swim diaper on the head = comedic gold

4th of July

We were sad to miss out on the annual 4th of July festivities with our friends up at Isle of Pines this year, and it felt a little wrong to not be at a cabin, any cabin, but we did our best to take advantage of our dwindling time as a family of three. The morning of the 4th we headed down the street to the Edina parade, and even though it was sprinkling a bit Soren loved seeing the bands, the horses, and the clowns. Now I should warn you, you're going to have to take my word for it when I tell you he loved all the stuff we did on the 4th, because the kid has developed an uncanny ability to just look stunned when the camera goes off. You'll see it's a reoccuring theme.

How cliche is this picture? (except the non-smiling kid)

After lunch and a nap we headed up to Linden Hills to ride the trolley. I swear the kid was screaming with glee, and then every time the shutter goes off this is his involuntary reaction...

We then took in a concert at the bandshell with the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra. The musical selections were disappointingly unexciting, but Soren still liked waving his flag around and dancing, and munching on a sucker.

Plus, it's hard to argue with a free outdoor concert on beautiful Lake Harriet!

Of course baby girl decided that just because we had sacrificed our weekend plans on the off chance she would come a few days early, she did not want to have her birthday upstaged by fireworks and such every year, so she'll wait thank you very much. Still waiting.

This seems like a great idea, right?

Soren is under the misguided impression that playing baseball in the house (with the saran wrap) is a good idea. Wonder where he gets that? But you have to give him props for his batting stance!

Woah.

Dear Uncle Tom and Aunt Liz,
Thank you so much for the awesome dump truck you left while I was gone. I was so stunned when I saw it that all I could do was repeatedly say "woah". I really love it lots. Thanks.
Smooches,
Soren

Missing Mary

My sister Mary is in Africa for six-ish weeks for work. We miss her lots. Soren did his best to quality check the provisions she packed, including her mosquito net tent.

water boy

Soren loooooooooves bathtime and the beach, so his thoughtful aunts Mary and Beth thought that it would follow that some kickin' water toys would make for good birthday presents. They gave him the most awesome pool, slip-n-slide, and sprinkler. Awesome, right? Errrrrr, not so much. Well, he does love the pool, but his favorite is just the plain ol' hose. I'm sure he'll grow to appreciate the other stuff, because it's truly awesome. But for now, the hose it is. Whatever it takes to make it through this heat wave we're having!!!

terrific TWO!!!

As hard as it is for us to believe our little boy turned two this weekend! We had a blast celebrating all weekend! On Saturday we had some family and adult friends over for a casual BBQ. Soren was in his element as the center of attention!

yummy juice "tickling" Luke

always the perfect host- handing out drinks and cheers-ing everyone

everyone good??

Sunday was Soren's actual birthday and the day was all about our little man! While mom made chocolate-chip pancakes Soren did a little quality control on the chocolate chips. (This photo also documents how difficult life as a toddler can be. Soren has a constantly skinned knee, and also took a picnic table across the nose complements of the little girl across the street. We're hoping he doesn't continue to make facial injuries a birthday tradition, you might remember that last year right before his birthday he took a header into a coffee table.)

a collection of silly Soren faces, complements of the sugary breakfast

Breakfast was followed by a trip to the park. Can you tell how hard he's working here?

Then after a nice nap we blew up Soren's new pool and a few of his friends came over to enjoy the warm weather and some pizza! Here's the birthday boy playing squirt guns with Cole's brother Drew.

Millie, our next door neighbors Catherine and William, and the birthday boy

Cole, Drew, Millie, Logan, and Soren

Millie checking Soren's ticker

And of course, the birthday cake. He blew out those candles like a champ!

And then to unwind we took a stroll down to the lake

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy Soren!!!!!!

our friends are turning two!!

Soren and his friends had a joint birthday celebration at Como Park. Millie's music teacher Molly entertained the kids, we grilled, and a blast was had by all!!

Soren and Cole

Millie, Cole, Coco, Soren, and Eve

"I've got a sticker on my head!"

The whole crew:

Cole, Zach, Eve, Coco, Millie, and Soren

mmmmm....cupcakes

momma's sweet boy!

busy busy busy!!

Okay, I know it's not a very good excuse, but we've been incredibly busy trying to prepare for the baby. Not so much baby stuff, but trying to cross off all the house projects and such on our list. We won't be making the same mistake we made with Soren- moving twice in the first four months and taking on insane amounts of home improvement. Anyhow, we're plugging along, have most of the projects crossed off, and now we're just hunkering down for the final countdown! I don't want to get my hopes up too much that she'll make an early appearance, but I've been measuring about a week ahead for most of the pregnancy, and at today's appointment I was already dilated 1 cm, and the midwife announced I should be ready to have this baby any time now! Huh?? Well, I'm still aiming for July 11th* and I'll be ready if she wants to come any time before that!

Here is Soren taking a break from helping dad redo the front yard in order to pose and look cute. Mission accomplished.

Will peek-a-boo ever grow old??

At the Como Zoo- Soren's favorite is the primate house. He loves pounding on his chest like a gorilla. Isaac would kill me if he knew I was posting this picture, but it's okay, he never reads this!

Pure glee over the funny spider monkeys

riding the tortise

*I decided a while ago to set my sights on having this baby July 11th. Here's my reasoning- Soren was exactly average for a first time baby and came eight days late. Average for a second baby is three days late. Also the 11th is a Saturday, so it would be convenient because Isaac and babysitters would be available. Finally, it just has a nice ring to it, 7/11/09, no? But really my goal is just to foil my mother's hopes that the baby will be born on her birthday, July 19th. I hope to all that is holy to have the baby out before then, sorry mom.

I know I've been delinquent in my posting, but I've got a few big posts looming over my head and haven't had time to get to them. But I thought I would sneak this one in. This weekend my friends Kirsten and Rachel and my sister Beth threw me the most fabulous baby shower. I was never able to have a shower when I was pregnant with Soren since we were in Chicago, and it was so fun to get to celebrate this baby girl!! My mom drove down for the shower, and ever the thoughtful grandma didn't want Soren to feel left out of the festivities, so she brought him a sand and water table. It is without a doubt his favorite thing in the world right now. He has spent HOURS playing out on our deck! As soon as he comes downstairs in the morning he heads straight out, and whenever we come home from being out he goes right through the house and out the back! Thanks mom/grandma!!!!