Sister Love

Lucy loves to play with Sander on his activity mat and "help" him hold and grab into things.

Lucy is reading the Fuzzy Duckling to Sander.

She doesn't know how to read yet but tells the story as she remembers it...adorable.

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.

Little Man is Three Months Old

Our little cutie.

Sander now weighs 10lbs 14.5 oz and continues to be a tiny, cute, and alert little baby with a heart-melting smile. He's only in the 6th percentile for his age, yep, we make small babies.

Sander has been enjoying bedtime reading with dad and Lucy.

Sander's first outdoor concert: VT Philharmonic pops.

Enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.

Sander has been petting Oliver when he snuggles up to us. 

Hands in the mouth all the time these days!

Lovely Lina and Sander. 

Siblings.

Sweetness.

12 weeks old already!

Not the most animated shot but Sander truly enjoyed this hike. Toward the end he got sleepy and hungry.

It's hard to believe but little Sander is almost three months old!

Today we all went on a hike up to Sterling Pond in Smuggler's Notch. It was a gorgeous day.

Sander's eyes were wide open the entire one hour hike up the trail. I think he was mesmerized by all the sunshine peaking in through the trees.

Snuggled up as usual. Do you see how red is hair is getting? It is strawberry blond when in the sun.

Dada and Sander having a great time.

Our beautiful view.

Lucy always end up with less clothes on than everyone else when we are around water.

Sister Time

I have been giving Lucy some "alone" (monitored) time with Sander recently and she's really been enjoying it. I set him down wherever she is playing and he watches intently while she tells him what she is working on. It is quite beautiful really. He really responds to her. This photo was taken last night while I was cooking dinner right inside the doorway where I shot it from. 

Certainly not alone time due to the bath but a first bath together and it went great!

The flash startled Sander (many things do) but I just love this shot of Lucy. Such a sweet sister. She had just finished brushing his hair.

Pure love.

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.