Questions and Answers With Mr. Wil VDV

We never quite got much further than posting the pictures for this blog, but thought a fun game would be to guess the questions and the answers based on Wilken's expression! Maybe we'll get back to it one day...

Wadayasay PUNK?

Just For Fun...

Mohawk Profile...

A Serious Punk Look (despite the PJ bottoms)...

The Week Of The Women...

The glorious week started out with a visit from our blog buddies Caitlin, Gabe, and little Nyla. Well, maybe not so little - Nyla is 7 weeks younger than Wilken, yet about the same height and weight (ok, ok, Wilken has been on the move for 2 months now and Nyla, the backwards crawler, is just about to take off). Anyway, they all came down to San Diego to visit with friends and family. We were lucky enough to have them stay with us as we were able to introduce Wilken and Nyla for the first time. We met up at Sean, Becky, and Rory's house (also part of the blog buddy network) to introduce all 3 babies (Nyla and Rory met for the first time too). The festivities began on the floor with toys then moved to a not so baby-centered restaurant down the street. The food was good, but playtime was over for the little ones. The night ended with a speedy trip home and off to bed.

The weekend continued as Wilken shared his toys with Nyla and they parallel played all through the night and day. On Sunday, the dads went to golf while the women had a little get together of their own. We met up with and reunited with old friends, Wilken was even chasing around an older woman ("can't wait to see you again soon Naomi", he says). The day came to a slow end and we parted with our Portland trio. We were sad to see Nyla (and her parents) go, but know we'll be getting together more in the future. What weekend would be complete without a bath with a girl you just met two days prior (we apologize about the "booty-bite" Wil gave you, Nyla!)?

The week continued as most weeks do, a little work for dad, a little swimming for Wilken, and a little more baby talk and singing for mom. Soon came Thursday, 3/9/06, and after a day of work (for both mom and dad) we were off to meet up with Sean, Becky, and Rory again for an Arizona adventure of Padre Spring Training! We decided to drive together as opposed to flying or driving separately and it couldn't have gone smoother. Wilken and Rory both slept practically the entire trip and awoke (2:30am AZ time) to a hotel in Tempe, AZ with renewed energy. After a calming session everyone was asleep and ready for the festive weekend to begin.

Friday rolled around and after a little bite to eat and some waffling around nap time, we decided to hit the field so to speak. We went off to Peoria to watch the Padres take on the Rangers of Texas. Once the final exit approached for the stadium, Elanor informed us all that the tickets were back on the hotel night stand. So back to the hotel we went. Then off to Peoria again to watch the Padres take on the Rangers of Texas (deja vu!).

The wind was fierce that day my friends... Luckily the seats behind home plate shielded us from the torment of the wind, the problem was that we could not escape the torment of the Padres defense! Ouch, we left as the Padres were getting beat 15 to 10!

We bundled up the kids and went out for a nice dinner at Ryan's old college stomping grounds in downtown Tempe, AZ (ASU). The dinner seemed like it went on forever, but Wilken played beside us in the booth and Rory slept the entire time. As we thought our weekend was just beginning, we went to bed with anticipation of a game of golf, another baseball game, more good food, and some nightly festivities.

Saturday morning came early as Ryan & Sean awoke at 6:00am (5:00am CA time) to the beat of rain against the hotel window. Thinking that golf may still be in their future, they showered, ate a little breakfast, and drove to what turned out to be an empty golf course in the pouring rain. It was the first day in 145 days that the Phoenix area received rain. Lucky us (that is sarcastic)! Not only was golf rained out, but all 14 spring training games were cancelled due to the weather (heaven forbid any of these well oiled pro athletes perform their "practice" games in the horrific weather we refer to as "rain").

What to do, what to do. How about drive home back to San Diego? Sure, why not. Let's not even schedule it around any of the baby's naps how about. We'll just stop for long lunches, bathroom breaks, and dinner when the fussiness starts. Well, the kids once again did great. The problem lay once again with the weather. If we told you that there would be a snow storm between Phoenix, AZ and San Diego, CA you'd say we were crazy. Well, call us crazy, because it took us 10 1/2 hours of driving time to reach our final destination. 3 of the hours were at 1-5 miles per hour. Wilken slept a total of 30 minutes and Rory was in and out of sleep the entire trip. They both received an A+ for their behavior. We even got to the point on letting them "loose" on the freeway when we were at a stand still.
San Diego finally came and we had Sunday to recoup. We all had a fun and a positive outlook on the experience. We'll definitely make up for it next year!

Thanks for the fun times ladies. That concludes the week of the women.

P.S. Thanks for the photos Rory.

Up A Creek Without A Paddle

Guess who is learning to swim?

My mom and dad enrolled me in a swim class with a buddy of mine from playgroup. He's a little bit older than me, but we're having a blast together. The first 2 lessons were a little tough getting used to as I cried most of the time, but by the 3rd time I was smiling up a storm. The water is 93 degrees and DEEP! I'm held most of the time, but have now gone underwater a handful of times and am even getting guided underwater to my mom or dad. That's called a "float" which my instructor said I've greatly improving on each week.

Week of the B's

Well it was one heck of a week. I first made my way to Bakersfield for the surprise 60th Birthday Bash for my Bubie on 2/19/06. After 4 fun-filled days there where my Bubie had her socks knocked off with multiple surprises, I was off to Big Bear for 4 days to spend some time in the snow. Before we left, I was flying high with all the excitement of our upcoming vacation. My friend Megan and I got to hang out the night before we left and her mommy took some fantastic photos of us together.
We left for Bakersfield to surprise my Bubie for her birthday. We arrived early and visited with my buddy Aden where the first annual Baby races were held. This time, I was the victor (See Aden's Blog). After visiting Aden, his mommy, and daddy, we left for my Bubie and Grandpa's house where we met Megan and her parents to decorate the house and surprise my Bubie. Boy was she ever surprised. About 45 minutes later my Aunt, Uncle, and their dog arrived and the family was complete. What was another BIG surprise of the weekend? My mommy's Brother shaved off his Beard after 6 years. That didn't throw me off though. I am used to a lot of changes in mens' facial hair.

The next day her friends threw her a surprise Brunch which was very fun. Bubie cried quite a few times and I'm not sure why because there was plenty of food and she doesn't even wear diapers. With all of the excitement (and the cake I found with Megan under one of the tables) I was pretty hyper. That night, I got a little silly with the family while they all sung the tune to Bonanza.

Video Sharing at DropShots.com
One thing I learned in Bakersfield is that I REALLY don't like it when my mommy leaves the room. I especially hate seeing the back of her head slowly disappearing into the distance. My parents keep talking about separation anxiety, but all I know is that I sure let them know when and where I want my mommy. In my sight and next to me at all times! Another thing I learned? NEVER Bite a Balloon.

Well after a fun trip to Bakersfield, I was off to Big Bear to visit with my cool cousins David and Grey, my Aunt Traci and Uncle Ken, and Ken's parents Carole and Irwin. We stayed in a really cool house and I got to see the snow for the first time. Despite being very constipated and my continued separation anxiety, I had a really great time. My dad is an absolute nut if you didn't know already. He went sledding and tubing with my cousins and their daddy and was just like one of those crazy guys from the show Jackass. He has a huge Bruise on his behind from all of their shenanigans. Well, I have to say, while I like a lot of stimulation and being out and about, I was VERY happy to return home after an entire week away.