any idea where i am?

Later, a box is put on Jason's car... hmmm.... what could it be?

at the washington coast

How do you know when you're at the coast?
Your onboard GPS tells you!

I liked the shell bins at the "Free Museum" in Long Beach, WA.

Laura's AWESOME sand sculpture.
Her FIRST sculpture...
she is truly multi-talented.Here's what I call the "too big" burger.

infinite 8

Kaemon Ze completed his first 8 months of life today. Hard to believe that in four short months he'll have been with us for an entire year!

For now though, we are doing our best to enjoy each moment with him. It's amazing how fast time has flown by. No longer the wrinkly newborn, he's alert, mobile, giggles, and enjoying eating solid foods with his four teeth.

I gave up breast-feeding at the start of 7 months. Just in time for him to cut his two top teeth - after being bitten a few times with the two bottom teeth, and him not correlating any reaction to his biting (not to mention he was getting less than 1/4 of his milk from my compromised supply), I weaned him. "Weaned" isn't exactly correct as he didn't seem to miss being at the breast at all. Since then, he's not rooted, either. Was a smooth transition. I miss our time together, but am appreciating all the benefits to not breastfeeding.

Last time Jason weighed him, Kaemon Ze weighed in at 22.8 lbs. I don't know his current height, but he's tall for his age. People regularly assume he's a good two months older than he is.

I guess it's fair to say he's crawling now. He's definitely mobile, but he's not up on his hands and knees; rather, he pulls himself places, using mostly his upper body. He's quick, too. It feels like we're only one or two steps ahead of him. Very soon we will be doing some major baby-proofing.

He has four buddies that are younger than him who are saying, "mama" and/or "dadda." Kaemon Ze hasn't graced us with anything other than happy babble. I know of someone whose first word was "calculator." I think that's great. With a smile, I've been saying, "encyclopedia" real slow to Kaemon Ze. Who knows... maybe that will be his first word (though I suspect "hi" will be the first).

Here's a list of his likes:

• sleeping on his tummy, bum in the air
• gagging himself with his fingers (I know, I don't get it either)
• standing
• shaking his head back and forth
• eating solids (anything, so far)
• being outdoors
• raspberries, marionberries, strawberries
• crawling (pulling) himself to what ever catches his interest
  
• clapping his hands
• waving
• pretending he's chewing gum
  

happy first father's day, honey!

Morning time! Kaemon Ze treated Daddy to a special gift:
9 hours of sleep!

I get in on the cute-t-pie action.

We hung out with Daddy while he finished the deck extension.

Let me see the camera, Mama.

Happy First Father's Day, Jason!
I love you soooo much!

our saturday

Jason and I laughed at Kaemon Ze, who this morning, was once again face down, but this time had his bum in the air. That was a first for him (at least that we've seen).

A lil while later he changed positions
and I snapped this of him.
He slept in a long time this morning!

I met up with some girlfriends this morning
to celebrate Leslie's birthday.
Happy Birthday, Leslie!
(She's standing next to me)

Later that afternoon, and after a long nap, Kaemon Ze
decided Daddy needed some help with the deck.

Not even 8 months yet, and playing in the dirt...

My sweet, sweet boy.

Daddy's big helper.

tonight's sunset was glorious

From our house, we don't usually get to see the sunset,
but I was able to catch this shot of our new
Tibetan prayer flags with the pretty sky.

PS, if you are looking for cotton prayer flags, please visit:
Tibetan Prayer Flags
3848 SE Division Street
Portland, OR 97202

almost there...

Kaemon Ze is this close to crawling:

this morning

This morning Kaemon Ze was playing in his bed while I was laying in my bed catching up on the morning's weather and e-mail (I love my smart phone). I noticed that it got quiet all of a sudden and I had a feeling Kaemon Ze 'found' me through his crib. Melted my heart (all over again).

I see you, Mommie!

Reading quietly in his bed.

mmmmm chocolate!

Today, Kaemon Ze and I met our friend, Laura, for lunch. Her family owns a local chocolaterie on Hawthorned called, JaChiva. You may have heard of it. :)

Here's Kaemon Ze with Laura and her daughter Madi.
I think Kaemon Ze likes Laura's hat!

"Oh it's YOU, Auntie Laura! I recognize you now!"

Auntie Laura gave Kaemon Ze his first taste of dark chocolate
during a tour of the factory.

He did not acknowledge that he had chocolate in his mouth;
nothing; no reaction what-so-ever.
Not sure that he likes chocolate or dislikes it...

After the tour, Aunti Laura took us out to lunch for yummy Thai food.
Thank you Auntie Laura!!

Later in the afternoon, Kaemon Ze konked out for a lil snooze on me.
Precious times, indeed.

good morning

(I stood him up... luckily, he isn't pulling himself up yet!)

Taken a few days ago... it's striking to me how 'big' he looks.
More like a toddler than an infant.

hi-fives for everyone!

As we left a family BBQ, Kaemon Ze hi-fived everyone on his way out. Too cute!

Here he is swinging with Auntie Katie:

catching up

Here's some photos from the past:

Jason and his Dad, Darwin, after riding 77 miles from Salem to Pacific City!
May 16, 2009

Styling Men! Kaemon Ze with Great Grandpa Marston and Uncle Ryan.
May 15, 2009

Baby and me! (Thanks for taking this photo, Gumpapa D!)
May 15, 2009

another fun first

Driving to Dan & Claudia's for dinner tonight, I watched Kaemon Ze in the mirror while I drove. I was hoping he wouldn't fall asleep - he had just woken up from a very long nap. It looked like he was being lulled by the moving car, but then he picked up his favorite Panda book and opened it. Then he seemed to "read" it... slowly turning the pages and really looking at each page. Jason was able to snap this photo:

early sunday morn

Kaemon Ze has a couple of new moves. He started to shake his head yesterday - all on his own. He cracks us up when he does it. The other fun thing he's doing is giving us "hi-fives". I noticed that he likes to make smacking noises with his palm, so Jason and I showed him how to do a "hi-five." So cute.

my garden :)

This year I've planted: sunflowers, jalepenos, pepperoncinis, assorted varieties of heirloom tomatoes, lemon squash, raspberries, blueberries (Jason put those in) three types of basil (grow!), Yukon Gold potatoes, eggplant, and pumpkins.

Recurring: artichokes, sorrel, rosemary, leeks, strawberries, thyme, grapes (red & white), pears (4 kinds on one tree), plums, marionberries and green onions.

While waiting for the ribs to cook, Jason plays with his sweet boy.

Why is he so amused when I do my daily crunches?

here we are!

Happy Friday to all!


Helping mommy fold laundry.

Whew... that tuckered him out. :)

gentle wednesday

Playing with Daddy tonight.

"I wake up faster than Mommy or Daddy!"

I put my nightcap on Kaemon Ze this morning.
I think it suits him. Do you agree?

my little helper

This is what I saw as I pulled into Gramma's

driveway this afternoon... how cute is this?!

Kaemon Ze likes to 'help' me water the garden. He's also fascinated by the lawn mower and the vacuum cleaner - I think because they make a big noise. I thought he'd like the noise of the rototiller, so on Sunday I put him in his Jump-Up-Johnny near where I would be tilling. Luckily, Daddy was there because HE DID NOT LIKE THAT TILLER AT ALL. Big tears, lower lip extended. Daddy re-assured him and took him to the other side of the yard where he was working until I was done. :)

It's a big big world out there, son!

Kaemon Ze was standing on the bench, holding on... he was so excited. It was like he was saying, "let me out so I can go PLAY!" He's standing on his own in this photo... but I'm right there in case he let go.

he doesn't look like a baby anymore