Soccer girls

After a lazy morning at grandma and grandpa's (well, lazy for Eric and I who slept in until noon), we took Bertle to Eric's former high school and let him run around on the football field. The high school girls were just finishing up soccer practice and stretching on the field. They started oogling as Bertle fearlessly ran toward them, clapping his hands. The whole team started clapping and it was hilarious to watch Bertle's face he and the girls took turns clapping. It's amazing how, through the eyes of a toddler, the whole world exists just for them..."i can make a whole field of soccer girls clap just by clapping my hands."

Later that night, Eric and I went out again, though this time Bertle was very upset when we left. Eric's mom told us later that Rocky Balboa of Bethel Park, PA (their pug) was so concerned that he curled up next to Bertle on grandma's lap and licked him to sleep.

First Day in Pittsburgh

After a surprisingly easy cross-country flight to the 'burgh, Bertle enjoyed seeing the sights of Pittsburgh for the first time, including lunch atop Mt. Washington and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. He even found the particular dinosaur from which he evolved--"Protoceratops Andrewsi." See the resemblance? That evening, Eric and I enjoyed a night out to celebrate our 4-year anniversary while grandma and grandpa babysat.

When there's nothing else to do....

put your 1-year old in a basket and push him around. We haven't figured out how to improve the quality of our videos, but Eric insisted that I put this on the blog despite the poor quality. Needless to say we were bored and in need of a few giggles. Oh, and in case you were wondering, that is indeed a Hooter's shirt that my innocent son is wearing, thanks to our friend Ken Rogers, who knows just what to buy for a Bertle who has everything.

Firetrucks and Ducks

We got up early this morning (well, actually the same time we get up every morning--will 7 am ever not seem early??!) Anyway, we went to the Menlo Park Firefighters Pancake Breakfast, where we ran into some friends, some firetrucks, some rescue dogs, and some balloons. Later in the day we went to Shoreline Park, where Bertle enjoyed looking at the ducks, er, geese....Shoreline is a pretty park but it was hard to determine who smelled worse: Bertle's bum or the excessive geese poop.

Bertle is One!

It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed! Bertle has learned so much in his short life, including how to walk (and now run--augh!!!!), how to talk (our favorite words are blueberry, turtle, water, duck, doggie, vroom vroom), and (most importantly for my own sanity) how to sleep. He seems to have opinions and preferences, including a love for water, dogs, banging on things, pizza, ice cream (thanks to his Aunts Tara and Marissa), ducks, and books. Bertle is constantly in motion and always has one toy in his hand and one toy in his mouth. Here are some pictures from his birthday, including a celebration at daycare and opening presents.

Last Day in Wichita

Today is our last day in Wichita. We are sad to say goodbye, but excited to see Eric. Here are some more pictures from the weekend, including Bertle with Maddie, Aunt Tara and Yak, and Grandpa and Grandma.

Wichita Birthday

After meeting his Great-Grandma Elizabeth, Bertle got to enjoy an early birthday celebration in Wichita. He loved his birthday cake but quickly got distracted by that garden hose. Grandpa Len thought it would be funny to turn on the water right as Bertle was sticking the hose in his mouth. We are having so much fun in Wichita but missing Eric. Bertle lights up with a huge smile when I show him the video Eric made of himself on our camera.

More fun in Wichita

This morning, Tara and I left the Bertle and Zach with Grandpa Len and Grandma Jan so that we could go shopping. While waiting for our limeaids at Sonic (ahhh Sonic), we got a phone call asking how long it would be before we got home.....As you can see from the pictures, Bertle had tons of fun playing in the yard and banging on the trash can with the garden hose (that was Grandpa Len's ingenious idea). We arrived home to 2 happy babes and 2 exhausted grandparents.

Fun with Yak

Our first day in Wichita: Bertle had lots of fun with his cousin Zach--or "Yak." Aunt Tara hooked up Bertle with PJ's to match his cousin's and even gave him an ice cream cone. Zach is absolutely adorable and growing up so fast. Hopefully it won't be long until he can defend himself against Bertle drumming his head or taking away his toys.

Plane Ride

Bertle and I took our first plane ride by ourselves today. The first flight was 4 hours (what on earth was I thinking??) and he took a 2 hour nap! Andrew was entertained by a book and a video that Eric made of himself on the digital camera for the rest of the flight. He did great!

Rough and Tumble

On Wednesdays, some of the moms and babes we know get together for a playdate at a great park in Palo Alto. What started out as moms bonding over lack of sleep has actually turned into real-deal playtime for the boys. Here is a picture of Andrew's friends Eoin and Max (and Eoin's maraca, which Andrew refuses to let go of).

Busy (Bertle) Bee

This video is for the g-ma's and g-pa's, who have been asking to see what Bertle has been up to recently. It's a little long, but I think it captures our busy boy and his wounded crab crawl, playing with his Tiffany's box (he has expensive taste when it comes to boxes), pulling up, and starting to recognize daddy (he is pointing to the door at the end of the video, where he sees Eric arrive home from work every day).

You sure scared us, Bertle!

As some of you know, our poor little Bertle Bee has been sick since last Friday. He gave us quite a scare on Saturday, when he had a febrile seizure as a result of a high fever. A trip to the ER and 2 doctor's appointments later, and we now feel assured that he is okay and should hopefully feel better in a day or two. Eric and I, on the other hand, will take a lot longer to "heal" from the terrifying experience. Here is a picture of Andrew today with the bear that the paramedics gave him during his ambulance ride.

Boys will be boys......

So yesterday we enjoyed a super-yummy BBQ at Andrew's friend Eoin's house. As you can see from the pictures, Andrew, Eoin, and Max enjoyed each other's company and Eoin's fun backyard so much--especially the sandbox full of balls.

Happy Belated 4th of Ju-New Year

......especially to you, Grandpa Jim, who created this holiday ;)

Eric, Bertle Bee, and I spent the day BBQ-ing with friends and Bertle's Uncle Todd, who flew in from Philly for his bachelor party weekend. After getting over his stranger-and-separation anxiety (that seemingly just developed at the same time yesterday), Bertle just looooves all the funny noises and faces and antic of Unky Toddy.

Such fun noises

Andrew turned 9 months a few days ago--crazy how the time has flown. He is 28.5 inches long and weighs 20 lbs. He is STILL not even close to sleeping through the night :( but other than that remains an easy, mellow little dude. He is crawling and pulling up on everything, reminding us that with every day he is one step closer to, , walking. Here he is tonight making his new favorite noise.

They don't make parks like this in Palo Alto......

Today Bertle and I took the train to the city to meet up with Eric after his conference. Andrew is absolutely fascinated with the train and seemed to love looking out the window at the scenery flying by. We had fun at the park before meeting up with Scott and Erin for the rest of the afternoon.

A day in the Haight

Andrew and I went to the city today to meet up with our friends Chris and Wendy and baby Vella, who were visiting from Arkansas. We grabbed some lunch in the Haight and then shopped a bit. It was so good to meet little Vella, who is beautiful--so alert and full of smiles. Andrew enjoyed trying to grab Vella's leg right after this picture was taken--he sure does have a way with the ladies!

Introducing The Bertle Bee.....

....and his favorite lady, Maggie Yale. After many requests for pictures (and complaints at the lack thereof), I decided to join the bandwagon and create a blog. Why on earth I did this when I can't even keep up with my email or download some pictures to Shutterfly is beyond me.....this might be my one and only post. That being said, I am enjoying my time with Andrew so much and often write about our adventures in my journal, so I thought maybe I would try this instead, to share with all of you!