The Fun Life of a 9 Month-Old

Hiking in Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.  This was our first time using the frame pack for a real hike (4.5 hours).  Mateo seemed to enjoy looking around at all the tall redwood trees and he kept up a pretty constant stream of playful chatter along the way.

Riding on the frog at the historic Golden Gate Park carousel with Daddy, Mommy, and Gemma.

Helping Gemma load her suitcase into the car.

There's no time like bath time.

But these days, it's hard to keep this little guy in his bathtub.

Drying off with Daddy.

We've had lots of visitors lately.  Anita's dad Fonz drove all the way up from Phoenix.

It was quite a full car with Nana Sherry, Uncles Jacob & Sam, and their two dogs Harley and Nina all coming along.  Mateo loved seeing them all, and we had lots of fun together!

Examining Uncle Jacob's mouth.

And then Mateo's Saba & Savta came to visit, and of course whenever Saba is involved, lots of cute photos of Mateo get taken.

A favorite activity:  pulling himself up on the edge coffee table.

A big smile for Mommy.

With his proud Savta.

Playing with his first tooth.

Performing a song for Adena & Carey the night before their wedding.  It was a parody to the tune of Mateo's favorite bath time song, "Baby Beluga". 

With Jesse's family at the wedding, which was held at the lovely Saratoga Springs Retreat Center in Upper Lake, CA.

We stopped at Sterling Vineyards in Napa Valley on the way back from the wedding, and Mateo really enjoyed the ride up to the top of the hill on the gondola-style tram.

Mateo loved meeting his cousin Anna, and especially loved pulling her hat off.

She enjoyed entertaining him with toys and games.

Chilling in grass while we wait for our lunch at a Napa Valley restaurant.

Walking with Daddy.

Back in San Francisco after our weekend getaway, Mateo's excited to play at our neighborhood playground.

Mateo's starting to crawl now.  He's still learning the basic mechanics, but in a week's time he'll be a little unstoppable speed racer.

Enjoying the sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay while on a hike in Land's End with Daddy, Saba, and Savta.

Stopping for a drink at the historic Cliff House.  Mateo loved peering down through the giant window at the ocean waves crashing below.

"What's going on over there?"

And of course, Mateo's monthly portrait in the glider chair.