On the Go (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)

February 13, 2014- Pulling up on everything

February 13, 2014- I can look out the window too

February 16, 2014- I love my snowsuit!

February 21, 2014- Sitting in the snow after an 18 inch snowstorm at Gma and Gpa Moravecs

February 21, 2014- How much more can we get?

March 1, 2014- 10 months old and still a ham!

March 7, 2014- ice caves near Cornicopia, WI with Grandpa Rick

March 7, 2014- ice caves with Mama

March 7, 2014- chilling in a Leo-sized ice cave

March 10, 2014- Is spring finally here?

March 10, 2014- Look, no hat and Daddy's in short sleeves!

Leo is a 10 month old without any fear, except to be away from Mama. He is crawling, pulling up, even standing without support from time to time. He continues to discover new noises, his latest requires sucking the lower lip in and releasing it to make a kissing sound. Farrah continues to be the coolest sister any brother could ask for. Everyday they seem to like each other more and more, if that's possible. She takes a lot from him as he crawls over her, yanks on her fur, and rummages through her toy box. Her responses are looks of interest and plenty of licks wherever and whenever she can give them. Some exciting events this past month were: 1. Swimming at a hotel pool with Mama, Daddy, and Grandma Kathy. Leo really takes to the water. The arms and legs were constantly moving, and he didn't seem to mind when his face got a little wet. 2. Leo also saw the ice caves near Cornicopia on Lake Superior with Mama, Grandma and Grandpa Moravec, and their friend, Peggy. It was a cloudy day so the ice wasn't shimmer, but it was beautiful and magnificent none the less. It's amazing what water and the right temperatures can do. We probably walked/hiked about 8 miles that day. Leo was pulled in a sled most of the time. He even fell asleep on the way back to the car, all sprawled out in his little sled. He was quite the trooper. 

Like many of you, we are "patiently" waiting for spring. Although this week has brought some nicer temperatures. Monday reached 54 degrees! We even went shopping at Menards for gardening supplies this week. As first time home owners, we are looking forward to working again this year in our own soil to produce more delicious fruits and vegetables. And I have no doubt we will be getting lots of gardening "help" from Leo.

Phenology:

3/8/2014- flock of 5 or 6 trumpeter seams just south of Foley, MN

3/10/2014- 54 degree high in Gary, MN

3/11/2014- spring call of the cardinals, Gary, MN

Changes (February 12, 2014)

This winter has certainly been brutal with the cold temperatures and wind here in the Northland. But as I type this the sun is shining and the temperature is 16 degrees. Leo, Farrah, and I are trying to soak up as much of the sun today as we can. And for those of you really itching for the season to turn, I heard my first spring chickadee song on Sunday morning as we were leaving church. There's my phenology for you this month. We also just ordered new seeds and plants for our garden yesterday. Don't give up hope, change will soon be upon us.

Speaking of change…Leo is growing like a weed. He is already in 12 month and some 18 month clothes! It saddens Jon and I every time we put away the too small clothes to take out the bigger boy stuff. But as I open that bin of bigger boy clothes I know that we have more and more adventures ahead of us. Leo is a very efficient army crawler. He often reaches things much quicker than I want him too, such as Farrah's water dish. Oh boy, is that fun! His two bottom teeth are well in. He continues to enjoy an array of veggies, some fruits, and chicken. He recently had his first taste of Alaskan sockeye salmon as well as yogurt. We have yet to discover a food he does not like. In addition to his infantry style of crawling, he is now pulling up on EVERYTHING, including our sliding glass door. Oh, Mama's starting to get nervous. He is still a ham, but is reaching his bashful stage when he sees people he doesn't know well. Leo did a great job meeting a new baby this past month, his new cousin, Graham (Wade and Rita's 3rd).

We are looking forward to warmer weather. I can't say I mind the snow, but teens and low 20s would be nice. Farrah and I have started skijoring a bit this winter, but the weather has kept us in more than our liking. Farrah and I do get out and work together from time to time. We get out for walks with Leo when the temperature reaches at least 12 degrees. That's my cut off. And when there is little to no wind, Leo gets to be pulled around the yard in his sled as Farrah trots alongside. All in all we are healthy and happy and that is what matters! Love to all!

January 6- Hanging out with Farrah, how lucky am I?

January 6- How do yo like my sweater?

January 7- Daddy's teaching me how to write my name and play with my food

January 8- I love playing at home

January 20- I love crawling through the exersaucer, sometimes it's the most direct route!

January 29- Playing at my cousin's house

February 9- Daddy's teaching me how to use a hockey stick- look out Mama

The Holiday Season (January 2, 2014)

November 22, 2013- Farrah's 1st Birthday!

November 23, 2013- Happy Anniversary Gma Vernie and Gpa Rick

November 23, 2013- Visiting Great Gma Mary and Great Gpa Leo

November 29, 2013- Listening to Auntie Cheryl read "The Christmas City Express"written by Auntie Cheryl and Uncle Luke

November 29, 2013- Moravec Thanksgiving

November 29, 2013- Santa Who?

November 29, 2013- Train Depot after visiting Santa

November 29, 2013- The lights of Bentleyville

December 4, 2013- Daddy shoveling snow of our roof after the first big snowstorm

December 5, 2013- Playing in the beautiful snow for the first time- I thought it was great!

December 5, 2013- The snow tastes good too!

December 8, 2013- First Christmas gift- ornament from Gma and Gpa Moravec

December 9, 2013- Leo likes to put baskets on his head

December 10, 2013- Mama's Boy

December 13, 2013- I love snuggling with my sister!

December 22, 2013- Super Handsome!

December 22, 2013- Horbacz Christmas- hanging out with Gma Kathy

December 23, 2013- It was fun watching Daddy stack the blocks

Christmas Eve- Me and my mama

First Family Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve- Handsome faces

Christmas Eve- Our first Christmas with our son and dog-ter

December 26, 2013- first sled ride- I love catching the wind and snow on my tongue!

December 26, 2013- Moravec Christmas at Wade and Rita's

December 31, 2013- New Year's Eve at Gma and Gpa Moravec's

January 1, 2014- Happy New Year! The face of 8 months. 

Wow! I can't believe how big our little boy is getting. He doesn't seem little any more. It's crazy to think that when he was born he was just 6 pounds, 12 ounces with skinny little limbs. He is now a whooping 20 pounds and 29 inches long. Those limbs are no longer skinny. He is so animated: laughing when we laugh, talking to his puppy (which he gets super excited about), and smiling, smiling, smiling. He recently cut his first tooth and it handling the whole teething process in very good spirits. Not crawling yet, but belly bouncing and rolling to various locations.