Bathroom Opera

When friends and family hear how loud Porter can get, they often make the assumption that he gets it from me. I present to you now, evidence to the contrary.

Toasty Warm

As I write this, my husband is on a "man mission" to get a fire rolling in our stove. We were putting Porter to sleep this evening, the heater kicked on, and I smelled the faint smell of natural gas. Oh goody! Right at bedtime too. We killed the heater, called the gas company and a nice man came out to check the gas levels. He didn't find anything, but we're playing it safe and keeping the heater off tonight and calling in help tomorrow.

While it's a pain in the butt, Luke shines in moments like this and is relishing his ability to provide for us in this way. I'm quite happy that he likes doing it too. Here's a screen shot of what the weather is supposed to be like tonight. Perfect timing for heater troubles.

Thankfully we have an amazing wood burning stove that heats our house front to back. With some amazing planning, Luke got it together last month to chop all the wood we've had laying around, stack it on pallets and cover it. We now have plenty of fuel to burn. It's times like these that I'm really glad we have a small house. Time to pioneer-up!

It's also been really windy the last few days, which has made taking Porter for walks a little difficult. He's got his warm clothes, but when the wind gusted all of the leaves flew right into his face. Luckily, we were gifted an amazing stroller by our friends Chelsea and Shaun. It's perfectly suited for walking in the elements, something Porter and I plan on doing a lot this winter.

I'm glad I had a newborn last winter and got all my fretting out then. Is he warm enough? Too warm? Sun in his eye's? Every square inch of skin covered? Okay, so I'll never really stop trying to keep him comfortable, but at least I'm not as neurotic as last January. This winter I know how to dress him for the cold and I'm excited, or at least ready, for the winter to hit. Cheers to staying warm!

Winter wear: fleece pjs, snow bib, fleece lined rain jacket,
hat with lined ear/chin strap, mittens, UGG sheepskin booties.
Last year I had an amazing winter suit with covered feet, hands and hood,
from my mom. Now that Porter's wearing 12-18 month sizes,
they don't make giant one piece snowsuits. Darn it.

Pod baby!

He's a big fan of the clear plastic shield. Beneath it
he probably didn't need all the layers and
the wind and leaves were kept at bay.

Happy Family

I'm not feeling very inspired to write these days. Blogging definitely has its highs and lows. Looking at pictures, however, is easy. I came across two family pictures and it made me realize how happy I am with our little family.

Having a baby hasn't been easy. It's involved a lot of personal growth and stretch on Luke's and my relationship. And to be perfectly honest, I still jump when I hear Porter make noises in his sleep. In the beginning it was because I was afraid he wasn't breathing, but now it's just because I need more sleep at night. The last 11 months have made me feel more alive, and I'm excited for the future. I even started reading a potty training book today. Wishful thinking?

Today I laughed with my son so many time's I can't even count them. Then after he went to sleep I laughed with my husband. I hope you get to experience happiness at this level, because it feels so freakin' good!

A couple days after Porter was born.

Late October, Porter 9 months. Photo by Ashley Romero.

Day Of Thanks

For each new morning with it's light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We had a wonderful day baking at home and sharing dinner with Chelsea and her family. There are so many things to be thankful for and the friends that we have here in Boise are on the top of my list, always.

This year, specifically, I'm thankful for the family that Luke and I have created. If I had to look back on one thing to be especially thankful for in the last year, it is my birth experience with Porter. It was everything I hoped for, and considering how much faith I had to put into the process, I'm very thankful that it went as perfectly as it did. I'm thankful that my husband and I made it through the first few months of having a new baby and are stronger and more in love than ever.

There are so many wonderful moments that I'm thankful for, but I'll leave you with this last one. I'm thankful that tonight's feast included a few scenes from the Sound Of Music, a personal favorite. You know it's a good holiday when the night ends with children and adults singing along together. Every night before Porter goes to sleep I sing him lullabies, my favorite one is Edelweiss, and I'm thankful that I know a sweet song to sing to my baby that he can hold in his heart forever. Happy Thanksgiving!

We were too busy being thankful for each other today that we
didn't really get any pictures of Porter's first Turkey Day. Here
he is keeping me company in the kitchen.

Maui!

Two weeks ago we took a trip to Maui with my parents. It was Porter's second trip to the islands and this holiday was decidedly more engaging than the first, when he was two months old. I feel incredibly blessed to have parents that can make amazing trips possible. We're so happy that Porter can get to know his grandparents in such beautiful (and warm) places. He certainly chose the right family to be born into! Here's the photo story:

It started very early in the morning at the Boise Airport.

A brief layover at the San Jose Airport.

Then a long flight over the Pacific.
Porter fell asleep quickly, but it only lasted
an hour into our 5 hour flight.

Then it was time to look for Care Bears
in the clouds.

Porter takes flight safety very seriously.

He was also a HUGE hit with the flight attendants, and everyone else on the plane.
I couldn't ask for a better travelling baby.

He was thrilled when the flight attendant scooped him up
 and brought him with her while she worked.

We finally arrived at the airport and were greeted by
Grandpa Kamehameha.

Dada got lei'd.

This was Porter's first time in the pacific ocean.
He loved it, it was just like a big pool.

My parents found the perfect tube for baby floating.

Initially the sand was a strange and foreign thing...

...but was then found to be perfect for eating, kicking and grabbing.

A big fan of the beach and a clean change of clothes.

Can you find the cloud dragon?

Sunset from Napili Point Resort, my parents most favorite place to stay.

First pineapple, a decided success.

There were rainbows almost everyday. This one is from our lanai.

Rainbow in Lahina.

We took a trip to the Maui Aquarium.
Getting a glimpse of a honu (turtle) up close.

Porter LOVED the fish and the underwater tunnel is the best.

We had few days of big waves and the surfers, aka wait-staff,
took full advantage. The water cleared everyday before noon
so all the servers could get to work. It then filled back up after
the lunch rush, hence the landing pattern we have here.

Surf's up!

Lunch at Pacific O Restaurant. Great breeze, amazing view, good food.

Perfect sailing conditions.

Porter was ordering the grilled Mahi Mahi sandwich
with fries and a Mai Tai.

It wouldn't be a trip to Maui without getting a mani-pedi from mom.

Porter loved playing in the kitchen while Grandpa cooked.

Got honu?

Nothing says Hawaiian princess like a techno-color plastic lei crown.

So over the quinoa already!

My parents became regulars for lunch at Star Noodle.
I can't blame them either! Their Singapore Noodles
and Pickle Jar rock my world!

It's not a trip to Maui without POG juice.

 

Molokai in the distance in a rare moment of cloud free beauty.

My baby prefers a king sized bed with fresh linens
to the cramped crib.

On day 2 of our trip I chopped off my hair. When I told the stylist
that she was cutting all my hair off she asked if I had just gotten
married, hmmm? Luke asked if I was mad at him and my dad
asked if I remembered to bring my softball equipment. Sheesh!

He fell backwards and then realized that we were
sitting under an amazing tree. He then laid that way
for a good 5 minutes gazing up.

Last sunset before the long journey home to icy
Idaho.

 

Me and my baby, so so happy.

Before I was born, my mom wished for a baby on one of
her trips to Hawaii. So, last year I did too, right at this very
spot. I think the Hawaiian Islands make wishes come true.

This sums up our trip pretty well.

He had a lot to say that night.

Pineapple vs quinoa. Pineapple wins.

While sitting in the aquarium tunnel a scuba diver, feeding the fish, 

came and gave Porter a close up. It was awesome.

When I wished for a baby I didn't know I was wishing for him, 

but I'm pretty sure I couldn't have gotten a better baby.

Garden: Payoff!

In the post Sea Of Green you got to see the installation of our new Xerilawn from The Turf Company. We have a huge lot of land, none of which has been particularly fun to walk or sit on. It was hardened earth with lots of divots, weeds and poor quality grass. I wanted to have a real lawn because I love walking barefoot outside, sitting on the cushy ground, and most of all I wanted a place to play with Porter outdoors where he didn't have to worry about staying on a blanket. Let me tell you, a crawling baby is not content to sit, or crawl, quietly within the confines of a quilt. I am so happy to be able to tell you that my dream has come true!

Today while Luke was lumber-jacking in the backyard I looked at our new lush green lawn and thought, "Gee, it would be so nice to sit in the sun on the grass." Since we've been babying the newly laid sod it hadn't even crossed my mind that we could now use it, duh. I jumped up, kicked off my shoes and plopped Porter onto the dark soft grass, and the fun began.

At first he didn't know what to do with it, or if he even liked how it felt on his toes. Before too many minutes passed, however, he was crawling from one side of the yard to the other. He found the hose and sprinkler and had a fantastic time in the warm autumn sun. We then had a family picnic on our new lawn, and it was glorious! Not only did we finally get to enjoy the fruits of our gardening labor, but Porter ate a whole meal of the same food that we were eating, bean and cheese burritos. No baby food prep, hurrah! It just goes to show you how much can change in a month. We went from no lawn and purred veggies to a picnic on the grass. Life is grand.