Getting older

This morning we went to Ian's cousin Micah's 4th birthday party. I had no idea how hard it is to take good pictures of kids who can move so fast. Here is how the party went:

First, airplane making and a contest to see whose went the farthest off the back deck -


Second, present unwrapping - because Micah absolutely could not wait another second - Ian thought the wrapping paper was much better than the actual gifts -


Next, a sail boat pinata (I think Nicole was the one to finally hit it open)


Gathering treasure from the ship -


Then there was lunch and the most delicious cake ever (homeade by Nicole). Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it before it was cut because I was busy feeding Ian.

BEST picture of the day: apparently Sadie is very interested in dressing herself. Here she is wearing two different (boys) shoes and one of the little girl's coats. So cute Sadie!

Zoo 2

Apparently, this blog is actually good for something because after seeing our last post about the zoo and crocodiles, my nephews begged my sister to bring them down to DC to go to the zoo with baby Ian until she finally gave in. YES! Ian was so excited to see them, he didn't even mind that they woke him up at 2am Saturday morning when they arrived.

Saturday was a perfect day for the zoo and Devon and Connor are the perfect kids to go to the zoo with because they get so excited about everything. Ian was just happy to hang out with his cousins. Here are the pics to prove it.











Aren't Nicki's kids the cutest?


Oh the anticipation of a taste of snowcone...he waited there with his mouth open until we gave him more.




Not surprisingly, the boys were ready to go to the park as soon as we got home.



On another note - Ian had his 9 month appointment last week and he weighs 19.5 lbs. and is 28 inches long. He has turned into such a wiggle worm - he won't sit still for a second and loves to play with his toys on the floor. He is always wiggley in his high chair, but tonight he was especially funny (how did he get his leg out the side?).

Zoo day

Today we met Aunt Ashley at the zoo. It turns out that Ian isn't really interested in looking at animals that are really far away and hard to see. He was, however, very interested in his croc that we bought him at the zoo store.



Infact, this is how exciting the zoo was for Ian.


Here is the real croc that we took a picture of especially for Devon and Connor. Aunt Ashley didn't want to go into the reptile house without them because she is too scared.


So, I won't bore you with lots of animal pictures, but I have to add Ashley's favorite of the day...the pygmy hippo.


And Ian's favorites, the beavers (mostly because they were close enough to see and look a little like a wet Shadow dog).


Baby and mommy.


Here are some random pictures I found on the camera that curt must have taken. Ian is funny.

New York-diddily-ork

Last weekend Ian and Ashley and I went to NYC to visit Di and to go to my cousin Corissa's bridal shower. Of course I forgot my freakin camera, but di and my mom were nice enough to send me some pics.

Di lives in the cutest little apartment in the most perfect location in Soho. Ian loved walking around the city and looking at everything that was going on.


Friday night we went to the most brilliant dessert store ever - all rice puddings in every flavor possible - it was my dream - I wish I had a picture of it to remember forever.

On Saturday morning we went to a delish bakery for breakfast cupcakes. They were so pretty and melted in your mouth.


Ian preferred the banana pudding for his breakfast (Ian was a little sick all weekend but still such a good baby).


We wanted to stay and hang out with Di all day but we had to make it to Corissa's bridal shower by 1pm. Bye Di - we can't wait to come visit again...



Next we headed a little uptown for Corissa's shower. The food was yummy and Corissa is the darlingest bride-to-be. Ian got to meet his cousin Cece - who is just a month and a half younger than he is and so cute. Here she is with her mom Annmarie and grandma Jeanette.


Ian, of course, made his rounds around the party. Ian with Aunt Celeste...

Ian and Great Grandma Betty...

Ian and Aunt Cami...

Ash and Cece

The Clays


We were so sad that Nicki and Meg couldn't make it - but Meg was busy going to two proms and turning 17. Here she is as the most beautiful prom date ever...

With Mike the night before at the Skaneateles prom (not as her date - that would be gross).


Happy Birthday Meg!

Preferred transportation

Lately, Ian prefers taking walks to the park in his new car (his latest and favorite present from Aunt Nicki).


Once we get to the park all the toddlers come running over to borrow it - Ian is pretty good at sharing so far. You can see that the car is much more fun than the stroller - where Ian has to resort to throwing all his toys over the side to amuse himself (last week we lost three toys this way).


Ian loves the weekend because he gets to spend lots of quality time with his daddy.



Ian cut his first top tooth this weekend (he has two more on the bottom) - when I realized what was happening I got this really nastalgic feeling like he is growing up so quickly and I already miss him.

p.s. see more pictures of our trip to NY on my mom's blog .

Uncle David

A couple of weekends ago we took a trip to my parents house in NY to see David, who was on leave from Iraq for two weeks. Ian loved hanging out with Uncle David because he taught him how to fly.














Connor also tried to teach him how to fly - batman style....you might think that this outfit looks uncomfortable, but apparently it is worth it because Connor wore it about 70% of the time we were there.



















This is Ian's first first boat ride - he is almost too big for the baby life-jacket and did not like wearing it at all. It is going to be a fun summer.














Ian was fascinated by Shadow - unfortunately for Ian, all he can do is roll to get near him so the dog can still get away from him pretty easily. Maybe someday Ian will learn that there are more efficient ways of getting places. I'll let you know when he figures it out.














I wish I could remember what we were looking at here because this picture is hilarious - mom can you remember? I think you took the picture.

Our last night there we celebrated having Dave home with us at Kabuki - it was delish. We miss you already Dave.