Duncan's first word

About a week or so ago, when we were at the dinner table, we thought Duncan said "more", but it wasn't clear enough to determine if it was that, or just the other usual mumbo jumbo he says. So, the judges ruled it a "no" for his official first word. BUT, the next day, when he was taking a bath and playing with a ball, he said it. Clear as day. He said "BAW". I held up the ball and he said it again. "BAW". Just to make it official, I had to bring in Brian to make sure he agreed. I held up the ball and said "Tell Daddy ball" and again he said "BAW".

Today he was chatting in the tub again, so I thought I'd try to capture his first word and I was successful, even it was on my crummy-resolution phone camera. Its not quite as clear as the first time, but I think you'll get the picture.




I sure do love my talkative kids!

Until next blog,
Jen

25/52

This week marks the first official day of summer! Yippeeee! And, when I think of summer, one of the first thing that I think of is beautiful flowers for us to enjoy. Here's a close up of one of my asiatic lillies. It kinda reminds me of a firework...another summer thing!! Yay summer!

Until next blog,
Jen

24/52

Raspberries! This week we harvested our first "crop" of our driveway raspberries...wild, tart, quite seedy berries that, for some odd reason, everyone in our family always looks forward to!

Until next blog,
Jen

Duncan under the knife

June 14, 2011. Since last fall I have been dreading this day. When Duncan was born and went to get his circumcision, it was discovered that he had a chordee and would need surgery to correct it. They needed to wait until he was around nine months old as this is the optimal age for healing and to be big enough that anesthesia wouldn't be so risky. It did help a lot that the doctor (Dr. Martin Kaefer) that was to perform the surgery was well known to me because he had done extensive reconstructive surgery on a friend of ours child. But, even still, I was nervous that he might have a bad reaction to the anesthesia, I was nervous he would get a subsequent infection, I was nervous he would be in a lot of pain, blah blah blah. Turns out I had nothing to worry about...other than a painful first void due to his catheter, you would have never known he had anything done. All that worrying and being nervous for nothing. Turns out Jesus knew what he was saying in Matthew 6:25-34!

A few pics from this experience...

Duncan pre-surgery waving at the camera




Duncan just after surgery happy to see our faces



Mommy and Duncan, post-surgery, after he sucked down a bottle (he was starving, of course!)



Duncan back home and in his Richard Simmons leg warmers (it was a little chilly but I didn't want to risk putting any pants on him!)



Until next blog,
Jen

23/52

With Addy out of school, Pumpy is free to go on his many usual adventures! Here he is with some Littlest Pet friends enjoying their first summer picnic!

Until next blog,
Jen

Family Camping Trip: Niagra Falls

After a summer off from camping last year (I just didn't think camping in the heat sounded like fun while I was pregnant!) we were all "chompin' at the bit" to get our camper out this year. So, a few months ago we made plans for a quick trip to Niagra falls. We thought it would be a great family trip and easy introduction into camping for Duncan! We had such a wonderful time...I highly recommend this trip for anyone who hasn't been!! Here are some photos:

The kids and I in front of the American falls. The last time I was here, I was pregnant with Addy...she said she didn't remember it!


Brian and the kids on the Maid of the Mist boat tour. Don't worry, the plastic hood didn't deprive Duncan of oxygen for too long!


Addy and Duncan taking a lunch break under some wisteria on the grounds of Niagra falls:


Duncan, asleep in his backpack carrier that Brian carried him around in. He was soon to be woken up by pounding water from the "Cave of the Winds" tour, which basically walks you into the side of the falls!


Addy, Keith and myself on the "dry" part of the "Cave of the Winds" tour:


After Niagra Falls, the next day we lounged around the campsite and, after lunch, left to do some hiking at Whirlpool State Park. Here I am with the kids, taking a rest among nature:



After spending about $700 to get passports, it was a requirement that we use them! So, we WALKED across the Rainbow Bridge to Canada and spent about 3 hours there. Well worth the money, don't you think?? ha ha!

The kids having some Canadian fun!First, Keith and Addy:



Then, Duncan and Keith!:


Addy and her Canadian Cow with the Canadian view of the falls:


After a morning of pouring rain, our last afternoon was spent at Fort Niagra. Even I found this place very interesting (I'm not a big history fan) and we all thought it was a great ending to a terrific vacation!

My attempt at a panoramic capture of the inside grounds of Fort Niagra:


Keith and Addy play on a cannon:


The kids in front of the Fort Niagra lighthouse. Keith was disappointed that we could not go inside!:


Finally, here is a snapshot of the campsite across the road from ours. The guy came in about 8:30 in the morning BY HIMSELF and set up camp, after which he commenced to drink about 8 beers and then stumble into his camper and, I assume, pass out until that evening at which point his wife and daughter joined him. Due to this strange logo on his truck, we named him "FISHHARDZ" and, since then, that word has become our family's favorite exclamation.



Until next blog,
FISHHARDZ!...er, I mean, Jen

22/52

Here I am at our campground doing, what, you ask? That's right...dishes! To my credit I did not even know this sign was there until Brian took this picture!

Until next blog,
Jen