best laid plans

Los Angeles has been under water for the past week and we've been inside the entire time going a little stir crazy.  There was a break in the rain on Friday afternoon so I jumped at the chance to get Otto a little fresh air.  I threw a hat on him and put him in his sling, grabbed my phone, borrowed 10 bucks from Grampa and off we went to the LA Mill for some coffee.  I threw caution to the wind and didn't even bring a change of diapers.  We almost got to our destination 15 minutes later and OF COURSE it started to rain again.  I was so worried about not bringing a diaper bag that I completely forgot to worry about bringing an umbrella!!!  Since it was just starting to sprinkle I took the chance that it I could beat the downpour and raced home as fast as I could.  We didn't beat the big drops and the poor little tree frog (Otto) got his first shower.  I was worried but he loved it!  When we got home he was all rosy cheeked smiles.  

Also Auntie Stacy has come for a visit.  She is here for 4 days and we are all soooooo happy. Otto slept on her chest last night and gave her lots of big smiles and coos.  We spent all day today shopping at the Grove.  Otto was a champ-a mall rat after his mom's, aunt's, and gram's hearts.  Here are before and after shots of our misadventure in the rain and one of the gang at Barnes and Noble in the Grove.  (ps. I somehow posted 2 before pictures-oops!)

Day of Firsts

January 21, 2010 Otto officially laughed for the first time (he has up until now made happy squeals and big joyful smiles)...and all we had to do was bop him in the head!  Gram ripped the top off her Plastic Wrap box and I started to hit my head with it and say "DOING" and he smiled and smiled.  So I gently bopped his little head and said "DOING" and he LAUGHED out loud.  It was amazing.  Gram and I were so startled and happy that we kept doing it until we were horse and Otto was frowning.  HA!  I guess there can be too much of a good thing.  But what a good thing it was!  We couldn't be happier!  Also today Otto had his first play date.  Maggie brought baby Gordan (who is 5 months) over to hang with us inside while it rained.  Otto slept through most of it but I know he loved meeting his new friend.  Gordy bounced in the Jolly Jumper that Auntie Mindy handed down and he had a grand time.  I tried to put Otto in it later and he started to cry.  I guess he is a little young for it still.  The photos are of our play date and a few of Otto before the big laugh.  

poppa's away

Now that Trevor is gone for a few weeks and Otto is "Property of Mom" (see photo) and I get to teach him about how awesome the Chicago Bears are and Gram and Grandpa get to dance with Otto about Senator Brown and all things Fox News.  Yikes-how things will change in two weeks!  It has been raining like mad and pretty cold so we haven't been outside much.  Although the rain did break just in time for us to venture out and visit our friend Taika who just got in town from New Zealand.  Things are pretty mellow and wintery here in Grothtown.  It is nice to be cozy!  Here are a few photo-a big yawn from this morning, in his awesome new shirt, and one standing with Gram. 

chargers

Boo!  The Chargers lost in the playoffs.  Otto and Trevor watched every game and got dressed up in their Chargers finest and still no luck.  Well at least now we have the Lakers!  Trevor left for Sundance today for two weeks.  I don't know what we are going to do with out him.  It is very sad indeed.  Here are some photos from so recent games.  

at the park

 I've been taking Otto to the park lately and he loves it-despite his expression in the first photo!  One day he road out there in the stroller and the other time we went in his sling.  I think he likes both because he can face outward and take everything in.  He enjoys looking at the kids playing in the park and the trees above.  He also got his first round of vaccinations yesterday (at his 2 month appointment).   Trevor and I were very worried but Otto handled the shots with bravery and grace-only crying a few seconds after each one.  Then we were sure he'd get a fever later in the evening and again nothing.  He was perfectly fine-no bad reaction to speak of at all.  The photos of him in the striped shirt are from after his shots.  He weighs 12 lbs and 12 oz (70%) is 241/2 inches tall (91%) and has a 39 1/2 cm in diameter (32%).   He is not grasping objects yet but he is standing tall on his legs.  Also, Dr. Crosby told us to make sure he lays with his head facing right because he REALLY favors his left side.  There's the latest update.  And now we are off to the park!

2010-Yippee!!!!

Happy 2 month birthday, Otto!!!  What a great day!  Otto is big and strong, the Gators won the Sugar Bowl and Herr Poppa and I are feeling 100% after contracting a nasty stomach bug that kept us home on New Year's Eve.  Total bummer but at least Otto was spared the illness.  And on the bright side I got more sleep while I was sick these past few days than I have since the little guy was born.  Plus, we got to hang out all night with Otto so really I think we came out ahead.  Every month on the first (Otto's birthday) I'm going to take a picture with his duck to show how much he's grown.  This is the first in the series.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!  May 2010 be the best year yet!!!!   

Christmas came and went and we had a terrific time! Auntie Maria, Uncle John, Birdy, Gram, Grandpa all ate dinner with us. It was very mellow and nice. We opened presents and Otto slept through it all. He did get a big yellow duck from Auntie Maria and Uncle John and once he woke up he REALLY responded to it! Then Auntie Cori, Uncle Buck, Andreas, and Sophia came to visit for three days. We had a blast. We went to Laguna and hung out with the Fishers-we took a long walk (I forgot the Ergo so Trevor had to carry Otto in his arms the whole way) to the beach and played in the sand. The next day we went hiking to the Hollywood sign behind the observatory. It was a beautiful day! Sunny and in the low 70's. Then we went to visit the Slaughters for a fried food b-b-q. It was a lot of fun and great to see everyone again. The next day the Groth-Cordovas took off and Otto hung with Gram and Grandpa while Trevor and I saw Fantastic Mr. Fox (GO SEE IT NOW!!!!). Then...I got sick and threw up. And Trevor caught it after me. Luckily Otto was spared. So now we can't go to the mountians with Fishy and friends for the New Year. BUMMER but at least we are together and we have our new best little friend to ring in the New Year with. Not so bad!!!
Here are a few cute pictures and some from recent events.