For the Grandparents...

...or anyone else needing a dose of Bryce-ness.

Two videos from the other night. The first is a rousing sword fight, instigated by Bryce, I believe. Only six months old and already starting trouble... The second is Bryce eating his favorite thing ever: oatmeal. Enjoy!

Happy Six-Month-iversary!!!

Today marks six months since our little Bryce made his debut -- Can you believe it?!?
It's been a wild ride so far, and we are so honored to have this sweet baby as part of our family!

At six months, Bryce loves to roll over and sit up on his own. He can get all around the room if he wriggles enough! Preston and I have categorized his movements into the following basic steps: the barrel roll, the Brycie stretch (to reach for that far-away toy), the swivel, the three-limb scootch (usually involving a faceplant into the carpet), and the flopdive (when being held).

He keeps us laughing, especially when he finds something hilarious. (Like smacking Mommy's face, or shaking his rattley toys.)

We love our Little Skittles, Goober-doo, Goosey face, Skittle Bug, Little Man, Little Dude, Brycie-Boo!!! Happy Six-Month-iversary!

June

Just born

One day old

Two weeks old

July

One month old

August

Two months old

September

Three months old

October

Learning to roll over!

Four months old

November

Five months old

Learning to sit up!

December

I'ma eat this turtle.

and then I'ma be the cutest ever!

raspberries!

Look at those six-month-old feeties!

Rawr!

Baby's First Halloween

Here's Bryce in his Halloween outfit (hardly a costume, really). He's Bryce, the Pumpkin King!

Preston and I are sort of humbugs this year and haven't bothered to pull together outfits of our own. Maybe next year. :)

Happy Halloween!

Beach bums

On thing that we were really excited about when we learned we were moving here was the proximity to the beach. It's only about an hour and a half away, making day trips really convenient. And to prove it, we headed out on to nearby Cannon Beach, taking advantage of Preston's hard-earned long weekend last week.

The main attraction at Cannon Beach is Haystack Rock, which is a pretty cool-looking rock formation that juts up from the beach. We arrived pretty much exactly at low tide, so we got to sneak a peek at the tide pools around the base.

In true Oregon fashion, it was rainy and wet and cold, but that didn't stop us from really enjoying ourselves. (Though we didn't want to keep Bryce out in the cold for very long.) I can guarantee we'll be back to Cannon Beach again sometime soon!

Preston took the Moby wrap for a spin (under the raincoat) so I could enjoy the beach more. Aren't my boys adorable?

Me at Haystack Rock

Fambly

An anemone in the tide pools around Haystack Rock

Starfish!

Oregon = Pretty!

Brycie in his longjohns and drooly bib after a chilly diaper change in the back of the car.

Tummy Time

I'm happy to report that Bryce is liking tummy time more and more these days. (Due mostly to the fact that he can now flip himself over if he really wants to, I'm sure.) Here are some cute pictures of Bryce during tummy time a few days ago.

He's just too cute! These are the moments that make my current state of sleep deprivation and my aching back worth it. :)

We like to play

Here's a video of Brycie playing with his favorite toy!

Sorry for the shaky camera work. It's hard to work the toy and hold the camera at the same time!

Here comes trouble!

Guess I better start seriously focusing on baby-proofing sometime soon! Let me know if you have any tips, because I have no idea what I'm doing.

In which we visit Portland and get sick (oops. guess I ruined the surprise ending...)

Hello friends! We have so much going on around here!

Our move fast approacheth (eek!), so we took a week-long journey to Hillsboro/Portland to secure housing. 30 hours worth of driving with the wee one... Let me tell you, it was less fun than you're thinking. Here are the highlights:

 I give you "Bryce not napping in the car part one of fifty million"

Come on, baby, let the good times roll

Here's Daddy and Bryce and a friendly alpaca (randomly discovered at a gas station in middle-of-nowhere Idaho) who thinks Bryce is tasty. (Too true, alpaca. Too true. BUT he's not for eating.)

Yum! Socks! Also, cute baby!

 I give you "Bryce still not napping in the car part 152". This time minus the anger issues, plus weird-looking ball toy with eyes and beak (?) that rattles. Truly captivating for all of 5 seconds.

This is a strange toy, mommy. I'm simultaneously hypnotized and freaked out.

Pit stop at Multnomah Falls, just outside Portland. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

We found a great house to rent in Hillsboro. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a cute little yard. I did not take pictures. We'll have to put some up when we move in. And, in shell of nut, I really think we'll be happy in Oregon. Everyone was friendly, and the area is nice. It was Portland's "one hot week", according to Brad, the property manger/realtor we worked with, so it was in the 90s all week, but that just made me feel at home. I'll enjoy the cooler weather they usually have, though. I'm looking forward to that part.

One day, we visited downtown Portland (aka land of confusing one-way traffic and no place to park). We just HAD to stop at Voodoo Doughnut (twist my arm, why don't you...)

From right to left: Voodoo Doll doughnut, Portland Cream, Maple Bacon Bar, and Dirty Old B****rd

Oops. Forgot to rotate this one... Oh well!

Doughnuts and oreos and peanut butter. Oh, my! Plus, bonus cute napping baby in Moby!

Real real good (drools)

We also visited the Chinese Garden, which was tranquil and lovely.

Purty!

Awkward family shot

Koi

Bryce got hungry, and I was only too happy to not have to nurse him in the hot, hot car

Later, back at the hotel, we ate Taylor Swift.

There were teardrops on her guitar.

We also snuck over to visit the Portland Temple.

Preston and Bryce waxing all spiritchal

Pollinating the Lord's zinnias

These never turn out so well for Preston. Sad face. But I look kinda cute!

Amen.

And then we return-ed home by way of La Grande. We stayed with Annie and Bryon, but were too tired to take pictures. (Thanks, Annie and Bryon and baby Della!)

And now we all sit around in our pjs because we have caught the viral plague. (Blah.)

The. End.

:)