Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Friends & Potties

About 4 or 5 months ago, Gunnar started showing interest in potty training. He would always ask to help Erik and I go potty - retrieve toilet paper, close the door to give us "privacy", flush... So we got out the little potty for him to sit on. He initially took it apart and used it to put his toys in. Then he sat on it to read books. Then it just sat there for a while. We weren't sure how to approach potty training, and then something interesting happened...
We've been getting spoiled lately, having the excuse of a new baby to convince our friends to come visit us while we enjoy time at home. We're loving every minute of it! The Spachs brought us dinner one night, and Gunnar got to play with his good buddy, Keegan. Those boys are hilarious together - running around like they'd just won the lottery. So cute!
From July 2010

From July 2010

Keegan has recently been potty trained, and Gunnar was interested to see Keegan go potty while he was visiting. Two days later, Gunnar came home and ran into the bathroom, yelling "POTTY!" Uncle Robby was in town, and he had the pleasure of taking off Gunnar's dry diaper and sat him on the potty. Gunnar peed in the potty for the first time! Yippee!

Then, just last week our friends from Charlottesville - Steph, Andrew, Eamon, and Adelaide - came to see us. Eamon and Gunnar had a great time playing with toys, swimming, and blowing bubbles together.
From July 2010

From July 2010

Steph and Andrew were troopers, making their longest trip yet since having Adelaide, who is just a couple months older than Levi. And we truly appreciate it, not only for Andrew's cooking and Steph's wine and good company, but also for Eamon's poop. You see, Eamon was also just recently potty trained. And the night he left, Gunnar pooped in the potty for the first time. Whooohooo!
So, after hearing about all of the different approaches to potty training, we've ended up taking the "let friends with potty-trained kids visit and show Gunnar how it's done" method. Lazy? Maybe. Smart? Yup. I think so! Now who's going to visit next and teach Gunnar to wipe himself???

Happy Retirement, Rooty!

On July 17th, we got the entire family together at Childress Vineyards to celebrate Rooty's retirement, which has been a long time coming. We are so excited for him. Finally, after more than 30 years at DuPont, he gets mornings without alarm clocks and time to travel with Patty. Hooray! Unfortunately those alarm-free mornings ended at our family beach trip when Rooty agreed to room with Gunnar, who woke him up no later than 6:15am every morning. Sorry, Rooty!
Crazy Uncle Angus took a bunch of pictures at the vineyards, which I am anxious to see and will post when I get them. In the meantime, here are a couple of the family with Levi.
From July 2010

From July 2010

A special visit from Colorado

In early July, Aunt Lizzie and cousin Grace came to visit from Colorado to meet Levi and spend some special time with us as we were settling into our new lives. What an awesome visit! Aunt Lizzie was a huge help with helping us get out for some fun, and Gunnar had a blast with Grace. We visited the Lazy 5 Ranch, where we got to feed camels and giraffes, and here's a picture from the "Party on the Plaza" concert we went to.
From July 2010

I want to adopt Grace. Gunnar was at a stage where he would kick and scream when I would try to brush his teeth, but he would sit still and say "ahhh" for Grace. Gunnar would run away from me everytime I'd ask him to put his shoes on. But he would take his shoes to Grace and sit down nicely for her. Unfortunately, Aunt Lizzie did not let me keep her, but I took advantage of every minute we had with her, and Gunnar loved it! Thank you Gracee!!
From July 2010

From July 2010

From July 2010

From July 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Summer Days

We enjoyed a great visit from Grammy and Grandpa this past weekend. It was still sweltering hot outside, so we did a lot of relaxing indoors and then got out for some watermelon and a sled ride. The sled ride was Gunnar's idea, of course. And not a bad one - what better way to beat the heat!! (though Grammy did not agree so much after her 4th lap around the yard)
From Levi

From Levi

From Levi

From Levi

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Funny faces

It's been one of those weeks where we turned around and felt like Gunnar grew up overnight. He can now count to ten, help us recite the ABC's, and he knows what makes us laugh. These are some of his latest faces that have cracked us up.
From Levi's 1st week
From Levi's 1st week
From Levi's 1st week

Erik's new training program

Gunnar hasn't been for a journey in his backpack in several months. But when he saw Levi in the Baby Bjorn, ready for our evening walk, Gunnar insisted that he also be carried around the neighborhood. So as any good daddy would do, Erik loaded up both boys, and we trotted along. Gunnar was all smiles (and Daddy was sweating buckets in the 90 degree heat!)!
From Levi's 1st week

Levi's 1st week

We've had a wonderful 1st week with Levi. He's been very busy, doing a lot of this...
From Levi's 1st week
and this...
From Levi's 1st week
and this...
From Levi's 1st week
and this...
From Levi's 1st week
So why exactly are Mom and Dad so tired?!!