The Bean Report

The Wine Country with Darth Vader

2009-07-21T01:05:00.005-05:00

Today we took a 25 mile bike ride through the wine country around Healdsburg, CA. The scenery was stunning; mile after mile of vineyards, gorgeous wineries, and explosions of wildflowers. We bought sandwiches at an amazing little deli and picnicked on the grounds of Lambert Bridge winery. This was Lucas' first bike trip on a rear-mounted seat and he loved it (thanks Nina and Tony for the loaner).

One interesting development on this trip has been Lucas' sudden use of "Darth Vader" for emphasis/expletive purposes. On our long driving day, when he'd just about had enough, he started shouting "Oh Darth Vader!" in apparent exasperation. He's kept it up (most likely because its obvious how funny we find it), although today on the ride he entertained us with a variation in song. "Darth Vader loves you" to the tune of good night ladies. The force is indeed strong with this one...

Lucas and Aaron a few miles in to our ride.

Kym and Lucas at our picnic lunch.

Lucas investigating the flowers on the lovely grounds of the Quivira winery.

Another shot of the Quivira grounds.

The highlight of Lucas' day: the chicken coop at Quivira. He was enthralled.

On the Road with the Vineman

2009-07-19T23:03:00.006-05:00

Today Aaron set a new PR in the Vineman Half-Ironman Triathlon in Sonoma, CA. We built our vacation around the race and what a race it was! The course was beautiful, but the afternoon temps hit 100, which was a challenge for the athletes and their supporters alike....(heh) Lucas and I had a fun time cheering him on (mostly). Below are some pictures from the event.

Just before jumping in the Russian River for the 1.2 mile swim, which Aaron said was a breeze. The water was almost too warm, but better than the opposite, and extremely calm and shallow.

Lucas enjoying watching the swimming waves start and throwing rocks in the warm and shallow water. He eventually had to go in after a few....

Here's where we started to fade. It was extremely hot waiting for the big finish and Lucas started suggesting we go back to the hotel swimming pool. I couldn't say it didn't sound great.

Here's Aaron coming in to the finish at the end of the 1/2 marathon run segment (after having already completed the 56 mile bike so quickly we didn't make it to the finish in time for pictures). Aaron said the run was rough, mostly due to the extreme heat.

Lucas dons Aaron's post-race visor-- something only a 2 year old would touch.

Overall it was a great day and our trip so far has been a blast. Even the long driving day on Friday was fun. Lucas did a good job amusing himself in the car reading books, telling us stories and singing along to his favorite tunes. (While also periodically announcing "We're going on a big trip! Where's California?") One highlight from Friday was when Lucas resisted napping for so long that he finally fell asleep while eating his lunch-- here he is, passed out, sandwich in hand.

Friday night we had a wonderful visit with Uncle Mark and Aunt Bev; a welcome catch-up after far too long! Lucas had a great time swimming in their pool and riding in Uncle Mark's golf cart.

More trip pictures to come!

Taking a Break

2009-07-09T00:15:00.004-05:00

Lucas calls this pose "taking a break." We've had several opportunities to take some breaks as of late-- from a great early June trip to DC to sailing lessons and weekends spent with family at the various lakes in our lives. Here are some recent pictures.

Warming up after about 3 hours in the kiddie pool at cousin Lucy's birthday.

The family at the 2009 MoTH picnic, back in our lovely old neighborhood in DC. We lucked out and were visiting friends the same weekend the picnic took place. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with so many wonderful folks. Check out picnics past: here we are at the 2007 event.

First Camping Trip!

2009-05-27T23:16:00.003-05:00

We had a great time on Lucas' first overnight camping trip.
More pictures to follow soon!

The great outdoors

2009-05-11T23:55:00.004-05:00

We've had a lot of outdoor adventures lately, including hiking with Joe and Kerry in Oregon, relaxing by Bop's lake with Bop and Grandpa Bop, and running along Lake Washington in our own neck of the woods. Here are some recent pictures. Enjoy!

Lucas post (very rainy) hike, enjoying the puddles at the trailhead.

Kyle and Lucas digging at Bop's Lake, Lucas still in his pj's.

Things I Want to Remember

2009-04-20T23:37:00.010-05:00

Lucas seems to be catapulting out of toddlerdom, though into what, I'm not entirely sure. His language skills astound me daily, every night when I come home it seems he's become more of a little boy. Today he actually said, "Hi Mom! How's your work?" And the other night when we were both surprised by the discovery that his pajamas were glow-in-the-dark, he said "Wow! I didn't realize that!" Whaaah? Where's my baby?

So without getting too mushy, here are a few things that he says that I want to remember, because I'm sure they won't last long. Fire engines are "fire sirens" and band-aids are "neet-neets." Eating outside is a "pic-nack" and you should never smile at a "crocodidle." The opposite of big is "tiny little" (he never just says small), and his friends are boys and "grills." When he wants to get by, he says, "Scuse Mees" and when he's finished with dinner and wants to get down, he says, "May I have a Scuse?" Curious about the function of something, he says, "What's that for do?"

He loves to ask what everything and everyone is "dooooing?" As in, "mommy, what's that cat/boy/tree/tiny little leaf/grocery store man/crabby lady doooing?" Even if it is entirely obvious what the person or thing in question is up to, he loves to ask, and if I turn the question on him like I usually do, I often get an entertaining answer.

The other morning I went in to his room to get him up, in my pj's, hair disheveled, and he greeted me with "Hi Mommy! You look great!" He also told me, after a very long week of late nights at work, that his car was sad because it was missing his mommy. He is an expert at breaking my heart.

Lucas is exactly 2 and a half today, and his brain isn't all that's growing. Last week he weighed in at 33 lbs and was 37.5 inches tall, by our rough measurements. He is eating and sleeping voraciously, and for the most part extraordinarily pleasant and charming.

Enjoy the pictures of spring fun. We've all been loving the recent spate of good weather, with bike rides, sailing, baseball games and gardening.

Mr. Environmental digs it up in the p-patch.

Kym and Lucas show off the new bed after a long day of gardening.

After a 22 mile ride up the Burke Gilman trail, we all enjoyed the view from Gasworks Park.

Lucas waits with his cousins to see what the Easter Bunny brought to Aunt Barb's house.

Nothing better than opening day at Safeco Field with Bop and Grandpa Bop.

On a break from the Mariner's game, Lucas runs for Bop, with the lovely Seattle skyline in the background.

Lucas and Uncle Kacey chill on the bow of Bop & G-Bop's sailboat during a gorgeous trip around Commencement Bay.

Mt. Rainier from the Bay. Amazing!

Addendum: I keep thinking of other little words and phrases I know he'll soon outgrow.
Swimming "doggles"
Nocalars (Binoculars)
"Ornament Buzzyear" is Buzz Lightyear. (His only association with Buzz is the Christmas ornament he accidentally broke the arms and legs off of this year. So now when he sees little clips of Toy Story, he cheers for "Ornament Buzzyear!")
"Don't worry Mommy, it was an accident!" (Said after he spills something on the floor and I'm cleaning it up)
"Are we all set?" (Said when he really wants to leave whatever store or other venue we're in and he's bored of)
"Oh rock!" (His crabby word-- offered as a replacement for Mommy's word of choice, "oh dammit")

Radio Silence

2009-03-30T13:45:00.007-05:00

No excuse for it. Here are some pictures taken in the last two months of my blogging hiatus.

Ushering in a New World

2009-01-26T21:14:00.003-05:00

Aaron and I had the great fortune of celebrating Obama's inauguration on the National Mall with about 2 million other happy Americans. (Special thanks to Neil for the tix!) While Lucas did not come along with us (Big thanks to Bop & G-Bop!), he was definitely there in spirit, as this "family picture" can attest. We were certainly thinking of his future as we celebrated the end of the worst regime in U.S. History. Though our inauguration trip was incredibly short (just about 32 hours in DC!), we had a marvelous time. We were warmly hosted by our dear friends Neil & Mara and Addy & Paul, got to drink beer with Alec and Jess in the middle of the night, and watched the parade with a wonderful crew of my former coworkers (and some of my favorite people on earth). We figured that we slept about 11 hours over the course of 4 days, but the exhaustion was entirely worth it. Being on the mall, we felt a part of history, and one that we can finally be proud of at that.

Under Construction

2009-01-07T12:38:00.004-05:00

Lots of big changes are underway in our wee household. I am back at work, Aaron is remodeling the downstairs, and Lucas has lots to say about both endeavors. Above, Lucas helps me cook. Note the drop cloths and tarps in the background. Not only did we take out a wall, but we're painting everything that will hold still long enough to let us. We had wonderful Christmas and New Years celebrations with family and friends and were so thankful not to be traveling this year, for the first time in a long time. Some pictures from the New Year festivities are below.

Snow!

2008-12-19T12:28:00.003-05:00

Settling In

2008-12-16T00:54:00.005-05:00

We are enjoying a very restful holiday season this year and are so grateful for the opportunity to do so. Especially when compared to past years spent dashing to and through airports, we are relishing these slower days spent with family and friends, or just at home enjoying each other. Yesterday we baked cookies with the Evans clan, Lucas had a ball playing piano with Uncle Kacey. Below, Lucas rolls out the dough for homemade pizza.

The Hipsters Are Aging

2008-12-02T16:26:00.002-05:00

This morning we went up to Seattle's Capitol Hill to introduce Lucas to Vivace, our favorite coffee shop in the world. Unlike our old home on DC's Capitol Hill, Seattle's version is the home of the uber cool. Think mohawks, skinny jeans, vintage (but not too vintage) tees and librarian glasses. Grunge, post-punk, gay pride, and scrubby literati all happily co-exist here, but I wasn't sure if there was room in the mix for the sippy-cup set. Turns out not only is there space, but they were expecting us. In the corner of Vivace, a pile of kids books on a pint-sized table and an easel with crayons awaited Lucas. Entirely uncoached, our just disinterested enough to be cool barista served his milk (organic, of course) in a lidded cup with a straw. Clearly she's done this before.

Above, Lucas embraces his inner Seattlite and spends a rainy morning reading in a cozy coffee shop. Heaven!

Marathon

2008-12-02T02:47:00.003-05:00

I hesitate to detail the last month in this post because the "marathon" analogy is just too easy. But at the risk of being trite, I will say that the last month has indeed been a fight to the finish, from the drama of "mover day" (as Lucas called it), parting with jobs we loved, and leaving dear friends, to the fun of Kara and Gerald's amazing goodbye party, a great visit to Gigi and Papa in Nevada, and a joyful reunion with all the family at Thanksgiving. The short story is, we're back in Seattle after 4 years in DC, and while the goodbye was bittersweet, we're really happy to be home.

However, I, for one, am less happy that Seattle is so unbelieveably hilly. I ran the Seattle marathon on Sunday and it was brutal. But Lucas, Aaron and Auntie Marian made a wonderful cheering squad, and now that I'm a safe 24 hours away from the finish line, I suppose I'm glad I did it.

Halloween Part II

2008-11-21T09:59:00.003-05:00

Here are a couple more Halloween pics, courtesy of our amazing friend Dave.

Two Year Old Stats

2008-11-13T13:10:00.003-05:00

At Lucas' 24 month appointment, a few weeks after his birthday, he weighed in at 29 lbs, 9 oz and is 36.5 inches tall. That's the 50th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height! His doctor predicts he'll be at least 6'1", though Aaron doesn't buy it. (Someone had a similar prediction that did not pan out....sore spot!)

Above, Lucas chills out in Brooklyn with our dear friends Saul and Kristen. We went to see them last weekend and enjoy New York one last time before we leave this coast. Pictures of Lucas at FAO Schwartz to follow shortly....

Halloween Part I

2008-10-31T15:15:00.005-05:00

It's been a festive week in our house! Here are some photos from the week's events so far. Above, Lucas models the batman pajamas that he wore to school today.

Here's Lucas and Mom carving pumpkins the old fashioned way.

And Lucas and Dad carving the MAN WAY!

Lucas and Aaron attended a Halloween Party at our local library where Lucas crafted his own itsy bitsy spider-- I like that he also hammered it.

Lucas looking for "fire" in the pumpkins this morning. ("More fire please!") Note Aaron's lovely Barack-o-Lanterns. More pictures of those to follow for sure.

Lucas is Two!

2008-10-21T12:00:00.007-05:00

On Sunday we celebrated the big occasion with a picnic in the park. We were blessed with a great crowd of friends, glorious weather, and no major melt-downs from the birthday boy who was too excited to nap before his party. He has been planning his birthday party for a month, asking to talk about it at least once a day and often bursting into the Happy Birthday to Lucas song. (He also sings Happy Birthday to Obama and the Capitol Building) It was a fabulous day.

More Fall Fun

2008-10-13T13:12:00.003-05:00

Another weekend, another pumpkin patch. We are really in the fall spirit around here. (even though it's 80 degrees out...) This time we went with our friends Ethan and Jenn. Lucas had a great time playing with Ethan and Aaron in the corn bin and pulling the wagon out to the "patch" (ok, pre-picked lot) to get the pumpkins. He also enthusiastically devoured the Halloween cupcakes Jenn made for everyone. (As did we!)

Pumpkins

2008-10-09T14:15:00.004-05:00

Last weekend we went to Cox Farms in Centreville, VA with some friends. Lucas had a great time going down the giant slides, climbing the hay bale castle, dancing to blue grass and picking out pumpkins. It was a gorgeous fall day for all of us!

The SavageMan!

2008-09-24T16:30:00.004-05:00

On Sunday Aaron completed his first half-iron man triathlon! Lucas and I joined him as cheer squad for the race out in Deep Creek, MD. The Savage Man Tri consists of a 1.2 mile swim in the lake, a 56 mile bike that basically goes straight up a mountain (including one portion so steep it's closed to car traffic) and a 13.1 mile run through the woods. Aaron revealed just how savage he is, finishing in a great time of 6:37. (Yes, that would be six HOURS of non-stop savagery)

Here's Aaron just before the swim.

Here's our savage clearing the "Westernport Wall." This part of the course has a 31% grade and is so difficult to climb that all those who do without falling or putting a foot down get a brick with their name inscribed on it laid in the cobblestone. Aaron gets a brick!

Here's Lucas cheering on his Savage Daddy!

And here's the cheer squad awaiting Aaron at the finish line. All that enthusiasm was hard work.

Just cute

2008-09-15T16:50:00.002-05:00

This picture is from a few weeks ago at the beach, but it's so cute (in my totally biased opinion) that I had to post it. It also sums up Lucas's demeanor these days-- he's been goofy and charming and a total delight. If two is terrible, we are so not there yet. We still have the occasional rip-roaring meltdown, but for the most part, he is flexible, communicative, and easy going. I think having more language has helped, he is definitely able to get his point across about most anything. He's also started pretending, which is amazing to watch. The other morning he (mercifully) stayed in bed until we went and got him at 8:30. He was happily playing with froggy and puppy (2 favorite friends)-- we lingered outside the door and listened to him make them bark and ribbit at each other. Aside from being heartbreakingly cute, it is also really impressive to watch his mind develop.

summer fun

2008-08-28T13:55:00.004-05:00

Here are some recent photos from our trip to the Delaware beach as well as Lucas modeling Aaron's swim cap.

Lucas enjoys pizza on the boardwalk.

Sandcastles with Dad!

The next Phelps?

Big Talker

2008-08-25T08:30:00.005-05:00

Here's Lucas at 22 months, swinging on his favorite bar at the Park.

I feel compelled to update Lucas's crazy language development for posterity's sake. He's made huge leaps these past two weeks. He now sings complete versions of the ABC's, Happy Birthday, Row Your Boat, Itsy "Bider" and a few other classics. He's also started speaking in many complete sentences, usually those involving "I" and "it." (As in, I like it!, I want it! I read it! I did it! or my favorite from last week: "I see pineapple! I want it!") He's also started using the possessive a lot more, but not "mine" or "yours"-- he prefers to identify objects via names, as in, Daddy's running shirt, Mommy's Toast, Lucas vitamins, etc. He also gives us occasional "real-time" updates as to what he's doing: I jumping! I reading! I running! I talking!

It's been so much fun, and so amazing to watch. It seems every day he can communicate more. This morning at breakfast he recounted the animals he saw yesterday at the zoo. We also went to two birthday parties this weekend and now Lucas is pretty much convinced that every day should involve candles and cake. I have never seen someone sing happy birthday with such conviction.

Friends

2008-08-05T09:39:00.003-05:00

Our good friends Kara and Dave sent us this lovely photo of Aaron holding Lucas and their daughter Lucy. Lucas had a great time playing with "baby Luuuuuucy" and has added her to the repertoire of friends he likes to chat about. And as this photo suggests, he still feels very strongly about his hat. The other morning he wore it with his PJs while eating breakfast. We need to do some quick shopping before all the summer hats are gone, as it's starting to get a little snug!

ME! ME! ME!

2008-08-02T20:24:00.005-05:00

This is Lucas' new most common phrase (recently beating out "Guys! Eaaaat!") I don't want to say that Lucas is getting more demanding, so I'll use the word "interactive." And really, I mean it. While he has his moments where he really is just bossing us around, for the most part, he just wants to do things WITH us, which I am trying to treasure. It's not hard, it is so endearing. Anytime he wants one of us to do something with him, like play blocks, read a book, or hold him up to the window to watch a firetruck go by, he'll grab our hands and say "Me! Me! Me!" and lead us wherever we need to go. This morning I took him to a music class at our public library. He did pretty well throughout the first 20 minutes of dancing and singing, but as soon as things got a little too loud, he grabbed my hand and started pulling me in the direction of the kids reading corner. As I got up to go with him, he turned to the singing kids and said "Buh-BYE! Books!" It was pretty cute.

Speaking of cute, this very sad face is what we call his phoney baloney face, also known as big fake sad. He produced this one on command for Aaron. What I find funny is that fake or real, doesn't it look a lot like this one?

(Insert one chorus of "sunrise sunset"...)

Here's Lucas at the spray park a few weeks ago. It took a LOT of coaxing to get him that close to the water, which was funny since he ran to the spray ground at break neck speed and threw a tantrum when we left. It was just the actual time THERE that he wasn't that in to it. But we were delighted to sit on the edge and feel the mist, anything to ease the pain of 90+ is fine with me.