The Mall

I took the kids to the mall last night to run a quick errand.  I snacked them up, so there wouldn't be any meltdowns then ran in to pick up one thing.  Ryan was in the stroller and Kendall in the front pack.

Things turned ugly fast.  Ryan started whining almost instantly, but I felt I could still get the one thing I needed.  And I did, but not without paying a price.  The whining continued, so I told Ryan that we were going home, and not into the big part of the mall.

This is not what he wanted to hear.  A MAJOR tantrum ensued.  And I mean MAJOR.  I got him in the stroller and started for the car.  I could have given in and taken him into the mall, but he was not being rewarded for THIS behavior.  So, our journey to the car began.  He climbed out of the stroller immediately, then collapsed on the floor in a bit of rage, screaming uncontrollably.  I was mortified.  I quickly moved Kendall from the front pack to the stroller so I could pick Ryan up.  It was not a pretty site, I'm sure, but I didn't care at this point.  I was pushing the stroller while carrying an enraged child.  I just wanted to get to the car.

Ryan continued to scream.  I'd make it 5 steps before he'd wiggle away from me and I'd have to stop to pick him up again.  This was not working.  I tried reasoning with him in a calm voice, but he could not calm himself down.  I decided my only option (besides beating the kid) was to strap him in the front pack.  And I did.  This made him even more furious (if that was even possible), but it worked.  We made it to the car.

The rampage didn't stop there, though.  I got Ryan in the car, closed the door, then worked on getting Kendall, the diaper bag and the stroller inside without Ryan escaping.  No luck.  The little bugger managed to get the sliding door open on the van!  Thankfully, I got there just in time before he escaped into the parking lot.  I was getting quite angry at this point, but kept my cool.

Then the battle really escalated.  I tried talking to him, but he was in such a rage he could not even focus (please tell me this is normal 3 year old behavior...because it did not seem normal to me).  He stiffened up his entire body, so I couldn't get him buckled in his car seat.  I tried to get him to relax, but he wouldn't.  He continued to fight me.  I knew the only way to end the episode was to get him buckled and get home.  And I finally did after quite a battle.  He screamed the entire way to the house, and for 15 minutes longer at home.  And then it was over.

I'm second guessing myself today.  Did I handle it the right way?  I should have done this.  I should have done that.  I know I did my best under the crazy circumstances, but still wonder if I could have done better.  Could I have avoided it?  I guess I'll never know, but I do know I won't be taking Ryan to the mall for a very long time....at least not without back-up.

He looks sweet and innocent...but don't be fooled!

Boehm Beach House Bash

We spent the weekend a the Boehm Beach House (once again).  We have been so fortunate to spend lots of time there this summer!

Uncle Michael and Aunt Jenn made the trip over from Idaho, so it was very special...especially for Ryan who adores both of them!  It was fun to have the entire Boehm crew together (minus Aunt Melanie - who had to work).

We were expecting cool temps and lots of rain.  Thank goodness Mother Nature decided to bless us with sun and warmth instead!  We were able to take in 2 amazing sunsets, and watch whales from the beach!  The kids love to run and play in the sand, and I enjoyed sinking my toes in.  Watching the joy on their faces as they trek through the sand is the best form of entertainment for me!

Michael and Jenn won't be able to make it over to celebrate Kendall's first birthday with us, so we celebrated a little early.  Ryan helped her blow out the candles, and open her gifts - even though she could have done the gifts by herself.

It was a great weekend...only wish (as always) that we could have stayed a little longer...and ate a little more corn.

Quick Stop

Jen and the kids stopped in tonight for a very short stay in Seattle.  They leave early tomorrow morning to complete their trek home to Minnesota.  We didn't think we were going to get to see them again for a very long time when they left in July, so we were happy we got to reconnect again. 

I asked Jack, Luke and Grace what their favorite part of the summer was in Sitka.  Jack:  "Going to the beach house and making a house in the beach grass".  Luke:  "Catching starfish with my hands".  Grace:  "Going to the beach house". 

The kids had such a fun time playing at the beach tonight as well!

Ken Baumann in a Dress

David thought Kendall looked so much like my Dad in this picture...and she does.  I don't see a resemblance on a daily basis, so I think it's pretty funny that it comes through in this photo!

And David LOVED her wacky outfit, too.  Hopefully the sarcasm is coming through!!

My First Triathlon

I completed my first triathlon on Sunday, August 15th.  It was an amazing experience, to say the least. 

My friend Amy, who is amazing, decided she wanted to check this off her "bucket list".  I met Amy when I was training for my marathon nearly 3 years ago.  I was out running the neighborhood one morning and she caught up to me, and asked me if I wanted to run with her sometime.  We've been working out in the early mornings (before the kids get up) ever since.  And there was no way I was going to let her train for this by herself.  We had so much fun, and I fell in love with my workouts that did not involve running!  The swimming and biking were so refreshing. 

I was sick the week before the race, so didn't feel ready at all.  And I was nervous about the logistics of it all.  A triathlon is so different than a running race.  There is actual gear involved...a swimsuit, a bike and transitions!  It was all very intimidating to me.

The Danskin Triathlon is a women's only event, and we learned that the race in Seattle is one of the largest triathlons in the world!  Of course, I would chose this one.  Me.  The person who hates crowds and congestion!  There were 4,000 female participants of all shapes, sizes and ages.  What an amazing experience, and I am so glad I chose this one!

Since there were so many competitors they started groups - called waves - every four minutes.  I was in wave 24, so didn't start until an hour after the first group took off.  This gave us a chance to watch the sunrise and the start of the race.  The elite athletes were the first to go, and were so impressive to watch zip through the water.  The cancer survivors were next.  By the time we headed back to get ourselves ready I was in tears.  It was pretty emotional.

When it was all said and done, I completed a 1/2 mile swim, a 12 mile bike ride and a 3.2 mile run in 1 hour and 47 minutes on a beautiful Sunday morning!

Thanks Amy, for being such an inspiration and an awesome work out buddy!

Kendall @ 11 months

Kendall decided to ring in her 11th month with a bang...literally.  She took a good tumble down the two stairs to the deck.  Here are the results:

David and I decided the she wanted to be just like Ryan, who also has a black eye...same eye and all!

It really is hard to believe that in only one month our baby will be one.  This year seemed to fly by.  I don't remember it going so fast with Ryan.  But everyone tells me that is because we weren't as busy...and I guess they are right. 

Kendall is hard to keep up with.  She is quick, and mischievous.  There are so many things you have to follow up on:  Toilet seat down? Check.  Coffee table cleared off?  Check.  Sink cabinet child proofed? Check.  Cellphone out of reach?  Check.  And the list goes on.  She is into everything, and knows when you haven't gone through the list.  She finds the opening within seconds.

She loves to eat (just like her mama), and takes her sweet old time.  She is completely on solids now, and she loves to fee herself.   I make sure to start her dinner before any one else, and she is still eating when we are done.  We call her our little garbage disposal.  She eats almost anything.  We did notice she left her peas behind yesterday, and am not sure what that's about.  She typically loves peas.

She is getting close to walking.  She lost her balance tonight, stabled herself, then took a few steps to me!  I can't imagine the trouble she will get into when she's on two feet..  I just hope we can hear her coming like we do now.  She's not the quietest crawler around...which is so nice.  It is super easy to keep track of her for now.

Her and Ryan are becoming better buddies.  Ryan actually called her his "best buddy" today.  I think he REALLY loves that he can boss her around and she takes it!  It doesn't fly when he does it with me and David.  He does try...believe me.  It is so much fun to see them play together.  She adores him, and it is fun to see that he is actually enjoying her as well.

Kendall's sleeping patterns seem to be getting better.  We have a our good nights, and bad nights.  I think we had more good nights last week than bad, but the last few nights have been awful so I can't remember at the moment! We're getting there, though, and I guess that is all that matters.

I must note that she is loud.  Very loud.  Very, very, loud.  She has a piercing screech that is enough to do me in.  And if there was a "Loudest Baby Contest" she would win.  Her cry can be heard down the block.  I swear.  Quote Ryan:  "No thank you, Kendall, that hurts my ears".  So funny.

And then there is the DRAMA!  She is so put out when she doesn't get what she wants.  I can just see how things will be when she is a teenager.

She is definitely a joy to be woken up by everyday!  She is so much fun and we love her to pieces...just wish we could slow it down a bit.

So proud of her new chair!

Snack time with Big Brother Ryan.  What a pair with their black eyes!

Hello, Carkeek!

It had been a really long time since we were able to visit one of Ryan's most favorite parks in Seattle.  The summer has been jam-packed with new adventures, traveling and visits from family...not to mention the cool, non-beach like weather.  We just haven't gotten there.  But it was HOT on Monday.  It was the third day of 90+ weather, and we needed a cooler spot to hang out.  I couldn't think of a better place than Carkeek.  It's always 10 degrees cooler by the Sound, Ryan loves to throw rocks in the water and we get to see trains pass by!  It was PERFECT...and it was so good to be back!

  My monkeys having a picnic.

Sweet Baby K.  She looks so cute in this hat!

Ryan's not-so-cute black eye.  The coffee table won the battle.  Poor guy.  It's healing nicely, though!

Chooo....Chooo!!!

My big girl climbing the logs!

Put a Cork In It

Crackin' Crab

David took the kids to the beach house last week.  He, Ryan and his Dad went out crabbing every day and came back with a ton of fresh dungeness crab.  Yum!  Ryan has never been too interested in helping crack the crab, or eat it for that matter.  But he turned a corner this trip!  He thought it was so cool to help crack it.

And he even helped eat it, too! 

Walk Along

Kendall is getting close to walking.  She just started standing all by herself, using nothing for assistance.  She'll take a few steps on her own, but is very content to fall to her bottom and crawl.  She doesn't have the sense of urgency that Ryan seemed to have, so it will be interesting to see when she decides to just take off.

She loves to walk with help from someone, especially Ryan.  But you have to use two hands.  If you try to use one, she refuses to walk!  She is a little bugger.

She loves to use her "walking" toy.  She walks back and forth through the yard non-stop.  She's so proud of herself!

The Blue Angels

One of the perks of living in Seattle is that every year we are fortunate to have the Blue Angels grace our city for SeaFair weekend.  They show up the first week of August, and create such a buzz.  It is so cool to hear the roar of the jets through the for the four days they are here.

Last year was the start of something big.  Ryan caught on the thrill of the Blue Angels.  That made it so much more exciting for David and I.  It was beyond fun to watch his reaction to the amazing jets.  I took him down to the Museum of Flight to watch them take off, and it was awesome!  Ryan loved it!!

This year, we wanted to take him to watch the whole show over Lake Washington.  He was giddy from the moment he woke up on Saturday.  Of course, the weather didn't cooperate, but we didn't care.  We ventured down to the lake and battled the traffic, crowds and rain to get there.  But first, we stopped at the Museum to see the Angels before they took off. 

Then, it was on to the lake.  We found a great place in the grass to hang out while we watched the show.  It was the most amazing thing.  They jets flew right over our heads, and since it was cloudy they were low.  Ryan could read us the numbers off the plane, that's how close they were.  Spectacular!  I think David and I enjoyed it as much as Ryan.  I was very diligent about covering Baby K's ears, but she really didn't seem to mind the noise.

We can't wait until they return next year!  Our calendar is already marked.

Fat Albert making his entrance.

Seattle Summer

My sister Jen and her kids arrived in Seattle last week and spent 9 days with us.  My parents joined us for part of the time as well.  We enjoyed sunny Seattle weather (finally) and then headed to the beach house.  We had such a great time, as you will see in the pictures!  I will note that the pictures are a mess.  For some reason I couldn't get them in the order I wanted.  Hopefully you can figure it out.

Exploring Alki Beach in Seattle.  Luke was totally in his element.

Sweet Baby K.  She loves to eat sand!

The four big kids playing in the waves.

Pool fun in the backyard.

Kendall with Auntie Jen.

The girls in their matching outfits.

More fun at Alki.

At the Aquarium.  Auntie Jen was so brave to take all 5 kids downtown on her own while I was at work.

Gracie with her beach treasures.

The kids had the best time at the beach.  They created a house in the beach grass.  Each little opening was a different room.  Grandma Sue played with them for hours.  Each of the boys had to take a turn peeing in the bathroom!