Comando Crawl

This is Beckett's strategy for crawling:

Pull with bent right arm.

Reach with outstretched left arm.

Push continuously with feet.

Mission accomplished.

New York Weekend

Ryan had a work trip in New York and we decided it would be fun to tag along. I've been to New York a few times before, but never in the summer and never with a baby. It was an entirely new experience and I had a great time.

We rode the train from DC to NYC, a first for both Beckett and I. We had a lot of space to spread out and enjoy the ride although the scenery was not as picturesque as I imagined it might be. Beckett had a lot of fun smiling at all the people sitting around us. He is a very social little boy.

Ryan had to work for most of the first day so Beck and I went out on our own. We strolled all around the town and through Central Park. I was impressed with all of the fun activities there were on a Saturday afternoon in the park. We stopped to listen to a swing band play, watched people canoe on the little lake and played games on the lawn while people around us picnicked and flew kites. The weather was beautiful and I enjoyed every second of our time there. I can totally understand why people love New York so much now.

The next day Ryan was available to play so we decided to go out to Ellis Island. Neither of us had ever been there before so we hopped in a cab (after walking about 20 blocks) and made our way out to the port. The sun was shining as we boarded a boat full of tourists wearing foam Statue of Liberty crowns. It was perfect! We had great views of the city from the water. It's crazy to see of of those buildings smashed onto such a tiny island! It really give you a different perspective of the city.

The Statue of Liberty was really quite impressive. We walked all the way around her and took pictures from every angle.
I'd never seen a picture of the back of the Statue of Liberty....

Ain't she beautiful!

Three Babies

Sweetwater

I've been looking forward to this trip for months! Sweetwater, Bear Lake!!!! We used to go there with my cousins every year over Labor Day weekend. We'd swim till we were water logged and then run wild on the lawn chasing after water balloons. Every evening we'd get together and eat something delicious and beg to sleep over at each other's condos. It was the BEST! We hadn't been back to Bear Lake in 15 years and I'm happy to say that the place was mostly the same....although they call it Ideal Beach now. We're all a lot more grown up that we used to be. The last time I went to Bear lake was 15 years ago...I was in middle school and I remember hunting for boys with my cousin J. Now both J and I have kids and our experience was totally different but somehow just as fun. It was cool to see our kids playing the same games that we used to play.

I was surprised at how much Bex enjoyed the water. The lake is a bit chilly, but he didn't seem to mind. He loved slapping his little hands at every wave that lapped up on his feet.

Auntie M and cousin Bren even took Bex for a "ride" on the wave runner. That thing was WAY fun. I couldn't stop myself from screaming with glee as we zipped across the water.

Cool boys with their shades. I don't know how to make it strait on this thing....help??

Here are Dan and Meg looking hot at the pool. It was so fun to play with the whole family!

Playing at the beach. I've found that it is much easier to carry a 20+ lb baby on your shoulders!

Here we are with baby L, one of Bex's little cousins.

Johnny Saucer

These are a couple of Beckett's favorite toy..... We actually got them from a random stranger we met at Target. (I'm still getting used to the impromptu conversations we seem to attract...especially when traveling with a baby AND a dog). I was looking at jumpable toys and asked the mom next to me what her recommendations were. She suggested the "Exersaucer" and the "Johnny Jumper". After chatting for a bit she mentioned that she had a couple of extras that her kids had grown out of and asked if I wanted them. Score! This is the Exer-saucer. He really gets a kick out of the butterfly for some reason. I love this toy because it contains & entertains him so that I can get a few minutes to do chores around the house.
I have a vague memory of the neighbor girl jumping in one of these contraptions when I was a kid. I remember thinking that it looked really fun and I wished that I was small enough to use it. It's basically a baby seat attached to a bungee cord that hooks to a door frame. Simple and yet so awesome. It's his FAVORITE hobby!

This is Bex very first time in the jumper. He's a natural.....

Funny Daddy

Stink Face

 

Beckett discovered a new expression this month.  We call it his "stink face".  He does it when he gets frustrated which is usually associated with him getting tired.  He doesn't actually cry or anything.  He just huffs and puffs and makes this face.  We laugh so hard each time he does it that he's now starting to pull the face just to get a reaction out of us.  It works every time!