More Weekend Fun!

Over the weekend Rob's half sister came to visit from Fresno and so we spent most of the weekend with family. Breckin has been going through some severe separation anxiety lately so unfortunately he wouldn't let anyone too close to him but he did have fun watching everyone from the safety of Mommy's lap!

We went to the Family Fun Center and had a great time on the go carts, bumper boats (everyone got very wet, good thing it was hot!) and playing mini golf. Breckin was a trooper and hung out most of the time in the baby carrier.




Breckin is really into playing games that he makes up and he found willing participants in his Auntie Karen and Uncle Ben at dinner each night!

Out on the Lake

A couple weekends ago we had the pleasure of going out on our friend Cory's new boat. It was the perfect day for it as it was hot and sunny. We went up to Lost Creek Lake and Breckin loved his first boating adventure. I was afraid that he may be afraid of the sound of the boat or not like the wind in his face but he took it all in stride. At first I made him keep his life jacket on and he wasn't liking that too much because he couldn't move but once we took it off the day was much more pleasant for all of us. As soon as he is mobile though he will be required to wear it at all times, no overboard babies allowed!

Pear Blossom Festivities

The Saturday of Easter weekend we participated in the annual Pear Blossom Baby contest. There were five categories: quickest to smile, prettiest hair, chubbiest, bluest eyes and darkest eyes. We had a hard time deciding between bluest eyes and quickest to smile (he quite obviously wouldn't qualify for the others!) and went with bluest eyes. We were amazed upon arriving at the mall at how many babies there were! So we had to wait in a long line to be judged only to find that the judges didn't think Breckin had the bluest eyes :(. After they chose the winners of each category, all babies could be considered for Baby Bud and Baby Blossom and since we think Breckin is pretty darn cute we thought for sure he would be Baby Bud! Disappointment was ours again when he was not chosen for this even after laying on the charm for the judges. They commented that he should have been quickest to smile (of course)! So even though we were not winners it was a fun experience and Breckin got a nice certificate for participating. Just look at those big blues!





The following weekend was the Pear Blossom Parade. We walked down to Alba Park with the Stormberg ladies and Jasiah. The boys had fun riding together in Jasiah's new bike trailer/stroller. It is fun to see how much more Breckin is interacting with his surroundings, he got right into clapping for the floats as they went by and found it all to be very exciting.




Breckin had been napping right before we left and when I went in to wake him he had his hands over his eyes, too cute!


After all this fun our poor baby got so sick. He started throwing up on Sunday night and a week later he is still recovering. Both Rob and I got the bug as well, although I feel lucky to have only got it very mildly compared to Breckin and Rob.

Easter Chicks!

To kick off Easter weekend we added four fluffy chicks to our family! I have always wanted some laying hens and when Rob went by Big R and saw the sweet little fluffies he decided that Breckin needed some. On Friday after work we took Breckin down to Big R and let him pick out four chicks, ok we helped a little. We carefully chose ones that are supposed to be good for backyards and around kids. I also made sure we got one yellow one that looked like an Easter chick. We ended up getting two Barred Rocks and two Americanas, a.k.a. Easter Eggers because they lay colored eggs! We got them all set up in our living room with a heat lamp where they will remain for the next month or so while we build a chicken coop outside for them and wait for warmer weather. Breckin loves watching them but we have to be careful not to let him too close because he likes to squeeze them a little too hard!



The rest of our Easter weekend, Breckin's first, was just as eventful. Breckin participated in the Pear Blossom Baby Contest (details in next post) and we enjoyed a visit from my aunt and uncle from California.
I realized not too long ago that Breckin doesn't own a single ball so we got him cute frog ball, which he got Easter morning when he got up. He loved it!



We then went to my grandparents church with them and enjoyed a wonderful service with our family, Breckin was entertained by playing with a few undiscovered eggs from the Easter egg hunt earlier in the morning.


After church we had a delicious ham dinner (Breckin LOVES ham) and Breckin opened an Easter basket full of surprises from Grammie. He wasn't too sure of the bunny that sings and hops!

Am I Crunchy?

I ran across this definition in the Urban Dictionary and thought it to be rather funny since I have referred to myself as "crunchy" before. According to this definition I guess maybe I am!

1.	crunchy mama	66 up, 5 down
	buy crunchy mama mugs, tshirts and magnets Mother who supports homebirth, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, gentle discipline, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare all-organic foods. See crunchy and hippie. That crunchy mama is breastfeeding in public again!

Our Little Fish

We are almost done with our first session of parent-tot swimming lessons at the YMCA. Breckin has become quite the little fish and we have really enjoyed our lessons where Breckin has learned a lot of basic swimming skills while singing songs and playing with his friends.

All ready to get in the pool!

One of the main goals of swimming lessons is to teach the babies how to hold their breath in order to go under water. We always give the cue of "ready, set, go!" and then blow in their face so they hold their breath and then put them under. Breckin learned pretty quickly what was coming after the "ready, set, go" and would close his eyes and hold his breath so I wouldn't have to blow any longer. Here you can see him ready to go!

Going under!

When we bring the babies back up we try to get them to reach for the edge and then climb out.

Breckin also learned to kick, kick, kick!

...and do a starfish float

...and kick on the kick board

I have no idea where this face came from, I think he was excited to use the kick board but that could also be sheer terror!

Our favorite part of swimming lessons is when we get to go into the warm pool and Breckin gets to swim with his swim teacher.

Oh, it's also fun to put a ring around Mommy's face!

Now we are all ready for summer to come so we can spend all day by the pool!