Beach Time--Tail end of August

Well, here we are at the end of August! I am enjoying the end of the summer and the mini heat wave that hit us. I enjoy the sand and beach more than ever now that I can crawl around quickly. I love to chase seagulls and whatever birds that land within my vicinity. Mom and I went to the local lagoon where there were lots of families enjoying the water and beach, too. Later, I went out with my dad and we had our own fun at the beach!

Checking out the scenes and wondering when I can actually get in the water!

"That was fun mom, but I got all these little grainy things around my eye...they don't taste like much either."

Dad and me enjoying a cool summer night at the beach.

10 months old and getting into everything. August '09

Boy I am getting around! I can crawl on all fours but believe I am more stealth and efficient doing the army crawl. I fascinate, yet worry my parents with my curiosity and desire to explore the stairs, the heater, the glass doors on the entertainment center, and my obsession with opening every cabinet door I'm near.
I'm pulling myself up along side furniture and am starting to cruise along them. I'm mustering the courage to try to take those one to two steps that will get me from one piece of furniture to the other. For now, I'm settling for dropping to my bum, rotating, then pulling myself up to the desired piece of furniture.
To keep me occupied while she's cooking or doing dishes, mom has put me on the kitchen counter where she's given me the coolest set of drums. Dad keeps me occupied by encouraging me to crawl up all the stairs. I think he's proud of me but something in his eyes tell me he's also hoping I'll get tired and go to bed before 10 p.m.
Towards the middle of the month we were once again in New Mexico to visit grandma, my uncles, aunties and cousins. This time, we flew. It was fun!

This is my "I'm not doing anything" pose.

Jam session with my home-made drum set.

August 1st was the Swiss National Day. We celebrated with the Santa Barbara Swiss Club and took our turn blowing on the Alp Horn.

Loving me some ribs. I have four teeth that I really put to use.

What did I tell you about that look in daddy's eyes?

Spaghetti requires a lot of concentration to eat.

My cousin, Winni, and I decided to take an inventory of the toys at grandma's house.

Looking out at the planes.

"Careful with my luggage, guys. Thanks!"

9 months. July 2009

In these 9 months I have grown more cheeky and I have nearly perfected my army crawl. This month we were once again in New Mexico playing with my cousins and getting the royal treatment from grandma.
While in New Mexico I figured out how to use a straw--well, almost--I haven't mastered when to stop taking in liquid and spew it out when I can't take in anymore. Mom says it isn't funny anymore when she sees my shirt is soaked.

Playing at the Cabrillo Aquarium before my cousins got ready to go home.

Back on the rez getting my mutton fix.

Needing some rest after my mutton fix.

We "Just Moved It" one evening at grandma's. Mom went mud bogging with my city stroller and was able to finish the course (not in record time I might add).

Here I am dancing and having a ball in my crib when I was supposed to be going to bed.

8 months and on the go! June 2009

What's Alex up to this month? For one, I am starting to army crawl. I follow mom and dad around the house. This gives me plenty of practice. It also requires my parents to sweep and vacuum a lot as we never know what I'll come upon and put in my mouth.
Another thing I've been up to is traveling. This month we went to New Mexico again and returned with two of my cousins--Tisha and Burger. We spent a couple of weeks showing them around. I think mom and I were home long enough to do laundry, re-pack, then get on the road again.
Our travels this month took us to grandma's house in New Mexico, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, Big Bear, around LA, Yosemite, Sequoia, San Diego, and on our way back to Arizona, to Joshua Tree. Here are some of those pictures.

Going through my Swiss stuff before heading to New Mexico. I really like my hat and hope it fits soon.

Playing with my cousin--we're the only two grandsons. We're outnumbered 8 to 2. Here, we're debating the pros and cons of plastic toys versus wooden.

Playing rez-style on my dusty, hand-me-down tricycle with no shoes.

Roastin' at Hoover Dam with dad.

Are you sure lady bugs don't bite, dad? At a casino in Vegas checking out their flower displays.

Those are my cousins, Burger and Tish.

Vernal Falls at Yosemite.

Mom and me at the top of Vernal Falls.

Nice day to play at the beach.

Dad and me looking so tiny next to General Sherman.

Going through Joshua Tree to take my cousins back to Arizona.

7 months old. Trip to Switzerland. May 2009

May was busy! I turned 7 months old and we traveled first to New Mexico then later to Switzerland to see my father's family. We got to see so many people and had many exciting gatherings and sight-seeing trips. Everyone was so wonderful to us. We can't wait to go back!

Pondering being 7 months old and who has bigger eyes--me or Tweety?

Playing with my cousins while in New Mexico.

Are we there yet, and can you turn on the AC?!

Daddy reminds us of the importance of play.

Again with the play...woo hoo! :)

Me in the plane eating a bagel. I enjoyed riding in the plane--no car seat! I got to sit with my parents or on the tray thingy.

Having brunch after our arrival at Grossi and Opa's house.

A family photo at Rheinfall. Don't I look excited?

Our view looking towards Rheinfall.

My Taufe

My Guetti & Gotti

Taking a break at Lake Zug.

Having a jam session with Gotti.

Grossi introduced me to lady fingers--I think I devoured a whole box on my visit.

Playing with Opa--he's full of energy like my dad and wore me out.

More cow bell, please!

Joking around with Grossi.

My mom was trying to find some lady named "Heidi" in these meadows. I don't know who she is, but my mom couldn't find her.

I'm half a year old! April 2009

Wait till you see all the things I was up to this month! As the month progressed, I began to sit independently; really do a raspberry (though I like spitting better); fully roll around (I'm talking from one end of the room to the other, too!); eat full containers of any baby food in front of me; easily coordinate the meeting of my toes to my mouth; splash water while taking a bath; and I got my first tooth! So, sit back, relax, and have a lookie loo.

Check it out, I'm 6 months old.

Straining my neck to see who caught the bouquet at Mike & Cindy's wedding reception.

Cuddling with my bear--he's warm cause he has cherry stones in his tummy. It sounds painful, but it's not.

Getting my chow on at Easter.

Mom showing me dad's Astrix book and Astrix's latest adventures.

Splish, splash I was taking a bath...

Playing with Kyra at grandma's house.

Demonstrating my self-defense moves.

I'm right here, mom. Once, my mom couldn't find me and when she finally did, I was under the futon.