went with Grandma and Grandpa Lautsch. I think the grown ups enjoyed the zoo more than Liam. What Liam really enjoys most on his outings is meeting new friends.

He is definitely Mr. Sociable!! I love that about him. Everyone is his friend... especially the laaadies;)

Liam's favorite animal imitation is the gorilla, so he looks right at home in this photo.

We also just had a couple of down days where we didn't do a whole lot of anything except shop and go the beach. We were so sad to see it end. Liam LOVED having Daddy around 24/7 and, of course, so did mommy;) Really fun and relaxing family time together:)

One Sweet Sunday

2008-09-08T05:17:39Z

Today was very full. Me, Jeff, my friend Michelle, and Liam (cruising in the baby jogger) began the day with a 7 mile run. After that, we headed to church and then finished the day with a trip over to my mom's house for a family get together for my sister Julie's big send off before leaving for her 2 month European excursion to France, England, Scottland and Eastern Europe.

Before leaving Grandma's house, however, Liam couldn't resist hopping on Uncle Ian's motorcycle. (Liam LOVES motorcycles) Can you say BBBBBad to the Bone???

Tidbits

2008-09-03T05:02:31Z

There are a couple of things that Liam is really into right now besides eating. He loves brushing his teeth and cries when I try to take his toothbrush away when he's done. He also loves his little red buggy. Dad had the honors tonight of driving with Liam to the mailbox.

Santa Barbara Triathalon Weekend

2008-08-28T03:22:54Z

We spent last weekend with our good friends, Kevin & Leslie and their 2 munchkins, Login & Madison. Jeff did the full SB Tri on Saturday, while Leslie did her first ever sprint tri (the short version)that took place on Sunday.

They both did great and Jeff made a PR time for himself. I spent Saturday at their house with Liam trying to get him comfortable with sleeping in his new environment. He had a rough first night, though he did have a great time with Madison and Logan.

I didn't make it to Jeff's tri, but I did make it to Leslies. Liam was a trooper and slept a short nap in his stroller and waited until our drive home to take a 2 hour nap. It was fun but went by way too fast. But never too fast that we couldn't stop to smell the roses.

Thanks to Leslie and Kevin for always welcoming us and to Madison for always allowing us to crash in your room and for being such a great baby sitter. You guys are the best.

Bathtime with Daddy

2008-08-22T03:52:38Z

My little angel is too cute at bath time. He LOVES water...he loves to drink it, bathe in it and swim in it, so he's always particularly joyful during this special time with daddy, as daddy always has bath duty...Dad's choice:). Yes, I also have the best hubby on the planet too!! I am one lucky lady:)

Giro Giro Tondo

2008-08-21T04:44:56Z

Our Italian friend Elizabeta taught Jeff the Italian version of Ring Around the Rosey. Liam LOVES it!! Took this fun pic tonight.

My little two fisted drinker??

2008-08-19T04:26:50Z

Okay. I know. I'm the worst mom in the world for not having blogged in such a long time, so I am finally going to alleviate some guilt by posting some adorable photos I recently took of my little angel. Yes. He is still a little angel. I am hoping that he will pass the terrible 2 phase altogether, but we will joyfully accept whatever comes our way. I am a actually a bit worried that he may pass up the walking phase. He's almost 15 months and still not walking on his own, but I think we are making some progress. Hopefully by the end of the month? (or year???) Liam is truly our greatest blessing and is officially the sweetest, cutest and funniest baby on the planet!! (No mom bias here;) He made me laugh today when he decided one sippy cup was not enough.

Too Cute Not to Post

2008-04-23T05:03:16Z

Yucky, but still cute!

2008-04-23T05:00:00Z

Watching Liam feed himself is the ultimate test in self control. I want to just throw him in the bath tub and clean him up. Instead, I placed him in the extra large bib that covers half his body and rolled up his sleeves as far as they will go and hope that I don't have to change his clothes AGAIN once he's done. I know he could care less about the muck on his face and his hands and that he's loving every bite. Actually, I know you probably will find this hard to believe, but I really can't think of any food he has ever not enjoyed;)

9 month check up!

2008-02-28T05:22:45Z

Wow! Where does the time go? Seems like yesterday we were waking up every 3 hours for his feedings and here we are....9 months later, 9 ins. taller and 16 lbs. heavier!! And yes, the doctor has told us that he wins for biggest baby of all his patients weighing in at 24 1/2 lbs. and 29 in. tall. Maybe we can enter him in the Guinness book! :) He is definitely healthy, although not yet crawling because of his size. He is doing great at standing if we help him up. And trust me when I say that I am enjoying every moment of this stage where he can just sit, play and entertain himself and I am not yet having to chase him all over the house watching his every move. He really loves testing out his vocal chords lately, squealing with glee...particularly when Dada sings Ring Round the Rosy in Italian while holding him and then dipping him at the end. He loves it! He also loves taking my glasses off, so I thought he would like to try them on. He thought that was very funny. I just wish time could stand still for a while so I could enjoy this stage just a little longer. It's just too much fun!!

Just Another Day of Adorableness

2008-01-16T06:08:24Z

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-09T05:10:34Z

Another year has come and gone...and what a year 2007 was!! We found out in March that we would be adopting our precious baby boy who was due in 2 months and on May 25th Liam arrived and we took him home the following day. The rest is a blur of sleepless, joy filled days. How our lives have changed over the last 7 months!!!

Christmas was sooo much fun. Liam got to spend his first Christmas with all of his cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents and meeting some for the first time. We spent the week before Christmas in Surprise, AZ with Jeff's family and drove back Christmas Eve in time to spend Christmas with my family.

Liam was a great traveler. He never fussed or complained about the odd traveling hours and slept wherever we stuck him...even in large walkin closets! We are very blessed by his nature. He is almost always content, joyful and curious unless he is tired or hungry and his favorite place to be is in his bouncy chair that hangs from the door jam.

On New Years Eve, our good friends Tim & Jeannie came over and made us an awsome dinner of shrimp pasta and chocolate mousse. We were sad to see the holidays come to a close, but have much to look forward to in the New Year as Liam just cut his first tooth a couple of days ago and his first birthday will be here before we know it. Exciting stuff!!!

Our Babbling Baby

2007-11-06T05:29:57Z

Little TC has become very vocal over the past couple days. He's been making all sorts of babbly yells and is constantly exploring the noises his little tongue will make. It's soo cute!

When AH came home from work today, TC and I were down in the bedroom playing on the bed. TC got all excited and started trying turn over. With lots of prompting, he turned over from his belly to his back for the FIRST TIME without any assistance from either of us.

We're not sure who yelled louder afterward, me or TC!

A "Screamin" Halloween

2007-11-06T04:40:56Z

Ahhhh....It seems it's always those special occasions when you want the perfect photo to keep that special memory locked in you mind forever that that perfect photo emerges, though not quite as you imagined, as you can see from the following.

More Pictures of My Chunky Monkey

2007-10-25T04:11:52Z

Here's some more pictures of the little guy from when my in-laws came to visit.