Catching up

Due traveling, work, kids and some technical difficulties, where we haven't been able to upload photos from our computer to any other program we are definitely behind on updates. Actually, it appears I have to email photos versus upload them to Blogger.

It's hard to believe that Waverly is almost six weeks. As we try to catch up, here's a recent shot from our trip up to Orcas Island for our friends' wedding, which was so much fun - both the big event and having a family getaway.

Macadam is definitely a growing little boy with plenty of rambunctious times and opinions, and man, he loves his little sister.

Father's Day

Rob's Father's Day was certainly extra special this year. I mean, I did make sure one of the best gifts of all was delivered on time:). All kidding aside, I can't imagine having children or sharing a life with anyone else. He's an amazing father and I've loved watching him as we've both grown as parents with Macadam. Now we have this beautiful little girl and she'll be so lucky to have a dad who will love and support her as only Rob can. 

We had a great time celebrating Rob with early morning presents and family cuddle time followed by breakfast with friends and fun at the farmer's market. 

Scenes from the hospital

In the short life that is Waverly's, it seems like so much has happened over the last 11 days. Being in the hospital seems like forever ago but really not even two weeks!
Friends and family made their way to greet Waverly in her early hours. Rob and I also got some quality time alone and with her, which was oh so wonderful.

Two days in

We're just two days in and so far, we're loving every minute of being four. I hope to update with some more pictures of Waverly meeting her grandparents and a few friends.

For now, here are a couple of shots of her before leaving the hospital on Friday and then probably one of the most heartwarming moments (thus far) of Rob and my parental careers. Big brother and little sister cuddling and reading a book tonight.

Shower for the little lady

Last month our dear friends threw us a lovely co-ed shower down in Portland. It was so much fun to see friends and their kids as well as have Macadam and baby girl Faw's grandparents to share in the special event. Mac had a blast running around with all the kids and the adults, well we just let them run around:). We had a great time spending a night downtown and celebrating with friends from Seattle for a delightful Mother's Day too!

Here are some pics, the first few being from Macadam's morning time at Friendship Farms. Can't say no to a tractor!

Flying south

With a last minute flight deal, Macadam and I were able to tag along to San Diego and while we didn't get to see Rob who was busy with work until the evenings, we got some great quality time with Uncle Justin, Aunt Tristan and sunshine!

Macadam loved getting to be out in the yard playing baseball and napping (even one alongside Uncle Justin) each day. We even got to check out SeaWorld which was a huge hit with Mac. Shamu delivered as did the seals.

It was the last flying trip Mac and I will take until after the baby arrives which made it even nicer to make it to a warm and sunny destination.

Eggs in time out

Easter weekend was a fun one for Macadam. In addition to all of the Easter fun and festivities that come to little kids, he also got to visit with his Grandma Karen. On Friday night we dyed the eggs and to help Mac understand we had to leave the eggs for at least three minutes in the dye, we suggested he put the eggs in time out. He loved this idea since he's the one that usually faces the penalty.

On Saturday we had a busy day complete with the zoo's Easter egg hunt, a Caspar Babypants (yeah, don't feel bad if you don't know this band) concert and then park time before a yummy dinner on a patio in Ballard, followed by a gelato treat. We definitely noticed Macadam was pretty wiped out by Sunday morning but he was excited to discover the Easter Bunny left him a nice surprise and even hid his eggs to hunt around the house and outside. The only problem was getting Mac back inside once he discovered that his backyard was ready for digging again. When it started raining we still had some trouble convincing him but soon enough he was back inside, warm and ready for more Easter surprises, which he enjoyed with his grandma.

Guys' weekend

While I was in Denver this last weekend for our annual U of O girls' weekend, Rob and Macadam had a special visitor. Grandpa Terry was in town and on Saturday, he and Macadam were busy having fun while Rob had a work event. It's always hard to be gone from my boys and it made me smile when I saw the pictures Grandpa Terry sent us from their adventures. Macadam and his dad had a great time bonding too. I swear Mac is even more talkative and more a mini man than when I left. He told me all about the aquarium, playing soccer and basketball, and going to the park.

I had a fantastic time with the ladies, both friends and two of the newest members of the crew, Anna (9 months)and Charlotte (3 months). We had beautiful weather, lovely times out and about in Denver and Boulder as well as plenty of time to catch up and laugh. They also threw me a surprise shower, which was such a treat and much fun to show Rob the goodies when I returned. While we all live far apart it's nice that we each live in pretty great cities and towns to visit.

Here's the shots from Grandpa Terry (thanks for sending)!!

Fun eastward

We recently returned from a very fun trip to Michigan. I've never gone somewhere where so many people leading up to the trip ask, "Why would you want to go there?!" Well, we just happen to have lovely cousins and friends who live there and thankfully, only an hour apart from each other. While it was chilly chilly, it was very sunny, which made outings and packing much easier.
Macadam had an absolute blast and so did Rob and I. Getting to see John, Tracy, Miles and the newly minted Benjamin was such a treat. We had plenty of laughs, late nights and good times watching the toddlers play and getting drunk off the new baby smell of Ben:). We learned that the best way to get away from people is to go to the Detroit Zoo on a 30 degree day. Not only did we have the whole place to ourselves, they let us close it down an hour late. Miles and Mac had fun checking out all the animals and while the photos below would say otherwise, no, the guys and boys were not going for a bloods and crips theme in outdoor attire:).

After Rochester Hills, we headed to Ann Arbor to visit Shannon and Bobby who are living there while Bobby, or Silly Guy as Macadam called him, is in his PhD program at Univ. of Michigan. For several years I have wanted to go to a deli and store there called Zingerman's. When we found out the Yuens were moving there, I was excited that a future visit would mean getting to try it. I can say now that it was worth every minute of Rob and Bobby standing in line for an hour:). Seriously though, best sandwich and cold brew coffee ever! The food and fun didn't stop or begin there though. Macadam's still asking about where his cousins and Shannon and Bobby live, which we point to at night on his globe.

Shannon and Bobby also gave us a mini urban ruins tour of Detroit. It is one of the most haunting cities I've ever seen. The mass exodus has definitely left its mark and while part of you wants to go buy a building for dirt cheap, it also makes a strong case for how lucky you are to live in a place where people want to be and, for the most part, thrive. However, there are definitely some areas where renewal is around the corner.

Mostly, the trip was a wonderful reminder about how distance definitely makes it hard to see each other but the bonds of family and friends surpass it all. We came back relaxed, refreshed and thankful!

Of course we took a bunch of pictures so it's a slideshow. Definitely some keepers!
If you can't see the slideshow in the box, click here.

Pint-sized news

We've tried to share the news the best we can, but in case we haven't seen or talked to you in awhile, it's true, another little Faw is on their way! After seeing this book a couple of times, I finally had to get it. We're not sure if it's the subject matter or whether Macadam looks like the little boy and I, the mom, but he l-o-v-e-s this book! We read it to him at least twice a day. If you're expecting another child or know someone who is, this might be a great gift for the big sibling.

Now that the cat's out of the bag, I am sure more posts will be baby arrival related. We're due mid-June, which will probably be here before we know it!

Happy New Year!

We had a lovely evening ringing in the new year with our good friends and it continued this morning with a walk on one of the most beautiful of cold, winter mornings. Macadam loved having the Mastans sleep over. His first words this morning (after he pretended to be sleeping by fake snores) was, "Where Ali go?" He was delighted when I said they were downstairs.
We think 2011 is going to be a good one, and wish the same to all of our wonderful friends and family.

A cozy Christmas

After a few days of celebrating the holidays with friends and late nights, Christmas was the perfect day of cozy celebrating between Rob, me, Macadam and even Buster. Santa came in and set up the addition to Macadam's Legoville trains (his helper even ran to the store at 10:30 Friday night for the right batteries) to go around the tree when Mac came downstairs in the morning. At first it was almost too overwhelming but soon, Macadam was down on the ground playing but also wanting to see if Santa had drank the milk we set out as well as ate the cookies and gave the reindeer the carrots.

Stockings were so fun. He had asked for an apple for Christmas and he was so happy when he saw one in his stocking. We're pretty sure that's all he would have needed for the day, but of course, the present opening continued. Between presents, playing and seeing family on Skype and talking on the phone, it was a big day for the little man.

All Mac wanted to do the whole day is play, play, play. Every time we asked him what he wanted to do, he just replied Play! We didn't leave the house all day, it was perfect. Rob and I blow torched (yes, really) our rib roast and it was delish, accompanied by some other yummy goodness.

We hope all of you had a great holiday, no matter where you were!

Thanksgiving part II

After celebrating up north here in Seattle, we traveled south for a three day tour of Oregon to see family. Friday we spent at the farm in Gobel with Grandpa Terry and Grandma 3/Dinah as well as Rob's brother and his fiancee and her family too. It was fun, festive and Macadam's love for the farm grows each time. He had a blast walking the grounds and getting see the honeycombs. Saturday we spent the morning with my family, not only seeing Grandma and Grandpa Fox but also Macadam's aunts and uncles and all six cousins! The newest addition, Olivia, is just a beauty and was only two weeks old. Mac had so much fun with his older cousins, they loved entertaining him too. That afternoon we headed to Grandma Karen and spent some much needed time with the Kullberg side of the family. Macadam's cousins are even closer in age to him and there was plenty of fun. Uncle Justin put in the hard work of chasing the kids, which kept them running, laughing and screaming for more.

As a kid who grow up with no cousins (that weren't my aunts' pets), it's so fantastic to see Mac play with his. While it was a tiring weekend of travel, it was a joy to get time with family.

Here are just a few shots from the weekend:

Thanksgiving part I

Before we headed down to Oregon for our family tour, we had a lovely little Thanksgiving celebration at home. It started with a snowy visit to the coffee shop, chatting with friends, then a day of cooking, movies and eating. Macadam, at first, looked to be revolting against Thanksgiving fare and then he went crazy for cranberry and the turkey leg, it was hilarious and surprising. While I always think we should do more throughout the year to remember how lucky we are in life, there are few holidays that match for tradition, coziness, love, and delicious food as Thanksgiving does. It's more and more fun as Mac gets older too, which makes me even more thankful for a happy, healthy and whole family.
More photos from family time in Oregon to follow!

Funny faces

Last week we celebrated Rob's birthday and during our birthday breakfast of waffles and strawberries, Rob and Macadam decided to work on their lion imitations.

More festivities

After celebrating Mac's birthday with his friends, we entered a weekend of non-stop family and friends. In addition to getting to see all his grandparents, Macadam also got to see his cousins, Aunt, Uncle, Olivia and Ryan as well as have an extra play date with his buddy Jack. He had so much fun, and was spoiled to the nines. It was so nice to have so many of those close to us celebrate him!

It's still slideshows galore as we get caught up, but there's some very cute moments caught on film.

Chasing skirts

Maybe not the most appropriate title for a post about a toddler but there is something just so lovely and funny about this photo. Chasing his cousins, Addison and Alistair, in April.

Fun with Diana

Fun with the Diana+ lens, that is...My mom gifted me with a long-desired lens for our camera over Christmas and with the sun now shining more often, I have been able to play around with it more. While there's still some more work to be done, I love these photos from our walk earlier this week. The whole point of the lens (based off the original camera) is for a dreamy, vintage effect. I dare say these accomplished it:).