Three day weekend

Happy Labor Day everyone. We had a nice weekend, though Tom took on a lot of projects around the house making it less relaxing for him than I think he needs. But he can't help himself.
Leo was a bit cranky today and I don't really have an explanation. He was well-rested and well-fed, so I decide to blame it on teething. But really, who knows. Leo's new interest is belly buttons. When he's sitting on my lap, he lifts my shirt to poke my belly button. Tom's is equally fascinating. He hasn't discovered his own, but he can't really see it because of his pudgy gut.

Before we get to pictures, I want to acknowledge my blog-versary. I've been maintaining this blog for a year and over that span of time I posted 183 times. That's an every-other-day average. Pretty freakin' good for a new mom! I love being able to chronicle my son's life, and I hope everyone enjoys reading it.

"This is my dad's idea of fun."

Helping dad do yard work.
Leo cries any time Tom makes a "nose noise". If Tom sneezes, blows, even sniffs, Leo will wait a beat, and then break down into tears. It's so sad (but a little funny). Here they are enjoying a moment together in the morning.
And this is right after Tom sniffed. Chillin' in the pool.

Summer fun

It's crazy hot here (again), but I had a play date on the calendar so we had to venture out. Thankfully, I planned it at a park that had a cool water play thingy (I don't know the actual term).

Leo and Addison staying cool in the shade. Moms and kids settle in for some lunch.
Leo and I try out the water fountains.
He didn't love it, but he didn't hate it. He found it very funny when I pretended to lap up the water.
"Ma, it's 100 degrees out; I don't think I'm going to get a chill so you can lose the towel."

Happy baby photos!

Pouty lips.

So proud

See those blocks? The one stacked on top of the other? My son did that. With his pudgy little hands and his lips pursed in concentration, he placed one block on top of another. Before today, he would chew the blocks, throw the blocks, bang the blocks together, but today he stacked. I could have grabbed the camera or the video camera to capture it, but instead I decided just to enjoy it. I handed my son blocks and he skillfully placed them (he even successfully made some triple stacks). It brought tears to my eyes because I was so proud. Leo may not have met the traditional milestones yet, but he's doing some really cool stuff and I'm so privileged to witness it.

My son, the comedian

Hanging out with Addison

It is pretty much impossible to get both kids to look at the camera at the same time.

Here they are in their boats in the pool.
Playing with the learning table.

hair solutions

First birthdays

I'm obsessing a little over Leo's first birthday. Every evening while Tom watches the Olympics, I surf the net looking at cake recipes, decorations, favors, etc. I've got big plans and we'll just have to see if I'm able to pull it all off. Trying to recreate a Martha Stewart cake opens you up to a world of disappointment. So when Tom's coworker invited us to his daughter's first birthday, I jumped at the chance to scope it out. It was much more of an "adult" party since it was held at a restaurant. Plus, they dressed the birthday girl up in a very ornate, traditional Indian dress complete with jewelry and nail polish. (Nail polish on her fingers and toes! I kid you not.) She looked very grown up even though she was smaller than Leo.

Here's Leo posing with the birthday girl. Cutting the cake.
Reunited with Sujatha.
Better than last time.