Astoria and then some

Last Friday I shot an 'elopement' in Astoria, OR! The plan was for them to get married at the courthouse and then go to a few different locations and take photos. They were incredibly laid back and really made my job easy. I think I got some great shots...but I'm bias! The whole shoot lasted about 2 hours, but the drive was an hour and a half each way. Mason was kind enough to rearrange his schedule so he could stay home with Zane that day. It felt great to get back out and shoot and know that Zane and Papa were having a great time at home too.

The weather was perfect! It was threatening rain all morning and then it miraculously cleared up.

On Wednesdays I volunteer at the Red Cross blood donation center in the canteen. I'm the one who hands out juice and cookies after you donate and keep an eye on people in case they're dizzy. Today Mason came in to donate and I got to show off my boys to everyone! I started working there when I was pregnant so most people have been following Zane's progess very closely and love it when I bring him in. Little Z isn't quite old enough to donate but he certainly tried to grab the cookies, cups, baskets....pretty much everything in sight.

***Getting on my soapbox: If you are eligible to donate please do. Only 38% of Americans are eligible in the first place and out of that only 8% (!!!!!) actually donate. There is always a need and it only takes an hour of your time every 56 days. Plus you get free cookies. And I'm done, thanks for listening.***

I apologize for the lack of blog postings lately but we've not been very photogenic lately. Zane had a nasty rash under his chin due to the constant wetness. At his regular checkup the doctor told us it was contact dermatitis and would easily clear up if we put diaper cream on it. A few days later it looked like it was getting worse and he wasn't sleeping so we called the doc. It had morphed into a yeast infection so we began treating him for that. It didn't go away so we took him in again and he said it was now a yeast infection AND eczema. We started treating both and it cleared up in a matter of days but it takes constant care to make sure he's as dry as can be. He wears bibs all the time and we have myriad of lotions and emolients for him.

Aside from that Zane is fantastic! He's a very happy little man and is quick to laugh and smile. Virgil still captures his attention upon entering the room no matter what mood he's in. The rice cereal is a huge hit! He looks like a little birdie sitting in his Bumbo with his mouth wide open waiting for the spoon. If we don't deliver the goods in a timely fashion he will let us know! It won't be long until he is sitting on his own. He will balance on our laps for a few seconds now before slumping over, but he is constantly lifting his head when he's lying down on his back. He's sleeping in 4 hour incriments throughout the night. He has the ability to sleep 6-7 hours at a time, but wakes every 4 out of habit. Next week we plan on nipping this in the bud so everyone can have a more restful night.

My mom took this family photo of us at the park. I have a feeling we'll be logging many, many hours on that bench as we watch Zane race around from the slide, to the monkey bars, teeter totters, merry go round, water feature, and back again. Ha! Who am I kidding...we'll be running around right behind him! I'm tired just thinking about it.

Mmmm....rice cereal

Little man has reached all of the milestones needed to start the path towards solid foods. He's been holding his head up and watching us eat for some time now, but in the past few days it's been increasingly difficult for Mason and I to get anything into our mouths without little hands grabbing for it. So yesterday we gave him a bottle with some rice cereal in it to make sure it was going to agree with his tummy. He drank it down greedily, and even held the bottle by himself for a short time!

Today we decked him out in his full body Mickey bib (necessary!) and went for it. He LOVED it!! He was looking at the spoon with such anticipation that we kept cracking up and he would look at us like "Um hello, I'm waiting."

Love the focus.

A random happy video. I was attempting to capture him blowing spit bubbles but every time he does it in the video the ring is in front of his mouth...oh well.

Photos a la Erica

Here are more photos of the recent Lueder invasion. They're all taken by my sister-in-law, Erica, who has an uncanny ability to capture great moments and candid smiles (well, mostly candid...Adam). She also showed me how to make fun mosaics and you'll be seeing a lot more of them from me!

Ball pit mayhem.

Expert dog walker.
Adorable.

I love mosaics! These were taken at Camp 18, the restaurant on the way to the coast. There's actually a little trail down by the river...a grueling .3 miles.

6 Lueders + 3 Rippeys = 1 Full House!

This past week has been a whirlwind of fun, family time, and adventure! My parents flew in from Iowa on Friday to spend some QT with Zane...and us...but mostly Zane. For once the weather cooperated during their visit so we were able to get out and about. Though not in season yet, we went to the Rose Garden to take in a short walk and view of the city.

Zane could barely contain himself when Granmama ate his tootsies! You should have heard the squealing and screeching coming from the little man. I wish I would have taken a video!

Grandpa thought Virgil's white eye made him look off balance. A little eye liner later and we have a cosmetically altered poochy.

On Sunday night the rest of the Iowa family flew in to join the festivities! Zane was very excited to meet his cousins for the first time!There's a park within walking distance of our house so we all loaded up and strolled on over. Here's Granmama and Grandpa with all the kiddos.

The whole crew.

Granmama checks in with Zane while the big kids play.

Papa and Zaney.

One of Mason's coworkers gifted us a ball pit and OF COURSE we had to try it out! It was great entertainment for Nick and Kenzie...and grandpa!

On Tuesday we headed to the coast to show the Iowans the ocean. We were expecting a chilly, slightly rainy day. It was the hurricane-like winds that caught us off guard. After hurdling a small stream to make it to the beach we quickly discovered that the wind was too much for Zane so Mason and I made a hasty retreat. I did manage to get this shot of Nick braving the wind in front of Haystack Rock...what a trooper!

Z was much happier without the howling wind.

Nick did a GREAT job of reading his books to Zane! I don't know what we're going to do without him around.

A Day with Maggie

Mason and I had the pleasure of spending the day with our good buddy, Maggie. Maggie is 8 months old and is an absolute joy. She and Zane spent the day sharing their toys, having conversations in a language only they understand, playing in the jumparoo, dancing around (with our help of course), and our favorite-napping! They were both so well behaved and happy today it was fantastic, and Mason and I were thoroughly entertained by their baby antics all day long.

Maggie holds a meeting with Tux the Penguin and Francis the Pig (Brad and Annie-we won't be offended if a better name for the pig comes along!).

Mason and the tots.

This little girl is ridiculously adorable.

Look who grabs his feet now!

Fish eye lenses are fun! Look out, Maggie's going to pinch you!

Zane's codfish impression seems appropriate through a fisheye...

Best sound on Earth

Little Swimmer

Today Zane experienced the pool for the first time and he loved it!! At first he was a little unsure of the overall size...much bigger than the bathtub...but soon realized how fun it is. The pool is heated to a balmy 86 degrees and is VERY kid friendly. We shared the water with 3-4 other tots all learning to kick and put their face in the water. There is a class especially for babies that we'll most likely enroll Zane in in the next few months. It focuses on general water safety and getting the kiddos used to the water. If today is any indication though he'll have no trouble getting in and going under!

There were a bunch of toys available for use and Zane took a liking to this ball. Every time he would get close he would try to touch it with his tongue but it kept floating away. So cute!

Me and Mr. Smiley hanging out in the living room.

He really likes the blanket that Granmama (my mom, Shirley) made for him!

We had a check up this morning and the doctor is very pleased with Zane's overall development and was even a little shocked that he can roll over already. He weighed in at 18 lbs. and is 27 inches long. We got to look at a graph of his growth from birth until now and it seems to be plateauing...but we'll see.

Jumparoo

Zane explores everything with his mouth. His toys, our shoulders and arms, his chubby little hands...he actually gave himself a hickey the other day!

I'm pretty sure the smile in this one is because as I was taking the shot he blew out his diaper. Poo situation = resolved.

Here's an example of how Virgil captures his attention. Why bold? Not sure. Ugh.

On Friday (at least I think it was Friday, my days all blend together) it was rainy and we needed to get out of the house so we called up our good buddies Graham and Langston to see what they were up to. Big brother Langston was taking a nap (Yay!) so we hung out with Graham and Mama Sara. Graham (15 months) was too cute, he got on the floor to be on the same level with Zane and was very good about sharing his toys!

Does anyone know what this plant is called? I call them the "tenticle plant" but I'm guessing that's not right. They're very unique looking but VERY STINKY. Some friends had one planted near their house under a window and had to move it!