Disneyland!

Last Wednesday Alex took a day off of work, so we could spend the day at Disneyland. It turned out to be a "Mary Poppins" outing...you know, practically perfect in every way.

We arrived at the parking garage a little before 8am and found NO line of cars! Amazing. The park itself, likewise felt empty, which meant we could really see Main Street and all the decorations and let Hamilton skip down the road in excitement. We even paused at the giant tree for some photo ops.



Hamilton is a Disneyland veteran, so he has his favorite rides. He usually picks Dumbo as the first ride, and that day was no exception. No waiting, and he even got his favorite elephant: the green one. Becks and I had the one right in front of them. Please note Beckett riding like a "big boy" (well, minus the pacifier).


Hamilton is tall enough to ride the Matterhorn. Good parents would stick with the storybook rides, oh well. Hamilton had a great time riding it with Alex, clapping as it came to a finish (in celebration of the ride itself, not the ride being over). When I tried to take him on (Parent Swap Passes are awesome), he flipped out, threw himself around, and slapped me in the face. This is one of the events that made the day practically perfect, rather than perfect. I was so upset and also embarrassed that people waiting in line thought I was a horrible mom trying trying to force my toddler on a scary ride. Hamilton was actually protesting going with me. This lead to a nice sulk on a bench and musings about how I should be working in a real job because staying at home was obviously doing nothing positive, etc., etc. Alex was very nice during this time and pretended that I was logical, waiting patiently for me to snap out of it and get back to the fun. And Future Hamilton, when you read this account, you will better understand why I never let you borrow the car or why I make you wait with the younger kids while Dad and I hit the big rides.


Empty morning! Hoorah!


Alex had a slow week at work previous to this day, which meant he'd done some Disneyland research: he had lots of trivia to share throughout the day and he got us lunch reservations, thus avoiding the usual Spjute family stress of trying to figure out where to eat with empty tummies and accompanying short tempers. We ate at Cafe Orleans. I had been wanting to try their Monte Cristo sandwich. While waiting for our order, I stepped out of my Kate comfort zone and asked a host to take our picture....a rare one with all 4 of us. I'm usually missing. After the waiter took the photo, he asked if it looked ok. I said, "Yep. We're all looking at the camera. Amazing." Then when I downloaded the picture, I really saw Hamilton. That waiter must have thought I was pretty weird to approve this shot.

Beckett eating his first fry...more outstanding parenting.

The waiter kept Hamilton's chocolate milk fresh and full. What service!

Gosh, he's cute!

Our lunch actually ended prematurely though. A fire alarm went off, so the entire restaurant had to be evacuated. When we came back and tried to pay at least a portion of our meal, they 1. thought we were nuts and 2. informed us that the checks had been cleared. So, yeah, free meal :)!
Hamilton is loving meeting the characters lately. When it's his turn, he just runs as fast as he can and hugs them. The photo where H is facing away from the camera is a poor attempt to capture the adoration going from Hamilton to Winnie the Pooh. Even the line of parents "Ohhh"ed over it.



Christmas parade. This is the difference between being a kid at Disneyland and a parent. The former would never waste their time on this. The latter thinks it's fabulous and enjoys the break. Either version of me, however, loves the prancing reindeer. Hilarious.



Forget waiting in line for Santa, I'm sticking with Pluto...


When we'd gone earlier in the week, Hamilton wanted his picture taken here, but we were in too much of a hurry. But his wonderful mom remembered and made it happen.
Favorite non-coaster ride: Toy Story!
Lighting of the castle...
Asleep...it's just after 8pm.
Awake! They traded places. Beckett got to watch World of Color with us; although, we had the worst seats ever and feel like we didn't actually see it all.

A final anecdote for the day and brief soap box...

So, California Adventure has embraced a club/rave atmosphere when the sun goes down. I don't love it. I shouldn't see a drug dog (or be glad to see a drug dog) at a family amusement park. I blame this for stumbling on a couple up to no good against a wall on our way to Monsters, Inc. I surprised myself and Alex by yelling, "Seriously?! There are still kids around here!!" I guess being both a former high school teacher and current mommy and annual pass holder imbues me with the confidence to boss others.

Beckett is TEN Months!

Well, 10 months + a week, but who's going to hold that against a mom around Christmas?

Here's the low down on our littlest guy as we head into his first Christmas:

• LOVES to eat. Wants to eat whenever anyone else is eating. His latest food adventures: pulled pork, pizza, French fries, pancakes, and "green" puffs. Aren't we great parents? He isn't shy about pushing food away, though, if he doesn't like it. That happened today, and it was the first time I kind of yelled at him. Hamilton was happy to get in on the scolding, being the "good behavior" son for once.
• Still no crawling, army or otherwise. Although, I think we could get him to by using the spinner from Hi Ho Cherry-Oh. He has laser focus on that thing whenever we're playing. He's made it to his tummy, but that was about it.
• His hair is growing enough that I'll need to cut it. Unfortunately, it's really only growing in the back. Rat tails aren't the cool kind of retro.
• Whenever he says "dadada" during the day, Hamilton is quick to explain that "Daddy's at work. He'll be home later."
• Lately, Beckett has been harder to put down for the night. It seems he enjoys "only child" time with Alex and me. Once he's hung out for 20-30 minutes, he goes down like a champ.
• He's started biting me. Not cool, as he's got four chompers now. He, however, thinks it's hilarious.
• He likes playing with our bead tracks. The other day I watched move one set of beads to the other side. Pretty impressed with the focus and motor control. Where's my little baby?
• Signs of dancing :)
• When he doesn't want you to put him down, he either hugs you tight (adorable) or goes immovably straight...can't hinge him for anything!
  
• Still super ticklish, still in love with Hamilton, still good-natured, still loves his blankies, still oh so squeezable.
  

To Grandmother's House We Go...

One of my favorite places in the world is my Grandma Snyder's house. It is the only place that still truly feels like home. Hamilton loves it about as much as I do. He makes his "rounds" as soon as we get there: toy chest, glass "aquarium," water cooler, Asian stress balls, books, and a turtle he is forever trying to make a home for in the toliet. His "Doodie" is one of his favorite playmates, which gives this mommy a lovely break, as well as a chance to see the generations surrounding me finding so much joy in each other. Sometimes we're lucky enough to be there the same time as my aunt Tracey, postcard writer and imaginative playmate, yet another favorite of Hamilton and mine.

I should have been doing laundry, packing, and cleaning, but how could I possibly turn down the opportunity to spend the day in Fullerton? I'll be up late tonight to make up for it, but it was (no surprise) totally worth it.

There was lots of reading (new books!).

There was the gifting of souvenirs from their recent Germany and San Antonio travels.


There were lots of smiles and silliness...

including ridiculous hats that made "Taco Tuesday" lunch even more delicious.


There was a very happy Beckett who took TWO naps to make up for a rough night.

Of course, there were also moments when everyone needed to be reminded about having good behavior...

but they didn't last too long.

Thank you Grandma and Tracey for another wonderful day spent on Ladera Vista Drive.

Beckett is Nine Months!

Every one of these post titles ends in an exclamation point because every month has gone by so fast. Little Becks has now been out in the world longer than he was in my tummy...wow (for time going quickly and for how looong pregnancy is).

The Stats:

Head circumference: 46 cm - 75%
Weight: 20 lbs (feels like more) - 50%
Height: 29" - 75%

Hamilton, who spent his first year <25%

The Happenings:

• He loves to eat. I am much more adventurous with him then I was with Hamilton. It also helps that Beckett gets upset anytime someone is eating and he is not, which is how he gets to sample more food. I have already been giving him bread regularly, trying to avoid another "bread is for ducks!" kid. Right now the Costco "hot dog and drink" $1.50 special fits us perfectly: Hamilton-hot dog; Beckett: bun; Kate: Diet Coke (although hoping to kick that habit...)
• On a related note, he is wearing 12-18 month clothes!
• Lest you think he is only ever begging for food, he has generously fed me one of his Gerber stars.
• Like Hamilton, he also likes to develop ear infections surreptitiously. We discovered infections in both ears during his last well-baby visit. Fortunately, we were able to use different medication, so no icky diapers and food strikes this time around.
• I love to watch him hold objects and study them. He especially loves phones, keys, and remotes.
• He continues to smile easily.
• He sleeps swaddled in one blanket while cuddling a second one over his face.
• After a long day of wearing clothes, he loves being in just a diaper. As soon as the last article of clothing comes off, he is smiling, kicking, and laughing.
• "Brother Bathtime" is also a highlight. He is splashing and kicking more, which only (unfortunately) encourages his brother to do the same. We're working on explaining that whole "double standard" thing to poor Hamilton...
• Beckett lights up when Alex gets home, whether he sees or hears him first. Lately, he's been trying to steal more solo parent time by refusing to go to bed or getting up after only a couple hours. Last night, he joined me and Alex for dinner. Luckily, he's pretty cute, and we like some alone time with him too.
• His naps are going well...and without the aid of a swing. He is using the green striped blanket Trav left behind...it's a sleep inducing miracle.
• He is saying "mamama," and I am pretending that he means me when he says it. Although, I may not be imagining things, as he called "mama mama" to me when he was in the high chair watching me make him lunch.
• As much as I hate to admit the possibility that I have another Daddy's boy on my hands, he is also saying "dadada."
• He can clap! It's adorable. And he learned it all on his own...just suddenly started doing it one day.
• When he is happy or excited about something, his hands and feet rotate around.
• An upper tooth has broken through his gums.
• No mobility happening as of yet, but a sitting baby is a great (easy) phase, so I'm not complaining. Unfortunately, though, his big brother knocks him down about 10 times a day.
• Signs of his emerging "big boy" status: the bouncer, swing, and exercise mat are on their way out.

Post-bathtime photo shoot:





Hamilton's request to look at this picture: "I want to see Beckett angry."


Guess who originally had the toy?

Halloween III: Then and Now

Halloween II: Fun at the Pumpkin Patch

We went to two small pumpkin patches this year, one with "Mommy and Me" class and one with our friends the Brandons. It's less about purchasing pumpkins and more about feeling like it's fall (remember we live in one-season-weather) and having fun with the kids. I hope we can make this a yearly tradition...and that next year we won't let traffic dissuade us from going to a "real" pumpkin patch.

Climbing to the top of the slide...the little kid who went up first couldn't get over and caused Hamilton to slide all the way dooooown the ladder. Poor guy. I attribute that to the fact that Hamilton refused to go down the slide once he was at the top. Ok, and it was also pretty high up and steep.

A contemplative moment in the bounce house...

At pumpkin patch #2, which was in a mall parking lot, seriously. We're city folk, ok?

Helicopter ride with Kieran (so glad they made it off these rides alive!)

Driving his own car...and it's even green, his favorite color. Bliss, baby.

Halloween I

I just created a "Halloween 2010" album on iPhoto...choosing my favorites from all our festivities this month...there were 47 photos! Yikes...far too many for one post! What to do? Well, if Halloween the movie can have a dozen sequels, then I should be able to have a few post sequels of my own. So, here's the beginning...with my reserving the right to post more.

I should preface the following photos by saying that kids make Halloween awesome...even if you've been a big Halloween Scrooge for most of your life. Hamilton counted down to Trick-or-Treating for most of the month, even spending a week refusing to go anywhere without his jack-o-lantern basket. I don't think he was disappointed when the real deal finally came around yesterday. And one of the first things he asked about this morning, of course, was his candy.

Costume #2: Couldn't resist the muscles...Hamilton is clearly loving them as well. The costume, though, looked much more complete with his blue Converse hightops.


My little pumpkin...


Alex and I actually dressed up! Miracle. We wanted costumes that went together, but our options were severely limited by the fact that 90% of women's costumes are slutty versions of the costumes you're actually looking for....from Cinderella to Hermione. I had forgotten, until we bought them, that my sister-in-law was Alice last year...a really perfectly cast Alice, so I feel a little lame, especially since (6 weeks post-baby) she wore that costume again this year. Though Alex's Mad Hatter did win "Best Costume" at the party we went to, and I'm certain my Alice played a role in that.

I learned a REALLY easy way to embellish plain t-shirts. All my boys got one for Halloween. Here's "Boo Boo Beckett's" romper that goes perfectly with his Frankenstein socks....
Hamilton and his buddy Stockton getting excited about Trick-or-Treating. Kieran, the third musketeer, is transforming into a shark off camera.
Trick-or-treating at Rosie's...
Yes, my boys all had two costumes (for the record, only one set was purchased this year). Look at my little dragon...between afternoon church and Halloween festivities, he was a goner by 7.
What?! A picture with me in it?! Miracle. Thanks, Tami, for giving me a break from being the family photographer. I love this shot of me and my crazy Hamilton. And, as my cousin Jenny pointed out, it is pretty awesome that we can wear shorts on Halloween night!


Disclaimer: I KNOW Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, but how could I resist?? And, if we went with friends from church, isn't that like an extension of church meetings? Let's say, yes.