Mommy Loves Plaid!

Here are some recent pictures of me wearing plaid. My mommy (Steph) LOVES plaid! And, I have quite a few clothes that I can wear now that are plaid. I don't really know what plaid is, but when I wear it, she says I'm SO CUTE... and I know what THAT means!

Story Time at the Library

Phoenix has been enjoying going to the library once a week for "Story Time / Play Time" for kids 0 - 18 months. Each week there is a "theme" (i.e., bath time, boats, trains, etc.) and they are read 3 or 4 books, and rhymes and songs pertaining to that week's theme. Then, there is about 15 minutes of play time on the floor with the other kids, with age appropriate toys.


Phoenix has a blast! He already enjoys reading / listening to books. And, the additional songs and play time are great for him. He enjoys the interaction with the story book reader, who also sings and does some puppeteering.


However, being his first play group situation, he unfortunately came down with a highly contagious rash (Roseola) which appeared after 3 days of a high temperature, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. He was also diagnosed with a sore throat. He is feeling much better now. If you notice, even in the last posting more than a week ago, he didn't look like his usual self (no smile or sparkle in his eye)! That was the first day of his fever.

Riding in Phoenix's New Wagon!

Here is Phoenix and Sable in Phoenix's new wagon! We'd been looking for a long time for this type of wagon, with these air filled tires. And, just by accident, we found this one at Harbor Freight Tools for $60, while others run over $125.

We primed and painted it a metallic blue (it sparkles in the sunlight!), so that it's different from all the other red ones out there. It's "custom"! We took it to the 4th of July Festival in Vancouver and had it decorated with patriotic balloons, etc. 

Phoenix loves it and it's very convenient! Although, he wasn't too sure about Sable hitching a ride!

Helping with the Dishes

Phoenix LOVES to "help" clean things. He enjoys vacuuming and sweeping and yesterday he even mimicked me after I was using a long cleaning brush to retrieve stuff from under the couch (toys, books, shoes, and socks which Phoenix had "parked" there). I went to go rinse some of his things off and turned to see him using the long handled brush to "clean" under the couch!

And, during and after a diaper change, Phoenix wants to hold an extra wet wipe to use to clean things (his toys, the table, the floor... the cats and dogs!).

Yesterday, when I was putting dishes in the dishwasher, I turned to find that he had climbed INTO the dishwasher (on the open door) to "help" reorganize the dishes and utensils! He often does this from the side, but recently he's chosen to go ahead and climb in.... so that he can reach everything easier! Here's Phoenix responding to Steph (as Lisa took photos) when she was asking him what the heck he was doing!

New Romper and More TEETH!

Here is Phoenix in one of his new casual summer outfits. Carter's makes these "rompers" that snap all the way down. They kind of look like an old fashioned men's swim suit from the late 1800's or early 1900's! They're cute and comfy for Phoenix. He didn't really want his picture taken... he just wanted the camera!

It's difficult to tell from these photos, but he actually has 8 teeth, now (4 on the top and 4 on the bottom)! He sticks his tongue out a lot, especially if he's "busy" or concentrating on doing something or getting somewhere! And, when he's "done" eating, he'll just open his mouth and push his last bite full back out... sticking his tongue out and wiggling it back and forth until the food falls off! He does it very quickly, sometimes before we can catch it --- "calling all dogs"... "snack time"... "clean up on aisle 4"!

New Backpack Carrier

We went to the Bend Summer Festival this past weekend (in 96 degree heat) and decided to try the new backpack carrier. Here are a couple of photos of both Steph and Lisa with the pack on. For those of you who are observant... yes, both photos were taken in the same location. We were taking turns carrying him and this intersection was where we swapped (and decided to take a few snap shots)!

Phoenix really seemed to enjoy it all (the view, while still being very close to his mommies!). He's got a 5 point harness and a lot of padding all around. But, we'll have to do some tweaking of the adjustments for each of us, who carry him, before we take it out hiking or anything else!

Big Brother, Trey's Birthday Dinner

We took Trey out to eat for his (belated) "birthday dinner" at The Olive Garden in Bend this week. Trey made a special request that Phoenix come, too. Usually, Steph just takes Trey and Zak to their respective birthday dinners alone, for one on one time.

During dinner, Phoenix had fun flicking the water out of his glass with a straw... and laughing loudly when he would get Trey, and managed to make a huge, watery mess! 

After dinner, Phoenix gave Trey big "kisses" in the parking lot! Then Mommy (Steph) posed with her two youngest sons, Phoenix and Trey.

Trey was impressed with how much Phoenix has grown and developed.

4th of July at Ft. Vancouver

We spent the 3rd of July on Sauvie Island (Portland) picking berries. Unfortunately, I never got any photos... but, we spent the whole day / evening at Ft. Vancouver for the 4th of July celebration and fireworks. I did get some photos and here they are! Note the 8 feet wide, "sport-brella" that Mormor and Morfar got for Phoenix. It was a "lifesaver" in this sort of situation. Phoenix thinks it's his "tent" and had a blast in his own personal "outside room"! There were reportedly over 60,000 people attending this event, so the bit of privacy it offered was great. It lessened the stimulation overload for Phoenix. We had toys to play with and books to read. He was even able to take a nap!

Phoenix was great all day, but when the fireworks started it was a bit too much for him. But, we stayed (he was being held tightly by his Mommies) and he survived!