Much Traveling

The whole family went to the east coast in May. First stop was Miriam & Mattias' wedding in DC. It was a beautiful wedding, in an intimate chapel in Georgetown. They are a very happy couple.

Grandma Dixie was in town for the wedding, and Lauren, Dixie and Xander flew down to South Carolina to visit with Xander's Auntie Jen and Uncle Steve. Micah stayed in VA to attend a work conference.

Xander was a great traveler--he only cried at the very end of our 18-hour trip from SC back to SF.

He's now beginning to sit up and his favorite word right now is da-da-da-da-da-da-da. That and blowing raspberries.

Oooh, ice water!
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Baby's First Camping Trip

Last weekend the family camped in Yosemite at Hodgdon Meadows Campground. We were originally intending to go climbing (taking turns with some friends watching Xander while we went up the rock) but two bum shoulders prevented that. Instead we hiked, carrying Xander in a baby backpack. On Friday, while hiking the Four Mile Trail, it started to snow a bit.

Weather was chilly - 55 to 65 during the day and down to 32 at night--but we had Xander in a snuggly white bunting borrowed from a friend. He looked like a little polar bear cub. He slept between us in the tent and was really cozy and warm all night.

What else is Xander doing? Here's a list:

• babbling and practicing "goo" "koo" thhppbbt" and "aaaah"
  
• reaching for Bootsie
  
• flirting with the girls at daycare
  
• transferring toys from one hand to the other
  
• experimenting with gravity by dropping things
  
• eagerly lunging for spoonfuls of oatmeal
  
• waking up multiple times in the night for snuggles
  
• laughing after being held upside down
  
• waiting to roll over until he's good and ready
  
  Click on the photo for more pictures from our trip.
  
  Baby's First Camping Trip - Hodgdon Meadows, Yosemite
  Originally uploaded by lauren buckland
  

Nudie Shot!

It's so hard to keep up with all the photos we take. Now that I'm at work three days a week, I have a lot less free time to post photos. Xander is now five months old.

What's he doing?

• doing pushups during tummy time
  
• cracking up when he sees dogs run around
  
• riling up all the other kids in baby yoga by laughing
  
• starting on rice cereal
  
• not sleeping through the night
  
• smiling and snuggling up to people
  
• reaching for forks, placemats, plates, bowls, anything else he can pull off the table
  
• transferring toys from one hand to the other
  
• grabbing his toes
  
• getting really chubby
  
• rotating azimuthally (ask Micah)
  
• screeching, squeaking, burbling, grunting and otherwise trying to communicate verbally
  

In short, he's really amazing, and has become quite an aware little guy. He loves daycare (they love him) and comes home in Sophie's underwear once in a while (!) He's very calm and happy most of the time. He loves people and is now becoming more and more interested in toys. He's a joy to be with.

Nudie Shot!
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Snoozing

Hee, hee, we love it when he sleeps like this.

Snoozing
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?

You just buy a normal one and turn it sideways.

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?

You just buy a normal one and turn it sideways.

Where'd you get that sideways hat, man?
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland

Why are you taking all these pictures of me?

More photos! Xander is four months old now. What's he doing?

Laughing & squealing when mommy tickles him with her hair
Holding his head up while on his tummy
Rotating 90 degrees when on his tummy
Beginning to roll over (and off a pad at yoga class when mommy wasn't looking-bad mommy!)
Staring at his hands, amazed.
Sitting with a little help
Standing with a lot of help
Being carried like a football.
Wondering why his parents are constantly taking photos of him.

Click on the photo to see lots more photos!

why are you taking all these pictures of me?
Originally uploaded by lauren buckland