4 Months Old!

This last month has felt like the longest, possibly because so much has happened, or possibly because we are no longer in the newborn phase. We've seen lots of changes and development in the little guy. The biggest one being him rolling over from back to belly at three and a half months (he already could roll the other way). Now we really can't take our eyes off him. He loves tummy time on his play mat now he can get there on his own. He can hold himself up, and is already working on crawling. Our little dragon baby is not one to sit still.

His favorite toy is still his hands, and he started sucking his tiny thumb instead of just his fist. He also found his feet, and grabs them whenever possible. He's not super interested in toys we hold in front of him, but is very interested in our own hands.

He is so playful and loves to interact. He still talks and practices making noises. He loves it when we sing to him, especially nonsense. He'll squeal and smile big.

We take him everywhere, out to dinner, to parties, family functions. Lots of fun trips, too, as you've seen from the past month's blog posts.

I also went back to work full time when he was three and a half months. The transition was surprisingly easy. Andy watches him a day or two during the week, and he's a daycare a few days a week. We love his daycare, just a block up the hill from us. He likes it there, too.

Alpin rolls over:

Alpin with his friend Freya

Alpin loves being in the car

Memorial Day

Uncle Malik meet Alpin

Addy measuring ZooTeeny's feet

Zoo's old school friends

picnic with CC

bonding with Dan

Alpin's crazy outfit with crazy Drea

with Grandma Leta

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

It's the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk - Gotta be there, Yeah! We love the Boardwalk, and try to make a trip at least once a year. Leann came to visit over Memorial Day Weekend, and we both thought it would be fun to make a trip down to Santa Cruz. Hunter, Jeff and Michelle also jumped on the bandwagon, so we had a nice crew. Plus, we convinced Hunter and Jeff to try to do as much as possible now, before tiny Tynes-Cambra is born.We spent the day on the beach at the Boardwalk, getting sunburnt (only Alpin escaped a burn) and eating corn dogs. Hope we can make it back once more this summer and ride the rides...

Alpin needs some shades...

there's a baby in there!!!

micher

 

 

In the Mountains for Andy's Birthday

Our vacation in the Hope Valley

The day after Mother's Day, we packed up and drove to the mountains! We planned a vacation in the Sierra for Andy's birthday, and also to fit in some time together before I go back to work. We've been to Sorensen's Resort many times before in the winter (skiing at Kirkwood), but never in the spring or summer. It's in the Hope Valley, where Hwy 88 and 89 meet, about 20 miles south of South Lake Tahoe over Luther Pass. We thought it would be a perfect getaway with Alpin, like camping, but in our own small cabin. The weather is still a bit too cool to take Alpin camping yet. 

We stayed in small Water Fir cabin, and it was perfectly cozy. We enjoyed being at the resort and admiring all the Aspen trees sprouting tiny leaves, and watching the marmots and birds and other wildlife. The food is also delicious at the Sorensen's Cafe, we indulged and ate breakfast and dinner there. Andy and I also played a few games of Scrabble, he won both times.

Each afternoon we snuck in a visit to the meadow in Hope Valley, for a small hike and lounging by the creek so Andy could do a little fly fishing. The first day was beautiful, but the next two days were cloudy and thunder storms came through in the afternoon. Andy did catch a fish the second day, though!

A big part of going to Sorensen's is hitting up Grover Hot Springs outside Markleeville on the eastern side of the Sierra. It's my favorite developed hot spring. We hit it right after the thunderstorm, and right before the group of a dozen kids came. It was so relaxing and so nice to be back. Alpin did us the great favor and slept the whole time in his carseat. We just covered it with a towel to stay warm and dry. In fact, he slept through a large part of the whole trip, but that's what babies do!

On our way home, we detoured slightly and went to South Lake Tahoe. Alpin's first visit to Tahoe, and of course he was asleep. The lake was beautiful and the clouds were crazy looking.

It felt so good to be back in the Sierra, and we can't wait to return!

Alpin's first mountain hike

watching zoo fish

Birthday Boy and Baby Boy

Napping as usual

Hiking with Baby across Hope Valley

Alpin's first time at Lake Tahoe....napping

Strolling the Lake at Pope Beach

Grover Hot Springs with Alpin (napping)

hanging out in Water Fir Cabin at Sorensens

relaxin in the cabin

 

Happy Mother's Day!

Our first Mother's Day together was wonderful, we had a weekend full of time with both families. On Saturday we spent the day with the DeVaults in Sacramento, celebrating with many mom's - Grandma Becky, Great Grandma Barbara, Auntie Cindy and Cousin Elke. We had a delicious brunch at Grammy's house, then went and wandered around Old Town, despite the temperatures in the high 90's. Sunday we had brunch at Spengers in Berkeley with the Miksza's (and CC's Mom Jane). The rest of the day was spent with Alpin doing very mommie things like grocery shopping and packing and backing cookies. All in all it was a good time, I'm so thankful to be a mother and have such wonderful mothers in my life!

Alpin happy with Great Grammy

Great Grammy and Grandma admiring Alpin

Amber Andy Alpin Elke and Robbie

with Auntie Cindy!

1st Mother's Day together

Mother's Day brunch at Spengers