Trip to Michigan, Oct 2-8

Jameson and I took our first solo trip (missing daddy).  We flew to Wisconsin and stayed the night with grandma and grandpa. The next morning, we drove with grandma up and over to East Jordan, MI to visit Aunt Natalie and Uncle Matthew.  In Michigan, we enjoyed some fall weather with fall festivities: apple picking, a pumpkin patch and football!  The challenges of flying with a 9 month old by myself and taking two 10 hour road trips (about a 10-11 hour drive between homes in Wisconsin and Michigan) were tough, but totally worth it.  We had a blast and can't wait to go back!

One of the most exciting moments was that upon our arrival Jameson got a gift from his Aunt Natalie and Uncle Matthew - a picture frame which said, "Cousins are forever" and had a picture of an ultrasound!!!!!  Aunt Natalie surprised us with news that she's pregnant!  We can't wait to meet their sweet little one due April 24 (just 2 days after Jameson's Aunt Karen is due with her third little bundle of joy!...it's going to be a busy month!)

Jameson showing Uncle Matthew just how much fun he has on the swing.  (Too bad we had to leave Michigan before those apples made it into a pie!)

More practice in a high chair.

Breakfast at the apple orchard.

I love you Grandma!!!

Fun in the Pumpkin Patch.

Out to lunch with grandpa and grandma before having to fly back home. It was a perfect fall day to eat outside.

The affection between Rufus and Jameson apparently grew stronger with distance :)

Weekend in Vail, Sept 28

Pitstop in the mountains along our drive to Vail.

I was glad that pitstop could include coffee! :)  It had already been a long morning... shortly after getting on the highway leaving Fort Collins, we realized that we had forgotten Jameson's Pack n' Play, so we had to turn around to get it.  After spending another half hour at the house feeding Jameson, we were back on the road for about an hour and a half before realizing that we also forgot the metal-frame backpack for carrying Jameson to go hiking.  And so it begins....right?

We happened to drive by an awesome park and put Jameson on a baby swing and assisted him down a slide for the first time.  He loved both!

What a gorgeous afternoon to play at the park.

When he swung, each time he flew forward he had the biggest grin and giggle.  It was contagious, for sure!

Enjoying being a kid again.

Yes, it is a heated pool, but I still can't wait until Jameson is old enough to go in the hot tub!

A look ahead at our hike.

The changing fall color was one of the reasons for the trip.  The Aspens were beautiful, and while we thought we timed it perfectly with the height of the fall foliage, the Aspens were only just starting to change.

8 Months

8 months old!  He is growing so fast these days, reaching one milestone after another.  Labor Day weekend he cut his first tooth, and two weekends later, his second.  He loves eating solids (lots of fruits and veggies) and is growing more and more curious about the foods that he sees us eat (we can confirm that he likes homemade cookies and banana bread).  Some of his biggest achievements this month have centered around his mobility.  He has finally gotten the knack for crawling, though he's far more interested in standing and walking.  Let the baby-proofing begin!

This gloomy day was the perfect day to bring a little sunshine to daddy!  We surprised him at work and went out for lunch.  The dreary weather lingered for about a week and brought with it devastating floods - thank goodness everything at home was safe.

"Green Nineteen...Hut-Hut-Hike!"

We start 'em young.  Go Packers!

A little more cruisin'

7 Months (and some more of my busy summer)

A beautiful afternoon for a Mommy and Baby picnic on the shore of Lake Loveland.  After going for a walk, we played in the grass under some tree shade and watched dogs splash in the water - what a great day!

Snapped this photo while Jameson was propped up on my shins, "flying" high in the sky!

I'm 7 months old!  Some highlights...likes standing more and more - even wanting to hold on and partially support himself, is stronger at sitting and reaching out to balance himself if he starts to tip, is practicing his fine motor skills (as seen below), is more squirmy on the changing table which makes for challenging diaper changes, reaches out to be held and will actually pull our arms into him when we get close (aw!). 

First boat ride!  Just a short trip to a small island for Daddy's summer work party.

Andrea came out to Fort Collins for a weekend visit!  Jameson loved meeting her and showing her around.  Here we are on our way up to Gem Lake just outside of Estes Park.

Made it to the top!  Daddy said that this adorable hat made him embarrassed for both of us, but look at how cute and happy I am!!!

Having a playful moment with Mommy at 12,000+ feet in Rocky Mountain National Park.

After a fun day in the mountains, we recovered at a great Mexican restaurant in Estes Park.

You can't say you don't have a fan in the infant demographic!

"What makes you think we're up to no good?"  17-month-old Nate (and his mom Krista) came out to Colorado from Boston and spent some time with us in Fort Collins.

Nate and Jameson hatching some kind of plan...

Jameson with Krista.  Sorry Krista, but we will NOT blur out the Green Bay Packers logo from this photo.

Go Red Sox!  Sunday night matchup against the Yankees.  Jameson pictured with Big Papi and Big Papa.  Thank you, Erika, for the "My First Red Sox" t-shirt :)

Practicing manual dexterity with some cereal pieces.  We were actually quite impressed by his natural inclination to grasp at the pieces with a forefinger and thumb.  Now, if he could just transfer the food that way to his mouth (we need a little more work with that one as you can see in the photo).

Peach Festival 5k race with friends and neighbors.