The Little Gymnast That Could

From the trampoline to the big leagues - our little guy seems like a natural when it comes to tumbling (well, as natural as a two-year-old can be...we're not calling the Olympic recruiters just yet). For a few months now, Micah has been attending gymnastics with Daddy and I had the pleasure of watching (and documenting) last weekend. I was so amazed at how much he's already learned - and how fearless he is when it comes to tackling the challenges. Here are a few highlights...lots of video but they capture his bouncy spirit much more than I am able to in words. Enjoy!

Trampoline Time!

There is really nothing Micah loves more than to jump. On the bed, on the ground, off of rocks, in the yard. It is pretty much his main form of locomotion. So, when it came time to celebrate the Big Birthday Two, our choice of gift seemed obvious. Clearly a big hit - not only with Micah but also with the canine member of the household, much to our surprise. Note Micah's new fantastic tractor shirt from Auntie Robyn!

When life hands you peanuts...

Peanut butter cookies in a pile of leaves? Absolutely!

And here is how we got there:

This Sweet Genius Knows How to Wield a Spatula

But He Really Prefers Licking the Beaters

Flour Casualty

Enjoying the Fruits of Our Labor...Yum!

Happy 3rd Birthday Copley 'Noodle Doodle' Wartman!

We love you and all the sweet doggy joy you bring to our world!

Mini Maestro

Who needs an audience when you can clap for yourself? Clearly, Copley is not pulling her weight here.  Perhaps she is simply not impressed with his lack of formal attire. Topcoat and tails at the very least...

How to Eat with Your Eyes Closed: Lessons in Sleeping Through Life

So, this is what happens when you wake up at 4:45 am and have a very busy morning at the park and then the lake. Classic.

Down on the Farm

Last weekend, we visited Springfest at the beautiful Wolfe's Neck Farm down near Freeport. It was a gorgeous, sunny summer day and the event was perfectly designed for an animal-loving, tractor obsessed toddler. We took a hayride around the adjoining campground (Micah was sincerely disappointed when we told him that someone other than himself would be driving the tractor that was pulling us). We listened to silly kid tunes under the tent and drank delicious berry and kale smoothies. We petted every farm animal imaginable and even fed a few. And we finished off the adventure with wood-fired pizzas and a peaceful, air-conditioned ride back up to Hallowell.

Peter Rabbit is in frequent rotation right now so Micah was very excited to visit Mr. McGregor's garden.

These sheep were well-fed after Micah's visit. 

The chickens were definitely the highlight.
I have scarcely seen Micah so excited: "Chicken up there!! Chicken over there!!! Chicken way up high!!"

Yeah, yeah, Mom...just give me the keys already.

Beat the heat!

Who says you can't enjoy a humid 90 degree day or two? Oh, the joys of summer!

The Wheels on the Bus...

While we patiently wait for spring to arrive (there is a distinct possibility it might actually be here!), we have decided to unleash Micah's inner artist. He still eats crayons (I'm pretty certain he knows he's not supposed to munch them because he looks directly at us with that furbo twinkle as he goes to take a bite) but we've had great success with markers, watercolors and paint. Here is our mini-Matisse adding his personal touch to his school bus.

A leetle here...

And a leetle there

Oui! C'est Magnifique!

Love for Boston - One From the Archives

Our boy is wicked smart...just ask his shirt.

This is the life...

How could you not love spending your days with these two?

Photo Rewind: Micah's First Haircut

We have oodles of backlogged pictures - many of which are just too cute to not share. I have been seriously delinquent in the posting department so hopefully we'll get back on track with these gems.

A couple months ago, we took Micah to get his first official haircut. Micah was a champ but Jeanine was the true star - patient, sweet and very good at providing entertainment with a variety of hair accessories. She also respected our wishes to keep his hair slightly longer - we just weren't ready to say goodbye to those baby curls. Micah only got squirmy towards the end and Jeanine was able to finish the 'do by trimming practically upside down while I held Micah in my arms. Impressive! Enjoy the fashion photo shoot!

I like this big mirror! I look goooood!

Here, let me just help you clip that hair up.

The combing was nice but what's with those scissors?

Hmmm...What is happening?

I look hideous!

Micah, can you show me a happy face?

Every single time....

Sometimes I just don't know where he gets these ideas

The Play Dough Chronicles

Hurrah! Micah can now enjoy his play dough without trying to eat it (he quickly discovered that it does NOT taste good). Thanks to Pop and Gigi, Micah now has his very own table for arts & crafts, sensory play and snack time. Our plan is to eventually move it into the kitchen so he can have his own little corner but for now he is enjoying it immensely right where it is. The first time he saw it, he immediately said "Micah sit!"  

Micah's current favorite play dough request is "Teeny Tiny?", which translates into Mom rolling little tiny play dough balls that he then 'smooshes' with his fingers. For some toddler reason, this brings on the giggles. Fortunately, it's an easy request to fulfill! Here he is with some 'teeny-tinies'...

Yogurt Scalp Treatments & Facials...

I hear they are all the rage. Strawberry-banana is my personal preference.

First one is on the house!

Sensory Play: Cloud Dough Fun (aka Sand in Your Shorts)

Micah seems to be at the age where sensory play is just starting to be attractive. Well, it might have been attractive before but since he is making some improvement in the not-putting-everything-directly-in-my-mouth department, we can engage in sensory play a little more safely! I have also learned that it is wise to pull out the play dough, bucket of beans, shaving cream or cornmeal only if I'm willing to spend at least twice as long cleaning up as we spent playing - which I am genuinely okay with most days!

Cloud Dough: Flour & Cooking Oil but feels like wet sand

I may have had a little taste...

Me too

A Valentine Serenade

Micah man loooooves reading and one of his favorites is a book adaptation of Raffi's "Down By the Bay" probably because it involves some pretty sweet singing. I still remember learning the tune in elementary school but Jed gets the liberty of making up a new melody every time he sings it. I love listening in! When you ask Micah to sing a song, he generally sings something along the lines of "Dow by bee" and then it dissolves into some sort of baby babble. BUT, the other day in the car he was managing the whole first line with incredible precision. As soon as we were safely parked at the YMCA, I whipped out my phone to try and capture it on film. Hear it for yourself!



I truly think that language acquisition is one of the most fascinating developments to watch. Micah's vocabulary grows every day and he is now starting to group words. Not really making full sentences but he knows which words go together. For example:

Dadda Work Bicycle

and

Copley Vacuum Chew No

Other favorite words in use these days:
Shovel
Baby
Bulldodo (Bulldozer)
Boots
Orange

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! Hope you have a day full of love and laughter!

When life gives you snow...make snow angels!

While we fared better than many in the great storm of 2013, ferociously called 'Nemo', we did get a pretty good dump of the white stuff. While the blizzard was a bit unpleasant in terms of wind and cold, the day after was absolutely gorgeous and we made it outside to enjoy some winter fun. One of the other highlights was our journey into the great outdoors on Saturday morning, braving the elements to enjoy the Augusta House of Pancakes. Little did we know, having never been there, that the AHOP is clearly a local joint. So, there was one family (us) and the entire rest of the restaurant was filled with grizzled Mainers just coming in off plowing for most the night and early morning hours. It. Was. Fabulous. Micah was the star of the show and had those burly, bearded truck drivers performing magic tricks and exclaiming, "Isn't he cunnin'?" as he buzzed around from table to table introducing himself. It was a pretty amazing scene.

Do you have any of these in my size?

I'll be honest, guys...I'm not 100% sure about this adventure

Whoa! Here we go!

 

See ya later Mom!

This snow is taller than me!

But it tastes delicious!

Um....a little help here?

Baby Club Reunited!

Hurrah for baby reunions! Two weekends ago we were able to get the whole Shock & Awe pre-birth class together again. It was so fun to watch all of our little ones play and interact together. Much different than those first few weeks where they would quietly sleep in their car seats while we sipped a much-needed coffee. There was plenty of 'note-trading' as our sweet little babes grow into independent, opinionated toddlers and we all navigate the new territory of sharing, manners and general awareness of others (it's going to be a while before we get there, folks). Long live those friends from the womb!   

Stirling, Letta, Nella, Micah & Annabelle (Ethan came late but missed the photo op)

Ethan, Stirling, Micah, Letta, Nella & Annabelle

Annabelle, Ethan, Stirling & Micah (Twinsies not pictured)