Playground

This is a scene that just breaks my heart. A little boy who is longing to go outside but hasn't been able to due to sickness and weather. Both Zane and I came down with nasty colds earlier this week (Papa had a fun time taking care of both of us!), and on top of the cold Zaney is also cutting his molars. Today things seem to be on the up and up and it wasn't raining!

He took some teething tablets, we bundled up and hit the swings first.

 Virgil was happy to be outside too but did not enjoy being tied to the stroller.

 Such a boy! He tried to climb up the slide and didn't make it. This is him sliding back down.

 Oooh...a BIG slide!

He was not intimidated in the least and climbed up all by himself (I was right behind him of course) and we slid down together. Note to self: trips to the park in winter will result in a muddy baby and Mama.

When it was time to go he took Virgil's leash from me, grabbed the stroller and headed home. I love this kid!

Splish Splash

Zane is the luckiest boy in the world to have so many people who care about him! Yesterday he received a package from Oma and Opa containing all sorts of stylish goodies. The rain jacket was the one we were all eager to try out since we've been cooped up for months (not true, but that's what it feels like).

 He was LOVING the puddles.

Here's a video of him loving the puddles. When he turns his back it's because he hears the neighbors dog and you can just barely hear Zane go "ruff ruff ruff." We walked around the bend and back and then had a great time opening and closing both the front gate and the back before Mama got worried about his cold, pink hands and we had to go inside.

Me and my little puddle jumper. Some of you are probably thinking "Holy cow, could Karen look any more tired?" The answer, my friends, is no. Zane is definitely teething again and we've been on a strict regimen of Tylenol, teething tabs, snuggle time, and smooches. It's exhausting for everyone but at least we saw the top of a little white tooth yesterday...the end is near. Now the only question is, "How many is he getting this time around?"

Raising Neil Diamond

Now that Zane has figured out how to unzip his own jammies, he walks around in the mornings bearing a large resemblance to the one and only Neil Diamond. That man owned the unzipped look. Zane still needs to fine tune his look...I think he went a little low...but in time he'll figure out his own style.

 It's also a great opportunity to show off one's bellybutton.

He practices working the zipper at night before he falls asleep too, so Mason or I go in there and zip him up before we turn in. It's hard to stand there, in the dark, looking closely to see if he's clothed or not and not laugh!

Haircut

It was time. Too much of a mullet happening for our liking so we strapped him into his chair, gave him the phone and a comb to distract him, and went for it. He was a little wiggly and a little spooked by the clippers but all in all it went well! I thought I would have a hard time with his first haircut...you know, the whole "he's getting older so fast" thing, but I've been fine. He does look different without his duck tail in the back, but he's still our little guy.

Virgil is trying to even out the cut with his laser eyes.

 Peek-a-Boo!

We've been practicing walking in rain boots indoors before we attempt an outdoor excursion. He loves the boots and often requests to have them put on over his normal shoes/footie jammies.

15 months

We took to the front yard today since the rain gave us a break. It was wet and muddy, but not rainy! Zane learned that grass is harder to walk on than laminate and carpet but had a great time exploring.

I can just hear the "uh-oh" coming out of him. His words include uh-oh, yeah, no, hi, bye, mama, and dada. He gives wonderfully wet kisses, pets the dog, eats a lot, and sleeps well.

 We were going to walk up and down the street but he decided he wanted to go into the neighbors driveway instead so we came back to the yard...

 ...he didn't like that.

Who-song and Larry

Mason took me out yesterday for my birthday to a restaurant we haven't tried yet called Who-song and Larry's. We were intrigued by the name and pleasantly surprised by the location and food. It's a Mexican Cantina on the Washington side of the Columbia River (that's right we drove all the way to WA!). We had a great view of the river and I had some chicken flautas, Zane got cheese quesadillas, and Mason got some seafood thing :)

 Here's Zane enjoying his lunch.

Afterwards we came home and got bundled up for a walk. It's still chilly outside but not nearly as bad as it has been lately so we went for it.

We decided to give him utensils to try out a few days ago and he's doing surprisingly well! He did use his hands to eat his yogurt as well, but we were pleased with the amount of effort he gave the spoon. This morning he speared a pear with his fork and successfully manuevered it into his mouth!

 Yogurt is great in a pinch as hair gel substitute.

Virgil has made himself a nice nest in the tent.

He takes calls in the mornings. Rainboots are an important part of the outfit.

Intergalactic Blood Drive

Mason started out the year by donating blood at a Star Wars vs. Star Trek blood drive. There were characters all over the place, Tribble Nibbles and Yoda Soda in the canteen, and prizes. We attempted a photo of a Klingon holding Zane but little Zane didn't like that. He's right, Klingons are scary. So we posed with the friendly Chewy and his Startrooper buddy.

The PNW Rippeys had a fantastic 2010 and we're looking forward to what '11 brings. Thank you to all of our friends and family that made the year so great and may 2011 be full of intergalactic good deeds for everyone!