Spring Hikes!

Since returning from Spain, I've been going to yoga classes twice a week at the Y (love it!) and I've spent many days walking & hiking with the boys (and friends). It's been wonderful to be more active...and to enjoy nature a bit each day. For the most part, I feel relaxed and energetic (at least til the evening crashes upon me!). Dean, however, is not the best hiker...so it is bringing me down a bit. Drew ROCKS and can hike miles...never gets tired or complains (til it's time to go home!)...and loves being the leader. Dean is often lagging behind - or asking to be carried. Sure, he's only 20 months so it's understandable. What is NOT cool is that he continues crying when in the back pack carrier. So I'll end up carrying my squirmy little guy on my hip - all 27 extra pounds of him. I guess it adds to the intensity of my workout! Oddly enough, he is awesome on the bike path and roads. He walked 2 miles yesterday. Here's the clencher: he pushes his lawn-mower. He'll walk for hours if he can push his silly little lawn-mower. Unfortunately I don't think a lawn-mower is safe on woodsy trails. I'm now hunting for an ideal front/side carrier for my almost-2-year-old. Suggestions are welcomed!!

Below are some of our pics. Even though I'm complaining a bit, we've had lots of fun!

Here is Dean in the ergo baby carrier which my friend Sarah lent me. We were walking out to Rome Point - and amazingly enough, Dean made it all the way to the beach! That's at least a mile! On the way back he was happy in the ergo. Drew, my champion hiker, walked there and back on his own.







Here we are at Goddard Park. We went for a nice afternoon walk with Wendy & Elena. Dean was up and down, up and down, up and down. It was so nice walking in the woods and then walking along the ocean cliff. It's an easy trail for the boys too.

Dean did great at the South County Bike Path. This time it was just the three of us. Both boys had their lawnmowers. We walked TWO miles and no one was carried at all. Granted, it took us about TWO hours, but I was happy :)

Here are the boys on our hike in Exeter...I think it's called Fisherman's Cove. Dean refused my sturdy back pack carrier, is too big for the baby bjorn, and ended up on my hip. Not my favorite day. I think I'll have to stick to paved paths til we find a carrier that works for Dean. Or I'll have to change my expectation that hiking with (both) kids can be a two mile journey. Drew cried when the hike was over and suggested we leave Dean home and head out again with Wendy, Trent & Elena. Hmmm...not a bad idea.

Family picture

We had a lovely holiday in CT with Chris' extended family. I am happy we were able to take a family pciture because they seem far and few between. I am so lucky to have all these guys in my life :)

So long...

...to locks of baby fine blonde hair. Dean had his first haircut and it seems like more than just some strands of hair were left behind. My little baby is growing up :( Although he is handsome with his new-do, he looks OLDER! As the days seem to fall away, much like Dean's fine hair, I am reminded of how fleeting time is. I will do my best to appreciate today...this moment...and live in the present as much as possible. Oh, how sweet it is!

Language Explosion?!?

Dean is 21 months and has finally achieved his "Language Explosion" (farewell to my worries!). I think he has about 25 words now which he uses freely and unprompted. I'm so proud of my little peanut. He's such an adorable, petite, silly, loving monkey :)

Here are some of his most frequently used words:

• Drew (of course!!!)


• Mama (second only to Drew!)


• Dada


• Car (such a BOY!)


• Car-car (car carrier)


• Ball


• Mamoon = Balloon, Moon, or Baboon


• Yeah/No (with nod included)


• All done! (one of his earliest phrases)


• More (while signing please)


• Up (usually to get onto the couch)


• Down (while signing down - to get off the couch)


• Book


• Thank you

Dean can also identify about 15 body parts and make several animal sounds. And, this is a big change from 18 months, he loves books and puzzles. Much unlike his big brother, he does not like tv shows at all. It thrills me because I try to limit Drew's tv-viewing and we have many battles over shows. Dean also enjoys assembling tracks - or towing cars & trucks. I think he prefers trains to cars (while Drew prefers cars) and he loves hearing and saying "All Aboard!" His favorite outside activity is mowing the lawn (isn't that wonderful?) or being pulled in a wagon :) He's not yet a huge playground fan...probably because those very tall slides intimidate him. He's begun sitting on the potty regularly, but has yet to pee or poop there - even accidentally. He still loves his sleep, can hang out in his crib for hours - even awake, and adores his blankey. He's much more independent these days - both in and out of the home. He will play by himself for long periods (yippee!) but also loves to play with Drew or a friend. He loves entertainment (puppet shows or music performances) but hates to sit still (he's often running up and down the aisles). He continues to be silly (loves to be chased, hide, and laughs a LOT), loving (asks for Mama, Dada, Drew every time he wakes up), and gentle (shares nicely too!). He is such a love...and growing into such an incredible little boy.

PHOTOS of Spain

Alas, we are back in the USA!

Here are a few photos from our trip to Spain. To see more pictures, please check out our website. We had a wonderful vacation and I'm really happy I was able to blog about most of our experiences (see posts below). Neither words nor photos can capture the excitement of our experiences...but it will live on in our hearts. VIVE ESPANA!

Adios Espana

Our last full day in Barcelona, miercoles, was spent walking and walking and walking (like most days). After our cafe con leche and a bite to eat (I had a "bikini"), we went to Castell de Montjuic. It is a huge fortress on a mountain with lots of amazing views of Barcelona. We took the metro to a tram to a beautiful gondola ride to the top.

After heading back down, we went to Poble Espanol, which is an area that represents all the regions of Spain...kind of like a mini-Spain. There are shops, restaurantes, trees, architecture from each region. It was cute!

After singing many songs sounding like "I've got pain on the heels of my feet." we made our way back to Barrio Gotico for some last minute shopping. We enjoyed a delicious dinner in El Born and TWO jugs of sangria before heading back to the apartment to clean & pack. We were sad to say Adios to Espana but also excited to return home and see our boys!

Thanks to MAMA (and Pop and Mama-mama) the boys did very well without us. We were greeted enthusiastically Thursday night by two cuties in pjs...and my mother, who cried as she said goodbye to the boys. Needless to say, they all enjoyed their time together! A little post-vacation blues struck both Chris & I, but we'll try to keep the travel flame burning...