On the go

As the last days of summer come and go, Fall is beginning to crawl in. We're also crawling toward Colette's first birthday, (yikes!) and Grammy Mary was here for a very exciting visit. 

If you haven't picked up on my subtle hints, Colette has started crawling! Who would have guessed that the incentive she needed was just her very own baby doll from Grammy! As my mom was pulling out some new toys and goodies we noticed that Colette was entranced by the baby doll she was casually holding while we chatted away. Squeals, Giggles, and Clapping ensued when the doll was offered to Colette. The next idea we had was to put the doll on the other side of the rug and voila! Colette just launched herself on over there like a pro! It's been two weeks now and Colette still shows a preference to scoot, wiggle or walk (with assistance) but she is much more mobile in general. And she still loves that baby doll. It comes with us on car rides, goes to day care and does all of Colette's tricks like waiving, "so big" and dancing, all of which warrant kisses from mama Colette. 

The past month has been filled with lots of other exciting days. We've had visits from good friends . . . followed shortly by Niccole, Bob and Declan moving back to Petersburg! We're all so happy to have them back and there are many more playdates and dinners to come.

Niccole and Declan (9 months), Me and Colette (10 months), Katie and Hakon (2 months)

 Declan didn't want to eat Colette's snacks but he sure wanted to play with the container.

 Colette didn't really like this idea

 So as we girls do, she cried and got her way.

But later she told him what's up. Here she's telling him the 'right' way to play with this toy

After bath mohawk-baby. Rock On.

We spent an afternoon out at Blind Slough. Colette napped and I relaxed while Dad and Uncle Joe fished. The weather was nice enough that day and we had fresh salmon for dinner!

Out for a little fishing fun with Daddy and Uncle Joe

Not so sure about that fish!

"Seriously Uncle Joe?"

Although it doesn't look comfortable to the rest of us, Colette loves being packed around this way!

Here Colette kind of resembles those stuffed animals that you stick to the inside of a car window . . .

We stopped by for a quick visit on a friend's commercial fishing boat. They were loading up their catch and sharing the goods.

A little more interested this time around

Short little family blueberry picking outing

Dad and Colette eating fresh-picked blueberries

Sleeping in late, in mom and dad's bed

One morning we packed up right after breakfast and headed out the Green's Camp. We spend the morning wandering and building a small camp fire. This nice shelter was already built and waiting for just the right little person to move in. While we were there we spotted something out in the water, what looked like dolphins or porpoises but they're not common around here so we've been pondering over our sighting.

Colette and Boomer hanging out in her shelter.

Mom came for a visit

Rope swinging with Dad

Nick and Boomer looking out together

Colette has many skills. Here she's showing us how she can already pat her head and rub and belly

Our little one is still the best "eater" I've ever met. She will put away more food then all of her other, older friends and not only that but we've yet to find a food she doesn't like! (But salmon, cherries and cheese top the list) My other mom friends are worried their kiddos aren't eating enough and meanwhile I'm keeping a close eye on her portions for the other end of the spectrum. With all this eating we're due for a growth spurt any day! Colette is roley-poley, chubby-perfection but she stands at just 2' 2"! The good news is that we get lots of use out her blueberry-stained clothes before she outgrows them.

Cherry face

A photo op while we took a drive out the road

Grammy's visit was too short at just one week, but we filled it with as much as we could and even had some nice weather. We had some fun bathtimes, a drive all the way to the end of the road (yes, literally. it just ends) ate good food, walked in the sunshine and had a picnic at Three Lakes with Niccole and Declan.

Big girl kept trying to stand up in her bath

Strollin' around in her big girl chair, she loved the view!

Sneaky Grammy tried to pack Colette home in her luggage. Colette seemed to be in on the plan . . .

On Labor Day we gathered with Colette's future class mates for a "Class of 2030" group picture. I had my doubts of how we were going to get a group shot of 40+ babies but it went very smoothly. The photographer, Grace Wolf, took shots of 4-5 babies at a time and she will Photoshop all those pictures together into one, super-long, panormic photo of cuteness. Here's Colette decked out in her royal blue and white Viking Spirit - can you believe there was only one little girl in a tutu?! No one was surprised that it was my daughter . . .

"TA-DA!"

After the group picture we had a big Labor Day feast! What started as an idea for a small get together turned into a big gathering of friends and babies! We had 12 adults, 3 babies and a 5-year old! Whew!!

Here Grammy - you can watch all three right?! (ps- note Colette throwin' the peace sign here. Adorables!)

And now, The Coco Cruiser.
What started as an afternoon with Grandpa Mike and Auntie Diane (Mike's sister visiting from Minnesota. Yes, We've had a lot of visitors this year!) and watching a little Packer's football, turned into Colette getting her own first car. She is sporting her Packer's shirt here although you might notice it's just a tad snug!

So in closing of this long post - here's a preview of things to come:

• Nick is on his way to a Packer's game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin! Those of us at home in the torrential rain are all expecting new shirts. . . .
• Dance classes start September 17th! I haven't taught classes in a full year now and I'm mixed with excitement and a little anxiety about fitting it all in. . . .
• Colette's first birthday is right around the corner! That sad exciting day when our baby officially becomes a toddler. . . .