4th of July Celebrations Begin

This year Daddy took a bit of bonus time off work and we were able to hit some of the 4th of July summer celebrations.

 First, we went to the Lucasfilm picnic at Skywalker Ranch...which was delightful. 

 While Dexter finished his car nap, Maya took a swim in the pond (in the pink floaty).

Then it was time for lunch.

Followed by a horseback ride.

Nice!!

The fun continued a couple days later when Momma took Maya to the Marin County Fair while Daddy babysat Dex.  Maya loved the rides.

This time, a 42.5" tall Maya was allowed to go on the Ferris Wheel.

Up we go!

Two happy girls.

View of the Marin County Fair.

No daring Ferris Wheel is complete without a video...

We completed our day at the fair watching a very happy sheep... 

...get a hair cut.

Dexter at 9 Months

Here are the latest stats:
Weight: 19lbs 9oz (around 30th percentile)
Height: 28 inches (around 35th percentile)

Dexter is still a great sleeper.  He sleeps through the night without interruption from about 7:45pm - 7:45am.  We dropped the dreamfeed at 11pm at around 7 months.  He is now taking two solid 1.5-2 hour naps per day.  We are very grateful that he sleeps well like his sister.

Dexter is now eating solid food quite efficiently.  He eats three meals a day with about 8 ozs of purees and stews of one kind or another.  He's liking chunkier stews.  He loves Puffs and other dissolve in your mouth crunchy things.  He's also still nursing 4 times a day.

At 8 months, Dexter began to crawl and now he is a very busy boy.  He loves exploring the house and finding any wire, piece of dirt, or other unsuitable object and putting it in his mouth.  He will find a little toy like a cup or a book and drag it around with one hand victoriously.  He's lost interest in any stationery device like a the exersaucer as he is addicted to his mobility.  He has also started clapping at random occasions and loves banging toys together.  He's discovered Maya's drum set and he will try to hit the drums with a stick.  Dexter loves exploring objects and understanding what they do.  He hasn't really started to show much interest in books (although we do read to him).  He sees the book as a fun object to play with and put in his mouth, but he doesn't seem to see the pictures yet.

Dexter is getting more excited about other people and other babies.  He loves to grab other babies or sit on them.  Maya and Dexter are becoming great friends.  Maya loves asking her friends if they want to 'pet her baby.'  Maya treats him like a treasured pet and she is a surprisingly good babysitter.  He loves her and smiles every time she comes near.  Dexter still loves taking walks and being outside.  He loved going to the beach at Tahoe and getting his feet wet.

Dexter is making more and more distinctive sounds like 'da, da,' 'ma, ma,' and a sound which in tone sounds like 'all done' but come out more like 'a da.'  He also grunts and practices making raspberries and other interesting sounds.  He does make a 'hi' sound that he seems to say at the appropriate time, but nothing has been definitive enough to really be his first word.

Dexter is an easygoing, but very active little guy.  He is now in the advanced stages of babyhood, but we know he will soon develop the precarious, willful characteristics of a toddler.  For now, we will enjoy our little rug rat.

Inside-Out Day With The Birthday Boy

We drove back to San Francisco from our Tahoe trip on a very important day for two reasons.  It was Daddy's birthday (we won't reveal his age, but let's just say he is in his very late thirties).  And, it was Dexter's Inside-Out Day.  Dexter is now 9 months old and has officially been in the outside world longer than he's been on the inside (Momma's belly).  Congrats to two wonderful dudes.

"Tahoe" video

A little video montage of Tahoe excitement.

Lake Tahoe: Emerald Bay

The weather was still on the cool and windy side so we decided to go for a hike in Emerald Bay State Park.  We hiked down to Vikingsholm "Castle" (really a nice home built buy a wealthy family in the twenties) and had a picnic on the beach.  We then did a quick hike up to lower Eagle Falls.  

Maya enjoys part of her PB&J on the hike down to the beach.

The trail.

Dexter enjoying the ride.

View of Emerald Bay.

At the falls.

Dexter approves.

Lake Tahoe: Squaw Valley

One the third day of our Lake Tahoe adventure, we decided visit Squaw Valley.    

The ski area looks beautiful in the summer. 

Enjoying a ride on the aerial tram up to High Camp.

Just a wee bit windy.

Check out these great hairstyles.

Serious discussion between Momma and Dex on the way back down on the tram.

 On our way out, we noticed this.

Before we knew it, Maya was strapped in...

...and jumping...

...high!!

Lake Tahoe: Yes, Please

We decided to take a quick California vacation and head to Lake Tahoe for a few days.  Even though the lake is only a few hours away, this is our second time visiting.  Our first time was when Maya was about 15 months old and just walking.  We were blown away (again) by how beautiful it is there.

 We arrived at the house we rented and Momma and Maya decided to walk to the nearby beach right away.

We were staying in Sunnyside on the West Shore.  Near the house is this lovely little pebble beach.

Maya approves. 

Vacation feet. 

 Maya and Dexter enjoy breakfast at our cabin.  Notice Maya's vacation stemware.

 The next day we took a short drive to Meeks Bay which is home to an amazing beach.

The famous blue Lake Tahoe. 

Dexter loves the beach. 

 The water was cold, but Momma went for a quick dip.  Dexter got in all the way up to his ankles.  Baby steps, as they say.

Maya builds castles and chases geese.

Great view.

Au Naturel

These two are very cute in their natural state.

 Happiness.

Maya imitates her brother with his tongue out.

Kisses.

Happy boy.

Clothes are overrated.