Swimming

We went to the local pool this past weekend so Odin could start swim lessons.  Bjorn loves water too, so he had lots of fun as well.  It was a great heated pool that was only about 3 feet deep, perfect for learning to swim.

 We went swimming with Odin's friend Maya

 Maya's mom, Tia, is helping Odin to learn how to swim. 

 Bjorn just loved floating around and watching all of the action!

Breakfast

Breakfast time can be a crazy time for Momma.  Making breakfast for everyone while jugglin' Bjorn, Odin and sometimes reassuring Dad that the clothes he picked out are OK can be tough!  Fortunately this morning Odin was a super big help; he made his own breakfast;-)  Momma asked him what he wanted and he said a sandwhich with turkey, cheese and jelly!  OK, said Momma.  She got out all the ingredients (and toasted the millet bread--still no gluten for Odin--with butter) and this is what Odin made:

Yum!  Sure is tasty!  I think there are 5 slices of cheese and 6 slices of turkey;-)

Here Grandma helps out by feeding Bjorn his breakfast of avocado, banana, coconut oil and cinnamon.

that is his favorite breakfast

Best Buds

On a good day Odin gets to hang with his best buds, Lucus and Demetrius, and on a great night he gets to camp with them!!  This past weekend the McMullan's opened their home and farm up for a lively camp party.  We had a blast!  Good food, great music, awesome sleeping weather and in the morning...

splashing in their pond!

Below Lucus digs while Demetrius covers Odin's feet with mud!  People pay good money for such skin treatments!

Demetrius and Odin hang out and play music by the fire.

Odin and Lucus do some serious tree climbing!

Garden Fun

Our garden is starting to boom!  Below is the left SIDE of the garden!  Yes, only half here...in this picture you can see garlic (first bed barely showing), green beans and carrots (second bed), shelling peas (third bed) and the rest of the beds you really can't tell but there is pepper plants (4th bed), nothing yet (will be more green beans), zucs and basil (6th bed), more shelling peas (7th bed) and around the edge asparagus and two Asian Pear trees.

And here is a pic of the full garden.  It is large!  But we share it with two other families.

Bjorn sitting up (and sideways...can't get the picture turned correctly).  Behind him is our strawberry patch.

Zoom in if you can and you will see a very cute Bjorn!

Bjorn and Dad hanging in the grass.

Odin getting caught cutting grass with "adult" scissors...

Brothers and Bikes

Odin used to request to hold Bjorn all the time, but lately he hasn't...until the other day he asked.  He just so loves his baby brother and it is really very fun to see.

Odin is getting better and better at riding and Mom's getting more exercise!

Dad and Bjorn being oh so cute together!

In other news...life is busy with work, play and the garden!  The garden really occupies a lot of our time, but it is super great fun.  Last week Odin gave Grandma a tour of the garden.  He was able to identify many of the plants (this makes Mom super proud).  Today we saw some of the pole beans starting to germinate (Odin helped Mom plant them 2 weeks ago).  Mom also caught Odin eating some green peas and strawberries from the garden;-)  We are all excited and hopeful for a big harvest this year.

Odin you are such a big boy

Today's blog begins with a letter to Odin from his Momma...

My dear sweet Odin,

You are such a big boy now.  You are 3 years and almost 8 months and everyday you amaze me.  I love you dearly.  This past Saturday our relationship changed in a really big way.  We had been talking about buying you your big boy bike with peddles for a couple of weeks.  We agreed that when you got your big boy bike you would be a big boy; too big to nurse.  This Saturday you told me you were ready for your big boy bike.  Part of me was really sad, but another part of me was really happy.  Odin, I love nursing you and the closeness it brings us; but I also know we can be close without it and I thought we were ready for the change.

On Saturday we got you your big boy bike and you rode it like you were born to ride!  As for the milkies, well, you do miss them.  You ask for it often but everyday you ask less and we cuddle more.  Tonight you didn't even ask and you let Dad cuddle you to sleep.  You told Grandma you were glad Bjorn nurses because you love milkies.  You are growing up so fast!  I love you so much and I love growing with you.

Love,
Momma


Odin and Dad practice riding without training wheels!!!

We are so proud of him!

After some practice on the grass in the yard, Odin was ready for an adventure.  We went to a local park, Lake Johnson, and Odin rode 1 mile by himself on the bike without training wheels.  Dad only had to "catch" him 3-4 times and help him get started a bit, the rest was by himself!!  He wanted to keep going, but we had to get uncle Anthony to the airport!

Fun times at the beach!

Dad remembered doing the exact same thing at the NJ shore when he was a kid...

Odin lovin' Bjorn!

Bjorn is almost 7 months!

We headed to the doc yesterday and got a thumbs up for Bjorn.  He's doing great!  Developmentally he is right on track.  He's almost sitting by his self, he can transfer toys from one hand to the next, loves rolling over to his tummy and grabbing for various toys, he's "talking" and even telling us when Odin annoys him!  Here are his stats:

-21 pounds, 14 oz (93 percentile)
-28.5 inches (92 percentile)