Ten Months Old and Cruisin'

Is someone teething?

Sander got a his first shiner just in time for his ten-month-old photo.

Sander crawls so fast and with such determination these days. If he is interrupted he is not too pleased. The funny thing is I don't even know which fall or bonk caused his black eye. The little guy is fearless. I believe part of it is that he wants to keep up with Lucy.

Lucy enjoys reading to Sander.

Sander tries to get at the pages, he gets excited by all the animals.

She really enjoys being able to do things for Sander.

We went to visit Uncle Chris in Boston for a few days while Dada stayed behind to get some work done. It was a lot of fun. The car ride actually went really well and I had a relaxing trip down there with happy kids in the back seat, amazing.

Waiting for Uncle Chris to get home!

At the Rox Diner

Sander's first time on a swing. He loved it!
Lucy is in the background way up in the air.

Swinging is so much fun.

Lucy drew a portrait of Sander on the fridge at home.

We had a much needed family day together a few days later and we all went swimming. Sander had SO much fun. This baby is definitely not afraid of the water!

Family swim day.

He's kicking so much and bouncing and splashing.

Ski Days

Rosy-cheeked and relaxed.

It's hard to fit in ski days when one has an infant and a 3.5 year old! Lucy is almost able to ski with us at this point but little man, he needs to be watched by someone if mom and dad want to go out and play. In the meantime Matt and I trade off skiing while Sander hangs in the lodge at Stowe with one of us. It's working well for us and he enjoys riding the Over Easy gondola once in a while.

First time "skiing" and luckily mama stayed upright even on the ice!

One afternoon we went out for a classic ski so he could actually ride with us. Mama was honored to carry Sander for the first time while on skis. He enjoyed it! We went on a short ski up the Notch Rd but due to ice and an under the weather Lucy we turned around earlier than planned. It still felt great to get out though!

On the Over Easy gondola together.

Getting sleeping in the sunshine.

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.

Ten weeks old and a baseball game

Sweet sweet Sander.

Sander with a bit of sneaky.

There are so many more smiles these days!

Sander captivated by the flash and Lucy snuggling up for a photo.

Sander continues to become more interested in his surroundings. To celebrate turning 10 weeks old he went to his first baseball game. Grandma Lyn, Bob Bob, Mama, Dada, Lucy and Sander all went to a Lake Monsters game in Burlington. The weather was simply perfect and we all enjoyed relaxing together. The Lake Monsters won.

The best sister ever.

Lucy loves to take photos of Sander. She just loves having a little brother. The next two photos are ones she took this past week while he was in his swing. I think they are so sweet.

Happy Two Months Old!

The two month old hard at work growing and growing.

 At nine weeks Sander weighs 9lbs 15.5oz and is in the 11th percentile for his age.

He is 23" long and his head measures 15.5"

He's tiny!

Sander prefers to be wrapped up and close to mama, though it is hard in the heat and humidity this summer!

The proud big sister.

Weeks 7 and 8

Proud and happy mama enjoying snuggle time with the little guy.

Proud and happy dada enjoying snuggle time with the little guy.

A couple of days after Sander turned 6 weeks old Matt and I watched him roll from his back to his front, intentionally. Hmm...this is not the norm. We then proceeded to watch him squirm quite successfully to the edge of his activity mat with super strong legs, like a wiggle worm. We joked simultaneously, "He's already crawling!" It seems we have another very strong, healthy and active baby on our hands. He's been rolling from his back to his front a couple times a week and then enjoys falling asleep on his tummy. Coos and other adorable vocalizations have begun as well!

The above is a typical morning at our house. Lucy and I enjoy some time together cooking breakfast while Sander observes and enjoys our tunes. I am not sure why the quality of the video is not as good as usual.

A few days before Sander turned 7 weeks old

7 weeks old and feeling good.

Quite content.

Sander has become very adverse toward being in his car seat. The poor guy cries the moment we get in the car. Our trip (without dada) to CT this past week took 7 hours both ways rather than the usual easy 4. It was very difficult for mama, Lucy, and Sander. We made it through and just stopped about every 30 minutes. Lucy was so sweet in the back seat telling Sander "It's OK little man, it's OK." Bumps are upsetting to him and unfortunately there are a LOT of bumps on the highways, not to mention all the dirt roads with pot holes around where we live. We're hoping he grows out of this difficult issue soon. It is hard to see him get so sad and not be able to help him right away. It's just a good excuse right now to relax at home and be happy together in the lovely weather without venturing out as much in the car. Walks are so much better!

Playing patty-cake with Grandma Nono.

His first game and he loves it!

At Sandy Beach in CT sporting a sun hat which actually fits his wee head nicely.

We really enjoyed the art walk together in Waterbury today and Sander slept peacefully the entire time in the wrap receiving many compliments from people as we passed by. Who doesn't love seeing a tiny new baby all scrunched up and cozy? Guess what happened on our drive home though...not so peaceful. Luckily it is a very short drive.