Park & Aquarium

Yesterday afternoon was a gorgeous day and Jay and I capitalized on it by taking a fun walk to our nearby park (located about 5 blocks from us). Jay really likes pushing the stroller, pausing from time to time to point out the running squirrels, pointing up to the sky to tell me about a passing airplane, watching a dog or dogs pass by, etc.

One of his favorites at our park are the ducks. There are lots of them all the time all year around. Yesterday afternoon when we went they were all on the lawn snacking on the grass.

He loves climbing up to the top of the kids' slide at the park. He posed for these pictures below, but he decided that it would not be a day that he would actually slide down. Crazy kid. Notice the toy Percy train engine...couldn't leave that at home. Percy needed to come along for our walk, too.

Today we enjoyed an extra special outing thanks to my good friend Katie and her daughter Audrey (who is 1-1/2 weeks older than Jay). We visited the Seattle Aquarium using guest passes they received. We all had a GREAT time!

Here are a couple photos with the otters. Boy, I'm looking really pregnant in these! I guess it doesn't help that I'm holding Jay in my arms and it is a "side-view". Ha!

Jay watched some other people pose for photos like this, so he decided to do the same!

Jay loved the touch pools. The water was really cold, but that didn't seem to phase him. He liked splashing in the water most of all.

Jay also enjoyed walking through the circular tank filled with moon jellies.

Thanks again Katie and Audrey for a fun, adventurous, and educational day!

Pacific Coast Weekend Get-Away

We got away this past weekend to Seabrook, WA located on the Pacific Coast (about a 3 hour drive from where we live). We had never been there so it was an adventure for all of us. What brought us to Seabrook, you may ask? Matt's friend "Knox" and his fiance Vanessa's destination engagement celebration...that's what!

Seabrook is a new town/community that a visionary owner has been developing since the early 2000s. All the homes being built are owned and there are a certain number that are available for rent throughout the year. We decided to stay in a 4 bedroom, 4 bath home called "Anchors Away" for the weekend that was not only beautiful, comfortable, and wonderful for adults - it was kid-friendly with amenities such as a high-chair, portable cribs, kids toys, a Wii, and kid-friendly DVDs.

Matt's parents know Knox, too, and graciously agreed to drive up from Oregon to spend another weekend with us. What a double blessing to have spent the last two weekends with them! And a couple single guy friends drove to Seabrook on Saturday morning and spent one night at our rental home. There was a separate "carriage house" that came with this rental home which was the perfect space for those guys. (Two rooms, bathroom, mini-kitchen, Wii, movies, etc.)

We bundled up and took a walk down to the ocean beach Saturday morning. Jay had a great time running on the sand. It was definitely CHILLY and we certainly didn't even consider dipping our bare feet in the freezing ocean water, but it was still lots of fun.


Above: Caption for this pic would appropriately be, "Mom, I'm cold. Let's go back!"

Below: We set up a portable crib in this kids room upstairs for Jay. Jay LOVED the bunk beds and had a great time playing up high (with our supervision, of course). He insisted I join him for some play in that upper bed and Matt grabbed the camera as evidenced in the following photos.

Jay really enjoys playing with the wire and bead toy things (what do you call them?) that we often find at doctor's office waiting rooms and occasionally at friend's homes. Since we don't have one at home, these hold Jay's attention for lots of good play time. Following are photos taken with PopPop (Matt's dad) and Matt. Everyone in the house took their turn sitting close by Jay as he played at some point during the weekend. (He likes company!)

Below is a picture of friend Jeff, PopPop and Nana all relaxing in the living room Saturday afternoon. (The front entry door to the house is in the center of the picture.)

And these two are the reason we all gathered in Seabrook this weekend - a picture of the newly engaged couple, Vanessa and Knox!

We drove back home Sunday afternoon. Monday morning I decided to fix a batch of pancakes for breakfast with the leftover cup of buttermilk I had in the fridge. I had to capture Jay eating a pancake. He LOVES them and ate two big pancakes yesterday morning. FYI, he is an equal lover of waffles, too.

Monday afternoon Matt and Jay enjoyed a quick game of "soccer" in our condo hallway (see video below). We notice that Jay always uses his right foot to kick the ball. When he throws a ball, however, he almost always throws the ball with his left hand. We're still not sure if he'll be a righty or a lefty.

And Baby #2 is.....

Matt had an all-day meeting this past Saturday and I spent Saturday in Wenatchee with my bride-to-be sister attending the Wenatchee Wedding Show and visiting several area venues (churches and reception place options) for her wedding in July.

PopPop and Nana (Matt's parents) graciously came and spent the weekend with us taking care of Jay all day Saturday and they stayed through today and were able to witness the ultrasound with us when we learned if this Baby #2 is a boy or girl.

Jay with PopPop on Saturday, January 16

Nana and Jay enjoying some story time on Saturday

Ultrasound Profile of Baby #2 today

(20 weeks - 1/2 way "cooked")

Profile Video of Baby #2's ultrasound

You can see the heart beating and even a flash of the baby's right fist/hand

Video of Baby #2's cute feet kicking and moving

And the verdict...have I kept you in enough suspense yet? It is a BOY!! Everything looks perfect! He's a busy and active little guy. We have two boy names chosen to choose from. We'll settle on the name and announce it when he arrives around June 5. Something has to keep you all wondering!