Hey look, I'm blogging

This morning I asked Regan what I should blog about today and he said "If I had a blog, I would blog about: how grateful I am to know people who know Brooks, that I am obsessed with Bibio again/still, that I wouldn't mind living in a house like this, then bring it back around to Brooks again." He's a natural.

I share his sentiments and add a few boring (mom) things I've been thinking about.
- I'm not going to feel bad for embarrassing my kids later in life because I feel like Gwen makes a fool of me about 100 times a day. It's usually a less public showing but she makes up for that in quantity and gusto.

- I can't help but get nostalgic about the fact that Gwen's going to be 1 year old in a week. Time has never felt trickier. It definitely feels like she's been here that long but I can also remember walking out of the hospital with her like it was yesterday. It makes me sad to know I can never hold tiny Gwen again. I know there will be other babies I can hold but not a Gwen one. Anyway, same old story.

- I got an email from our energy company today telling me that "New York City has only seen extended week-long heat waves like that seven times since tracking started in 1896." Lucky us. So help me if we get another one.

- What can we do for our family talent show? So far our brainstorming sessions have landed us with re-enacting scenes from various television shows. I'm pretty sure this is a bad idea, please help.

And now some pictures that simply couldn't go unposted.

  

I was tempted to photoshop our grody walls/floor but this is reality, guys. 100 years of poorly painted reality. Left to drip dry. I try not to think about it.

 

And there she goes

Morning Walk from kate johnson on Vimeo.

Eleven Months

Eating: pretty much everything but then sometimes nothing
Moving: taking steps sporadically, taught herself to back down off the couch/bed/etc.
Other: she snuggles anything soft, yells a lot, makes lots of faces, mimics my noises, loves to put in/take out/open/close things Cousin Marley came to town! Gwen had sore eyes :(Swinging

We meant to not give her sugar till she was 1. Oops.

 

Matching outfits on Father's Day. This was basically a present to myself.

Lounging in a hammock on Governor's Island. This looks much more pleasant than it was.

Being cute
























She took this one herself

























Typical lunchtime

Ten Months

(Sorry it's late, Mom)

This month Gwen mostly did lots of improving upon last month's skills. She turns anything she can find into a walker and pushes it around the apt. She eats a lot. She can stand up without holding onto anything and does that all day long over and over. She takes 2 solid naps a day. She's got 2 slightly crooked bottom teeth. She will shake her head, clap, do her weird tongue thing, play peek-a-boo and do an indian oh-oh-oh-oh (palm to mouth) on command. Also, lots of screaming. Basically, she's great to have around if you're ever stuck at a boring party.

Oregon

We had a great trip to Oregon. Regan had never met Oregon and our Oregonians had never met Gwen so it was high time. We started out right with some Little Big Burger and Salt & Straw ice cream. This is the best ice cream I have ever eaten in my life. Period. Ample Hills in Brooklyn is a close second but this one wins. It was Gwen's first ice cream. I think we've created a monster.

Then Regan, Gwen and I rented some bikes and rode up and down the river downtown. It rained then the sun came out then it rained then the sun came out then it rained then the sun came out. It was wonderful.

Gwen slept peacefully in her wagon once we took off that enormous helmet

We're in the reflection. We're so clever. 

Then Nate/Dez/Fam joined the party. We feasted outdoors for Matt's birthday. Let's hear it for backyards! 

This basically sums up Gwen and Avery's relationship. Gwen's all over her
and Avery's trying to be cordial about it.

Multnomah Falls

At the top

Sick of all this fresh air

Seaside babes

Cannot remember the last time she fell asleep on me

Cousins/carpet/cheerios/cartoons. Great way to start the morning.

Watching some baseball

International Rose Test Garden. This place was amazing.Pictures don't do the colors/smells justice. 

GREEN

We also went to the Zoo (Gwen slept through it all) and the Children's Museum, went back to LBB and Salt & Straw, had a water party in the backyard, went to Sonic/Target/Noodles&Co/JoAnn/Winco just to torture ourselves, and generally enjoyed the wide open West. I guess we didn't stay long enough because it was quite a bummer coming home. Next time I'll make sure we really wear out our welcome.