Boston 2011

We took a trip to Boston this summer. It was so great to spend time with family. Here are a few highlights from the trip.

Derek had a blast playing with the new toys that Grammy bought for him as well as some old toys saved from when I was a baby. He spent LOTS of time outside.

 Having a snack with daddy.

 Derek absolutely LOVES the hose. His face says it all!

  Reading his favorite book with Grammy. (of course its about trucks!)

Patrick, Katie, Matt, Derek and I before playing mini golf and ice cream at Richardson's!

Aunt Katie and Uncle Patrick with Derek

 Derek giving Rocco a drink.

Celebrating Derek's 1st birthday!

Playing with our good friends Jackie and JT.

 Coloring with Grammy (now a favorite activity)!

Snuggling with Pops before bedtime

 Going on walks with Great Aunt Elsie

Eating yogurt with Great Aunt Flo Flo

12 & 13 month Highlights
These 2 months seem to run together because of all the traveling and moving that went on so here is a quick summary (hoping I don't forget anything)

Derek's 12 month well check stats were -  22 lbs 11 oz. 30 1/4" (The following month we had to go to urgent care because Derek split open his chin and he weighed 24lbs!) At 12 months Derek has 8 teeth! But got his 1 year old molars shortly after turning 1 and now has 12 teeth!! The molars were most definitely the most painful teething for D (those things are huge). Derek takes 4 (6 oz) bottles of whole milk per day. He still takes 2 naps a day (total of 3 hours). For a while I thought he was transitioning to 1 nap a day because he would stand in his crib and scream, but it turns out it was his 1 year old molars!
Derek is learning to eat with a spoon and fork. He picks up food and puts it in spoon!

Two weeks before turning 1 year old, Derek began walking everywhere!!

He LOVES to clap his hands and will join in when others clap too

He LOVES to play outside, especially in the sand and tan bark at park.
He such a good helper. He LOVES to help mom vacuum and put groceries away.
He LOVES his new Crocs! (Perfect for AZ and summer time in general)

 He LOVES climbing in and out of the Cozy Coupe and pushing it all over the house.

He LOVES trucks - playing with them and watching them at work. Wherever we are he seems to hear a truck and squeals with delight. Its adorable. Total boy!!

He LOVES his daddy!

Derek LOVES to watch me cook dinner. He wants to be in my arms while I cook (not always the most convenient, but it won't last forever so I most definitely hold him!)
He LOVES to smile at everyone who passes and most often gets them to smile back at him. (such a happy boy)

He LOVES to open and close his hands (thanks Auntie K for teaching him that). I know it will turn into a wave sooner or later!
He LOVES pointing at everything and saying "dat" - wanting us to tell him what it is he is looking at.
He LOVES to see airplanes in the sky and trucks driving by.
He LOVES to push around his cars and make noises.

Derek is such a sweet and happy boy! We LOVE him to pieces and are so grateful to be his parents.

July 4th Weekend
Here is a recap of some fun events that took place July 4th weekend. (Again, playing catch up so they are in summary format!!)

• Final small group with peanut butter cup ice cream cake made by Bethany! AMAZING dessert. We are going to miss our small group friends!

• Dinner with Auntie K and Victor (hugs & pics before bedtime for D)

• Asher's 2nd birthday party at Maddux Park (my new favorite park with fountains!!)

• Matt's fellow postdoc, Jen threw Matt and Eric (both going to ASU) a goodbye party in Santa Cruz. We had a fabulous afternoon with good friends and good food. We are sad to say goodbye. (Here are just a few of the friends since the others were taking a walk along the beach.)

Derek and Charlotte

• Matt and I had one final date night at the Stanford Theater and saw Yankee Doodle Dandy, complete with popcorn and famous Wurlitzer Organ.

• July 4th parade in Menlo Park.

Absence of Blogging

Well this has definitely been the longest that I have ever NOT blogged. Guess I have some pretty good reasons why, but I sure feel so behind. During this last month we have had some life changing events take place. I do plan to share more details in future posts, but with the few minutes I have, I thought I would briefly share some of what has been going on this past month.

• First, we bought a house (closing while we were in Boston).

•  Next, we flew to Boston to spend time with my family

•  Then we flew to Missouri to attend my cousin's wedding

• After flying back to CA, we said goodbye to our friends and moved to AZ (So grateful for movers who packed us up and moved us). 

•  Sadly, after 94 AMAZING years, Great Aunt Flo Flo passed away.

• Finally, we spent a week unpacking boxes and organizing our house

• Now we are just trying to avoid the HEAT!!!

We miss all our CA friends and neighbors dearly. Please keep in touch and feel free to visit us! :)

Derek Talking
On the way to Santa Cruz yesterday Derek started exploring his voice and funny noises he can make with his tongue. The first part of the video he was a little fussy, but after a couple seconds he is happy again! Enjoy.