The numbers and photos of an Oregon adventure and everything in between.

So, Weston, KJ and I took a road trip from Las Vegas to the Oregon Coast with some stops along the way.....we saw family, friends and many other things.  It was a great trip and I say that because it is over.  I must admit that when I decided to do this trip with an 8 month old baby and a 1 year old dog, I didn't think about the disasters that could have occurred, but as the leaving date got closer and closer, those thoughts crept into my head a lot more.  I was definitely nervous on the morning that we left because I knew that the first day would set the tone for the rest of the trip.  If it went well then I would have happy thoughts going into the next day and so forth, but if it was disastrous, I don't know how I would have faced the return trip, but alas everything was successful and everyone behaved themselves the entire road trip time.

So without further adieu, here are the numbers of our trip:

Time away from home: 2 weeks exactly

Miles traveled: 2,200+ 

Hours in the car: 40+

Hotel Stays: 2 (Thank goodness for amazing friends along the way and back.)

Stops each driving day: 3+ on average

Gas Stops: 9

Hours of Crying: 4+ (Sadly, most of that was done on the last day of the return trip due to teething.)

Teeth Cut: 2 (Teething hurts everyone, especially when trapped in a car.)

Dead Sea Lions Sniffed: 1 (KJ got a little too close for my comfort--ewww.)

Deer Chased: 4 (KJ didn't realize that she would NEVER catch them, but she tried for a bit with me running behind her yelling--off leash privileges were lost due to this incident.)

Hours Spent Outdoors: 20+ (So wonderful be able to do that!)

Number of times I thought I would fall off the stand up paddle board during yoga: 4

Number of actual falls: 0

Amount of Sand Eaten: 0 for Weston and who knows with KJ

Dog Hair Shed Inside Car: Let's just say we could make a coat out of the white hair that we are still pulling off the black interior of my car

Number of Pictures Taken: 617 (No, I will not share all of them or most of them below--you are welcome.)

Brothels Passed: WAY more than I thought actually still existed in the "Wild" West.  (I am glad Weston isn't learning how to read!)

And, now the photos from the trip:

On the way out there, we stopped for just a night in Klamath Falls, OR, and stayed with our good friends the Gaudinskis who live two houses down from other good friends, the Giampietris, and Weston got to visit with his good buddy, Jack.  

When we arrived at the beach house on Thursday, Weston was very mesmerized by this strange bearded man who we kept telling him he was related to.  I can understand why it didn't make that much sense to him being that the guy he has spent the most time around doesn't have anywhere near that much hair on his head and face!  (Great Uncle Jeff has now been renamed Bear as it is much more appropriate, don't you think?)

Michelle found this Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga class in Pacific City and after 3 days in the car with a baby and a dog, I jumped at the chance to partake.  

It truly was a fun and interesting experience.  It wasn't as unsteady as  I thought it was going to be--the board has a steel bar running down the center and the top is made of yoga mat material.  

Weston really enjoying meeting and snuggling with his Great G'ma Turner.  

GG'ma T called Weston her Great the whole time, I took a liking to that.  

Mom, Great and GG'ma T

4 generations enjoying the wonderful Oregon Coast and it's cool temperatures.

Weston and his first pumpkin from his Great Uncle Randy and GG'ma T's garden.  

Walking down on the sand and enjoying the view of the rock (Shout out to Awhoo for keeping Weston's head warm!).

Down on the beach with GG.

KJ sort of posing for a picture with Michelle, Weston and Mom.

Weston really enjoyed his Great Aunt Michelle--she allowed him his own space and time to just read.  

Buddies enjoying the same adventure in the sand....sniffing and touching.

Making the most of the beautiful weather in Oregon and visiting Crater Lake National Park with Adalie, Cec, Sadie and Jack. 

Weston and Mom at Crater Lake--national park #2 for Weston in his first year of life.

Weston goes camping

Weston had his first ever camping trip and since it was to the Grand Canyon, he decided to let us tag along since none of us had ever been there.  We are so lucky to be part of a squadron that loves to be outdoors and wants to do fun trips and welcomes the fact that 29 people (adults, kids, and babies) can make fun memories.  Oh and we are also lucky to have a group of understanding individuals who didn't make us feel bad about having a whiny baby since he was getting a cold (oops--I am sure the outdoor air did wonders for him).
At any rate, we survived two nights at a campground on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and were so happy to have trees above our heads and green surrounding us that the fussy baby didn't stop us at all.  We drove about 5 hours to get there (note: a baby who is getting a cold doesn't really appreciate altitude change) and stayed Friday night and Saturday night.  We left fairly early on Sunday morning due to said fussy baby, but we are so happy to know that a natural phenomenon exists just a few hours up the road.  Vegas has it's own type of beauty but I truly do miss the trees above our heads and we could tell that Weston has missed out too because he seemed mesmerized by the sound of the wind in the trees and probably just the sight too.  Beyond being fussy from his cold, he did quite well in the hiking pack and seemed to enjoy his view point while staring over the edge into the abyss!  :)
We loved the trip and will do it again, I hope, before we leave here so if anyone wants to join us, come on!
Here are some photos from our camping adventure.  Enjoy!

Beyond just camping in general being entertaining for Weston, he had lots of "bigger" friends around to entertain him. It was either the baby or the goofy looking guy holding him.  

Our rather larger home while camping--it was definitely bigger than others who had 4-5 people sleeping in them but with the pack n play set up inside, it worked perfectly.

But, the pack n play was not the preferred camping location for Weston as you can see here.

Weston apparently already attracts all the ladies in pink.  

Before we left for our hike.

Still before we left, hanging out was exhausting.

Truly an amazing thing to see in person.  

Happy family at the top of the Grand Canyon.

We just couldn't get over how beautiful it was--I have said it before, but it was a reminder of how small we are in this world and yet so lucky to be part of it.

Mom got her turn to carry Weston--he spent most of his time playing with my headband.

Enjoying the sunset from Dad's back.  

Grandma and Grandpa Stolee Visit the Heat

Oh and of course Weston too! The Minnesotans wanted to know what Vegas summers were like so they paid us a visit in mid-August. It was prime heat and they suffered through it by enjoying the pool everyday and showing Weston AND KJ how to enjoy it as well. They also allowed Andrew and I a great night out to dinner with friends, and we even caught a show! Thanks for coming to visit and we will try to turn the heat down for your next visit!

Andrew was feeling a little tense from work so Grandpa decided he would allow his oldest son to beat  up on him.  

Grandpa gets the furry granddog and Grandma gets the not-so-furry grandson.  

KJ LOVED having Grandpa in the pool with her.  

But then Weston did too.  He really enjoyed Grandpa letting him "swim " around.

KJ showing a bit of jealousy.

Happy Weston and Grandpa

Happy everyone!

Friends, friends and MORE friends

Since returning to Vegas, we have had the opportunity to enjoy friends that we missed while we were gone (really, let's face it, it's been since Weston was born because those early months are sort of a fog) as well as make new friends and catch up with friends who happened to be in town.
It's not only been great for Andrew and I, but also wonderful for Weston to finally be able to socialize.  We had to be so careful with him in the beginning that socialization was not high on his list of to-dos due to germs, etc.  But, now we are welcoming the germs to build up his immune system.  So bring on all the little hands and little germs (we can hold off on any big germs until we get that immune system built up).
Enjoy the photos of friends, friends and more friends:

One of the best things about Vegas is the fact that in the AF "All roads lead through Nellis" so we get to see lots of friends from our past.  Here's Weston with Mr. Bluto hanging out by the pool.  I was listening closely so that Mr. Bluto didn't try and persuade Weston to the wrong side of SEC football (unfortunately Mr. Bluto is an Alabama fan).  

Weston is paying attention to some pilot talk here I am sure as he chills in Mr. Shot's arms.  Weston was trying to get Mr. Shot's approval since his daughter is quite the looker--Weston is always thinking about the future.

Weston hanging out with Khristy at CPK and being entertained by Max.

Sweet cuddles from our new friend Stella!

More sweet hugs from Max #2 (for this posts purposes).  :)

Stella "reading" to Weston--she did such a great job and he was enthralled with her!

Just another great Sunday afternoon in the pool. Weston's hanging with Mr. Rico while being entertained by the big kids!

Stella and Max are so great with Weston!

Weston's big 1 year old pal, Matthew, giving him a lift.  

Weston's all day, every day friend KJ--she has been so enamored with him since he started sitting; it's great.  Of course, she is just catching up to the fact that he has been watching her for MONTHS!

We take friendly visits whenever you want to drop on by--assuming I am paying attention with my camera, you too, can be on the blog!  :)

6/7 Month Old Photo Shoot

Okay, so I know I missed the six month old post, but in my defense, we didn't see the doctor until he was just shy of 7 months by a day.  Things got a little crazy in the Peds clinic apparently so we just waited.  I was nice enough though to request Weston's 6 month vaccines on time--nothing but love for my son to get poked on time!  He took the poking like a champ--cried at the initial poke but when I picked him up, he was already smiling at the tech who brought the torture.
The last 2 months watching Weston grow and change has been a blast.  We are truly lucky to have a happy, happy little baby (he, of course, gets that all from his mom's side).  He's already a flirt (like his father) when we are out in public although I am starting to see where he's getting to be a little more weary of "strangers" as he doesn't seem to grin right way like he did between 5 and 6.5 months.  Who knows, it could be the Vegas heat, because it is just plain hot here right now.
Here are the facts about our little man:
Weight (taken on 9 August 2012): 16 lbs, 1 oz. (11% on the regular growth chart*--double digits, baby!)
Height (taken on 9 August 2012): 25.98 inches (15% on the regular growth chart*)
Head Circumference (taken on 9 August 2012): 17.13 in (27% on the regular growth chart*)
Has really improved his fine motor skills of grabbing objects and following where they land so he can try and grab them again.
Has finally figured out how to roll from back to stomach but will only do it in his crib--we have watched him do it.  This is also good news because he has figured out how to correct himself when he rolls from stomach to back and wants to go back to sleep on his stomach.
Began "solid" food when we returned home and was not cooperative until about a week ago where we felt like more was actually staying in than was coming out.  Mom and Dad had many moments of being lucky enough to be in the "Spray Zone."
Has eaten and seems to enjoy the following: Oat Cereal, Pureed Banana, Pureed Apples, Pureed Peas, and Avocado.
Seems to enjoy "feeding" himself with the mesh pouches and just painting the food all over his face--fun to clean up for sure!
Is sitting on his own without any assistance (expect maybe the occasional knock down by KJ) as of 2 August 2012.
Babbles, squeals and grunts throughout the day--Dad is still having trouble figuring out what's happy and what's not.
Has really enjoyed that KJ brings him her toys so that he can chew on something else (KJ seems to realize that Weston is actually a miniature version of us now that he's sitting).
He is of course putting EVERYTHING in his mouth and loving every adventure.
Has attempted to hold his own bottle but really just likes to play with it.
Has finally found his feet and doesn't like to let them go--squeals with delight when KJ licks his feet; like a pedicure, I guess.  :)

Here's the part most of you really want to see--PICTURES:

He was really into kicking his legs A LOT around 6 months so no picture has him lying still.

Oh and his tongue was very cool to him!

Happy baby!

This is actually his 6 month photo and the only way I can tell the difference between this one and the two below is he has more hair now at 7 months!  (Oops, didn't realize he had the same diaper on for the two shoots!)

More hair AND more strength sitting up away from the back of the chair.  

It was hard to keep the bear there because he kept shoving him off and then almost trying to dive off the chair after it--great, he's a daredevil like his dad!  

Wondering why mom is above him!

Hooray for 7 months!

 *I have not listed his stats on the Preemie chart because they don't seem to be accurate.  So for this post, we will miss them.