Happy Trails for Us

Anchorage has a massive trail system. In the winter time the trails are used by the local dog mushers, xcountry skiers, snow shoers, moose, etc. The summertime brings out the runners, bikers, and strollers, moose calves (with protective mamas) and bears.

We venture out to a different trail every Wednesday with a group of moms and tots. We often block the whole trail, so we are constantly maneuvering our stroller brigade in and out of the single file line as a courtesy to other trail users.

On Wednesday, we had a perfect walk--68 degrees, slight breeze, sunny skies, and no sign of the state bird (a mosquito). David was wondering how to best spend his time in the stroller as we left the parking lot--seatbelt fastened? check. sunscreen? check. hat? check. mosquito repellant? check. happy to be on the trails? Not quite sure yet--David wasn't sure if this was a good trade off for the cozy nap he had just started (and abruptly ended) before being put into the stroller.
A couple of miles later at the turn around point David looked like he chose to use the time on the trail well spent in deep reflection.We'll be back for more happy trails next week. After all, we have to get the most use out of these trails as we can--because we are part owners. In the most recent property tax report from the municipality, the figure for maintaing the trail system was shown to be $10,000,000. You read that right--$10 million. The trails are part of the culture of this town. Any politician inclined to trim that number would do well to pick a spot for their political grave. If they need help, I can suggest a few scenic places. I've seen some beauties from the trails.

Emoticon David

Happy

Sad

Playful

Bored

Startled

Intense

Silly

Shy

New Tricks

David has at least one new trick every day. Here is his latest:

What do we do in the Daytime?

We read books. We practice sitting (in the activity chair and bumbo seat). We lay on the floor, and David looks all around. We go on walks. We have playdates (although David isn't very playful yet with the other children). We sing songs. We dance to music. We play the mirror game. We go into the kitchen while I prepare food or clean dishes with one hand. (However loud his protests, he still gets put down while I use a knife.) We water the garden. We splash in the water while David takes a bath. We laugh and tickle. (An every day must!) We live the dream of having and being a stay at home mom. And we love every minute that we are together. Thank you Daddy for all you do for us so we can be together all day, every day!

Hoodie

Because some people are so hip that even their bath towel has a hoodie.

Four Months Old (Nine Months Big)

Last week we took David to his 4 month well baby check. It came as no surprise to us when the doc told us that he is perfect. He weighed in at a robust 16 lbs, 3 oz.

He has recently moved to size 9-months in clothes that are one-piece. (Like the little footed zipper outfits he wears to bed.) When people hear this, they say, "Oh, he must be long." Well, not necessarily. He is only measuring in the 50th percentile for length. He outgrows the sleepers when the zipper can no longer pull together the two sides over his squishy thighs and round belly.

The clothes that come in two pieces (shirt/pant sets) he wears size 6 months. Just this past week, I put away all clothes labeled with anything 3-months. While the legs were still long enough, the bands on his little jeans and pants were squeezing his belly. I figured it out when I found myself wrestling my baby into his jeans. I thought, "Wait a minute. He doesn't have to suffer through this. Let him move up a size." And so I did.

In David's four months of life, I have sorted through clothes and changed out his wardrobe five times now. That is a lot of sorting! We have gone from newborn size to size 6-9 months. I guess I mention this because I am not one that likes to sort my own wardrobe or shoes--so I find it a little tedious to change out a wardrobe every couple of weeks. But it quickly turns fun when I pull out the next size of adorable clothes for our adorable David.

The Mirror Game

David always finds a smile for the little boy in the mirror. He especially likes it when they giggle back and forth at each other.