Finley's in the Mix

So, we're home and Finley is 6 weeks old now. Hard to believe. But, after a couple rough stretches and major dietary changes by Mom to try and cure Finley's stomach problems, we may have things settled now. We'll see I guess. Overall, I gotta say I'm handling things pretty well, but Mom and Dad look worn. . .

We took professional family photos in mid-April, so we've got some documentation of us looking decent. Of course, Finley had to get some good licks in while dressed up.
I went to comfort her, but check out the look she gives me. Man, tough crowd.

Finley has taken a couple baths now. She seems to like the water, and checking herself out in the mirror.

Finley does tummy time here and there. I keep her company when I can.

She works okay as a pillow, but not great. She moves around a lot.

Gramma and Grampa were around when I turned 3 weeks old. We had a good weekend. Dad, Grampa, Uncle Ian, and Roger's brother Bob even managed to get out and golf. I want to go with them one day.

We had some desert that weekend and Gramma made sure I got a chance to have some whipped cream.

More please!!

Do I have anything on my face?

Once everyone was gone, our regular schedule is a little pedestrian. Dad straps on the Moby Wrap every once in a while to carry Finley around. Sometimes she likes being held tummy down to relieve the air in her stomach. But, I don't know what Dad is doing with the soy sauce here.

Sometimes I'm amazed that Finley made it to a month. She's a robust little sucker.

Once the weather turned good, we went out and played golf at Castle Park too. I'm hooked!

And, one day after church, we went to Greenlake Park and played ball. I can hit a couple out of the air. And, sometimes I pitch to Dad.

Keep my eye on the ball. . .

Easter - Finley Style

So, Finley is still here. Mom and Dad haven't taken her back, and I haven't asked. It's like this little pink elephant in the room that there is this new person in the house. Oh well, I like her well enough, so we'll go with it for now.

Here is Finley's 1 week old picture. She always seems to have this look of, "What are you looking at?" Gramma and Grampa were up for that Easter weekend, and Jenny and Ian were hanging out too. I got two Easter baskets. The one from Jenny and Ian had Mater in it. Nice :) That Saturday afternoon we went for an Easter Egg Hunt at our neighbors. Get those EGGS!!! I was happy. I did well. I also hung out with my buddy Ethan. We had fun playing basketball and posing for the camera. I was using my "cheese face" in this picture. Also, please note that Ethan and his brother Jack in the background are wearing matching vests. If my parents ever try to do that with me and Finley, I'm leaving. Chocolate hangovers are rough. Another Finley picture. Notice the look again. "What can I do for you, huh?" Finley made it to 2 weeks old without any big hiccups. Like I said earlier, seems like she is here to stay. . .

What . . . Finley Who???

What is going on? It's like I went away for a couple of days and, when I got back, my parents picked up a bright shiny little baby on clearance. Now there's all this crying, feeding, pooping, coo-coo-cooing.

For those that don't know the story, my Auntie Naynay (Jenny) and Uncle EEEEEEENNNNN (Ian) got married on March 27 and took me down to Portland for the week leading up to the wedding in case Mommy gave birth to Schnitzel. Well, Schnitzel did come, they named her Finley (Bruckner Scharpenberg), and now there's nothing but chaos.

I wasn't there, but Mom and Dad told me that Finley came out 9lbs, 14 ozs, 20 inches long, and with a full head of hair.

It was a rough exit for Finley, but easier for Mom than last time. She started having contractions at 3AM, was at the hospital by 6AM, and Finely came at 10:26AM after 15 minutes of pushing.

They cleaned her up, and now that I think it over, she is rather cute. . .

I first met Finley later that Friday when Jenny, Tina, Bob, and I drove up from Portland for a few hours to surprise Mom/Dad/Finley. But, Mom and Dad quickly turned around, right after getting discharged from the hospital, drove down to Portland for Jenny and Ian's wedding. Great Grampa was there with Great Gramma, along with a bunch of other family (more pictures to come later).

After the wedding there was some hang out time too, this time with Grampa.

Once we finally made it home, everyone was happy and tired. I think Dad and Finley are sleeping in this one. Finley looks wrecked :)

Jenny, aka Mrs Maver, also took some time out to hold Finley.

And sometimes, Finley just hangs out by herself. We'll see where this leads, but she is growing on me.

I Ski, Therefore, I AM

Hey Everyone,

I finally got around to using one of my XMAS gifts. SKIs!!!! Can you say Chinese downhill?
Crash helmet, check! No jacket, check! Ready!!!!

I'm doing it Dad! Wait, stop helping me so much, your hands are in my face.

About an hour into our day, I was getting pretty good. No more in between Dad's legs.

What can I say. You can't hide pure joy.

Dad, I don't need a nap today, right?

Check out the kid over on the right. I think that kid needs some lessons.

Okay Dad, fine. Time to go home for a nap. When are we coming back?

Can Santa Clause come back next week?

Hey Everyone,
Still running about a month late with pictures, but better late than never. We had a great XMAS! It all just went so fast. But, I do have to say it took me 3+ hours to finish opening my presents, so that part held out for a good while :)

And after each gift I spent some time getting to know the new addition to my collection before moving on to another gift. It seemed only fitting. . . Uncle Ian and Aunt Jenny were with us on Christmas. Uncle Ian got me this crazy magna-doodle that lights up in a bunch of different colors. I like it a lot!

Did I mention that Gramma and Grampa joined us via Skype. We had a video conferenced XMAS morning too :)

After the morning session, Daddy and I had to rest for a little while. It was all very exhausting.

In the afternoon session, I got some skis. This is foreshadowing for future blogs, so take note.

A couple days later, Oma and Opa came to visit too. They brought me some gifts that Santa had left at their place and we played a lot!

Then, for New Years, we had some of my friends over. He had hats, poppers, and celebrated the turn of the year 12 hours in advance (in Abu Dabi I think).

We got those party extender things that I learned how to use (thank you Anna-Sofia).

And, for the whole holiday season, Mommy and I made a gingerbread train for the kitchen. I know grown men don't cry, but I did shed a tear when we finally threw it away.

I give thanks for Tina-Bob!

Christmas is past :) Where does the time go? I remember when I was just 28 months old and got in trouble for pulling a bunch of keys off of the laptop. Where has the time gone . . .



Well, we've got a few random pictures from November, and not enough from our trip down to see Aunt Tina and Uncle Bob for Thanksgiving. But, I want to share what I do have, so here goes. We went to the holiday village in Bothell one afternoon and took some pictures there. i was a little tired.

But, they had this really big outdoor train setup that I liked watching.

And then, back at home later that week, I made some cookies with Mom. She has been making cookies like a crazy person, but she likes it, so that's cool.

Then we went to California to visit Aunt Tina and Uncle Bob. I was really excited. Can you tell?

I was a little skeptical of their sleeping arrangement for me, but it turned out to be very posh. Feather bed mattress with pillow bumpers.

Dad and Uncle Bob were a little tired one night and got ambushed by Mortie. I think Dad may have gotten to first base with the "Big Dog".

One afternoon, Aunt Tina was kind enough to let me use her kitchen to make some cookies. It was fun.

BAM!!!

And then one night at dinner, Aunt Tina let me have seconds of the lava cake she made for Thanksgiving dinner. At times it seemed like she wanted come bites for herself.

Man, that lava cake was tasty!!!

And, once we got home from our trip to California (sad), I got started taking Thursday soccer classes with "Lil' Kickers".

"Come on guys!! Don't crowd the ball!!

And finally, Mom found this cool place that has bouncy floor everywhere. Even some of the walls will bounce you. I spent 2 hours bouncing here and can't wait for my next trip :)