I love this little man. So. Much. However, he isn't always that easy to hang out with all day, every day because he isn't that happy. I sometimes wonder what is wrong with him, but then all it takes to have the happy guy emerge is a change of environment...usually a change to a new place, he doesn't like the same old thing all the time. Leo thrills us with his progress. The girls and I literally watch his every move. He isn't walking, he pulls up to standing, but doesn't' really even walk along the furniture yet. He is very offended by the possibility of spending time with any other humans more than just his five family members. Like he screams and cries and wails passionately even ten minutes after being left with anyone other than the five of us. He prefers daddy to EVERYONE else and giggles when he hears Chris's voice at the end of the day. He. Just. Loves. His. Dad. A lot. He is a good sleeper but isn't a random sleeper, he only sleeps in his bed.
Anyway, for his (our) birthdays we went away for two nights to stay in Port Townsend. We invited my parents to join us and it was a fun little celebration. BUT before we could go, I had to get him the one year old big boy haircut I had been awaiting.
Let's just say that the last place in the world that Leo wants to be is the new environment of the local Kids Cuts. No toys, cool chair, candy, animal cracker could distract this kid from sheer horror as the kind lady worked her shears around his head. It got painful enough to witness that I seriously didn't even care if the cut was finished. I just wanted him out of his misery. This is a big reason why his first cut was very full of choppy, uneven cuts.
All ADORABLE and safe and sound in sissy's arms.
Seriously, this kid is so darn cute, and look at Ruby with her lipless Pierce smile that I have come to adore so much.
A highlight for me this weekend was going a second time to the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim. It is seriously one of my most favorite things to do as a family. It is a game farm where the animals can walk up to your car, and it is a riot every time. We parked my parents' car at the entrance so we could all experience it together and it was so much fun. Due to driving 1 mph around the farm, Leo got to try his hand at driving.
At the overlook, before you enter the free range area...Betsey and Opa.
It is so crazy what goes on at this place!
I've never been so close to a bald eagle before!
These bears are in contained areas, and they don't seem scary at all, but this yawn sure makes this guy look fierce.
So close! Chris was a scaredy cat and kept rolling the window up when they got close.
Betsey looking at the animals...jut the shot I wanted...
Oh! She noticed I was taking a pic and that cute poser came out. I can hardly remember the time when she wouldn't let me take a picture of her for anything.
HELLO!
The condos are on the water at Discovery Bay and they have a nice dock in the condo timeshare. It was fun for the kids to go exploring down there and they did find some great sea creatures...
Are you impressed? I'm impressed! How did they do that!?
Daddy cuddles.
Opa feeding Leo breakfast...which is a pouch of pureed fruits and veggies and Leo's favorite thing in the world. Seriously, he loves these pouches so, so much. It's like his bottle...like it is a comfort to him or something.
Are other babies this cute? If they are, I haven't ever noticed. He is killing me with those daddy eyes.
The view from our condo.
My little birthday boy with his presents. I didn't get him anything because he doesn't NEED or WANT anything. I figure this way, stuff will come up this year as he will change and do so much before he turns two and I can get him things he really does want/need then. My mom got him some beach toys for our summer at the beach...
He liked his beach toys! I love his little claps!
He looked like he was trying to blow that candle out...but he was really just preparing to grab at it.
Cake smashing...or just Safeway cupcake eating...we don't have a kitchen currently do to the remodel so it wasn't the usual homemade cake first birthday scenario.
He loved it. Was so happy!
Joy!
Bathtime!!!
So of course there was a birthday celebration for me too. I have some good people who love me because I didn't ask for anything or think it really mattered that we focused on the big first for Leo. So anyway, first, Chris had a gift for me that blew my mind. Like ten years ago, this image was on the cover of the adult magazine for our church, The Ensign. I loved it. I'm not really an art person like some are...so for me, there is art that speaks to me and art that doesn't speak to me really doesn't affect me generally. Anyway, so this strong reaction to this painting wasn't usual and hasn't ever repeated. It is a painting of Adam and Eve with Cain. When I first saw it I thought it was more of a nativity painting but the artist set me straight. I contacted the artist, Jay Bryant Ward and asked how I could buy a lithograph or canvas or SOMETHING of this painting. Well he told me the original was sold (of course for thousands of dollars) and that he hadn't had any replicas created in any price range. I told Chris about this and hoped someday it would change and be available, but honestly, I never even gave another thought to contacting the artist although the painting never left my mind. Somehow, Chris never forgot this and has even tried over the years to see about getting me a replica. This time when he contacted the artist (guys, who are reading...okay there are none...), he actually offered several options!! So when I opened this painting I was really shocked and impressed. It is a beautiful framed canvas signed by the artist who Chris contacted directly. I love it and I love Chris for being so thoughtful and thorough.
My mom made me some really, really yummy chocolate lava cake which I have to say is the best thing ever.
On our actual birthday...which was Sunday, the day we left our condo, it was time to go to Jeff's house and attend his ward to be with their family as Isaac was blessed. It was well timed because we were a short ferry ride away from their house on Whidbey Island.
Leo: You and I will have a picture like this for all of our birthdays that we are together.
He liked the ferry.
Rubs.
I live in a ridiculously beautiful place. It is so pretty that you don't become desensitized to it. I just gawk after all these years and all the beauty being always all around me...it never gets old or boring.
More birthday kid selfies.
Oh how I love these kiddos. Leo is so lucky to have these two constantly adoring him.
We had ALL the cousins present for this event...and they like to sit together...and they like to chat and laugh and rile each other up. I loved sitting behind the bulk of them.
I walked outside and Chis was walking with Molly on one leg, Betsey on the other and Addy up in the air. He is definitely one of the more hands on, playful in a big way men I have ever known and the neices and nephews all look forward to time around him. I didn't get the camera out fast enough to get it all at the right moment before Molly got up but it was cute.
Leo and Isaac will someday look the same age and be best friends! On this day, Leo really just wanted to pull and tug at Isaac so I had to keep him at bay.
Reeeeaaaacchh!!
I was so happy that my cousin Jimmy and his wife and four boys came to the event. It is so good to catch up with him and his kids are always a fun addition according to my kids.
More crazy beauty. No edits.
