Big Bear

Life vest, dog, boat, and Big Bear Lake...a great combination!

Captain John at the wheel with his great grandpa Bremer

A little down time watching a movie with PJ...when they get older they will wonder why we no longer let them hang out on a bed together in a room with the door closed but for now :)

When they were in the wagon together John kept trying to push PJ out so we took him out and he still just wanted to push PJ...thank you PJ for being such a good sport!

Showing off his new Spider man slippers!

We spent this last weekend in Big Bear for my birthday (28!) with family and friends so John got an overload and playtime and attention. He had a great time playing on the shore, with his fam and friends, and with Maggie too. He is becoming quite a show-off and everyone gets such a kick out of it so he is always aiming to please. I started to sub occasionally at the local high schools that I have worked at in the past which John seems to love because he gets to spend the day with his Grandma Debbie while I work. He is so eager to get outside and play everyday first thing after breakfast and I don't know what I am going to do when it starts getting cold and rainy. I will have to get one of those books that has hundreds of ways to entertain kids indoors :) We will enjoy being out and about as long as we can!

Summer Ending

John has learned that if he dumps all the toys out the tub becomes a really fun car that Mom can push around the house...back-breaking for Mom but fun for John

Our wonderful city of Rancho Cucamonga hosts concerts in the park over the summer.

John went to his first one last year but was too little to run around and play.

Why do I garden? So that I can take adorable pictures of John eating an

ear of corn raw off the stalk!

Pool time with Dad at gma and gpa Bremers.

Older kids are returning to school this week in Rancho but John plays on! He is growing fast, eating tons, running, jumping and splashing away the hot summer days. He is so interested in everything that is going on around him and wants to be a part of the action. Playing outside, splashing in the water table and eating dirt, leaves, grass and probably bugs (ew!) are typical morning activities. John still takes a good mid-day nap after lunch which is nice time for me to relax, clean, pickle, jam, garden, eat, email and blog. Dancing is an afternoon favorite for both of us but he saves lots of energy for when Dad gets home from work to play outside in the cooler evenings. We have lots of company with gmas, friends, and family all week...we are so lucky to have so many wonderful people so close to play with.

Heating Up

I know that later in life John will be mad at me for all the naked photos

but they are just so dang cute!

Showing off at breakfast during our family vacation to Cayucos

Morrow Bay

Lots of pool time this summer!

Not their very first kiss but the first one we were able to catch on camera. John loves to spend time with PJ which is great because I love spending time with PJ's mom :)

It has been so fun to play with John as he learns new things and grows into a little boy. He loves the water...but prefers running around/in/through/over it to sitting in the pool. I guess it's a must move constantly stage for him but I am loving it. We had a vacation with Gma Joan and PopPop Mike to Cayucos (a sleepy little beach town by Morrow Bay) at the end of June. It was a semi relaxing time for Steve and I since John loves to play and it doesn't matter who with but not so restful since he doesn't sleep very well in unfamiliar places. John enjoyed the sand and family time though and we will hopefully make it a tradition...as long as Gma and PopPop want to. It is jam/pickle/apple sauce season so I have been super busy collecting and preserving yummy goods since May. Cucumbers are in so Bread and Butter pickles are on the production line and the apple trees are teeming with fruit this year. I am selling my stuff so spread the word! I am lucky to have lots of help close by and John loves when his gmas come over to play while I get some work done. He still hasn't talked but he does some basic sign language that I taught him which helps a ton in communicating and I can tell more and more that he wants to be able to say things as he babbles with his toys and books. I am in no hurry for talking because I am pretty sure he won't stop once he starts :)

Summa time!

Father's Day dinner at our house...missing Jackie in Atlanta but enjoying the night with the fam.

In case you were concerned about eating habits John and PJ are nonstop snackers when they get around each other.

Playing bubbles with grandma Joan

Playdate with PJ...our favorite pal!

Father's Day at the park with the #1 DAD!

So John just woke up from his nap...of course right when I sit down to write the blog! He is having a great summer so far...swim class with mom, playdates with PJ and lots of other friends, bubbles, water, sun, bumps and scraps and more. Heading to the beach for a week this Friday so there will be lots to share when we get back.

Family Time

Jackie stayed with us for a few days before Abraham flew out to make the move to Atlanta, GA together. John thought he would try to tag along!

Enjoying time with his aunties and a yummy dinner at Grandma Joan's

Took a break from playing for a snack...one of the only things he willingly stops playing to do :)

John's days have a steady flow to them which we are all getting used to and enjoying. He gets up around 7 and eats breakfast with us, then heads off for some indoor playtime usually throwing balls or pushing things around the house. He gets a little sleepy around 8:30 so he sits down to watch a 40minute cartoon teaching him the ABCs while I quickly wash up and get dressed and ready for the day. If I finish before the movie is done we cuddle up for the remainder of the alphabet which is so sweet and relaxing. When that's through we take a walk around the neighborhood then John has a banana and yogurt snack when we get back after which he must have outside playtime or he gets super cranky and bangs on the doors until we go out or he starts crying. We play on his slide, swing, bounce balls, push the mower, pick everything in sight, splash in the water table if it's warm enough, and he usually ends up with a new scrape or bump by 11:30 when we come in to eat lunch and get ready for a nap. By noon I have read a few books and John has fallen asleep in his crib. I then have about 2 hours to do chores, check emails, eat, read the paper or a book if I'm into one, watch a movie if I need to relax or sleep if I had a rough night of sleep. John is usually drowsy and grouchy after he gets up until we head outside to play somemore, have another snack around 3:00, and sometimes have some down time watching Sesame Street or Blues Clues. Dad gets home around 5:30 then dinner at 6 and playtime with Dad while I clean up, oats and a bottle at 7:15 then a nice warm bathtime and bed by 7:45. It's a nice routine to be in and helps me to plan out our weeks with playdates, errands and visits with family. John eats a lot most days and weighs 26 pounds and is 32inches long. His 18 month pants are finally the perfect length! In the last couple weeks he has discovered his ability to entertain as he smiles and repeats his actions if he gets a laugh out of us. It is so cute to see him light up at the sound of someone laughing and beam his toothy grin.

Play time!

John loves playing outside whether the weather is pleasant or gloomy.

The water table is a favorite.
Getting tall enough, and strong enough, to open the doors.
This is what John does if I haven't taken him outside by 10am.



My second Mothers Day

Visiting family in Colorado over Easter weekend. John got to meet his Great grandparents and the rest of Grandpa Rick's family. He had a great time playing with my cousins and did well on his first plane flights.

Steve and I braved the air with John this Easter and were pleased with the results. John will not sleep on an airplane even if he's exhausted and can barely keep his eyes open. He will, however, eat all of his snacks and then 2 bags of Southwest airplane crackers...anything to keep him happy and occupied I suppose. We had a great time visiting with my dad's side of the family and hope to make the trip more often.

John is an extremely active boy and insists on playing outside throughout the day. He gets really cranky and bangs on the doors if we don't. This will be nice when it gets warm and stays warm but for now he bundles up on cold days and plays in the water on warmer days...as long as he gets his outside time. He is getting good at playing fetch with Toro who appreciates John's loves of balls and is so patient when John steals his from right under his nose.

John is sleeping great and moved himself to 1 nap a day the week he turned 1. He is finally getting to a point where he isn't sure if he wants to stop playing to eat and often seems to really think about how hungry he is when I tell him it's time to eat. He eats great once he is away from his toys and distractions.

My second Mother's Day was very enjoyable and kind of relaxing even. John started off with an unusual 3am screaming crying which ended promptly when I picked him up and rocked him. Then we hosted brunch for our mom's and family then headed to the Bremer's for a dinner with extended family. I felt much more motherly this year. Last year, being one month in to motherhood, I was nervous, exhausted, and flustered. This year I feel confident and relaxed and I am enjoying myself and my boy every day.

We made it through the first year!

Mad scientist bathtime hair-do. John still loves his bath time

and I can't wait to get him in the pool this summer.

Celebrating John's 1st birthday at Grandma Joan's


I brought some props from home to really capture John at his finest for his 1 year-old pictures.
Playing music and throwing balls consume much of our day.

John got lucky on his birthday and enjoyed hot sun and 90' heat. He was a happy birthday boy and seemed to enjoy having family and friends around to celebrate. He took a hard spill the day before his party hence the scabs on his nose and forehead...I felt so bad but it is true to John's life these days. He is moving so much and so fast he seems to have a new bruise or scrape at the end of every day. His 1 year checkup was suprisingly smooth. He dropped to the 70th percentile in height and weight at 24lb 9oz and 31 inches long which wasn't a surprise to me because he is so active all day. I feel like I feed this kid constantly too and he must be burning right through the calories...don't we all wish that was the case :) He had 5 shots and was so brave he cried for less than a minute and was dry-eyed when we left the office. We take him on his first plane flight this weekend to spend Easter in Colorado with the Crissman side of the family. We will see how that goes!

John didn't care much for the taste of the cupcake but had a great time smashing it so the texture must have been good.