Rain is falling all around...

Sunday (May 24) I slept in after working late on homework. Wendy had planned to take the boys out into the backyard to play, wiggle, and get some energy out before the three hour church black. She was disappointed when she noticed rain pouring down from the sky. During breakfast Andrew told Wendy that he just needed a hat and ran off towards his room. He reappeared with a hat and one mitten. He didn't want to put shoes on, but Wendy was able to eventually convince him. Andrew also made Wendy go get his "noculars" (binoculars for those who don't speak Andrew).

Andrew's rain style

Andrew exploring the yard during the rain shower.

Cameron is not one to be left out if there is any fun to be had. He complained as babies often do, by screaming, until Wendy let him out into the rain to play too.

Babies don't need coats or shoes!

The coat and shoes did eventually get put on Cameron. The two little boys and their mother spent forty five minutes wandering around in the rain on the porch and in the back yard.

Going on a bear hunt!

I was not aware of this but since Christmas after Grandpa Stuart did "Going on a bear hunt" with all the grandchildren Andrew has been asking Wendy to do it with him.  Wendy didn't know the words or the actions so she ad libbed and it became "going on a lion hunt" and included rowing across lakes in a boat.

Andrew asked me to do the "lion hunt song." I wasn't sure what he was asking for until Wendy showed me her rendition. Very cute! However, Andrew wanted me to do it. I am many things; a good ad libber is not one of them. I immediately called the expert, Grandpa Stuart, for help.

Grandpa graciously demonstrated the song for us again. Andrew loved it; Cameron even got into the action - mostly by slapping his legs.

Looking for a bear

Stomping through the forest

Moving aside the tall grass

"Peacock ate my lunch!" A day at the Tracy Aviary

A year ago we bought a membership at the Tracy Aviary. We realized recently that the membership was going to expire soon so we better get at least one more visit in. On Saturday May 23rd we visited the Tracy Aviary.

Getting ready for day trips is an expedition in and of itself with two little boys. We had to make sure that we had lunches, snacks for everyone. That everyone's bags were packed with their necessities: Andrew's bag with snacks, Cameron's bag with diapers, Wendy's bag with everything that is normally in a girl's purse, and Ben's bag with a camera.

All packed up and ready to go

The duck and pelican pond was an instant hit with the two little boys. The cutest part was watching Andrew and Cameron trying to lean over the rail at the lake to see the Pelicans. Andrew explaining which duck was which "Daddy duck"  "Mommy duck"  "baby duck" and when other ducks came into view "Moooore! Ducks!"  Cameron kept reaching desperately down for the water so he could splash in it; he doesn't quite understand distances as of yet. 

Later Andrew and Cameron found two ducks to follow around. They tried to lose him but he would not be shaken. Cameron toddled around as only an almost year old can. 

Taking a breather

I am impressed with Tracy Aviary. They have a lot of fun little activities and things for children and parents to do besides the birds. There's rocks to climb, stepstones to jump on, benches to rest on, instructors who teach about the birds, bird shows. It's a nice place to go for a small morning trip.

Andrew loved to point at all the birds

The stork brought both my wife and my baby!

Before we left we ate our lunch. A peacock became interested in the possibility of food. It appears peacocks have no fear because it was coming right up to the table. I had to eventually chase it a hundred yards away because it kept coming back. Andrew spent the rest of the day and the next morning talking about the peacock who tried to eat his lunch.

It's a good lunch to protect

The peacock lunch thief

The little doctor...

Last semester one the classes that I took was a physical assessment class.  For this class I had to record and practice assessments on a lot of my relatives (who were amazingly willing to let me poke and prod them).

Andrew thought that the entire process was extraordinarily fun. Every time that I assessed a cousin, parent, or sibling I also had to assess Andrew.  Shining lights into his eyes? No problem. Looking into his ears? No problem. Percussing his tummy? No problem.  At the end of the semester I was even able to do a full 15-20 minute physical exam on him without him becoming bored or distracted.  He loved the process...and all the equipment required for it.

So when we were looking for "bribe" toys to reward Andrew during toilet training we found a complete "doctor's set" for him.  He has his own bag, stethoscope, syringe, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, band-aid, and otoscope.

Of course, as soon as he "earned" each of his doctor set pieces he had to instantly test them out on Daddy.

Using correct technique: pulling ear up and back

Cameron wants to try too!

Bike ride at the park

As a last hurrah before I start summer semester on Monday we decided to go on a bike ride on Saturday. The original plan was to go to Antelope Island. This plan died for two reasons: no one else was free to go with us, and there was a 80% chance of rain. Not the ideal time to go to Antelope Island for a relaxing bike ride.

We didn't want to completely eliminate the idea so we snuck in a bike ride at the local Sugarhouse Park before the torrential rain actually started. Andrew fully bought into this idea. We bought him a new bike helmet; which once we had him try it on never left his head. There was a constant chorus of "Bike Ride! Bike Ride!" all the way to the park.  

Balance Bike

Helmet did not come off; even on the playground

May 16, 2015

Cameron the Explorer

Cameron wants to change his job description. Family crawler just is not enough excitement anymore.  He would much prefer to be an explorer.

http://www.themartinique.com/baby.html

Caving: In our brand new, extremely nice kitchen, we have some very nice, large drawers and cabinets.  Cameron often opens the cabinets and pulls out pots and pans to crash and bang around. One day ,Cameron decided that he was going to switch things up; instead of pulling the pots out; he went into the cabinet, and closed the door. Wendy heard Cameron making squealing happy noises. He had discovered spelunking.

Climbing: He's also a climber. We were upstairs eating Marshmallow Matey's with Andrew when we suddenly saw little Cameron's head pop up above the opposite side of the table. Accompanied of course with a face wide grin and a giggle. Wendy's reaction illustrates our thought process perfectly, "Wait...you're not that tall!" Little Cameron had pushed over a riding tractor toy, climbed on the top of the tractor, and then used the tractor's height to pull himself up so he could see over the table. I had to admire his almost 9 month ingenuity.

No hands:
Cameron's been one-handed cruising and standing for a while now. Today, Cameron took his hand off the supporting wall and stood for a few seconds. He even took a half step forward before plopping onto the ground. No faceplant fortunately.

Heart Sounds

Yesterday while I was at school Andrew found my stethoscope. 

His stuffed little monkey and little Cameron became his patients. I'm told it was very cute.

I don't think he found any heart sounds on monkey.