whadda you lookin' at?

"So, I had a couple beers! -what's it to ya?"

curly after-bath hair

everyone needs an uncle matty

"This is what I would do everyday if I had a kid" -Uncle Matty

reading on the john

Xavier peruses the Portland Monthly while working on a morning poo.

what's up, doc?

Somebody has completely mastered feeding himself...finally!...

beach bum, day 2

Early morning walk to Pig-n-Pancake for some greasy spoon breakfast...and another gorgeous winter day at the Oregon coast!

Xavier wasn't too thrilled with his first carousel experience

Happy to hit the beach again!

On the way home...

Some car-ride silliness for your viewing pleasure:

beach bum, day 1

The last time we visited the coast it was rainy & miserable & Xavier was a little young the time before that to get any real enjoyment out of the sun, sand & water. This time, however, was a different story. From the second hit feet felt the soft sand, he was off & crawling here & there, scooping & scraping sand & having a great time.

This photo is totally overexposed, but I love a) that he is standing & b) the excited, happy tension in his little body

Totally unprompted, Xavier reached up to the sky -he was so full of joy!

He woke up from his nap (a chance for Mom & Dad to take a little hike to Tillamook Head) & seemed totally thrilled to find himself face to face again with the beautiful ocean.

Cashed out -what an exciting day!

crack up

Carrie sent us an amazing package a few weeks ago full of hand-me-down toys from Fiona. In it was this round, plastic, cow-type thing. The batteries were dying, so it was hard to tell how cool it would be. Well, I finally got around to replacing the batteries & boy was I underestimating the entertainment value of this thing! The first press of it's weird, white, squishy nose had it vibrating all crazy & mooing & laughing & doing all sorts of crazy shit. Xavier had no idea what hit him! I hurried to get my camera, not wanting to miss the moment (these things have a way of wearing off after a few runs, don't they?):

walking practice

When we were in Texas, Xavier had a chance to play with Fiona's doll stroller/walker-type thing. He really liked pushing it along the carpet & trying his hand at walking all by himself (almost!). Well, turns out my neighbor's son is getting bored with his lion walker & so they let us borrow it so Xavier can get in some walking practice. It is harder to operate on our bamboo floors, but so long as someone accompanies him & keeps him from bailing hard on his face, he does okay. Soon he will be walking all on his own!

zoo day

We took advantage of the gorgeous, sunny, 60 degree February day & went to the zoo with our neighbors and great friends Brett & Oliver. They have a family pass & got us in for free (thanks, guys!). We are thinking of becoming members too. It seems like a great place to pass a sunny, summer morning!

In Stellar Cove

Another "WTF?!" moment from Xavier. You'd be freaked out too. Those Sea Lions were monstrous & totally out of control!

Checking out the Giraffes

The anatomy of a meltdown (Xavier,are you taking notes?):

Hmmm, maybe it's time to go home & take a nap?

sicko

Pretty cute for a sicko, huh?

singing for his supper

I am not sure if he is singing in this video. Could be he's just pissed off. I'm gonna go with singing: