California

We went to California for a week and had such a good time. Dawson's first vacation was a huge success. It was the perfect combination of relaxing and entertainment. My mom, Grandma, Dawson and I flew down together, then Chad met us a couple days later. Dawson did unbelievably good on the flight there. He started out with a little nap and than was so content sitting on the tray table playing with toys, laughing and people watching. Unfortunately the flight home was a different story-a complete meltdown (that left me in tears also) and a poopy diaper have made us decide that we will be driving the next time.

Dawson looking out the window with Nana before take off.

Everything was so funny!

The first couple days were the most relaxing. We went to Redondo Beach one day and had lunch on the peir, went on a walk around Shari's neighborhood to see all of the cute houses and just hung out. Once Chad got there things got busier. The first night we went back to Redondo Beach to see an old car show and then have dinner at Ruby's Diner.

Dawson loved this car at the diner and had a fit when we had to get seated at our table. The next day we went to Hermosa Beach to play.

Dawson liked playing right where the water came up on the beach. He wasn't so sure when Daddy took him out into the big waves, he was holding on really tight.

Oh, and since I've been so bad about blogging (our computer was broken for awhile so I have an excuse)...Dawson is walking now. He really started on September 20 when some of his friends were over. They were all walking around and Dawson just got up and started. He did better and better but still crawled too. Right when we got to California he started walking around constantly and now is a pro.

Universal Studios

Chad and I left Dawson with Grandma, Nana & Shari for a day and went to Universal Studios. It was really nice to have a "date day" and spend time with just the two of us. Although, the whole time we talked about how much Dawson would have loved to see certain things there. First up was the Hollywood Studio Tour. We saw Jaws :)

and we went down the real set of Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives.

This is Carlos & Gabbi's house.

There was a new Simpsons ride that was really fun.

Jurassic Park was one of our favorites.

Chad had to pose with the van from Scooby Doo.

Hollywood & Laguna Beach

We met the Wantz family in Hollywood. We went to the Chinese Theater and looked at all the handprints, walked down the Walk of Fame and had a delicious lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. Then John took us on a drive through Beverly Hills, we went down Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard to check out all the high end shops-no celebrity sightings.

Chad & Dawson at Arnold Schwarzenegger

Maia at Marilyn Monroe Me at Johnny Depp

Afterwards we went to see John & Jama's new house. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures. It's such a cute little house in a really nice neighborhood. It's really close to Laguna Beach so we went down there to play, get coffee (it was a chilly night), and walk around the town.

My sweet boy walking around on the beach.

Dawson thought it was so funny when I would walk us out on the beach and then run back before the waves crashed on us.

There was an art gallery in town that we went to (I can't remember the artists name-started with a W) and it was the most amazing, beautiful paintings and sculptures focused around whales and dolphins.

Maia outside looking at the fountain. This was right outside the gallery.

We had a great day with the Wantz family and miss them already!!

DISNEYLAND

I couldn't resist....we took Dawson to Disneyland. We were not planning on going because we thought Dawson was a little young to appreciate it but I couldn't stand the thought of being so close and not going. For those of you who don't already know, Disneyland is my favorite place ever!! We had a blast! Of course Dawson won't remember any of it (a little overwhelming I'm sure) but I think he had a lot of fun.

The park was all decorated for Halloween. Princess Castle in the Magic Kingdom We took Dawson on eight rides throughout the day. This was right before we got on Dumbo.

Disney's villains were out for Halloween. Dawson met Jafar (from Aladdin), Cruella (from 101 Dalmations) and this is the witch from Snow White.

The trip would not have been complete without a visit to Minnie Mouse...

...and Mickey Mouse.

Daddy & Dawson taking a stroll down Main Street.

Jama, Maia & Ezra met us there and we all went on the Jungle Cruise together. I can not explain how jealous I am that they get to have annual passes to Disneyland-my dream! :)

The kids stopped to feed the ducks.

We took Dawson to Toon Town to play and burn off some energy.

After that my cousin picked Dawson up to take back to my mom at Shari's so Chad and I could spend the rest of the evening at Disneyland on our own and go on the big rides. We had so much fun!

Playing at the Park

Dawson and I went to play group last week and met up at Lynden City Park. It is such a great park! So much fun stuff to climb on and play with and the best part is that it's completely fenced in! These pictures don't really look like he's enjoying himself but I promise he's usually full of smiles anytime he's in a swing.

Playing Around

Sorry for not being very good at blogging lately! To be honest, we have not been doing a whole lot so there isn't much to post. With the weather getting colder we've been spending a lot more days playing inside and Chad has been busy getting the siding on the house finished up so we can hopefully paint before the weather really turns. I finally got the camera out the other day because Dawson just seemed extra cute while he was playing around...

We keep some of his little toys in these baskets and he has become obsessed with sitting in them to play. He also loves to play in the shower-it's perfect for peek-a-boo.

Making out with himself in the mirror. :)

Practicing his walking skills. He's doing good but he just needs to work on his balance.

7 and 11

Dawson's making some progress with walking! We were not sure if it would ever happen but he's finally giving it a try. He regularly takes 3-4 steps and right now his record is 7 steps. Wish him luck to keep it up and get it down soon so his mama's back isn't sore from carrying him around every night! Dawson's having no problem in the teething department. Right now he has 11 teeth including 2 molars and there are 3 more working their way through. I think my poor boy has gotten used to the pain because even though the teeth keep coming he doesn't seem to be hurting or fussy from them which is a huge relief. Here's a picture of all his pearly whites:

One Year Check-Up

Dawson had his one year check-up with the doctor on Friday. Everything went great, he behaved very well while the doctor checked him out and he is very healthy. Poor baby had to get four shots but he handled those amazingly well too. It's time to start giving Dawson whole milk instead of formula and he gets to try a lot more solid foods now that he's hit the magical "one year" mark. Here are Dawson's stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 10 oz. (25%)

Height: 30" (50%)

Head: 46 1/2" (50%)

I was really surprised that he is only in the 25th percentile for his weight! He eats so much but it goes to show how much he's burning since he's so active.

Here are a few pictures that we took in the doctor's office.

Birch Bay

We went out to Birch Bay last week and met Shane, Lynn and Aiden to play. Dawson was anxious for me to put him down and he was not afraid to get dirty! Shane & Aiden trying to build a sand castle.

Lynn and her cute pregnant belly!

Ewww...seaweed.

How cute is that face?!

This picture doesn't do justice to show how dirty Dawson was. I had to wrap a towel around him in the carseat and come home and get right in the shower with him.