Watermelon

We're a little behind in blogging. It's hard to find time to download the pictures from the camera and then upload them and then think of something witty to say. I've pretty much given up on the witty, but then you probably already realized that.

BLT was sick this weekend, so we missed the going to the jazz festival on Saturday with friends. He's still not 100% and I don't think the adults are either. But even when he's not feeling well, he still loves his watermelon!

Boating Safety 101

Maybe not the height of fashion, but oh so essential for paddle boating.

Downtown Boy

We went downtown today to visit the San Jose Jazz Festival. Except, I got the date wrong, it's next weekend. Whoops. We went to the Zero One digital arts festival, or something like that, instead by visiting the art museum. It had some interesting digital installation pieces. To be honest, it gave me a headache after about an hour. I think I prefer more traditional art. Then we headed over to the downtown fountain. We planned ahead this time and brought BLT's bathing suit and water shoes. Last time we happened upon the fountain and BLT was sliding everywhere running around in bare feet. It was a nice afternoon in the city.

Zoo, part two

BLT even enjoyed feeding the birds! He only had a few moments of panic.

Zoo, part 1

Saturday was a beautiful day to be at the SF Zoo! BLT loved it.

BLT The Singing Wonder

Here are a few video clips put together. It's hard to get a full song on tape because we always get the video camera out after the good songs are done! Plus, we just like the clip with the hat.

We're here!

Last weekend we had so much fun. We spent the whole day Saturday at the beach, but we didn't take the camera. Then on Sunday we spent the day at our friends' place enjoying the pool and good food and didn't take any pictures. So there were no pictures to post ...

So finally here's some from tonight! That is watermelon on BLT's chin, BTW. I'm really trying to get some video because he is just a singing machine right now. His favorite songs to sing are Baa Baa Black Sheep, the alphabet, and Ring Around the Rosy. He has a few other ones, too. Soooo cute. They are definitely recognizable, not necessarily understandable.

What?

I don't know how BLT Sr. captured this shot because we almost never watch TV. No really. But BLT Sr. loves the shot, so I am sharing it. I have no idea what we were watching! Maybe it's from the World Cup? BLT does like to watch "soccer ball, ooo, ooo, ball."

Progression of a Hug

BLT gave a nice hug to a friend visiting from Seattle. Too bad she will be moving to England soon.

Faces

We've been on a blog hiatus. Too busy & too tired. Here's some cute pictures from this afternoon! BLT is doing great. He's trying to jump and is getting a little crazy. He got 1" of air today.

Wheeeeee!

Grandma got BLT to do four complete pedal cycles in a row!

Cousins

We had a great weekend with visitors from down South. BLT's Auntie, Uncle, Grandma and Cousin came for a visit. BLT ignored Mommy & Daddy most of the time. We went swimming, we did bubbles, we played in the sand, we went to the zoo/park/thing, we went to Dim Sum, we went to Starbucks, we went to the Farmer's Market, the boys did potty sitting ... we had fun! The two boys did get a bit (just a bit) rambunctious.

Now we are lonely here.

BLT Sr & I did celebrate our 3rd anniversary yesterday with a glass of champagne at our wedding spot, while BLT enjoyed the cheese balls.

Potty Time

BLT got a potty on Saturday. It's a big hit. He has successfully used it 5 times already!! Sunday, Monday, twice yesterday and once this morning! He loves to sit on it and look at books. He doesn't want to get off. He has memorized "Potty Book" and reads it himself. He even notices if he skips a page.

America's Got Talent

David Hasselhof would send this kid through!

Runners

After a month hiatus, we are ready to get back in our running routine. BLT Sr gave me some new gear for my birthday yesterday and BLT was happy to help me with the visor. We did our short loop tonight. It was so hot - upper 90s today - and it was still hot even at 7:30, but we made it.

Weekend in Pictures

Library Visit


Swims like a fish! At a Pre-Dad's Day BBQ



Daddy's famous corn-on-the-cob


We had a really nice weekend. The only downside was that we saw An Inconvenient Truth on our date night Friday and I was so upset by it that I was physically sick until late Saturday. I recommend watching it. I hope it is not to late to reverse the damage we have done. We are inspired to make more changes in our lifestyle from the film.

So Friday was babysitting night and BLT did not shed one tear when we dropped him off. I told him it was a slumber party and he seemed pretty happy about it.

Saturday we met up with Miss M & family at the library. There were having a summer reading kick-off which included a person dressed like a lion. BLT was absolutely terrified of the lion, so we headed over to the safety of the playground. We couldn't stay that long because I was feeling really bad.

That afternoon we went to a Dad's Day BBQ at our friends. We told BLT we were going to a party and he didn't want to go after the "party" the night before, so we assured him that we were going too. BLT LOVED the swimming pool. He is a fish. He kicked, he tried to blow bubbles ... he had a blast! In the second picture in the pool, he is attempting to put his face in and blow bubbles. He usually kept his mouth open, though! Oh, he had a blast - see that big smile on his face!!

For Dad's Day today, BLT and I let BLT Sr. sleep in while we wrapped up his presents and made breakfast. When Daddy came down, BLT took him right to the presents. BLT Sr. thought I might have taught him to do that, but I didn't - he just wanted those presents open! We then went to the Farmer's Market and to Trader Joes before nap and got lots of goodies. We tried to go swimming this afternoon, but the city pool summer hours don't start until tomorrow (!?), so we were out of luck and just hung out in the park instead. We finished out the weekend with a nice BBQ of leg of lamb, corn on the cob, and sweet potato.

Cheese!

BLT gives us his best "cheese"

Mommy & Puppet Bear join in for a group "cheese"

Fishy lips before bed


In teeth news ...

BLT has at least 2 partial 2-year molars now! I see his right bottom one is partially in and so is the left top. I don't see anything on the right top, and I still haven't gotten a look in at the left bottom. I'm glad the teeth do not seem to be bothering him that much this time around.

For those with an interest in toddler food...

I finally got around to making eggplant cutlets for BLT last night. He loves the TJ ones, but they are very fatty, so I wanted to make my own version. I dipped eggplant slices in beaten egg and then in Italian seasoned bread crumbs and baked at 400F, 20min on each side. I then froze them. Tonight, I thawed out two slices and then sauteed them in some olive oil. Dipped in pizza sauce, they were very tasty!

BLT is still enjoying carrot or zuchinni muffins every day. Here's the recipe I use, basically the Joy of Cooking recipe halved:

Grate 3 med carrots. Beat 1 egg and 3/8c sugar in a bowl. Add in the carrot and set aside for 10min.
Meanwhile, mix 3/4c flour, 1/2t baking powder, 1/2t baking soda, 1/2t cinnamon, 1/4tsalt, 1/4t nutmeg in another bowl.
Preheat oven to 400C and spray some oil on 12 cups in a mini-muffin pan.
Melt 2-1/2T butter and chop 1/4c walnuts and 1/4 raisins.
Mix the butter, walnuts and raisin with the carrot/egg/sugar mixture and then mix in the flour mixture.
Distribute amoung the 12 mini-muffin cups. Overflowing is fine.
Bake for 15 min.

I used whole wheat flour in the last batch and it was good. The time befofe last, I forgot to add the butter (left it melted in the microwave) and it was still fine.

Pirate Booty Drama

If you look closely, you can see a hint of tears there. BLT has discovered the way to make Mommy crazy - empty snack bowl onto floor, wait for Mommy to pick up snack, repeat. Ahhh!!! The pirate booty was dropped dangerously near some dead ant remnants from our post-vacation ant invasion, so Mommy was very mean and made BLT throw away the pirates booty off the floor. Hence the tears.

I'm also trying to figure out the camera. Not there yet.

Happy birthday, Auntie M!

More Indiana Pictures

Sitting in Great Grandma's chair from when she was a little girl
Important milestone: Baby's First Tree's Rootbeer

Enjoying the whole Tree's Drive-In Experience including BLT's first hamburger (a bit hit with either red or yellow sauce and "red," a.k.a. tomato)

Why BLT still needs the bed rail