Camping memorial weekend

Camping up north!! We picked up Collin from work early and headed to Munds Park to camp with a bunch of friends. We  haven't had a family trip in a while and it felt so good to get out of town. Freddie loved the views of the beautiful mountains and of course the giant trucks everywhere. I'm not sure how it happened but my little boy has become such a little boy!! He's obsessed with all things with giant wheels that make any sort of mechanical noise. 

The pines were beautiful. 

We got to Munds Park and set up camp then started preparing our dinner. There were nine families and everyone made their own food and ate together. It was so much fun!! And nine families means a TON of little kids running around. Fred was so happy. 

We had delicious hamburgers made by Collin, tin foil potatoes and green beans and grilled corn (my Fav.)

S'mores!!!!! With symphony bars for the chocolate. Genius on my part. 

He loved the s'more but not getting super sticky. 

We totally forgot our blow up mattress, extra blankets and pillows so It was a freezing uncomfortable sleepless night but hey...it was fun!!!! We have had a little 2 man tent our whole marriage and we got to try out our brand new 4 man tent!!!!! We loved it so much. Fred woke up super happy and couldn't wait to get out and play some more. 

That morning for breakfast the Smiths had breakfast burritos with the most delicious sausage ever. 

Then we all sat around and talked and played while the kids all played. A few families we were with brought their four wheelers!!! Fred got to ride in a big buggy type one and looooooved it. (But even more, he and the other little kids loved climbing in it while it was turned off and pretending like he was driving!!) Collin took me for a ride and although I thought he might kill me--he didn't and it was SUPER fun. 

Then our family decided we wanted to pack up and head to Flagstaff to hang out for the rest of the day. On the way down the mountain there were lots of cabins and most had garage sales!! So we stopped at a bunch of those and a little kid sold us his whole tool set for $3. Frederick loves it! 

We got into flagstaff and saw a sign for the arboretum. I had never been and always wanted to go...so we did!!!! It was sooo beautiful!!! It was so much fun and perfect for a little guy like Fred who loves to explore and be outside. He loved the planted and animals and even found some watering cans he carried around for a while. Collin and I loved it too. It was such nice weather. It felt like a vacation. And Collin saved the life of a little squirrel!!!!! I was very proud. 

Trying to touch this owl then a little nervous after being told the owl could bite his hand off. And would. 

The AZ state manmel: the ring-tailed cat. Super vicious. Who woulda thought!

Fred makes everything fun. Oh...and he became best friends with this creepy plastic cat....probably because THIS cat let him squeeze him, kiss him, tickle him, hold him, etc. 

We did lots and lots of other great flagstaffian stuff including a visit to my beloved McConnell, which was closed for summer but I couldn't get a picture because my phone died. Also, we met this awesome couple and Freddie ride their long board. 

Tantrums took place during the picture below. 

Happy fools!!

James Oliver Skeen

One of my dearest friends on this planet, Morgan, had a baby boy just over a month ago. She did such a great job and is doing a great job despite the many challenges and changes of being a new mom. I watch her with her little Oliver and she looks like such a natural: holding him, feeding him, comforting him. She keeps saying "no one told me _____!" It's true. We forget or don't want to worry you or just know that everyone's experience is unique. But still, I wish there was more that was talked about openly instead of a little taboo...like the fact that everyone says I'm crazy or brave or "they could never do that," for not having drugs during labor but to me recovery was waayyyyy harder than labor ever was, and everyone has to go through that in some way or another.

Well congratulations to dear Morgan and her amazing husband Tom, who is taking such good care of both her and baby Oliver!!!

The first time I held him I felt handicapped...it's crazy how I forgot how to hold a newborn! And Freddie was huge compared to him!!! Fred would acknowledge Oliver, but kept leaving and walking around the house. Oliver is such a good baby and so cute. I love him! Not much better than having best friends experience the joys of motherhood. (and sorry...tortures too...) ;)

Double the trouble!!!!

Summer in spring and stroller

We accidentally left our stroller in Florida (we were there mid April for a wonderful week. I still need to blog about it.) for a person with no car who gets out a lot by walking and public transit, it was tough. Especially right now.

I wasnt sure what we were going to do because It was going to be like $200 to ship it back and we paid just less than that for it. Oh bother. And I love my ergo but again, right now that's getting hard to use. I just want to strap Fred in and walk. It was even harder to convince myself to go to LA Ftness (across the street). But I have been still...don't worry. 

By the way, after a couple of months, Fred loves the gym kids club!!!!  He now goes right in, runs and plays with the kids, and is so happy when I get back to him an hour or so later. It's wonderful. Consistency and patience worked!! 

We are still working on nursery but that's getting better too. 

GOOD NEWS!! We got our stroller!!! Yay!! Since, we've been all over. It makes traveling in this 101 degree weather (in may!!!!!!!!!!!!) bearable. We have to get out though because summer days are long and depressing if spent inside everyday. We are hoping to get a membership to the children's museum soon! Ill happily spend time there once-twice a week. Fred would love it. 

We are also spending a ton of time at the pool--we have been swimming for the past month already. Fred has this life vest and he sits in an intertube on top of that so he's happy and I can push him around and still swim myself. I need to get a picture. It's hilarious. We lounge and eat grapes and say hi to all the passin neighbors. Fred is quite friendly. He waves and usually will high five and pretty much always 'knuckles.' Not sure how he learned that one. 

Bean written 5/17/13

Today we had our 10 week appointment and we saw, on a screen, my growing uterus complete with a little jumping bean, bouncing off the walls! I guess this thing is happening!! We hadn't had any confirmation of this besides the pregnancy test 4 weeks ago (which is like 99.9999% accurate these days), but it's real! I'm not making it up! And here is the proof...kind if...

Something's the matter with Freddie....

Mommy milk

It finally happened...Fred asked me to nurse a toy. I'd read about this happening with toddlers...asking to nurse beloved toys, stuffed animals, inanimate objects. I thought it was pretty cute and funny and super sweet. But Fred's toy wasn't a beloved or even well-known toy. It was this random dinosaur head he'd never seen before, hahaha. Oh, Fred.

It's a beautiful day

Trying to get outdoors as much as possible while its only 93!!

Oh, and Fred loves watermelon (we all do!!)