I'm no longer a vegetarian!

Today I made a huge leap with my eating. Normally I don't like much beyond pizza, mac and cheese, yogurt and veggie booty (and ice cream, of course), but after spending the morning as mall rats with my parents, we went to Ruby Tuesday and they ordered mac and cheese for me. However, I only had eyes for my dad's cheeseburger. I ate at least 1/3 of it. Yum!

Winter Blast!

A winter storm hit this past weekend and left a light dusting of snow in the backyard. I loved playing back there with my daddy and am hoping for more in the next day. I didn't like wearing my gloves, however, and started to cry once I took them off and my hands froze.

Poor Fiona

Poor Fiona is falling victim to the classic second child syndrome --- hardly any photos of her! She doesn't seem to mind so much, but here are a few of her sweet expressions and personality while hugging her bunny (actually one of Gabriel's "friends" that used to sleep with him in his crib).

A Christmas Party

Our PEPs group got together this past weekend to celebrate Christmas and meet Santa & Mrs Claus. We all had a great time eating cupcakes and other snacks, licking candy canes, playing with friends and opening a special present from Santa.

Here is mom, Fiona and I in front of the tree:

All the moms and kids posing with the honored guests:


I'm starting to have a thing for hats - at least construction hats and pith helmets:

Hanging out with Matthew on the chair:


The whole family with Santa and Mrs Claus. I had to be subdued to take this photo with a candycane bribe:

Looking Fashionable

Fiona's Auntie Jan in NYC sent along a very cute outfit for her --- to counteract the fleece and gore-tex fashion that dominates life in Seattle. Fiona was pleased.

Growing up so fast!

This past Tuesday Fiona had her two month appointment with her pediatrician. Here are her stats at this point:

Height/Length - 23 1/4 inches (75-90 percentile)
Weight - 11 lbs 3.5 oz (50-75 percentile)
Head Circum - 40 cm (75 percentile)

Eyes still blue
Light brown hair beginning to take on a faint reddish tint in some light



Fiona is beginning to coo and talk, especially right after having a good nap and feed. We're so thankful for her sweet, mellow personality (with a dash of spunk and spirit) and ability to sleep through the night with just one "snack" around 3 am. It's amazing to see how different each child is at each stage.

Halloween

On Halloween my family went to celebrate at church with a really fun Harvest party. Last year I dressed up for Halloween as a firefighter, but this year I decided to be a ninja. Though it turned out that I was an injured ninja with a sprained foot from a vicious street fight.

Photo op with mom, dad and Fiona...

...who was asleep like always. Mom had a really cute costume for Fiona (a little flower), but she decided to snore her way through the Harvest party at church.


Face painting. I asked for a scary dragon, but instead she gave me a...

...cute little pumpkin. After the party, my parents didn't wash my face before bed and so I woke up with a perfect "stamp" of the pumpkin on my sheets. I still ask about the pumpkin most days when I wake up in the morning.


Art project with dad


Fishing for ducks to get candy treats

A diversion from the baby news & photos...

A few weeks ago my parents took me in for my official 2 year old photos. I want to share these two with you all - I'd say that I'm looking rather handsome.

Morning Workout

I like to join my sister for her morning workout at the gym. She sure is getting strong - almost turned over already and lifts her head off the ground. What a great wrestling partner she'll be one day!




ps - I just found a photo of myself from two years ago sweating in the gym...

Hold, Hold!

I've asked to hold my sister, Fiona, a few times. She sure seems cuddly and sweet until...

...she starts to cry. Then I want to roll her off my lap.

Two for the Road

A recent outing up the hill to Starbucks...

I'm a big brother!

On Tuesday, September 9th at 9:44pm I became a big brother!



Fiona Madeline Tripp was born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. Labor began on Monday night. After a midnight trip to the hospital, the doctors said that labor had not progressed enough to admit Jennifer to the hospital. So Nana spent the night at the house to watch Gabriel while Cam and Jennifer stayed at a hotel next to the hospital. The next day we went home as labor seemed to have stalled. Then, at 5:10pm as Jennifer was walking up the front steps of the house, her water broke and it was a dash through rush hour traffic to the hospital. Gabriel hung out with Nana until Cam's parents picked him up to babysit him for a few days.

Jennifer was pleased to get her epidural :-) Labor seemed to be progressing slowly, then suddenly. The nurses were just telling Jennifer to rest for a half an hour, then, the doctor walked in with a different game plan, she said "your at 10 cm, start pushing!". Jennifer pushed for 5 sessions. The doctor used vacuum suction and within a half an hour, Fiona was born.

Fiona didn't make a peep. The nurses were slapping her hands and feet to get her to respond. There were just about to use an oxygen bag to force her to breathe, then they realized that she was breathing fine, she was just relaxing under the warmth of the heat lamp. It was about an hour before she finally cried (hopefully a sign of things to come :-)




It was an easier labor and recovery the second time around. We spent two nights in the hospital and were eager to get home. Gabriel wasn't sure what to make of the new addition. After a week of adjustment he seems to have adjusted fine and takes great interest in watching her get changed and fed.



Fiona looking at Jennifer trying to figure out if it's time to eat or sleep.

Jennifer and Fiona cuddling

Fiona holding daddy's finger.

Fiona and daddy.


Mom and Fiona leaving the hospital.

Two Year Old Smiles

My parents took me down to explore the Seattle Center on my birthday weekend. Here I am posing for French tourists at the Experience Music Project:

The tourists were so nice - and even started singing and dancing for me (I grooved a little, too):

Playing in one of the public art displays...

Up, Up and Away - I Turn 2 Today!!!

This last weekend all my grandparents, my uncle Matt and parents (aka Dada & Mama) celebrated my 2nd birthday. I like the number 2. It happens to be my favorite # of them all, so it was a great excuse to have a party.

My mama's attempt at the Food Network Cake Decorating Challenge... at least the airplane cake tasted great and kind of matched my t-shirt

My grandpa pretending to be a strange combo of Capt Hook and "Pingu" the claymation penguin

Burning off some extra energy whilst chasing my dada around the table

Examining a miniature toy camera with my Uncle Matt

I'm going to take down Elmo...

He doesn't even know I'm coming...

Aargh! Foiled again!