The Bickersons: Gay Pride Parade

The Bickersons: Gay Pride Parade: "Gary and our neighbor went biking this morning and found themselves stuck on one side of the Gay Pride Parade in Mpls. Gary said they cut a..."

New Baby

Emma Claire: "Mommy, I want a new baby"
[in a very serious and somewhat whiney tone]

Me: "Why do you want a new baby, Emma Claire?"

Emma Claire: "because that one [pointing to Arnold] plays in the potty"

Side note: Emma Claire was pretty upset that she caught Arnold playing in the toilet this weekend.

The Bickersons: Emily Let Hope Borrow EC Today

The Bickersons: Emily Let Hope Borrow EC Today

When I was a Baby...

Emma Claire: "When I was a baby, I saw Jesus's body". "When I was a baby in your belly, I went to your heart and saw Jesus and then went back to your belly"

Our Trip South - May 2011

#1 Daddy Award

Here's to the best daddy and husband ever.



One of my favorite memories of Emma Claire and Brad will always be listening in on bedtime, when they sing The Grateful Dead's "Ripple" together. Emma Claire sang much of it word for word as we watched the slideshow.

Camping Photo #1

A rainy day at camp - playing "Simon Says" in the tent.

Quiet

It's just Arnold and me this weekend while Emma Claire and Brad are camping. Very quiet around here. We have enjoyed our time together, but look forward to the other half of us coming home tomorrow.

Firestation Open House 2011

Every year, the fire department in Golden Valley holds an Open House in mid-June. Our little neighborhood fire station, which you can see from our house, participates and always puts on a good event. This year, the highlight was a jaws of life demonstration and the burning and extinguishing of a constructed "room". Emma Claire was concerned about the couch inside the room. The downside this year - no "bouncy thing" to slide down. I think it went to another fire station this time. However, there were free hotdogs for all.

Testing the New Lantern

Emma Claire: "You're so much fun, Daddy"

Don't Forget...

Emma Claire and Brad are excited about their camping trip this weekend. They spent last evening packing. Emma Claire went through the list of "So, don't forget..." as Brad was placing all the things in the bag. "So, don't forget my flashlight, swimsuit, flip flops, marshmallows, chocolate, band-aids, etc - and don't forget that sing [thing] for chopping up bears"

Arnold: 10 Months

So far, Arnold's 10th month has been about newfound mobility. He started crawling about 3 weeks ago and since then has gotten faster and more curious every day.

His crawl is more of a half walk/half crawl. He propels himself forward with one knee bent and one leg straight, and sometimes with both legs straight.

In the past couple of days, he has been pulling up to his feet on everything - cabinets, couch, in the bathtub, etc. He likes to pull up and then try to let go with one hand to try and balance.

Arnold is proud of he mobility and loves to explore the territory. He is one busy little guy.

Arnold continues to be a happy baby. He is always smiling and is just content to sit (and now crawl) on the floor and play most of the time.

His schedule is like clockwork - wake/eat/play/eat/nap/play/eat/play/nap/play/eat/play/bedtime! It's a good life. Arnold loves his crib and doesn't much like to be rocked or walked now. When it is time for a snooze, he likes to be in his bed.

Arnold's favorite book is "Pat the Bunny" (also Emma Claire's favorite at this age). He will "pat the bunny", or "play peek-a-boo with Paul", etc. and turn back and look at me with a huge smile. It's funny - at the part of the book where "Judy looks in the mirror", Arnold does the same thing that Emma Claire would do when she was a baby - bring the mirror right up to his face.

Arnold does a lot of "talking" now. Still mostly babbling - "ma-ma-ma", da-da-da", etc. However, it sounded just like he said "hi, da-da" when Brad walked by him the other day - coincidence??? He has a couple of tricks now. He will clap his hands if you say "yay".

and will raise both hands to the sky for "sooo big". He also waves his little hand hi/bye.

Arnold is still a good eater - eats pretty much anything we put in front of him. He is on to bigger chunks of food and loves cantaloupe.

We are getting so close to the one year milestone. Each month gets a little more fun, as Arnold becomes less a baby and more a little person.

Emma Claire-ism

Emma Claire: "Daddy, God doesn't like you do sass at Mommy"

When Emma Claire is in Charge...