Winter Play Time

Vin and I were invited to an indoor playground yesterday by our new friend Ellen and her daughter Rebecca. The place was huge, full of balls and scooting toys and was almost completely empty. Vin went nuts.

My littler stasher

Vin and Andi have taken to a nice morning routine together. They get up at the same time (5:30am) they play together, eat breakfast together - even brush their teeth together. It is quite a sight to look into the bathroom and see two little butts in their underwear (one in a diaper) both leaning over the bathtub, each brushing his own set of teeth.

Yesterday while I was in the bathroom futzing around, in came Vin, headed straight for the washing machine, opened it, reached inside, and pulled out his toothbrush from where he had stashed it that morning. He knew exactly where to go, and exactly what he would find in there. So our washing machine now doubles as Vin's toothbrush holder.

Love note

Dear Vinny,
I thought I loved you when we locked eyes that first day. And then there was the first time you smiled at me, I was sure that was the first moment of love. Then when we would nap together cheek to cheek, that felt like love. It has become clear that this lovely and painful feeling seems to be growing and getting more lovely and more painful. I see you across the room chasing after a ball and you have me laughing and clapping and I must resist the urge to duct tape us together in a never-ending hug so you can't run away from me. I can't kiss you enough. I can't get enough of the feel of your soft, peach fuzz hair on my lips. I love that you are fearless, that you enjoy other people so much, your passion for balls and trucks and electronics is admirable.

How can I continue cooking in the kitchen, when you are toddling around with both chubby hands in the air, chanting 'ne ne ne ne ne, da da da da da' and kicking a tennis ball into the piano bench? I can't, you must be kissed. How can I sit here and blog when you are pulling leaves off of trees, unraveling paper towel rolls and hiding remote controls and cells phones in your little cave (the space under the cedar chest)? Again, I can't - you must be kissed. It is no wonder this time with you has the outward appearance of laziness for me. I don't have a job, I haven't read many books, the house is a mess and I am way behind on my emails and blogging, but in terms of kisses? We are way ahead of the game, wouldn't you agree?

Love,
Me (mama)

One more birthday photo

The October babies...see Vinny totally isn't the biggest one!

Cheese!

Sunday in Prater, and Halloween

I am not sure when this happened, but instead of a little floppy
 baby, I turned around to see this hunky little dude following me around.

Andi and Kat enjoying the fun of Prater...the Dizzy Mouse.
Once they dipped into the cat's mouth there, Vinny started crying,
thinking he had lost them both forever.

A great water ride, in the freezing cold October winds and weather of Vienna.

But they don't seem to mind.

Supermen!

The best part of the Halloween festival was the gravel and leaves.

Irresistible, he was a hit at the festival. 

And the boy turns one

The birthday cake. Vrrrooom.

During the birthday song.

Vin opens his presents as his girlfriend looks on.

What a handsome young man.

After a week of practice, he is on the move!

The little sign on his stroller says, "It's my birthday!"

Opening presents from Oregon.

Vin takes a break from presents to take a work call.

Funny Foooooosball

We have been having a rough time around here lately. Vin will not sleep. Need I say more? I was reduced to tears today when another mother told me how easy her daughter is at night. Just a gentle kiss goodnight and her girl floats away to dreamland. After waking to a shrieking baby every hour on the hour last night…and for the last 6 months…that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I just broke down.
On such a rough day, when I am tempted to buy a one way ticket to Nigeria and leave Vin to the wolves, he decided to pull out the following. Well played Vinny, well played.

Still stuff I didn't tell you

And then we attempted another Stadtwanderweg...a city hiking trail, but we got lost. So incredibly lost that after 4 hours of hiking, we can't really say that we completed this particular trail, as we were blazing our own path most of the time.

But Vin enjoyed his toys made of rocks and sticks.

He likes to move the dirt from one side of the log to the other.

Hey there, buddy.

Pals.

Bird's eye view.

Somewhere along the trail we found a big playground where Vin enjoyed some more swinging.

Other stuff I didn't tell you

Then we enjoyed a day at the pool...

Vin and Pa gettin' wet n'wild.

The fam.

My boy.

More stuff I didn't tell you

Vin has mastered turning, sitting, crawling, standing, but has decided to invent a new method of travel before he moves on to normal, boring walking.

He finally figured out what those things on the side of his sippy cup
are for...but hasn't figured out the helpful nature of gravity on liquids yet.

Little Maestro plays us a little melody every day, a few times a day.

Here is some general cuteness for you. Vin's new elephant robe.
I love it. He hates it.

Aww, look how cute!

He wants it off!

At another baby club meeting, Vin chooses trucks over kids every time.

Vin's Slovenian buddies.

Stuff I didn't tell you

I take you back now to September 2. We had returned from Croatia and spent the long weekend in Slovenia where Vin enjoyed outdoor bathing, hikes and chocolate.

Naked buns heading on up the stair.

Bathing in the sun in a bucket built for a babe.

Chocolate!

Three monkeys on a hike, complete with a banana and a bunch of grapes.

A quick recap

Vin and I went to the new doctor on Friday and Vin got stuck with
a needle full of goodness, but this doctor has amazing train sets,
cars, trucks and blocks so it was all well worth it.

We decided to go to Starbucks so I could feel at home.
Vin flirted with everyone and climbed an entire flight of stairs.

The whole famdamnly headed out for a little hike on Sunday,
and Vin wore his best frat boy outfit.

Mouth full of potatoes, heading home from the hike.

Tractor Love

We had our weekly baby club coffee morning today. And when I say weekly, I mean that Vin and I have missed about 4 months worth of these. But we made it today. All the babies were on blankets in the middle of the floor, but Vin was more interested in a great new toy he found.

Tractor!!!

After lunch and yoga, Vin and I went to check on the house, but so far no progress. Hmmm.

Vin took a bit of a nap on the way there.