Falling In

Hugs for Maggie who is so patient and calm with Johnny Boy!

John loves to stand and sit in his water table...a fun thing he learned in the summer when it was hot enough to do that.

Mom: "John where's your big belly?" John: "Here's my belly!"

Playing in the rain puddles on the side of the house. John's first rain boots :)

First hair cut!

I took this the other morning because I just couldn't believe how big he was getting. I think he grew an inch that night!

John is staying active and playful as the days get shorter and cooler. Rain can not stop this kid from playing outside so I bought some decent rain boots and a heavy rain coat so we can splash around even when it's wet and gloomy. If it's not we will probably join a playgym for kids so he doesn't go stir crazy and drive me crazy :). I am looking forward to the holiday season this year because he is so active and interested in everything. We are even going to have our first Christmas tree, stockings and presents on Christmas morning at our house. But Thanksgiving first...hopefully I will have pictures of John playing in the snow (if there's enough) when we spend a couple days in Big Bear with Steve's family next week.

A Happy Halloween

John was more interested in the running from house to house than the candy he got once he arrived...he wouldn't even carry his club or candy bag :)

At the pumpkin patch

We made it out of the hay maze at the pumpkin patch but John hadn't had enough so he played in it for a while.

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.