photos in buffalo...

An overcast morning at the zoo, fantastic buildings and two willing subjects made for some fun photo play while I was visiting my sister and nephew in Buffalo last weekend.  I haven't taken portraits in a long time and was happy for the practice.

My cheeky nephew:

My beautiful and {newly ENGAGED} sister:

The adorable two of them:

And because blogger notoriously likes to make my photos look a bit blurry, please do click on any of the shots to get a clearer (read: better) image.

this is what summer looks like...

the park. playing with his reflection in the run-off from the local splash park:

family walks around town in the still warm evenings:

oh look, another park. the day our not quite 18 month old climbed a ladder. by himself. um, yeah:

visits with family. g and my mom two weeks ago:

lots and lots of running and laughter:

feeling the need, the need for speed (don't worry, mr. boom was right next to him, just out of the frame):

it's a good start to this first toddler summer.  we are thankful for the many parks in town and the ability to walk just a few blocks in either direction to find good, clean (or dirty, in the case of the mulch parks) fun.  we have plans to see family, take a couple of weekend trips, spend time with friends and try to soak up every moment with our happy boy as he discovers everything in his world.

(as always, click on any of the photos to enlarge)

(nearly) wordless wednesday: where my heart bursts with love, again...

This past Sunday.

Just after a friend's baptism.

Stunningly handsome.

Full of joy.

L.O.V.E.

chasing spring...

It is March and I am officially done with the cold weather (hear that, Mother Nature?). This has felt like the longest winter on record and although, yes we did have an inordinate amount of snow and frigid temps, I think it has more to do with having had to coop up a very active toddler. Now, said toddler has a ridiculous amount lot of toys but, even favorite things have their limits. Every time the temps have ventured into the mid-forties or above and the sun has deigned to shine down on us, I have bundled us both up and taken the little man for a walk.

Last week, we had just enough of a thaw to allow him to set foot on the ground for the very first time. His first time running around outdoors was on the soccer field just a couple of blocks from our house.  In true Greek spirit, he took off running from end to end. He was in his new-walker glory:

This Monday, it was colder than I would have liked but by late afternoon he was going a bit stir-crazy and taking me down with him so, we headed out again.  To his delight, the toddler park was finally free of snow and he was able to swing, climb, explore and run to his heart's content.  It such a shame that he hates being outside, eh ;-)

I predict that this spring is going to be loads of fun!

wordless wednesday: hello clementine...

wordless wednesday: basket case...

{also, notice the ever present remote  control in his vice grip...ha!}

And a reminder...my GIVEAWAY for 25 Shutterfly.com photo cards is still open!  Yesterday's post has all of the entry details :)

a birthday, a cold and a partridge in a pear tree...

As I write this post, I'm still trying to figure out exactly where the last week went. Between my three-day birthday celebration, work and George coming down with a cold, time slipped away. I've been reading the #reverb10 prompts and am hoping to get to some of the backlog later this week but, if not, I'm letting it go. There are enough potential stressors in December without adding another to the mix.

So the birthday recap. in short, this was one of my favorites ever. Mr. Boom was able to take a day off of work to make a long weekend and both my parents and my in-law's joined us in baby-friendly outings to celebrate. That's what I wanted, time with my family. That (and the Kindle3 + green case....squeeeeee!) is exactly what I got.

Last Sunday kicked it all off with a trip to the Children's Museum. My parents met us and everyone had a great time watching G explore all of the exhibits. Not surprisingly, those that involved water were among his favorites. Is there any better gift than the joy on that little face? I think not.

The day was capped off with a delicious lunch at an italian restuarant around the corner from the museum. Blue crab and corn stuffed shells for me...oh, yum! And that was just day one of the festivities. Much more to come - soon, I promise!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

1st halloween: g is for giraffe..

When I was 21 weeks pregnant with G, we found out that he would be a boy and had already decided on his name and that giraffes would play a role in his nursery decor. The costume was a given. The funny thing was that we found it last September, guessed on the size and hoped for the best.

Luckily, it could not have been more perfect and G did spend his very first Halloween as the cutest giraffe I've ever seen ;-) This boy will do all he can to get out of wearing a regular hat but, a giraffe hood? Bring it on. He was happy as could be all suited up.

We took him to the walking path around our local resevoir to take these photos. He was so intruigued by all of the leaves and surrounding trees that he didn't even attempt to crawl around. This may become a new favorite spot for seasonal photo shoots.

Happy Halloween all!

10.10.10: first pumpkins...

A beautiful fall morning called for an outdoor activity...the search for the perfect pumpkin. Or, at least the perfect spot for fall photos with our own little pumpkin. I think he might have enjoyed himself, just a bit...

It doesn't get much better than this!

weekend at the lake...

Last Friday, George and I traveled upstate to the lake for some family time. We had some cooler but beautiful weather and it was incredible to see how much more George enjoyed himself from our last visit two weeks before now that he is so much more mobile. My aunt and uncle have a gorgeous collie named Murphy and G was completely enamoured with his new found furry friend.

My camera was, as usual, close at hand and I finally swapped lenses and decided to give my 50mm 1.4 prime a workout. Love! Begged the question - why haven't I been using this much more all along? Lesson learned.

George exploring the dock:

Kisses from Yia Yia:
Good morning Sunshine! Not quite awake but quite a happy boy:

Quality time with great Uncle Dick who was in from CA:

Playing on the deck:

A guiding hand from Pop:

wordless wednesday: morning at the park

most definitely an outside kid...

Could he be any happier than this? Late afternoon at the park closest to our house, just after finishing his dinner. Forget that it was overcast (makes for better photos anyway), drizzling and the coolest day in many months. He soaked it all up and loved every minute we were there. Took in so much in that short time that the second time we put him in the swing? He fell fast asleep...zzzz...

my cup runneth over..

After putting G to bed last night, I sat down at the computer to put together a quick photo order. Since returning to work, I'm frequently asked for baby photos only to sheepishly hand over my iPhone. It is one of the hazards of this digital age - so many memories living on hard drives and smart phones. So, last night I set out to fix that. I put together an album of some of my favorites and uploaded them just in time to take advantage of a Snapfish free shipping offer. In a week or so, I'll finally be able to fill up one of the brag books I have tucked away and will have photos ready the next time I'm asked.

And, that was a very roundabout explanation for why I am actually posting...

While browsing though folders, I came across this photo and my heart nearly burst with joy, love and reminiscing: I am so very blessed.

five months...

My sweet boy,

I'm just the luckiest mama ever to have had your first five months at home with you (with one more full month to go). In the last month, your personality has blossomed and it seems you are learning at least a dozen things each day. You are a terrific supported sitter now and I have a feeling you'll be doing it your own very soon. You enjoy your Prince Lionheart seat and spin (and chew on) the attached toy with vigor! You spend at least 30 minutes a day in your exersaucer, jumping, laughing and playing with all of the attached toys you are getting to know so well. Daddy and I get such a kick out of watching you learn new things and hearing your coos, giggles and squeals of delight.

Another new 'toy' of the moment is one that is never far....your foot! The changing table continues to be one of your happy places and as soon as we lay you down for a change of diaper or clothes you grab a foot - or both - and have it up to your face for a closer look with lightning speed. And those toes must be as delicious to you as they are to us because they find their way into your mouth much of the time. So stinkin' cute!You had your first taste of food earlier this month (organic rice cereal and banana) but, I felt you really weren't quite ready yet so we held off for just a bit longer. You have your whole life to experience all of the wonderful varieties of food in your world - and we do hope you'll be adventurous - no need to rush.

George, you are growing so quickly and right on schedule. At your four month pediatric appointment you weighed in at 14 lb, 10 0z and measured 25.5" long. The doctor joked that the growth charts were modeled after you as you continue to be right around the 50th percentile for weight, height and head circumference. You handled your vaccines really well and reverted to smiles seconds after the tears started when the nurse distracted you with juggling and bubbles. And your hip is doing much better. You are in the harness only from bedtime to waking in the morning. As of today, there are two weeks to go until your next appointment when, we hope and pray the orthopaedist is right, you'll be sprung for good. You've been in the harness for exactly four months now and, while we are grateful that your dysplasia was not severe and didn't require more aggressive intervention, we are ready for you to get a clean bill of health and to help you move on.

You are not even close to sleeping though the night. Every couple weeks or so you give me a night with only one wake up but, most still require two or more middle of the night feedings. I know that this will lessen over time and establishing a good night-time routine for you has started us on a better path to sleep: harness and pj's, quieting the house and dimming lights, read a book or two, one last feeding then, bed.

Each morning, your Daddy and I wake to your coos and content chatter over the monitor - starting our days of with smiles. You are such a happy boy, so interested in the world around you, at ease around other people and oh! The flirting! Your grins charm everyone you meet. It's that elusive charisma and you seem to have an abundance.

I look a you at least once a day and marvel that you are here and ours. We're starting to see traits of me and your Daddy in you. You inherited my habit of raising one eyebrow and you have Daddy's half smirk. There are times I look at you and I know you are an exact, scale replica of your father. Then you change up your expression and I see that maybe, just maybe, you have a little bit of me through the eyes and nose. A little bit of both of us and a whole lot that is all wonderfully, uniquely you.

I love you to the moon and back,

Mama

you, at four months...

Hi there cutie,

So much happening for you this month with celebrations, a little travel and all of the growing you've been doing. I can hardly believe how much you have changed from your three month photo to today. Your personality is suddenly as big as those gorgeous, kissable cheeks of yours!

At four months you:

• weigh 14lb, 11oz and measure 25.5 inches - consistent at about 50th percentile for each. You did so well handling your vaccines. A quick cry and then all smiles when the nurse blew bubbles and did a little juggling act for you.
• celebrated your first Easter. It was very low-key with just the three of us and a trip to Niko's since your Papou was in the hospital but, we still dressed you for the day and took pictures with your bunny.
• are full of smiles!
• celebrated your first Name Day on 7/23/10.
• are doing much more solitary play on the floor with your toys and sitting in your bebePod seat.
• have a new, big favorite toy: your exersaucer. You just sat and looked around the first few times but are quickly learning all of the fun toys and are wanting to stay in it longer each day.
• are sleeping a little bit better at night, as long as I 'dream feed' you just before I'm ready for bed. It seems you just need a little more milk in your belly to get you through for a few hours.
• have longer eyelashes all of a sudden. Your Baba and I comment all the time that we can almost see them grow.
• are spending more time out of the harness than in - a very happy thing for all of us! You need to wear it now at bedtime (as of 4/7/10) and can take it off as soon as you wake up in the morning.
• find comfort in your Sofie the giraffe toy and particularly love to munch on her hooves.
• went to your first lacrosse game at Union College to see your cousin Josh play, followed by tailgating.
• take lots and lots of walks around town with Mama in the beautiful spring weather.
• have become very interested in faces. You love to reach out your little hands to touch Mama and Baba's faces when we are holding you. I think we'd both say it's one of our very favorite things you've learned lately.
• are becoming more talkative with lots of coos and gurgles.
• love looking at family photos. We have a lot of frames on our refrigerator and a sure way to distract you when you are cranky is to bring you to the fridge so that you can study the faces of the people in your life.

George, you are such a sweet, easygoing baby. You are quickly becoming more curious about the world around you and it is such a pleasure to see things though your eyes each day. I'm so very lucky to be yours.

I love you to the moon and back,

Mama

scenes from our walk...

I finally brought the camera along on one of our walks to capture some of the sights along our regular two mile route. In the full bloom of spring there is so much to see in our pretty little town. G peacefully rides along while clutching his favorite (for now) toy, Sofie the giraffe.
Huge red tulips:

Tree lined sidewalks:

Our historic library:

Dogwood blossoms:

Days like this make me fall in love with our area all over again and, it almost makes the property taxes worthwhile. Almost.