Hanging Around

We've been home lately, enjoying a few lazy weekends before the spring climbing season takes off. Here's how we entertain ourselves while its cold out:

Playing piano with daddy:


Opening and closing doors. It never gets old:

Stealing toothbrushes. I don't even know who's toothbrush this is. Hopefully it wasn't used to clean grout:

Playing in the little patch of snow-free grass. Logan likes to search for sticks and practice walking up and down the deck steps. I like this picture because Mark & Logan are wearing matching outfits.

A day trip to Shelf Road for some climbing.

Back in the Burque

After not visiting Albuquerque for almost 4 years, we've now been there twice in the past month. This time it was because Mark is taking a 2 week class for work there, and Logan & I flew down to visit for the weekend. I would like to note that I managed to fly with a baby without checking anything. My dad would be proud that I have inherited the master packer gene. (Of course Mark drove the carseat and pack and play down, and it was only a weekend trip... but still.)

We had a great time. We got to go for a hike in the foothills and see Will & Katie at our favorite Thai restaurant Friday. We spent Saturday at Enchanted Tower with Lee. Enchanted Tower holds a special place in our hearts because its where I learned to climb, and where Mark sent his first 5.13. I have many memories of belaying at the base of that tower in high winds, and projecting various routes back when I used to have projects. I haven't climbed much in the past year, but I actually got to do a bunch of routes on Saturday since Lee was there to help belay and watch Logan. It turns out a group of 3 adults is the secret to mommy climbing. Logan had a good time too, since he wasn't stuck in the pack and play. He ate a lot of dirt, sucked on rocks, and found a dog friend. He shared his lunch with him and then the dog followed us around the rest of the day.

We spent the rest of our time hanging out with Lee's family Lynda & Dylan; going to the climbing gym; and visiting the aquarium. We never go to museums, because I am a terrible sightseer and just not really interested in them. Logan may have inherited this trait. He couldn't have cared less about the fish, but he did love watching all the other kids. And he entertained himself for a while trying to climb up on the tanks.

Hiking in the foothills:

Logan & giant cholla:

At Enchanted Tower, eating rocks and showing off the special twig he found:

Logan having a conversation with the sting ray. Or is this a manta ray? I told you I'm not very good at museums.

13 Months

At 13 months, Logan’s favorite activity is opening and closing doors. He thinks it’s so funny to close the door, have someone knock on the other side, and then open it. He likes to strew his toys all over the house. I’m reminded of my Uncle Kent’s ferret every time I find a piece of his train track, a matchbox car, or a magnetic alphabet letter tucked in my sock drawer or under the bathroom sink. The ferret used to hide keys and wallets… at least Logan’s just hiding his own things. He also loves hairbrushes, toothbrushes, pots and pans. He can finally get up and down our step without knocking his head. But he finds plenty of other ways to knock his head. He’s taken to screaming when he’s displeased, so we’re experimenting with our first attempts at discipline. Tammy (Logan's daycare provider) has been instructing me in the deep tone and stern look needed to be taken seriously. I’m still working on it.

Boy's Best Friend

It turns out one year olds are very similar to dogs. Buddy and Logan have a lot in common: They both love squeaky toys. Buddy comes running whenever Logan's in the bath and his rubber ducky lets out a squeak. They both love getting into the garbage can. Nothing better than turning it over and spreading the treasures inside around the house. They like the same foods. Buddy waits faithfully for whatever scraps Logan throws down from the highchair, and Logan is magnetically drawn toward Buddy's food dish. I've pulled more than a few pieces of dogfood out of his mouth, and I'm sure many more have gone unnoticed. They both want to go outside all the time, and can often be found staring out the window together. They both love Kendall. When she goes to the bathroom, they both wait faithfully outside the door.

Single Parenthood

I just took my first shower since Saturday. That's 4 days. Kind of gross, I know. Usually I get to take a shower every 3 days. I am a single parent this week, though. I don't know how they do it. I have noticed the wine supply is dwindling faster than usual. It was a major feat for me just to take the garbage out this morning. I had to load Logan in the backpack so I'd have my hands free to pull the garbage can up the driveway. And actually, Kendall is staying with us, so I'm not even really a single parent. She pointed out that we better not have another baby until Logan is old enough to walk up the driveway. Very good point.

The Great Storm of Aught 12

Is that how you spell aught? As in zero? I'm not sure. But doesn't "aught 12" sound so dramatic? I'm hoping that by naming it the Great Storm of Aught 12, it will be the greatest storm, and there will be no other 3 foot snowfalls. That's probably wishful thinking.

On the bright side, work was cancelled and we all got a snow day. On the shady side, Logan was feverish and fussy all day (and all weekend for that matter- teething), and not so fun. And also, we had to shovel 3 feet of snow off our 400 foot driveway. I think some day in the not so distant future we will break down and get a snowblower. But for now we are tough mountain people and shovelling is good exercise. Or something like that.

Here's Logan-- who is about 2 feet tall-- on the path out to the barn. We got in a lot of trouble for walking on this path. Its a lot harder to shovel the snow once someone walks on it. But what can I say, there was 3 feet of snow everywhere else.

Logan taking a break from shovelling. When you get this much snow, everyone has to help.


The mountain of snow at the top of our driveway. I predict this will be there until at least May.

I'd Rather Be Sleeping

I've never been one to sleep in very late in the morning. I used to just wake up when it got light out. With Logan, however, life is different. Logan's day starts around 5:30, which at this time of year, is long before the sun makes its entrance. Sometimes I can get him to play in his crib for 15 or 20 minutes, but often he just wants to get up. This usually results in me lying on the floor of his room in a heap telling him how tired mama is while he toddles around talking and having a grand old time.

Getting up before dawn does have some advantages. The other day we got to see the elk herd come through. Logan was pretty interested in them for a couple minutes. Then he found an old cardboard wrapping paper tube and decided hitting mama with it was more interesting. I've gotten to see a lot of sunrises this year. They're pretty. But I think I'd rather be sleeping.