14 Months Old and Cruisin'

Trixie, Sander, Halle, Lucy and Arcadia in Westport

Sander was able to celebrate turning 14 months old in Westport, MA amongst great friends: Nat, Rachel, Halle and Trixie. We enjoyed a couple of days at the ocean and the highlight for Sander was the boat ride Nat took us on. He squealed the entire time and is now nicknamed: seagull boy.

He moves faster and faster with each day, his walking has almost turned into running. Sander said "yes" recently for the first time when Matt asked him if he'd like more mango. No more news words but lots of effort on creating new sounds, especially when he is feeling passionate about wanting something or telling us something. Another tooth took all month to pop through all the way. He now has five! Spinning in a circle is a new talent Lucy helped him to learn. Climbing up onto everything he can has been a past time as well. I can't ever turn my back!

Ferry to Nantucket!

We took a long weekend trip that started with a trip to Boston to visit Uncle Chris for an evening and go to a Red Sox game together. It was a beautiful evening and the Red Sox beat the White Sox 4-3 in the 10th inning. We left at the 9th inning due to fear of sudden meltdowns of the children. 

Sander was most excited about the Hood blimp that circled the sky above us for the entire game.

Sander is making his motor sound with his mouth in this photo, probably referencing the blimp.

The next day we took the ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket to visit Auntie Danielle and her beautiful family. The kids had so much fun together. It was a rejuvenating weekend for us and we look forward to another trip soon.

Lucy was wide awake and excited the whole ferry ride while sweet Sander snoozed for the entire ride in my arms.

The O'Dell/Toole/Kasvinsky crew. Such an adorable bunch!

Sander is enjoying his beach naps this summer. 

The last morning Sander woke up to all the kids hovering over him to say their goodbyes as he slept pretty late.

This was the sweetest bunch, all concerned for Sander. Cuteness overload.

Days of Summer Play

Whew, summertime play has definitely been keeping us busy! We've specifically been catching up on beach time. Going to the beach with a newborn is rather difficult but a three-month-old is much more manageable. 

Sporting a great sunhat that actually stays on!

Sander has been smiling, blowing bubbles, playing with his hands, holding toys and cooing back and forth with us. The most amazing thing is that he sleeps 6-7 hour chunks at night. This is a welcome change for me. I did not expect it but am not holding my breath....this mama knows babies can change their ways in an instant. He adores Lucy and lights up whenever she comes near him and especially when she talks to him directly. It is pretty special to watch.

Mesmerized by a bigger boy (Wes) who was enamored with him.

We went to the Waterbury Reservoir with a few mama friends and little ones. Had a blast.

Lucy has been swimming quite confidently so Sander and I could mostly bum on the beach and watch her play happily in the water. Extra moms though mean I could swim with her too while they watched over little man for me. What a nice break!

Watching the kids play at the beach.

Brother and Sister at the Vermont Music Festival in Waitsfield.

Saturday we went to the fourth annual Vermont Music Festival in Waitsfield. It was such a perfect day full of sunshine, neighborly company, fun music, games, local food, beer, and play. Sander didn't mind the loud music too much after they turned down the speakers at one of the stages. I had to stand away at the beginning because he still startles a bit, the little cutie. Matt has had to work a lot lately and it was a special day for all of us to enjoy one another's company.

Mama and Sander relaxing, listening to a good beat.

There was a lot of throwing Lucy into the air and airplane fun.

Lucy didn't stop moving all day and we were there for 7 hours!

Yesterday Lucy, Sander and I met Melissa and Jack at Sandbar State Park beach in Milton. It was very relaxing. I am enjoying taking Sander to all of these scenic places lately where he can just take it all in and be in the fresh air. Sander ended up with sand on his face and around his diaper area just as any beach goer should. At one point he grabbed a handful of sand and I caught his sticky hand just before it went to his mouth. It is kind of hard to clean sand off a bitty sticky hand but I did the best I could. Melissa, as a redhead, confirmed our suspicions that Sander does indeed have lovely strawberry blond hair. If you look back through the photos in this post it really shows in some quite well. As I type this post Sander is snuggled up on me nursing and I cannot get enough of his chubby little legs curled up in my lap.

Sander at Sand Bar Beach State Park. 

Melissa and Jack.

He awakens.

Working those arm muscles.

Content little Sander.

Happy mama (staying home with the kids does have its perks)

Lucy taking advantage of me not being able to go out very far with Sander in the Ergo.

Little swimmer.

Lucy asked me to take a photo of her for Dada and this is it.

Watching the lake.

Beach bum.