Florida

I must post these pictures before Christmas strikes. We had a great time down south even when we had to work! And that's not that hard when it's a balmy 74 degrees. Sigh.
Here are some highlights.

OoooOO! Finally Ezra and Hannah meet!

Our last day in Naples was warm enough to be a beach day. Pure delight.

Ezra just loved being without clothes. (still does)

Makes me misty eyed.

Here he is sporting his toughest of looks.

Playing with Rachie! We are so glad you are now in FL, Rachel :)

Yahoo! The Thatcher family. We went to Solomon's Christmas program in Everglade City. Way to go, Sy.

Fishing in the Thatcher's back yard for snook and tarpon.

Josh 2. Natalie 0.

Disneyworld! Here we are with more Rude's. It was great to see them.The boy and I staying warm on a chilly day at DW.

Josh says that when Ezra asks to go to Disneyworld, Josh will tell him he's already been there. (Four months old doesn't count!!)

Here are 4 generations. My Uncle Bill and Pa, Ezra's great grandpa. It was wonderful to spend time in Ocala with everyone. Carmen and Jose celebrated their birthdays with a fun party.

Ezra with Great Grandpa

And Ezra and Bill sporting the same fashionable hair styles.

The Almost Crawl

This weekend my mom and dad were over to celebrate Christmas. Ezra had lots to show them! The crawl is knocking on our door. (!)
Lots of rocking back and forth. Man oh man, is he ever excited and determined! Take a look at this movie...it's only 2 minutes long, but I was having trouble editing the audio and the song runs for another 7 minutes after the film is finished. Not to worry when you see the 9:00 price tag. It looks like my new and glamorous editing skills were a bit too much for quicktime to handle, so forgive the opening ( and over all quality!). I'm new at this:) and will gladly accept any tips.

With all of that, enjoy the show.

4 Months

Well this one is a bit late as we were just leaving around the 4th for two weeks in Florida. Then I couldn't find my camera... You wouldn't believe all the new things he is doing!! Josh and I can barely believe it. He sits, he rolls, he gets up onto his hands and knees and rocks back and forth. It's the "almost crawl." He scoots backwards, though. He is moving across the floor now when we put him down. At only 4 months old this is just plain nuts. We've got photos of Florida, too, coming soon...

So the 4 month photo shoot was an entirely new ball of wax. Instead of just sitting there like a nice pacifist, this time he scooted and thrashed. He did not want to lean back into the chair, but insisted on sitting up (or sitting very forward). A difficult position for the photographer to work with. Not only that but he insisted on eating the 4 month card. Lots of gumming and drool.
Here's proof.

Growing

Up late and as always, whenever the clocks strikes oh, about 9:30 pm, I find myself in the constant company of a particular thought: "I should be in bed." This thought parks and stays for a few hours. And I want to write about Ezra so awake I'll stay. This week he grew up. He is strong. He is vocal. He is leaving the infant stage in physical ways and it almost makes me want to post an obituary to his baby-ness. He will be 4 months on the 4th. I know, I know that is still a baby. But things are changing so fast! I suppose all parents navigate this space; the space of mourning and rejoicing at the same exact time. Parenting is vast and complex, but commands an introspective respect. I find myself wondering so much these days. As in wonder-ing. Being full of wonder. And so I close this night with a toast. To wonder, To Ezra Monroe!

3 Months

The trusty saying, "time is flying" cannot be more true. Has it been a month since we even posted? Tisk, tisk. Ezra is weighing in at 15# 4oz and measuring 25 1/4" at 3 months. That's a whole 6 inches since birth! His personality continues to emerge. He's a lover and a fighter, and for now, a mama's boy (to my delight). Here are many new photos. Enjoy.

Three months!

Smiling at play. New parent affirmation.

Little fingers have found the mouth.

Tummy time. Rolling over every so often on Imma's quilt.

Our happy bear. Thanks to the Issacs and fam.
Ezra would like to give a shout out to all at NP.
Up at AC with Mike, Nicole and camping buddy Aulis. Nicole and I had due dates one month apart. Thanks to Aulis coming early and Ezra late, they are two months apart!
He loves to sit up. Laying down is for babies, he says.
Rocking the johnny jump up at 2 months!
Tough dude. Tough Rude Dude. Watch out.

TWO Months Old

October 4th and he's already 2 months old. Yikes. It is true what they say. Another chin each month. And sweeter by the minute.

Rutabaga Renegade

Hmmm...

Sitting up. Holding my hands. Coming off of a big smile. Can you grow up anymore than that?

Honestly.

A fall hike in McGregor's own Savannah Portage State Park.

Bundle up that baby.

It's almost midnight. What the heck am I doing awake? I should be sleeping. However, in an unlikely turn of events, I felt a rebellious itch to stay up late. (I will be sorry tomorrow) An itch to stay up and chop root vegetables from our CSA garden. Oh, what new parenting can inspire! Oh, for the things that sound so thrilling these days! Well, when the boy finally goes down around 11 pm, I look back on the day and it's easy to see what I've done. It's all fairly standard Mama stuff. Diaper change, clothes change, rock to sleep, kiss sweet cheeks, kiss again, change diaper, rock, nurse, nurse, nurse. Love love love that boy! Yikes. Many of you know that this leaves little to no time for other activities. (See post entitled "Fuzzy Teeth" for example) And when I say "other activities" I mean any other activities.

But when he does go down there is a small window and usually it's filled with folding laundry and dishes, but once and a while Josh and I are smart and we brew ourselves delicious tea and read together in the lamp light of our little sitting room, now scattered with tidbits of baby paraphernalia. Tonight Josh read and I wanted nothing more than to chop up a giant rutabaga. So if I'm going to chop rutabaga I might as well chop potatoes and carrots and sweet potatoes and onions and roast them all to perfection. So two hours later here I sit. If I've already stayed up this late, I might as well post something on the blog since I haven't had the time lately.

Ezra is growing like a weed. Twelve pounds! Chubby cheeks! Smiles! He's finding his darling little hands and aiming for his mouth. He'll get there. Whoa, but watch out. He gets frustrated and will let you know about it. We love watching his personality reveal itself.

The guys laying around.

Our dear friend Mary over to visit before she moves to Seattle. Sad.

Late night dancing.

Passed out at the cabin with Grandpa Salminen. Teaching skills like no Grandpa can.

And so! 12:42 am. Sweet rutabaga dreams to you all....

Ezra meets Family

Ezra finally has been able to meet some of his family! His Uncle Noble and Uncle Ben came all the way from Portland, OR, to hang out with him. We had a super time together. He also got to meet his cousin, Josie, and her mom and dad, Uncle Tom and Aunt Kristen. Josie is 6 months older than Ezra. We love it that the cousins are so close in age...better for them to have a partner in crime to grow up with :) Ok, less talking, more pictures.

Noble and Ezra hanging out, literally
Ben and the very sleepy boy

Josie gives Ezra a big kiss!
Sweet baby
Out for a fall walk