Sunday Fun Day

Yesterday, the fog was so thick that it seeped into our bones. Desperate for some rays, we set course today for TrainTown in sunny Sonoma. Teddy prepared for our trip by playing with his trains at home. Natty was also no slouch in the train department; on our miniature steam train ride, he separated himself long enough from his mother to chirp his approval. Here are some pictures, and here is a short video of Teddy in action.

Red PJ Day

Sushi Splendor

More Beer!

This weekend, Theodore and I paid another visit to the Academy of Sciences. In the children's play room, Teddy developed a little game in which he pretended to be a museum bartender. I thought it was very amusing but couldn't help but wonder what the other parents must have been thinking.

[Editor's note: Based on past articles, Connie & Alex readers might be wondering what's going on, too. Please rest assured that we have not outfitted Theodore with a junior barman's jacket ... yet.]

The Yearling

Today, Dr. Rosenbaum pronounced Natty a happy and healthy one-year-old boy. Our youngest son ranked in the ninetieth percentile for height and the fiftieth for weight; he is the same size as a typical sixteen-month-old. Dr. Rosenbaum's one word of warning? "He's a squirmer! Keep your eyes on him!" Here are some pictures.

Me, Too!

Laugh Attack

Double Trouble

Beachbound

Instead of going to the playground this morning, Teddy and I ventured over to China Beach, a beautiful beach that is only about a half mile from our house. Amazingly, it is almost always empty. I don't think I will ever lose my sense of wonder that we live so close to such a hidden treasure. Here are some pictures.

Summer 2010

We are only now recovering from two weeks on the East Coast. Travel aside, we had a fantastic time visiting family in North Carolina and Maine. Here are some pictures.

Natty at One

Natty's one-year anniversary is almost over, but it will certainly not be forgotten. In the past year, he has grown into a sweet little boy who will follow his big brother everywhere but has very little trouble telling us exactly what he wants. We love you very much, NLG.

Natty on the Move!

Race Cars and Trucks!

Funny exchange with Teddy this evening.

TEDDY: No talking, guys! (Pause.) May I please say something?
CONNIE & ALEX: Sure, Teddy. What do you want to say?
TEDDY: I want to say ... "Race cars and trucks!"

Friday Fun

Theodore and I hit the beach this morning, fog be damned. Here are some pics.

Handsome Lad (Totally Unbiased Opinion, Of Course)

Caught in a Web Not of His Own Design

Train Fever

Theodore and trains - a love that will never die.

Drum Solo

Natty hits the skins.

Bigfoot

Slip Sliding Away ...

Songbird

Academy of Sciences Again!

Theodore and I spent some time this morning at the Academy of Sciences. Here are some pictures.

Lincoln Park

This afternoon, we went up to Lincoln Park to run the kids ragged. Teddy, Beckett, and Quinn played with cars, chased each other around, and slid down slides, laughing all the while.

Laughing It Up

Eleven Months Old! (and a day ...)

Please don't think we are bad parents. Natty turned eleven months old yesterday, and nary a post from us! Here is a shot of Natty (aka "Bamm-Bamm") in action.

Thin Blue Line

[Editor's note: Click to enlarge.]

Stomp Rockets!

Teddy, Amelia, and Connie launched some Stomp Rockets® into space. Little did Alex know that he was one of their targets ...

Tea Party

Amelia came to play with Theodore and Natty today. Here, she serves Teddy some cake at an impromptu tea party she hosted. Teddy enjoyed himself but kept asking for "more beer." Finally, Amelia had to tell him that she didn't have any more. Some grumbling ensued.

Teddy Hits China Beach

Another Sunday Afternoon

Play Time

A few pictures of Natty and Teddy in action ...

Pump It Up!

Yesterday, Teddy and I went to a birthday party at Pump It Up, an "inflatable party zone" filled with "gigantic inflatable slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more." Teddy is still bouncing off the walls at the memory of this fun afternoon.

Quick Pix Fix

It's been a busy week, dear reader. Please accept our apologies for the paucity of posts. Here is a quick pix fix.

Bath for Three

Last night, Theodore, Nathaniel, and I took a bath together. Here are some pictures.

Story Time

Bugs!

Theodore and his Caterpillar classmates were asked to define a "bug." Here are their answers.

[Editor's note: Click to enlarge.]

Goal!

Theodore practiced his penalty kicks with Elizabeth's husband, Guillermo.

A Cut Above

Natty's First Haircut

Natty had his first haircut today at Snippety Crickets. Our youngest was remarkably well-behaved, drawing unsolicited praise from the same stylist who gave Teddy his first haircut. Here are some pictures.

Batman Jumps the Shark

As previously reported, Theodore can't get enough of Batman. This video is his new favorite. Hysterical.

Teddy Trainspotter

Angelique Kidjo at Stern Grove

Last Sunday, thanks to Robin and Joanna, we attended a performance by Angelique Kidjo at the Stern Grove Festival, a free music concert series. As you can see, the audience really enjoyed the show. (Go, Connie and Natty, go!)

Good Eats

Here's a great article about restaurants in our neighborhood. Yum.

Dinner Theater

At Google, Mothers Got It Good

You Can't Keep a Good Man Down

A rare photo of Theodore in his new big boy bed. Teddy has been launching regular pitched battles about going to sleep. With his new freedom, he has taken to speaking to us through the vent that connects our room to his. Often, he asks for a "Billy Doggy" story. First dreamed up by Connie, Billy Doggy is an anthromorphic mutt who travels the open road with his pal, Truck Driver. We now have four or five stories about these two that we tell to Teddy, and he just can't seem to get enough of them. Tonight, Theodore was too tired to seek solace in a story, but he would not go to sleep. Instead, he rambled in and out of his room, screaming about the injustice of having to go to bed. After a few severe words from us and a lot of tears from him, he finally crashed. It wasn't pretty, but as they say in the sporting world, "We'll take the 'w.'"

Ten Months Old!

A certain someone is ten months old today! Here are some pictures of Natty on his big day.

A Very Happy Father's Day

Daddy had a great day today. Connie gave me a wonderful present and card, and we went to a concert at Stern Grove with the boys. It was such a fun-filled day that I drifted off to sleep smack in the middle of play time.

The Dark Knight

Teddy's love affair with all things Batman continues unabated; he is even a fan of this Batgirl clip. In this pic, he would be utterly convincing as the Caped Crusader if only Connie and Natty didn't look so amused.

Big Boy Bed

Theodore worships Soto, our hard-working Filipino handyman. It was Soto who taught Teddy one of his favorite catchphrases ("That's crazy, man!"). Today, Soto removed Teddy's crib and replaced it with a new big boy bed. Theodore was less than thrilled. "Make me another bed!" he told Soto.