Water Water Everywhere...

The weather was nice on Friday so we took in some natural beauty a la Columbia River Gorge. It was one gorgeous sight after another from the mossy cliffs to the waterfalls, rolling rivers and streams. Here are some of my favorite photos from our expedition...Here I am on top of Crown Point Vista...



...and here is the view.



We (I use that term loosely since I slept the whole way) hiked to the top of this waterfall. It's the second tallest in the country and the hike was one mile all up hill. If you come out and visit me I can show you around!



Here I am at the top with Mom...



...And Dad. That water is about to fall 620 feet. All that falling makes a lot of noise!!





Having some snacks after my long hike.



We also hiked to this waterfall which you actually walk behind. Wow!



Mom and I taking a well deserved rest after all that walking!!!

Kung Foo Fortune Cookie & the Bobble-Headed Baby

Little plastic bags with crackers or fortune cookies inside are like catnip for me. They're not really meant for babies, but sometimes when the Parents get desperate they let me loose on one. Here's a demo:



This is a three second glimpse into my life. Keep your eye on the cute baby in the purple (me!). Enjoy!

My New Skills

Are as follows:

1. I feed myself if I feel like it (and when I feel like it there shall be no one else feeding me, by the way). Foods I like to feed myself include peas and tofu.

2. I drink water out of a sippy cup without showering myself, Mom, or Dad with the contents, though my parents still have to hold the cup for me.

3. I have two new teeth on the top. I grew them all by myself.

4. I take baths by myself in the big bath tub with appropriate lifeguards standing by.

5. Currently, I'm producing a lot of snot out of my little schnoz. It flies everywhere when I sneeze. Happily, it remains clear snot. Keep your fingers crossed.

6. I love to read books with Mom and Dad. Favorites include: I Love You, Goodnight; Corduroy; Where is Baby's Bellybutton; Los Colores del Bebe; Goodnight Moon. I like to turn the pages A LOT. This means that sometimes whoever is reading has to read VERY fast. (Thanks again to everyone at Dad's old office for the excellent reading material)

All these things make Mom and Dad very proud. They're so easily pleased!

Sunbathing

Who says it always rains in Portland? Today it was sunny and warm so Mom and I took a hike around Tryon Creek State Park. It was beautiful - so green and quiet. Boy did Mom tucker me out (how, you may ask, when she carried me the whole way...)! Any-who, here I am catching some zzz's with Dad after our trip (he was at home looking for jobs so we can all stay in Portland. Hurray! Thanks Dad!) It was so bright out Dad made Mom cover his head with a napkin so he'd have some shade - he he!

Write Your Own Caption

It's a Zoo Around Here!

Gosh, this moving-across-the-country deal sure is crazy, but it has its perks. Grandma came out to help Mom and Dad unpack (thanks for your help Grandma!). We're pretty much done now, but it was a little hairy for a few days there. I thought they might lose me among all the boxes!



The sun came out on Sunday so we visited the Oregon Zoo. To tell the truth, I dozed through most of it and woke up somewhere in Africa. They had lots of underwater exhibits, which I liked because the animals and fish were much closer. That made it easier to figure out what Mom and Dad were pointing at.




(Don't worry, this scary looking fish didn't try to eat me.)




That is a Sea Lion swimming by. I know, sorta confusing: it's a lion, but it's swimming...

Anyway, an enjoyable visit over all. Lots of exotic and regional wildlife. And then there's this little guy:



Our very own Zoo exhibit right behind our apartment! This Muskrat and his friend come by every day or so, nibble some grass, then take a dip in the pond. Other resident sightings include ducks, big slimy slugs, and some very vocal froggies.

...Like I said, it's a Zoo around here. Come on out and visit sometime, you'll see for yourself!

Funny Faces

Being only eight months old, I haven't yet mastered the English Language, however I've developed lots of ways to get my point across. For one thing, I like to talk - sometimes VERY LOUDLY. I also have lots of interesting facial expressions that let people know that I'm thinking things through and figuring things out and all around enjoying life. Scroll through for thought captions on some of my best-loved expressions...

"Ah, Guacamole on a Sunday afternoon with the folks. Good times."

"Rattling this thing is much more fun if I squish up my face"

"Mmm, teething rings."

"Too bad you don't have a spoonful of carrots handy right now, eh?"

"He's a looker, but a bit too short for my taste."

"I love a home with ceiling fans!"

"Ok Mom, now let me take a picture of YOU."

"I'm adorable, but I be much cuter if you could get the picture to face the right way...could you work on that?"

The Mona Lisa smile...

...and the classic and I like to think irresistible "squichy face"

I'm a lucky girl!

I mean really, do all eight month olds get to have this much fun?! Let's review my brief, but awesome life. I was West Philadelphia born, (alright Bryn Mawr) and they sure took good care of me at the Birth Center. I got to live near Mom's family, which was great.

And we went to this great church, Vineyard Community Church - West Philly, where I met these crazy cats and folks like them:



About a week ago Dad, Mom and I began our trek out west. After a stop in Baltimore, which I wrote about below, we spent some time with Dad's extended family in Texas. I got to meet my Great, Great Nana! She was so fun to talk to. We took a photo of five generations!



And she had a friend, JJ, that I loved talking to. He made me laugh and laugh. I even gave him kisses!



We spent alot of time visiting my Great Grand Mommy and Great Grand Daddy and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I helped Aunt Bethy on Great Grand Daddy's campaign for Councilor at Large.



Of course I spent Easter in Texas. The Easter Bunny came to visit me - twice! And Mom finally got to dress me in spring dresses. Don't I look pretty?



The last afternoon of our visit Mom and Great Grand Mommy took me out to see Texas' beautiful Blue Bonnets. We also fed the ducks at the Art Museum, although I wasn't too sure about them.





Tuesday night I got to see Uncle Jonathan's induction into the McNeil Middle School Honor Society. I'm so proud of him. We had some good times this past week! He has lots of energy and likes to make goofy faces, which I love!



I had a wonderful visit with my Texas family, whom I love! Thanks for all the good food and fun times! And thanks for helping Mom and Dad find their way to our new home. We love you!

Hello from Charm City

Dad took off yesterday for TX, and we're going to meet him there tonight. In the meantime, Mom, Grandma and I have been relaxing in Mom's old hometown. I've been getting dangerously close to crawling. Mom says she wants me to wait until we get to Portland to learn that motor skill and I've been trying to honor her request.



The weather has been wonderful. Yesterday we went to the zoo. Here I am with the elephants. (It may look I'm as big as an elephant in the picture but Mom says that's just "perspective" and that Elephants are really big up close).



I tried some new foods. My pediatrician (who will be sorely missed in Portland!) says pastinas, yogurt, tofu, and eggs are all a go. I tried little pastina stars but wasn't into the mouth feel. I'm always good for a few bites of something new...as long as it's followed by an old favorite like applesauce or guacamole.



Tomorrow I get to meet my Great-Great-Nana along with lots of other realatives. But first, a plane ride to TX...