August is flying by!

It has been a very busy August to be sure. We started off the month with a week long vacation in the Adirondacks with family. As you will see in the pictures below, it was a great week with lots of sun and water to be had by everyone. My grandparents and aunt and uncle and cousins joined us for the week and it was a great reunion while we celebrated a couple of wedding anniversaries and a birthday.

It was also an amazing week for Douglas being in a completely new environment. He did remarkably well and I think the change in scenery sparked his speech and learning of words. By the end of the week everyone had a name and since then he has been learning words left and right.

Douglas and Adam in the kayak

Adam and Douglas in the swing looking over the lake.

Douglas' first real haircut from my sister.

Adirondack Museum - so many Boats!! (Douglas had to find them all)

Douglas and Mama on a Choo Choo!

Choo Choo!

Now let me interject for a moment. If you ever are in the Adirondacks with some small children and you need a place where they can run around - go to the Adirondack Museum. This place was a life saver for Adam and I. Every exhibit has a kid section within it, and the whole place is geared for kids to be able to access it. So there are more than enough interesting sections for kids of all ages. Douglas loved it, and we didn't even get to half of it. He had to see and point out every boat that he saw, while yelling BOAT! BOAT! He pointed and ran around the Choo Choo! multiple times. It was great!

Relaxing in the water.

Douglas and Nana. This was as wet as he got.
He is like his dad in that he likes to be on the water, but not really in it.

Playing next to the water with Dada.

After we came home from the Adirondacks. I had the next week off to spend some time with Adam and Douglas. It was needed as well in recovering from a week of sleeping in the same room as a 1 1/2 year old (they get up very early). We went to a local farm that had a petting zoo because of Douglas' new desire to name all the animals and touch them. He did see lots of goats, but as you will see, didn't spend much time with them.

Douglas on a tractor.

Douglas and Malorie on a tractor.

Douglas and Noah on a tractor.

We also spent a morning out at a local fish hatcherie looking at all the Fishies! (Everything is said with an exclamation point.) He loved looking at, pointing at and feeding the Fishies. It was a hit!

We also spent much time at playgrounds. Douglas has decided that he is a big kid now and prefers the big kid swings. It is amazing how fast they can group up at times - before vacation he was fine with the baby swing. After vacation - no siree bob! big kid swing or bust!

I will leave you with some other gems of Douglas' new vocabulary.

Orange - Issssshhh

Douglas - You ! (When ever you ask who he is, he will point to himself and say You! Might be time to teach some pronouns.)

Peach and Fox are dangerously close to expletives, so I won't repeat them here. Just know if it sounds like he is swearing, he is not, he is probably asking for some fruit.

Banana - manana

Tomato -manano

Till next time!

Dearest Friends,

Do not think that I have forgotten you all! Below are the recordings of the busy happenings of our summer so far. We have taken a day trip out to see relatives in Syracuse; Adam and I have gone away for a weekend wedding leaving Douglas with my parents for the first time; hung out with his cousins and other extended family and gone to a family fun BBQ for a local organization that we support. All the while many birds and other animals have visited our lovely bird feeders and provided much entertainment to us all. We have also tried to weather the high heat and lack of rain that June and July have brought us by playing in various kiddie pools. It has been jam-packed and fun, with no sign of stopping. Enjoy the pictures and I will bring you more after our vacation!

Douglas working on climbing a big rig for carrying rowing sculls.

Adam and I at our friend Katie's Wedding.

Me and the glowing bride!

If you look close, you will see our friend the chipmunk. This is where he hangs out.

A downy woodpecker visiting Adam's bird feeder.

A yellow finch visiting Adam's other bird 

Adam and Douglas

Eating watermelon with the cousins and Grammie!

Alicia & Aunt Sue at the Rehema Home BBQ

Douglas wanting to go in the Bounce House at the Rehema Home BBQ.

All of us after a carriage ride at the Rehema Home BBQ.

Douglas wearing Mama's shoes.

Spring into Summer

Without further adieu, here are some pictures showing what we have been up to lately. Enjoy!

Douglas was so proud helping Dad!

Here he is trying to help Adam put up a hook.

A yellow finch hiding out during a spring ice-storm.

Adam and Douglas the morning of Adam's graduation.

Douglas trying to figure out what was going on.

The happy graduate!

Adam and Douglas after graduation.

Douglas and I playing at the big garden window.

Baby Doug really isn't so babylike anymore.

Douglas in his new rocking-chair. It is just his size!

With other friends, Memorial Day weekend, in our new kid pool.

Bocce was played.

And slides were enjoyed. 

    It is a Saturday morning and the rain is dripping down the window giving our budding garden a much needed drink. Normally, I would be wishing I could be outside, but today is a small gift to Adam and I so I will enjoy it in whatever state it comes. We were trying to be responsible, diligent adults and signed up to attend a Safe Drivers course to make us better drivers and, more importantly, to reduce our insurance. I honestly didn't want to go - I had been at work all week and was gone all last weekend, so was not excited to be away again. Well, last night we got a call from the instructor that she is sick and couldn't teach the class today. While I gave her all my sympathy, I was jumping around the house because the day was now open and free, no commitments!!! Hurray!!

   Another benefit of the open day is that I could write up another post for you our dear friends. I am chagrined by all the postings of those around me and the rate at which it happens, so I will be trying to write more. We shall see how it goes. Wish me luck!

  Below are some pictures for what we have been up to over these past few weeks. I have actually made two trips away from Adam and Douglas over the course of those weeks. They were both weekend trips, one to New Hampshire for a bridal shower and one to NYC to see Newsies, the musical and to visit my sister. But they were the first time I was away by myself and it wasn't easy. They were great trips, but it was so nice when I returned.

Grammie, Cousin Nadia, Cousin Noah
and Great Grandma Reinhardt

Douglas so proud of himself on Great Grandma's landing!

Adam with Nadia, Douglas and Great Grandma reading a book.

Easter Morning with Papi.
Look at the unplanned, color-coordination!

Douglas is learning that camera's are fun.
The next few shots are him posing in his Easter suit!

Douglas looking rad on Uncle Jared's bike.

Family picture on Easter!

Douglas posing for Adam.

His 'adventure tent'. He likes to find out ALL the things that his toys can do.

Me with Doug and Jeff in Brooklyn on my trip to NYC to see Newsies!

Liz and I at a French Restaurant in NYC when we went to see Newsies!

LJ and I in the same restaurant in NYC when we went to see Newsies!

Mom, LJ, me and Liz after that wonderful breakfast when we went to NYC to see Newsies!

P.S.  Let me just say that I loved Newsies as a movie and it was just as fabulous as a musical. If you are ever in NYC and want to see a fun-filled musical - go and see Newsies!!