Spring Break 2017: Central California Coast

Twenty years from now, when we look back on Spring Break of 2017, I hope we'll remember collecting seashells in Santa Barbara, dipping Charlie's toes in the ocean for the first time, spying a favorite Office actor at Sunday brunch, driving through rolling hills next to vineyards and ocean, seeing whales off the coast of Carmel, spotting stingrays and sea anemone at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, chasing waves in the ice cold ocean in Half Moon Bay, roasting marshmallows next to the Pacific, exploring playgrounds in San Francisco, looking for treasures in Chinatown, climbing insanely steep hills in San Fran and doing all the touristy stuff: driving down Lombard Street, touring Alcatraz, riding trolley cars, and eating ice cream while taking in views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

But in the moment, our week-long road trip was exhausting, from the first night trying to settle down three excited boys in a single hotel room, to the hour-long wait on the LAX tarmac, to dragging three tired boys on an ill-fated 3-mile walk through San Francisco, to the whining and temper tantrums across the state of California. Was it worth it? Ask us in 20 years.

Road tripping in our rental. 

Looking for seashells in Santa Barbara

Seashell finds

In awe at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Near Monterey

Charlie was glued to Kent most of the vacation.

Exploring the coast near Carmel

G in Carmel

We could see whale spouts off in the distance.

Lighthouse south of San Francisco

Playing in the freezing ocean and loving it.

Half Moon Bay

Probably the highlight of the trip for Miles was roasting marshmallows by the ocean. 

Sign at Alcatraz

Alcatraz watch tower

Miles imprisoned at Alcatraz

Miles, Grant and a bridge

Trolley car ride 

 

Until next time, San Francisco...or until we recover from this time. 

Charlie at 16 Months

The past month has been an explosion of words for our little Charlie. It's so fun to hear his voice and his always strong opinions, especially when it comes to food and books. And he astounds us with how much he seems to understand.

In the past month, Charlie:

• Has so many new words, including "water," "waffle," "apple," "book," "thank you," and "mine." He also says a bunch of animal sounds, including an owl, cow and dog. And when we all leave the house in the morning for work and school, he says what sounds like "Bye-bye everybody!"
• Has developed a cheesy grin that he likes to flash at strangers. He likes attention.
• Has been cutting a bunch of molars but still remains a happy baby.
• Loves to help around the house, sweeping with his toddler-size broom while we clean up the kitchen.
• Eats whole apples (we take off the skin), just like his brother Grant. 
• Likes to dress up -- whether it's a funny hat or necklace he finds in the playroom.
• Loves basketball. Grant has been playing on a team on Saturday mornings, and Charlie is enthralled. At home he loves to "shoot" balls at the basket in Grant's room, which involves us lifting him up to the net and yelling "score!"
• Is transitioning from two naps to just one long afternoon nap. It seemed like this happened too fast!
• Moves so fast that it's nearly impossible to get a picture of him these days. 

Previous monthly photos

Miles' monthly photos

Charlie at 15 Months

Charlie's little personality continues to come out more every month. He's independent and fiercely opinionated, loving and silly.

New this past month, Charlie:

• Has become a more confident walker, though he still teeters around like a drunk sailor.
• Naps less consistently. He often chatters in his room instead of sleeping. I think he's already getting closer to dropping his morning nap.
• Says "Miles" and "hi." Also "bye-bye" and "night-night."
• Fell out of his crib! I heard him screaming one morning and found him sitting on the floor next to his crib. Apparently he was trying to climb out.
• Speaking of climbing, he learned that he can climb into baskets and thinks this is hilarious.
• Loves to sit and watch Ted, sometimes bringing him his favorite stuffed animal. (Yes, our cat has a stuffed animal.)
• Eats with a spoon and fork out of a bowl. 
• Blows on his food when it's hot.
• Loves to throw balls to us and especially loves making baskets in the hoop in Grant's room.

Previous monthly photos
Miles' monthly photos

Christmas 2016

It was such a fun and fast Christmas season. While we had a break from a lot of the chaos of daily life, we still packed a lot into the month of December. We adopted a family this year, which gave the boys a chance to play Santa and put their own wants into perspective. 

We picked out a tree at a farm north of Des Moines, the perfect fat and soft tree. I loved it so much it was hard to take down after Christmas. 

Grant was still a Santa believer, for another season at least. We're holding onto the magic as long as we can. On Christmas Eve, they set out milk and cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. Grant wrote a letter to Santa, too. 

Christmas morning was fun and sweet. Charlie loved helping open presents.

The boys in their matching Christmas jammies, because there's a narrow window that they'll let me dress them like this...

 

Charlie at 13 and 14 months

Since turning 1, Charlie has turned into a little firecracker, full of energy and sass. 

New in the last couple of months:

• He's walking! He officially became a toddler in early December. 
• He shakes his head no and nods his head yes.
• He says "bye-bye" and what sounds like "Grant."
• He makes animal sounds including "moo" and "grrr."
• He still loves reading and has strong opinions on books. He shakes his head fiercely and whines if he disagrees with the selection.
• He dances when he hears music.
• He loves green beans, apples...and cookies. He's developing a sweet tooth, no thanks to Christmas cookies in constant rotation.
• He sleeps solidly at night (12 hours straight) and pretty well during the day (1 and 2 hour naps are the norm).

Previous monthly photos

Miles' monthly baby photos

All I Want for Christmas...

Grant lost his top two teeth between November and December, and we're loving his jack o'lantern smile and cute lisp...

Fall 2016

It seemed like the moment school started this fall, life became exponentially busier. Homework, soccer, swim lessons, Cub Scouts, three trips to Chicago, a camping trip, a half-marathon and work kept us constantly on the move. Here are a few pictures left on my camera and phone...

Darth Vader and Kylo Ren made appearances at Halloween.

Miles' class went to a pumpkin patch for their fall field trip.

Grant and I also visited the pumpkin patch on a rare day off for him. 

The boys found any chance they could to play in leaf piles.

Charlie wore a giant bow tie for Uncle Alex and Aunt Stephanie's wedding.

Miles and Grant performed their duties as ring bearers.

The first documented photo of everyone looking at the camera -- at the same time!

More leaf piles.

Boys in cute hats.

Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Chicago.

At the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.