Big Boy Bath

Bathing Gus while Mimi and Poppy were visiting. It takes a village to lift all of his chins to get really clean.

He likes the extra help and doesn't seem to mind the lack of privacy.

Trying a different method to clean under his chins. He thinks it tickles.

Goodmorning Gus

Backyard Beauties :)

Good Giggles

Happy Happy

b

Grandpa John

This is "Grandpa" John. He is a friend of Aaron's that he met through mutual plant friends. He is a true plant expert and one of Aaron's travel companions when they go to nurseries and gardens in Portland, Seattle, etc. We jokingly called him "Grandpa" John even before Gus was born because he is such a sweet guy and seems like a a grandpa to Aaron. As knowledgeable as Aaron is about plants, he continues to be in awe of John's knowledge and memory of the different plants and learns a lot just by spending time with him.

John was a professor of Horticulture at a community college before retiring and he is the most active retired person we know. He continues to be involved with the students in labs and on field trips as well as attending all of the plant events Aaron attends near and far. It really is inspiring. I hope we continue to pursue our interests with as much passion and enjoyment as John when we retire.

He got a real kick out of meeting Gus for the first time and considered him adopted right on the spot. You can never have too many grandpas!

Cutting Up

Somehow Gus turned into a little boy this weekend instead of our little (okay, not so little) infant. His dad started tickling him and poking him in the belly which he loved. Aaron also started throwing him around in a way that I would have thought "Shaken Baby Syndrome" and of course, he squealed with delight loving every second.

He even got to where he would start cackling the second Aaron would tease him with "Are you ready?" before tossing him around.

Here he is kicking up a storm in his bouncer seat. Notice he is holding his own toy. Now he has figured out his hands are both tasty and useful.

Cool Collage

(click on image to view larger)

Gus in Green

Its fun to dress Gus for school every morning although constantly startling to see how quickly he outgrows his clothes! This green thermal onesie with hood fit perfectly a couple of weeks ago. Now I think he might have one or two more wears out of it before it is too short. Now to find a winter hat that actually fits the boy!

Backyard Progress

We have removed the millions of Mexican petunias that come up every year. We still love them so we are keeping the ones in the front yard but the purple blooms don't go with the calm color scheme we're going for in the back. Aaron brought in loads of unique plants from his nursery at the college. The fun begins!!

The banana tree (top) stays put. The path to our garage now has a palm on one side to reduce the predictable symmetry on both sides of the door. We've also the added the sparkling "colorguard" yuccas that really liven the greens up.

Aaron wheeling out the old plants to make room for the new. I love the canopy that the exotic loquat tree and "Fantasy" crepe myrtle make on the back of our fence. It feels quite enchanting to walk through. I thought I knew what crepe myrtles did while living in Oklahoma but they are truly more comfortable the further south you get. They get enormous here.

Cute Boys

We ate chicken pot pie at Jeff and Julie's Sunday night and the boys (Gus and Harrison) had their first real interaction. Harrison got about an inch from Gus' face and said "Hi" in the sweetest little voice and then kissed him right on the mouth. So cute!!!

Its so fun to see them starting to notice each other. Before we know it they will be wrestling each other on the floor.

Harrison coming up for the snuggle with his blankie.

Gus is very content hanging out with Jeff.

Cute Boys Continued

Gus after his welcome kiss from Harrison

Gus after his mid-visit snack.
Down for the count

Looking up at dad

Hi,Harrison!

Stacey and Harrison goofing around

Mmm... S'mores

After our weekly Mexican date with our neighbors we made s'mores on our patio. Richard in charge of marshmallows.

Dwayne doing baby duty.

My shirt does not say "melons" like Richard thought. It says Mellow Mushroom, like the pizza place downtown!

Gus getting lots of attention but no s'more.

Cute Suit

I had to work last Saturday (if you haven't heard me complain about this yet you are in the minority) so Gus and Aaron spent the entire day together. Gus was very easy on him taking a record nap and being the sweet boy he is. When I returned home he was dressed in his camo overalls Aaron picked out before he was born, orange camo socks and an orange, green and brown striped shirt. Obviously not a baby afraid of wearing pattern-on-pattern. He looked adorable.

Daddy Daycare

Aaron taking care of Gus while I worked one Saturday

Lots of time to take beautiful pics of our boy

I am still nursing but thankfully Gus has shown no hesitation to get food by any means necessary

Smelling the Roses....

We have been getting used to a whole new routine with Gus and work. It is challenging but so very worth it, of course. Sometimes we have to realize the house is just going to be messy that day or the to-do list is not going to be complete. It took a little while to get used to that feeling but now I think we're better for it. People seem to pride themselves on how busy they are and we would miss so much if we continued to be that way. No one gets to the end of the road and wishes they worked more or had spent more time cleaning. This season, in particular, is such a great time to slow down and appreciate the beauty God has created for us and the ones you love the most. I hope everyone is enjoying fall where they are!

Fall Project

Here are a couple of shots from the garden right now. Love the Angel's Trumpet above. We are in the process of removing most of what is in the backyard to redo the landscape into more of an unusual take on a cottage garden, which I have always wanted. Should see mostly a white, yellow, chartreuse and evergreen pallet using some good ol' cottage favorites like roses and daisies with a few eccentricities like yuccas and papyrus. Can't wait. The demolition has started. Keep you posted.

Sensational Season

I so love having a cutting garden! We have a few lillies around here but Aaron has the real show stoppers at the college where there is much more room. Here are a few more snips of his gorgeous roses and some wild goldenrod, which I have always loved this time of year. In the bowl are some trifoliate oranges and a beautiful blue-tinged pine cone.