CARROTS!

I'm going to let the following photographs speak for themselves. The narrative is implicit - it doesn't need explication. Plus, my words will just cramp this kid's style. I mean - just look at her!

Spring Break

We enjoyed a number of adventures this past week, determined to get out and enjoy Oregon's natural beauties despite the rain and our sniffling noses. Here are a few highlights.

First, we headed over to the Ankeny Hill National Wildlife Refuge. We saw a number of bird species, including Peregrine Falcons, American Coots, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and about a thousand Northern Shoveller(s).

Maeby slept through most of the day's activities, although she did wake up for a bit during our nature walk.

Next, we spent a day at the coast, exploring areas south of Newport for once, including Waldport, Perpetua Point, and Seal Rock.

Here we are at the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Park - Maeby enjoyed having her feet in the sand. And she was awake for the ritual this time - a bonus!

Jenn's thinking: "What a nice lady to volunteer to take our picture!" Jer's thinking: "She better not drop my camera. Or run off with it." Maeby's thinking: "It's windy, guys. Come on!"

Heceta Head.

We discovered this colony of Harbor Seals sun-bathing at a place called Strawberry Hill. I had to maneuver through 100 yards of tide pools, including a perilous leap from slippery rock to slippery rock, to get close enough for this shot (and about 200 others - all on Flickr if you're interested) - but it was worth it.

Jenn's Grandma sent us this carrier. It's fantastic. Hat not included.

I love that you can see how bald I'm getting, here. Wait - is "love" the right word?

She loves having her tummy eaten.

We saw dozens of migrating Whales through our binoculars (it's peak season right now) - but unfortunately they were too far away to capture with my 250 mm lens.

Finally - our rained-out excursion to Silver Creek Falls. We only stayed for about a half hour, before heading resignedly, and drenched, back home.

To keep her dry - we brought along Maeby's snowsuit. She stayed warm and comfortable the whole time. We . . . were not so fortunate.

South Falls: the only hike we went on. I had ambitions to do the trail of 10 Falls - but I think that will have to wait for warmer weather.

Jenn and Maeby under the South Falls (if you've never been to Silver Creek - you owe yourself a trip.)

new video

saturday exploits

Tonight, Maeby tried out her new high chair, substantiating rumors that she is more adorable than any other creature with breath in its lungs.

I love how she looks like she's thinking something over.

Also, here are some shots of her lounging on the couch.

Conspiring females.

Here she is touching moss for the first time (I can't believed I just typed that. Note: before you become a parent, you never imagine yourself saying, typing, or signing those words; does this blog ever make you feel like you're talking to really over-enthusiastic parents, being shown photos of their kids doing stuff that is both mundane and without special merit? If it does, we're sorry.)


Oh, and here she is smiling. This kid loves being outside. Today, a small moth flew in front of her, and she just about filled her diaper.

It was phenomenal.

video - eating time

So, this is kind of old, but I figured I needed to post something on here, since it's been weeks.

So, here's a video I shot of Maeby enjoying some solid food. I forgot to focus the image before I started recording, so some parts might be a little blurry.

Also, there's a fair amount of Aravis and Beesly running around in the background. But, in all, it's an honest video: this is really what our afternoons are like.