ok, presents are pretty good.

Presents are great, but I'm not sure Christmas morning will be as exciting as:
Getting the lights out.

Thanks for all of the presents, Grandma. Especially, the bubble wrap.

Look Nana, we made a peace dove!

If you get tired of checking the blog and finding no updates you can;
a) send hate mail
b) order a congressional inquiry
c) try Google Reader or some other RSS feeder


I recommend option c. It's super easy, makes a great homepage, keeps my inbox free, & lessens the taxpayers burden... But seriously, its easy and you should try it.

Long time no blog...
Sorry guys, its not so much that nothing has happened its more than there hasn't been a camera there to document it and I've been slacking on the online updates. So here goes...

Aeneas has reached a milestone that he will never reach again. He's 32 inches high and 32 lbs heavy, maybe kilograms and centimeters will line up someday, but that will probably go unnoticed...

He eats like a little horse. I know lots of adults that his little 32 lb frame out eats. We try to make sure that most of his calories are in the form of whole grains, fruit, vegetables and high quality meat but its can be tough when you're in a hurry or not paying attention because he'll grab anything he can.

Physically he seems to be advancing remarkably. He runs everywhere, climbs on everything and is learning how to play catch (the throwing is pretty good, got some work to do on the catching). I think of him as my little man of action. The words, though are coming slowly...
More as that develops, for now he's letting Maya do his talking for him.

We'll leave you with this short video of him showing off his prodigious rumen.

San Diego!

We just got back from Thanksgiving in San Diego where Aeneas enjoyed his introduction to fish tacos and giant cups of Horchata.

I'll try to find some better pictures later on today.

Patricia Van Doren
September 24th, 1951 - November 8th, 2007

We lost Patty on Thursday, the 8th of November.
She fought - as was her nature to do so - an impossible battle with lung cancer.
She is missed very much by many people.
The best person to share a laugh with you'll ever meet.

It's very hard, living out here on the east coast to think of Patty as dead. She was always so alive. Just in the middle of everything. She was funny & passionate. She loved talking and desserts. Talking while eating desserts, I suppose, very well may have been her favorite thing.

It's not that she had an domineering personality or required conversation or events to be about her; it's just that because of her sweet persistence, her curiosity and especially because of her infectious laugh, things often seemed to revolve around her anyway. You just wanted her around. You wanted Patty in your life. That's how she'll be remembered.

We love you Patty.

Rest in Peace.

We took a trip to Hershey, PA.
Chocolate is a big thing there.

Sexy Doctor!

Our good friends the Abrahams. Joe, Elmo & Mama Elmo.
(ali made those costumes!)

Concentrate... Hold Steady.... Ok... Cake!!!

mmm... Papa likes it too!

Aeneas is thinking about opening one birthday present while Emily wraps another one just out of sight.

Our friend Heather had her first child just a few days ago. Everybody go visit her and tell her what a beautiful child Nora is! Congratulations Matt & Heather! Nora is such a beautiful little girl and is so lucky to have you two as parents. We're so very happy for you!

http://mattandheathersbabyblog.blogspot.com/

i've tried to film Aeneas doing interesting things now that he can walk, but it hasn't worked all that well. As soon as you start pointing a running camera at him he becomes more interested in the camera than whatever he was previously doing... I guess now would be the time for a poor Heisenberg analogy...

video dana made

Aeneas had his first birthday yesterday. We spent a very nice day together. It was cool enough and Aeneas was unusually tired enough that we could all sleep in past 8:00. We played and danced in the morning and then we took him to Toys r us where he could pick out is own presents (with a little bit of help). We had lunch at Red Robin where Aeneas was very enthralled with our waitress and the staff who came and sang him a birthday song. In the evening we had just a few of Aeneas's favorite people over for some apple cake & present opening. He got a wooden train set that mama & papa enjoyed playing with as well as a doctor's kit & grocery cart (that he helped pick out). From his Grandparents he got lots of clothes & a toy dog that runs its legs when you pull it by its string. Nana Sally also sent along lots of t-shirts that Emily & Carl wore when they were young which seem to jar loose forgotten memories for Emily. All and all a very nice day.

A guy can't even enjoy a bowl of preztels without being harrased by the boys (that's Aeneas, Cayenne & Cayenne's friend, Mr. Pickles)

Now that Aeneas has figured out how door knobs work we feel that he is officially more intelligent than Cayenne.

One week shy of 11 months, Aeneas feels it is time he learns to feed himself.

A little over a year ago we went hiking, here at Catoctin Mountain. Then emily was 25 pound heavier, I was 20 pounds lighter and Aeneas was just along for the ride.

At 10.5 months Aeneas' favorite things:
1) 6 in. checker cab Grandpa Bill got him in NY
2) The bathtub stopper
3) The dogs water bowl

moma

With Grandpa Bill in Chinatown

10 months+, standing and stepping between stationary objects, 27.6 lbs, 32+ inches, says mama, dada & dana

I don't know if his expression is due to not knowing what to do with the apple, or if he's afraid that I'm coming to steal it.

I may be the cutest baby ever.

Emily's two favorite things.
Aeneas & Espresso.

Scandalous!

We're always happy in the bathtub.

twins? at the farmers market several separate people thought so. might be one of those, "they all look the same" things.

Introducing the amazing & talented, world's greatest nanny...Dana! Who Aeneas is lucky enough to share with his pal Maya.

The kid party with Bella.

Aeneas is very close to walking. Right now he pulls him himself up on various things around the house and then kind of jumps (falls) toward other things. Any day now...

Here's our attempt at recording him going up the stairs. Please, no one call child protective services;

First attempt

Second attempt

Third attempt

"Bella, can't we go outside and play baseball?"

Bella came to visit Aeneas and besides being a fun playmate has proven useful at household tasks. She loves to help put dishes away and lend a hand with the broom. Here she helps out in the garden.

Granddad & Ronin playing in the backyard

....because chest hair is good for internet traffic

...because his future is so bright

summertime!