Levi's school pictures

Too cute! (Tip: sure it's pretty easy to get a smile from our happy little man, but the pros know: put a frog stuffed-animal on your head for a guaranteed great smile)





School picture from 1 year ago --- the same happy little man --- but, oh boy how time flies!!

Beautiful Fall Colors

It is days like this that I wouldn't trade being a stay-at-home mommy for anything! My sweet CJ and I took a trek up to the mountains just north of Nederland, for an amazing hike at Caribou Ranch Open Space. We did a 4.5 mile loop and the peace, tranquility and colors were just awe-inspiring. It was a fantastic day.

Look at that!!

Happy Family

Grandma and Papa visit!

The celebrities, Grandma and Papa, made a 6 day whirlwind appearance. Levi and CJ just couldn't get enough of them. Even 5 days after their sad departure, Levi woke up saying "Gramma Papa?"

Swimming with Daddy!

Levi has recently started a swimming class with Daddy every Thursday evening. Not only is it great bonding time for Daddy and Levi, but Levi is actually learning the basics of swimming! He jumps off the side into Daddy's arms; has learned to kick his legs in the water; floats on his back; and just last week dunked his head several times!! We even discovered friends Josh and Melia are in the same class!

First "Official" Haircut

Levi had a visit to Lollilocks to get his haircut (mommy was tired of botching it!) and got to sit in a cool car to boot!!

School picture day

What a handsome boy. 'Nuff said.

Connor James Stone turns ONE!!!

CJ has reached his one year milestone and celebrated by smashing a cupcake all over his hands. It never made it even close to his mouth, but big brother Levi was more than happy to help CJ finish it.

It's just amazing how much CJ has grown. It seems he learned to navigate the stairs and then walk almost instantaneously. Just recently he showed that he can point to mommy or daddy's nose and sometimes does it by trying to eat our nose! He surprises us daily with his imitation skills. He's constantly trying to be like his big bro, whether it's trying a somersault (putting head on the floor:); clapping; rolling over; driving a car on the floor; turning pages in a book; you name it, CJ tries it. We have realized that the boy is fearless. He slides down the stairs on his stomach with reckless abandon; tries to climb everything with no regard as to whether the bookcase will fall on him; and generally just does what he wants to do regardless of what mom and dad say. We admire his determination and independence, but admit that this is very challenging and new for us, since Levi at this age was VERY different (still even now, Levi continues to be reserved and fearful of things at times, but is a sweet little boy)

We visited our new pediatrician, Dr. Booth (recommended by friends Kristin and Tom) for CJ's one year checkup and just LOVED her! She remarked how "fantastic" CJ looked and that he is right on track developmentally.
Here's his recent stats:
Height: 30 inches - 60th%
Weight: 20 lbs. 12 oz. - 20th% (When we expressed some concern, Dr. Booth couldn't emphasize enough how GREAT CJ was! Just like Dr. Perry, she said since CJ's parents are both tall and thin, then it's perfectly normal that he is too.)
Head: 18.25 inches - 50th%

Although the past year has proven to be just about the most difficult year of mine and Mike's life, and CJ continues to be a challenging child (as far as his neediness), we are just smitten with the boy and amazed daily by his personality and development. We are still patiently awaiting the day when Levi and CJ can TRULY entertain and play with each other, but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

So many movies!!

Catching up on several months of videos, starting with the newest ones first...

CJ --- sliding down stairs, walking, being cute...


Putting your fingers in mommy's mouth can be funny!


Corduroy, cars, "my see", ...


Some very early steps (August 19, 2008)


Long movie of some private play (this car broken down, all aboard, chug-chug, pull-pull, really hard)...


Swinging, "evi tone"...


Cheese


Daddy interrupts the fun again with a camera...


Running laps in the new house, crashing for comic effect...


Countdown to race...


Boys in a box...


Levi playing at school...


Biker boy...

Sweet bros reading Thomas

Uncle Larry and Aunt Carter visit!

Madman

Summertime water fun!

Gotcha!

Finally, the infamous "gap-toothed yokel" is caught on film. Notice his enormous smile, brought on by an attack of the tickle monster, revealing the four prominent incisors and the rare but beautiful space between.

So Proud

Assembling bits of fish in a tiny pickup truck is quite an accomplishment