happy birthdate

I love celebrating just a little on every date of my family's birth.  

Odin is a total boy.  He is my dream son!  

flower weeds

Redmond, WA has the most beautiful wild flowers I've ever seen.  Red, orange, yellow, white, purple, blue, and daisies - my favorite.  I love them and I think its safe to say that Odin knows it.  He picks them for me all the time even the measly little weed flowers in our yard.  Too bad they don't stay around for the rain...

Happy Birthdate!

If it weren't for this boy of mine I wouldn't have the love I have for my new baby. Thank you, son for helping me know so much happiness in being a mother. I love you, my son.

ps. He has since gotten a little haircut  :-)

a story about a boy and his blanket

This is a post about my son.  He is a good good soul and he has been nothing but wonderful as we've transitioned into this new family of four.  This is one example of how he's acted without being asked or prodded.  We love our little boy!  (...and our darling girl, of course!)

The day was July 5th 2012.
He came to the hospital to visit his new baby sister.
When he looked at her for the first time he saw a little blue package with his name on it.
He opened the present from his new sister.
Inside he found another one of his favorite blankets!  Oh, the joy.
He tried it on for size and tested its softness.
Then little sister made a noise and immediately his face turned to concern
He even said "oh!" turning to look at her with with his big caring eyes.
He quickly rushed over to offer support.  
There wasn't a melted heart in the room.  
To make it easier he joined mama and baby and we all snuggled and soaked up the moment.
Oh, my little boy, he acts like a real loving gentleman, most all of the time. 
How have I ever gotten so lucky with a son like him? 


* For the full story and the pictures that go with it (they are so adorable and I'm not just saying it cause I'm his mom) go to the Baby's Blog.  Need an invite?  Let me know.

firetrucks and visitors

If you were to come visit us you'd definitely here some little fire truck siren noises coming from Odin.  He is pretty in love with them as well as trucks, cars, tractors, back hoes, police cars (for their siren and lights, of course).  He is a total boy, that is for sure.

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take him to a free pancake breakfast and fire truck tour at the the fire station.  Odin loved it all!  And yes, we were those parents that dressed him in a matching firetruck shirt.  Ha!  I never thought I'd be that parent but it happened.  AND it was pretty cute and best of all, he loved it.  It was a pretty great family outing before our visitors came to town later that day.

  Baby sister even came to enjoy the day.  She wasn't as amused as he.  

She just stayed snuggled in tightly with Mama.  

Like I mentioned above, our family came to visit.  

It was short and sweet but we loved having them and introducing our newest family member.  

sleep cap

The magic in a hat.

When Odin was a newborn, we used the cap they gave him at the hospital long after we brought him home.  It became his 'sleep cap'.  We'd put it on him anytime he fell asleep (those first couple of weeks) and then after to help sleep train him - like help him learn night and day sleeping.  This cap was like magic as the moment we put him on his eyes would close, if not covered by the sleep cap, and he'd soon he out like a light.  We only stopped using it when the temperatures in NYC reached their uncomfortable humid height.  But for the 2 months we did use it we were very pleased with the results.

Now little girl gets to use her own too.  

The SLEEP CAP.  

Its how the magic of sleep happens in our house.

Happy Birthdate!

OH!  There are so many things I love about this photo.  His classic "oh" face - this is Odin's version of "blue steal".  I quite like it.  That little thing in his mouth is a "nu" which is a nut or pistachio - he eats these all the time with Zack.  Its sort of their thing.  And, he just looks so happy and excited about absolutely nothing and I love it!

Happy Birthdate to you, my boy!

i see a teenager

Sometimes I look at my boy and I see a teenager.  Its probably his Justin Bieber-like, long and overgrown hair but sometimes I get glimpses of him as a teenager.  I am sure he'll have learned how to wipe any moisture off of his face by then.  In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my little rambunctious son.

...  oh, his personality!

sunshine brings a new week

Zack spent so much time with Odin this weekend which was a wonderful break for me.  I mean he's the cutest kid ever.  ( I love it when he does total cute boyish things like lining up his cars and trucks)  I can't believe how good and fun and nice and helpful he is but still, I am always tired and a break is like heaven for me.  Having said that, I'm so glad last week is over.  And while the weekend was long and relaxing, I'm glad it is over too.  

The sun is shining on the forecast for the next couple days and I'm going to hold nature to it!

Happy Week, to you!

//  a side note:  we got our very first American flag this weekend to put up on our very first house.  This week on the 14th its Flag Day!  We are really looking forward to putting it up with pride.

the best time of day

Monday, when the garbage trucks come by throughout the morning.  His face lights up and he runs to the window.  We've figured out the best ones for viewing.  And sometimes (it all depends on if I am dressed or not) we even go out to the front porch and sit there and watch.  The garbage men wave to Odin and he waves back ferociously with the biggest smile on his face.  When they are gone and he realizes it he yells "bye! bye! bye!"  Its such a simple and fantastic thing, waiting and watching for the garbage trucks.  And once its all over, he just continues to beam for the rest of the morning.

happy birthdate

Oh, my darling boy.  

I am trying to stop calling you my baby.  You will always by my baby but you deserve to live up to bigger and better titles.  You are such a good and sweet soul.  And, that smile... it gets me every time!  

I love you my big toddler boy!

my screen door boy

These pictures kill me.  I was actually having a rough day, I guess he knew.  He came right up to the screen door and made silly squished face after face.  I was rolling in an instant and somehow managed to find my camera and capture a few of his finest.  Oh, this boy of mine is such a cutie!

2nd year photo shoot

This morning Zack shot Odin in his new studio space.  It was a quick shoot before Zack had to run to work.  

I love how these pictures turned out.  He is a fun and funny kid these days... our little 2 year old!

Check out the photo shoot on Zack's blog.

happy birthday, my boy

... and now you're 2 years old!

Odin is the happiest kid around.  He makes us smile and laugh each day.  We're constantly saying to each other, "did you see that?  he's such a good boy" or "did you hear that?  he's so cute!".  We are so lucky to have him and we know it.  We cherish each moment, each new word, each hug and each new day with him.  This boy is a joy and we are nothing but blessed to have him in our lives.  I don't think I'll ever be able to stop kissing those cheeks and squeezing my little boy.  I just love you so, my Odin boy!

birthday eve

I usually do a post on Odin's birthdate, the 1st of each month but tomorrow is his actual Bday.  We have a doctor's appointment but after that we're going out to do something special for our little boy.  I am so grateful to be a mama and the fact that this boy is my first born, makes the whole experience so sweet.  He is such a good, good boy and oh, I love him so!

I am so grateful you are mine.

counting boy

He just picked this up and now he counts to 3 all the time.  

yoa. owhy. ee!