Catching up

As you can see from these pictures, we've been keeping busy with our lively little boy:

Mateo loves his maracas!
On more than one occasion, he has fallen asleep with them clutched in his hands.

Romping around in his towel after bath time while daddy gets his bed time diaper ready.

So much fun to be clean and naked.

We went strawberry picking last weekend with Jen at an organic farm in Portola Valley. The berries were small and sweet - perfect for Mateo!

Mateo had a great time crawling through the berry patch and quickly learned how to find, pick, and eat the strawberries...

...as well as the occasional handful of dirt.

Shaking his rattle while swinging at our neighborhood park.

Cuddling up with Daddy before his bath.

Checking out Daddy's goatee during his first ever bubble bath.

Charging towards the ocean at beautiful Natural Bridges beach in Santa Cruz, where we traveled yesterday with several members of Jesse's lab.

Watching the waves roll in and out with mommy.

The cold Pacific water didn't seem to bother Mateo. He loved getting splashed all over each time a wave rolled in.


And to close, a few cute shots of Mateo looking cool in sunglasses:

One year ago, today...

One year ago today (and right about this time of night) Anita was at the hospital, having been admitted for what turned out to be a gallbladder attack. Somewhere amidst the severe pain, the vomiting and the dizziness we realized that we were on the brink of becoming parents. It wouldn't be the home birth we had hoped for, and we weren't sure exactly how it would happen or how long it would take, but the arrival of our precious boy was imminent. And quite a Labor Day Weekend it would turn out to be!

Minneapolis!

We recently took a trip to Minneapolis to gather together with many members of the Rissman clan at Jesse's Uncle Kent and Aunt Linda's house. It was a big event: Mateo finally met his Saba Gadol (Great-Grandfather Abe), who was celebrating his 90th birthday! It also marked Mateo's 9th round-trip on an airplane. He is quite a seasoned traveler for an 11 month old! Too bad he doesn't qualify for frequent flier miles. Here are some pictures from the Minneapolis festivities (featuring photos from Great Uncle Garry & Saba Randy).

Gumming on a green been

What's up dude?

Being cuddled by cousin Anna.

A fun game of pat-a-cake.

Four generations of men.

Saba Gadol loved meeting his great grandson.

Enjoying some fun daddy time.

Wow, what a view from up here.

The 'Rissmoras' pose for a family portrait.

Loud and proud.

Guarding his precious pile of peas.

That was a yummy lunch!

Staring at Saba's giant camera.

"This is an interesting see-through table.  I wonder what it tastes like?"

Soaking up some rays by Lake Calhoun after a good swim.

More fun in the sun.

Back at home, and checking out his hip new Stokke high-chair.

This last photo is meant to showcase the giant washable pocket diapers that Mateo wears at night.  Bulky for sure, but very effective.

Cruising

Mateo has been cruising about for quite some time now... we thought we'd post a sample of him walking his mail cart around our living room.

 

Bye-Bye, Roni!

Sadly, July 25th was Mateo's last day with Roni, who has been his nanny since March. Here he is having one last hurrah with one of his favorite people. Even though we will really miss her, we are happy that she is off on the experience of a lifetime. She will be in Ghana studying Women's Health. You can read about her adventures at her blog: http://feministhope.blogspot.com