A sprinter (spring+winter) Easter weekend in Newport

Scheduling a weekend in a yurt at South Beach State Park, just 2 miles south of the Newport Aquarium, seemed like a great idea in early March. Reunan had been born, we wanted to travel, take Saul to the aquarium, and not spend a lot of money. Forty dollars a night was perfect!

The unusually wet and cold spring (dubbed sprinter by a friend) made things a little more....interesting! We appreciated the yurt even more, though! Friday was a gorgeous day and travelling to the beach was perfect. Saul's question every 15 minutes or so was, "Are we at the beach now?" We need to get out a map and start giving him a sense of how places sit in relationship to one another.

Our first stop was Rogue, for an early dinner and beer. Below are a few pictures.

Saul wearing his "mask", otherwise known as my hat. How is it that all of my hats look so much better on him?

We went for a walk down to the beach right after unpacking, figuring it would be a gorgeous sunset and it was our first really beautiful day. It was both of those things, but also ridiculously cold! Saul being a kid took off his shoes and played in the water a bit. Of course, we didn't have a towel as we hadn't planned to stay long. So, by the time we got back he was sandy and very uncomfortable. Aaron got him rinsed off and then we bundled him up and let him watch Sesame Street on my ipod while we got the bedding set up for the night.

The yurt had a bunk bed with a double bottom bunk, where Reunan and I slept, and a top bunk, where we stored stuff. It also had a double futon (see picture below) that we laid out each night for Aaron and Saul to sleep on.

The boys chillin' while I was getting things unpacked and our sleeping arrangements ready.

Little boy focused on his Sesame Street.On Saturday Saul was really hyper and crabby in the morning. We went to get coffee at a great spot we remembered in Nye Beach and then stopped by the grocery store for a few last minute items. By 10 a.m. we were on our way back to the yurt with plans of spending the remainder of the morning before lunch and nap at the beach. Instead, Saul fell asleep. Aaron carried him into the yurt and he slept until 2! It was such an unexpectedly relaxing 4 hours! I took Reunan outside to enjoy the last bit of sun without disturbing Saul's sleep. I read three magazines, crocheted on the blanket for Michelle's #2, cuddled Reunan and listened to the sound of the ocean just a quarter mile away. Aaaah. Heaven.

When Saul woke up we ate a quick meal and hurried down to the beach, knowing that this was the last of the decent weather for the trip. We had a great time playing, but the wind was not spring-time warm. It was cold! Saul could have lasted a little longer, but we didn't want a repeat of the prior evening and also planned to bbq dogs on the fire.

Playing with his beach toys.

A happy boy in a really big sand box!
Hip dadda with Reunan in the pack.

Coloring Easter eggs for the first time.

Reunan bundled up for a great nap outside.

Close up of the sleeping boy.

And here are just some more pictures from the trip. Somehow, I didn't get any at the aquarium. Probably because Saul didn't hold still long enough. The phrase of that visit was, "Come on, guys. Let's go see some-ping else!" as he headed off in a run.

Reunan showing his moves.

Happy to be cuddling with his dad.

Sleepy boy.

Cute boys.

Another sleepy boy.

Happy boy on his way home.

Boys around the house

I've really made an effort to have the camera handy lately. Typically, I'm not a big camera person, but I know I'll regret it later if I don't capture the boys now. They're both so cute....and if I don't post here there's at least one family member who will let me know it! (Yes, that's you, Mom!)

So, here are just some random pictures from the last few weeks.

Saul cuddling with Reunan. I'm holding Reunan, who's just finished nursing and clearly hasn't yet been burped. Notice the milk all over his mouth.Reunan chilling on the couch. His expressions change so quickly. There are about 10 other pictures around this one, each with a different expression.

Swingin'

Waking up. The furrowed brow is a signature Reunan expression.

Sleepy boy. And, the last time he slept that way in the pack and play.

He's so long already I had to turn him the other way.

Saul cuddling his new Pendleton bear, immediately named Bergen Bear. He's a gift from our fabulous neighbor Annetta, who works at Pendleton and has been very generous with the boys.

Saul showing me that he can still nap in his little rocking chair.

Sandbox fun

Someday it will be spring here. Until then, Saul's stuck wearing his big coat to play in his little sandbox. The box seemed so big when he got it for his birthday last year. Now, it's hard to imagine two kids or more playing in this thing. We're already thinking about other backyard sandbox options, especially since we have some areas where grass just doesn't grow.

The good news is that Saul LOVES his sandbox and we enjoy the few chances we've had this spring to let him play in it.

Saul in his sandbox. Maybe more toys than sand?

"Mom, will you stop asking me to look up?"
I love that his tongue still comes out a little when he's really concentrating.

Reunan slept in the pack while Saul played. That meant I mostly walked around the yard.

Twice the kids, twice the stroller!

Below is a picture of our maiden voyage out with the new stroller/bike trailer for the kids. The weather was great, the sun lower in the early evening sky, and we got to try out all sorts of features. We absolutely love it and look forward to the many walking, jogging and biking adventures we will take with it!

The big qestion is how long it will be before the first argument between the boys inside.

Reunan's first few weeks

Week 2 with Reunan was pretty mellow. Aaron was home. Saul was in school. We definitely had some adjustment issues, but I think we were still in the new baby, family of four daze.

Mom arrived on Thursday, March 17, all prepared to help out the week of Saul's spring break. When we agreed on the week of March 21 we didn't realize Saul wasn't going to be in school. It worked out perfectly - at least for me - as I can't imagine if we'd been alone that week. But, it meant more work for her, helping to entertain Saul and helping with Reunan when I took some time with just Saul. Unfortunately, we sent Mom home with a nasty cold. Not the kind of gift I would have intended!

Aaron's nasty cold/flu thing came back a few days after Reunan was born. It's like his body held on when it needed and then needed to finish the course. The lack of sleep didn't help! And, Saul's had colds and ear infections so much recently that I'm convinced that the two of them have been handing the cold back and forth, particularly as they've shared a bed since Reunan was born.

Being parents to two sweet boys is amazing. Saul's immediate care for his little brother is precious! When we got home from school one day last week Saul cuddled with Reunan and said, "Hi, little brother. I missed you today. I love you." And, Reunan gave a few of his best smiles so far to Saul.

Below are pictures from the last few weeks.

Saul nursing froggy woggy. Later froggy was also wearing a diaper that required many, many changes. Froggies poop alot.

Mom holding Reunan. Mom held him many evenings as I was starting bed time routine with Saul. However, Reunan would inevitably cry for much of that time despite Mom's efforts. This was one of the best peaceful moments for the two of them. Close up. Reunan reading...well, you know. Reunan at nearly 3 1/2 weeks old. Little chipmunk.

Smiley boy.

Grandpa Tom Wieting with his second grandson, little Reunan.

Boys in stripes.