Raising Watsons

Have we mentioned at 1 year he has not only mastered walking, he sometimes runs.  Just look at that confidence!

For the second half of the trip, we packed the rental car (a Kia Soul) and headed West to the other side of the state of Florida.  While there we stayed at Ben’s grandmothers house with his Mom, Dad, Sister Lindsay and Uncle Mike.   The weather was perfect so Tucker got to get more pool time.

Mom spent most of her time in the chair reading until Tucker joined her for a snack.

Which, if there’s anything we learned this week with Tucker it’s that he eats CONSTANTLY.  I’m going to start packing him bigger lunches for day care!

Every morning on the West Coast, Tucker had breakfast with Bumpa (his word for Grandpa John). This picture is from dinner though, since breakfast was usually ate from the comfort of Bumpa’s lap.

Tucker and Uncle Mike.

Tucker and Grammy.

Tucker and Bumpa – probably my favorite photo of the week.

Making some important phone calls with Aunt Linds.

Bath time is always a hit regardless of where we are.

Of course, he did not want to leave.  We felt like crying too, buddy.

First stop on the 2011 tour to Florida was the East Coast to visit my family.

“This things not a stroller, it’s a rocket ship”

-G. Friedel

Tuckered.

The lil man meets the lil ol lady.

At Abuela’s, Tucker kept walking in to the kitchen to visit Nina.  It makes sense, we spend about an hour  every day in the kitchen making dinner.  He loves walking up to the counter with his hand outstretched for a taste of whatever I’m cooking.   Tucker always tries what I give him and only about half of the time does it wind up on the floor.

Nina thinks he’s offering her his nesting containers, but really he’s trying to trade for some pork.

Who could blame him?

The next day, the family regrouped at the hotel for more baby time and birthday presents.  The Popper reigned supreme as favorite new toy.

Followed closely by the  play phone.  We don’t understand how Tucker already knew how to use a rotary phone or real handset being that he has NEVER seen one in his life.   But he knew.

And then there were the requisite pictures.  Tucker is beginning to get used to this sort of thing.

The last day before heading West to Ben’s side of the family was spent poolside in my sisters back yard.  It was too cold to swim but not too close to dunk the toesies!

It was a cold morning in our Manhattan Beach back yard on the day of the party.  Tucker and I shared a egg sandwich on a bagel while Dad started working on the pork around 7am.

Tucker was happy to help decorate when the sun came out.

Our friend Carmen came over early to hang out with Tucker while we finished setting up the backyard.  Tucker loves her.

They picked fruit from our orange tree

Carmen bought Tucker a Fisher Price record player, just like Ben & I had when we were kids.  Of course, Tucker will one day ask what’s a record, but it’s still pretty cool.

Friends showed up!

Like Caelan

Xavier

Caris came from London!

and Jameson.  His Mommy (Melissa Parillo-Day) went to Morristown High School.

This is the closest Tucker came to a nap all day.

He knew it was his day.

Big fan of the bubbles

and Dad.

There was singing and a homemade carrot cake cupcake with homemade cream cheese frosting.  The carrot cake did not have any refined sugar but the frosting sure did.  This was Tuckers first real sugar experience.

First taste..

What the???

FACE-PLANT

This cupcake was made with

Snuggling with his favorite yellow plastic hammer.

When Tucker is carrying around important items sometimes he needs to be fed.

Eating some pork after his first First Birthday party (there are two more coming).

Not exactly sure if Mom put the colander down for him to play with.

Yes, yes she did put it down to play with!

Big Birthday party this weekend, but for now something to smile about.

*socks not required

Better late than never.  Mexico Part III – Nightlife!

Tucker spent some time at Grandma and Pop Pops end of the table during the Origins of Mexico show.  Clearly Tucker is completely taken by the story of the spoon in front of him.

On the other end of the table is me and the soon-to-be-parents.

not giving up my spoon for all your kisses Grandma.

Jacqueline and Peter are going to be great parents.

His hair might not be as dark as mine but we’re all eyes.

Dad is better than the best toy.

Grabby McGrabberson.

This is my favorite photo of the entire vacation.  I knew it was the second I took it.

End of the evening he was pooped (so was Grandma).

Let it be known from this day forward … Tucker Watson has slept through the night.  I’m not saying it’s ever going to happen again, I’m just excited it happened at all.

(not my picture, by the way)

Huge news today!

At 7:15 I woke up confused, put on my robe and walked in to Tucker’s room.  7:16 I placed my hand on Tucker’s back, gave him a gentle shake and told him it’s time to wake up and go to school.  This morning, for the first time ever, I woke up my son.

Usually Tucker wakes at 12-1ish, 4-5am and again at 7am when he’s up for good. Not only did he sleep past the 7am mark but he completely skipped the 4-5am wake-up.

I felt his head to see if he had a temperature, but he felt normal.    Please God, let him do it again tomorrow.

In the meantime, here’s some pics from our mother/son weekend in Seattle that also happened to be during the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Board of Directors conference in Seattle.

Note the sweet roller derby action post-its in the background and I think Crackerjack slurping down some coffee or beer/boxed wine (pretty much the only options).

Aside from stealing everyone’s Sharpie’s, Tucker was good baby relief from the intense roller derby talk when he wasn’t crying or  slamming his head in to some precariously balanced object.