2 Years: Birthday Party!

August turned 2 on the 29th and we had a special birthday party for him here at his grandparents' house.



With Grandpa and Auntie Chris - "fish cake" awaits:






The whole party culminated in a kitchen dance-party, with music by Duke Ellington (August's current favorite):


Earlier that day:


Not from the party, but a good photo of August with Grandpa:

23 Months: Winter Fun

Winter fun for August, a few days before his second birthday.

23 Months: Déja Vu

Kids tend to really like to do the same stuff over and over again. Especially if they see video of themselves doing that thing. Check out this video, from tonight. Keep in mind that the footage from the previous post is from two nights ago.

23 Months: Backpack

The kid likes to travel. Day after we returned from our Hawaii trip, August started thinking about getting on a plane and taking his next trip.

"Hatta" means both helicopter and airplane. Hard to tell what he understood during our many previous trips, but this time around he definitely did understand that he was in an airplane — HIM! — up in the sky... one of those shiny things he watches from the window with such interest... a hatta!

Here he is preparing for another trip. Did this kind of thing all day for a couple of days after our return.

23 Months: Post-Beach Progression

Here's what a vigorous beach outing can produce when followed by 30 minutes of driving:

23 Months | Day 162: It's a GIRL - Plus Hawaii Photos

So we're having a girl!! 90% certainty, according to the ultrasound doc.

Meanwhile, here are some photos from our Hawaii trip.

Getting to know cousin, with a nice story


Breakfast with L at Auntie Wiffle's place


Nani's house was very well equipped. Here's our guy at the bottom of the slide


Using the swing under the koa tree


On the trampoline with L


Checking out the touch-pool at the Maui Ocean Center aquarium with Nani, L, and Dad.


Giant tank of fish, including 3 species of shark. Wow!


Faulkners in Manini Ranch T-shirts.


Entire Thanksgiving gang in Manini Ranch T-shirts: August, Mary, Waldron, Paula, Jim, Lauren, Valerie, Peter, Ilima/Wiffle, L, Pete. Also: Dusty, Kane, and Parker

23 Months | Day 160: It's a...

Today we find out (hopefully) whether we're having a boy or a girl this next time around. Things are going to be different on the blog than they were last time, but I think we'll at least share the gender of the new baby. Maybe!

Meanwhile, August continues to be a rock star traveler. His latest accomplishment: 18 hours of travel from Boston to Hawaii in 3 legs prior to Thanksgiving, then 15 hours in two legs, overnight, on the return trip. So good-natured! What a great kid! Those of you who know me will not be surprised to learn that I've been keeping track of August's travel data. At only 23 months he has now been in 14 airports and stayed in 12 different hotels.

Pictures to follow