I moved Niko's blog over to livejournal. Here is the link: http://azzbugged.livejournal.com/
I've made it a friends only journal so I have to "approve" you in order to view the blog. This prevents just anyone from viewing his blog and knowing personal information abut us. I hope it's not too much trouble for everyone. There is just a lot more I can do with his blog over at live journal.
**You will have to set up your own account (free) in order to view Niko's blog. Sorry :( Here is the link to do that: https://www.livejournal.com/create.bml?from=azzbugged
Once you create your own account I will add you to my friend's list and you will be able to see all of Niko's blog. You will also be able to make comments and I will be able to answer! Please take the time to set up an account--It will be worth it!
Thanks,
Angela, Jason and the star of the show: NIKO
Friday, January 4, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Christmas Cheer
It's been a few months since the blog has been updated. I'm sorry for that but it's difficult to find time to post while trying to keep up with our very mobile boy, Niko. Niko experienced his first Christmas this year and what an experience it was. He had his Mom, Dad, Auntie Fe, Baja, Yaya and Poppie here to help celebrate. He has had constanst attention since Baja came to town on Dec 15th. Tomorrow his Poppie and Yaya fly home to Pennsylvania and it will be back to just baby, Daddie and Mommie. I think he is going to feel neglected without the 24/7 attention and adoration :) Here are a few pictures from the Christmas day melee!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
ahh...to have fall for a weekend is better than nothing!
This weekend here in Portland was just beautiful. It's the weather I've been hoping for. We have been having wet, chilly days but the rain dried up and the sun came out to warm us this weekend.
We decided to take advantage of it today and head out to Sauvie's Island to the Pumpkin Patch. We rode the hayride out to the patch and had fun watching Niko climb all over the pumpkins. We also went through the animal barn and saw some cute sheep, pigs and a goat. There were other animals but those were the stars.
We also had some yummy "seasonal" food like ears of corn that you painted butter onto and carmel apples with peanuts. YUMMERS! Unfortunately Jason didn't get his elephant ear that he wanted--the line was crazy long--and I've heard about it a couple times since.
I think Niko enjoyed it--he stayed awake the whole times so that's saying something!
Here are some pictures.
Niko with the Goat:
The Patch:
Niko hanging with Dad:
Niko with his Pumpkin face:
This one's mine!:
Stop tickling me Dad!
I love my Dad and pumpkins!
Cute little lambs
Piggies
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Oh Niko!
Well we have had some fun times and trying times the past couple of weeks. The fun being family fun night--with cooking over the fire, hot tubing and swinging outside for Niko. Here are a few pics:
The not so fun stuff being Niko sick and then me getting sick :( No pictures.
Tonight we had a new development. Niko is pulling him self up to stand. It's pretty amazing.
Tonight we had a new development. Niko is pulling him self up to stand. It's pretty amazing.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Haballips daily doings
Well once again the updating of this blog has slipped to the bottom of my to-do list. But today is the day I’m making it a priority! We have been busy since our trip to Sunriver. We have been busy with everyday life stuff but also fun stuff like baby showers, watching the swifts return to the Chapman school for their annual September display, Ladies night, poker, learning to crawl, eating more solid foods, nice evenings spent in the backyard, baby fairs, visiting friends, seeing family members out here on business and so much more. Since I’m a short term memory type of person I guess I will just cover the stuff I can remember—which is the most recent stuff.
Niko is very close to being completely mobile. He is now doing the crab shuffle, which gets him where he wants to go but usually it takes a while. He has been watching a little boy at day care, Ian, who can crawl just as fast as some little kids run. I think he is picking up pointers and he’s going to bust a move soon. Our world is about to change! We have had our security gates installed for a few weeks now and I’ve started putting the little plastic things in
the plugs. I’m sure we will learn soon enough a myriad of other things that can be trouble when you have an inquisitive 6 month old on the loose.
He has become very interested in our cats, Chloe and Zoe. He seems them and just
starts to giggle and hold out his arms, reaching for them. I think more than anything it will be the desire to chase and catch our cats that will teach him to crawl.
Niko has also been exploring the culinary world as well—he has tried two new foods in the pastcouple of weeks. He has added pureed peas and smashed avocado to his repertoire. He hasn’t met a food yet that he doesn’t like. He eats it all very willingly and signals more by open his mouth like a little bird and shaking. It really is too cute.
He has also hit another milestone. He is now sitting in his highchair and we have a regular dinner with him at the table every night. He looks tiny in the chair but he doesn’t seem to mind it. I think it makes him feel like a big boy. Even though he may look pretty messy in some of the pictures he is really learning to keep the food in his mouth and swallow instead of letting it drool out—which was what our first couple of feedings were like.
Last weekend Niko and I went to an organic baby and family fest in North Portland. We went with our friend Genevieve.
It was a great event and I learned a little bit about making our own organic baby food. I had been doing a little reading about it at home but the seminar taught me a few things I didn’t already know. This week I plan on cooking up some pureed carrots and sweet potatoes and freezing them for the coming months. It’s my desire to feed Niko only organic foods for as long as I can. He is just so small and pure at this point—I don’t want to be putting anything into his body that may have been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides.
Speaking of trying to keep little Niko safe from chemicals I’m trying to come to do that on a variety of fronts. I’m switching out his baby bottles that contain polycarbonates (#7) plastic. For those that aren’t aware #7 plastics which can be found in sports bottles (Nalgenes etc..), clear sippy cups, baby bottles, eating utensils etc… are bad news! They are made with bisphenol-A, a chemical that mimics estrogen and is suspected of contributing to abnormal reproductive development, birth defects, and prostate and breast cancer. It can leach into foods and the leaches increases as the bottles or products age. This stuff is in baby bottles—can you believe it??!! It just blows my mind. So, we have switched to Medela bottles and have kept the few bottles we have that are #5 that are deemed ok. Here is a list of companies that produce bottles without this chemical: http://www.oeconline.org/kidshealth/tinyfootprints/bisphenol/view?searchterm=baby%20bottles
Another concern I have been having is regarding toys that Niko plays with. With all the recalls because of lead paint and all the chemicals that are going into the making of plastic toys I’m starting to lean towards buying only products made in the USA and Europe (more factory oversight) and also purchasing natural wooden toys or those certified organic. It may seem extreme but I think about how much Niko is putting stuff in his mouth or playing with toys than putting his hands in his mouth and it doesn’t seem so extreme anymore.
At the baby fair this weekend Niko and I got tested for lead in our blood. Both Jason and I have been a little concerned about this since we live in an older home that undoubtly had lead paint in it at some point in it’s history. Also with the lead scare in the toys I thought it was a good idea. I had a trace amount of lead in my system, which is pretty normal. Niko’s lead amount was a little over double of what I had. The amount he had was deemed not dangerous but I still didn’t like seeing that he had over double what I had. It makes me wonder exactly where he is getting it from.
Another issue I think will tackle in the coming weeks is trying to switch our cleaning products over to more “green” alternatives. We have just started having a housekeeper come in twice a month and if I provide her with the new cleaners she will use them. I got a lot of information over the weekend on how to make my own cleaning supplies but realistically I don’t see me having the time or patience to do that very often. I did pick up some green, natural cleaner samples at the fair so I’m going to give those a try and see how they stack up against the tried and true chemical cleaners. I will update you when I do try them and let you know how they work—I’m going to be embarrassed though if it takes me a month or two to do so. Then you will know how infrequently I clean J
Jason and I are getting excited about the prospect of our families coming into town for Niko’s 1st Christmas. I know, I know it’s still 3 months away but already we are anticipating all the fun we will have. It will be a fun age for Niko. He will be 9 months and old enough to notice what’s going on around him but not old enough to care if he gets lots of stuff. At that age a box and some wrapping paper will make him happy! We will have to have the camera and video close at hand!
Let’s see. On non-baby related news my fantasy football team, The Prancing Ponies, crushed this week’s competitor, Homey Don’ Play That. This was a mighty victory and one that I’m reveling in! But I cannot rest on my laurels I have another worthy opponent coming up this weekend that I must prepare for! Go Ponies!
The no tv in the house is going over really well by the way. We find that we are using our extra time to cook, read, walk and spend more play time with Niko. It’s very enjoyable and I don’t think either one of us regrets our decision to get rid of it. I do miss vegging sometimes in front of the tv but those times are few and far between. I did pick up a movie recently at the library for us to watch when we had some down time but we haven’t gotten a chance to see it. It’s the Chronicles of Narnia, which I hear was beautiful. I hope we get a chance to watch it before it’s due back to the library.
Niko is very close to being completely mobile. He is now doing the crab shuffle, which gets him where he wants to go but usually it takes a while. He has been watching a little boy at day care, Ian, who can crawl just as fast as some little kids run. I think he is picking up pointers and he’s going to bust a move soon. Our world is about to change! We have had our security gates installed for a few weeks now and I’ve started putting the little plastic things in
the plugs. I’m sure we will learn soon enough a myriad of other things that can be trouble when you have an inquisitive 6 month old on the loose.
He has become very interested in our cats, Chloe and Zoe. He seems them and just
starts to giggle and hold out his arms, reaching for them. I think more than anything it will be the desire to chase and catch our cats that will teach him to crawl.
He has also hit another milestone. He is now sitting in his highchair and we have a regular dinner with him at the table every night. He looks tiny in the chair but he doesn’t seem to mind it. I think it makes him feel like a big boy. Even though he may look pretty messy in some of the pictures he is really learning to keep the food in his mouth and swallow instead of letting it drool out—which was what our first couple of feedings were like.
Last weekend Niko and I went to an organic baby and family fest in North Portland. We went with our friend Genevieve.
It was a great event and I learned a little bit about making our own organic baby food. I had been doing a little reading about it at home but the seminar taught me a few things I didn’t already know. This week I plan on cooking up some pureed carrots and sweet potatoes and freezing them for the coming months. It’s my desire to feed Niko only organic foods for as long as I can. He is just so small and pure at this point—I don’t want to be putting anything into his body that may have been sprayed with chemicals or pesticides.
Speaking of trying to keep little Niko safe from chemicals I’m trying to come to do that on a variety of fronts. I’m switching out his baby bottles that contain polycarbonates (#7) plastic. For those that aren’t aware #7 plastics which can be found in sports bottles (Nalgenes etc..), clear sippy cups, baby bottles, eating utensils etc… are bad news! They are made with bisphenol-A, a chemical that mimics estrogen and is suspected of contributing to abnormal reproductive development, birth defects, and prostate and breast cancer. It can leach into foods and the leaches increases as the bottles or products age. This stuff is in baby bottles—can you believe it??!! It just blows my mind. So, we have switched to Medela bottles and have kept the few bottles we have that are #5 that are deemed ok. Here is a list of companies that produce bottles without this chemical: http://www.oeconline.org/kidshealth/tinyfootprints/bisphenol/view?searchterm=baby%20bottles
Another concern I have been having is regarding toys that Niko plays with. With all the recalls because of lead paint and all the chemicals that are going into the making of plastic toys I’m starting to lean towards buying only products made in the USA and Europe (more factory oversight) and also purchasing natural wooden toys or those certified organic. It may seem extreme but I think about how much Niko is putting stuff in his mouth or playing with toys than putting his hands in his mouth and it doesn’t seem so extreme anymore.
At the baby fair this weekend Niko and I got tested for lead in our blood. Both Jason and I have been a little concerned about this since we live in an older home that undoubtly had lead paint in it at some point in it’s history. Also with the lead scare in the toys I thought it was a good idea. I had a trace amount of lead in my system, which is pretty normal. Niko’s lead amount was a little over double of what I had. The amount he had was deemed not dangerous but I still didn’t like seeing that he had over double what I had. It makes me wonder exactly where he is getting it from.
Another issue I think will tackle in the coming weeks is trying to switch our cleaning products over to more “green” alternatives. We have just started having a housekeeper come in twice a month and if I provide her with the new cleaners she will use them. I got a lot of information over the weekend on how to make my own cleaning supplies but realistically I don’t see me having the time or patience to do that very often. I did pick up some green, natural cleaner samples at the fair so I’m going to give those a try and see how they stack up against the tried and true chemical cleaners. I will update you when I do try them and let you know how they work—I’m going to be embarrassed though if it takes me a month or two to do so. Then you will know how infrequently I clean J
Jason and I are getting excited about the prospect of our families coming into town for Niko’s 1st Christmas. I know, I know it’s still 3 months away but already we are anticipating all the fun we will have. It will be a fun age for Niko. He will be 9 months and old enough to notice what’s going on around him but not old enough to care if he gets lots of stuff. At that age a box and some wrapping paper will make him happy! We will have to have the camera and video close at hand!
Let’s see. On non-baby related news my fantasy football team, The Prancing Ponies, crushed this week’s competitor, Homey Don’ Play That. This was a mighty victory and one that I’m reveling in! But I cannot rest on my laurels I have another worthy opponent coming up this weekend that I must prepare for! Go Ponies!
The no tv in the house is going over really well by the way. We find that we are using our extra time to cook, read, walk and spend more play time with Niko. It’s very enjoyable and I don’t think either one of us regrets our decision to get rid of it. I do miss vegging sometimes in front of the tv but those times are few and far between. I did pick up a movie recently at the library for us to watch when we had some down time but we haven’t gotten a chance to see it. It’s the Chronicles of Narnia, which I hear was beautiful. I hope we get a chance to watch it before it’s due back to the library.
NIKO playing with his friend at the swap shop
Jason has been doing some volunteer work to help get our neighborhood Swap Shop Co-op up and running. We became a founding member of the new co-op which is renovating space within the Sunnyside Methodist Church to house a play space, with an arts and crafts area, a play stage and an infant room and an area where we can swap out clothes and toys for our kids. It’s a great idea and Jason has been working hard to get the space ready for the October 1st opening day. We have donated a loveseat, a few chairs and a coffee table to the co-op (which hopefully means we can get some new furniture soon) and he has helped put up shelving and play equipment for the kids. We’re jazzed to be able to use the space soon but it’s especially going to be wonderful when the rain comes. It will be a nice way to get out of the house and to visit with other families in the neighborhood.
Ok, well I think I did a fine job letting you know what’s been going on in the Lil Man’s life and a little bit of what’s happening in ours. Hopefully it won’t take me as long to do this again next time! Cheers!
Jason has been doing some volunteer work to help get our neighborhood Swap Shop Co-op up and running. We became a founding member of the new co-op which is renovating space within the Sunnyside Methodist Church to house a play space, with an arts and crafts area, a play stage and an infant room and an area where we can swap out clothes and toys for our kids. It’s a great idea and Jason has been working hard to get the space ready for the October 1st opening day. We have donated a loveseat, a few chairs and a coffee table to the co-op (which hopefully means we can get some new furniture soon) and he has helped put up shelving and play equipment for the kids. We’re jazzed to be able to use the space soon but it’s especially going to be wonderful when the rain comes. It will be a nice way to get out of the house and to visit with other families in the neighborhood.
Ok, well I think I did a fine job letting you know what’s been going on in the Lil Man’s life and a little bit of what’s happening in ours. Hopefully it won’t take me as long to do this again next time! Cheers!
More pics of nifty Niko!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Sunriver for Labor Day
We got back last night from a wonderful trip to Sunriver, OR. We left Portland on Friday morning and spent Fri, Sat, Sun and early Monday in Sunriver and Bend. It was a really nice trip with beautiful weather.
Niko was a doll on the 3 1/2 hour drive to the resort. Before going to Sunriver we stopped off in Bend to visit with Mike White. He is a brewer at the McMennimin's Frances School and we met him there to sample some of his work. Unfortunately we had to rush to get to Sunriver for Jason's work dinner. So we said goodbye and got back on the road.
The resort at Sunriver is wonderful. There is so much to do: bike ride, ride horses, kayak, golf, swim. On Saturday we got up and had breakfast and took a long walk on one of the many trails. Then it was time for me to head to the spa for a hot stone facial (awesome) and a manicure. After my day of pampering we met up with a few of Jason's work associates and had a fun meal at the restaurant. I had a chocolate espresso creme brule that was to die for!
Niko and Jason getting their picture taken outside overlooking the golf course:
Sunday was kind of a lazy day for us. We got up early and attempted to take Niko on a bike ride on a river loop around the Deschutes. After about 10 minutes he wasn't having it so Jason turned around and I continued on the loop alone. It was a pretty bike ride but it would of been more enjoyable if Jason and Niko were with me. I met Jason and Niko for the breakfast buffet then Jason took his bike and did the river loop. Niko and I hung out on the back deck and read for a little bit. That night we had an early dinner and settled in for the night with a movie.
Niko in the bike trailer. Maybe he will like it more next year!
Monday it was time to leave. We packed up, had breakfast and headed back to Bend to walk around a bit. We took a stroll in Drake Park and walked down Wall Street and had an ice cream cone. The weather was beautiful. We would of like to have dallied longer but the long drive was still ahead of us.
Jason and Niko alongside the Deschutes river--Drake Park, Bend.
Niko and I playing at Drake Park:
We had great views of the mountains on the way home. It was a little hazy at the beginning of the drive due to a wildfire that started around Black Butte/Sisters on Thursday night. There was a huge thunderstorm that started the fire and by Monday morning they were evacuating Black Butte. We were hoping to take the scenic route back through Sisters and the Santiam Pass but that wasn't going to happen with a wildfire on the loose!
We had a lovely time and hope we can head back to Sunriver next year for another fun time!
Niko hanging by the pool:
Niko was a doll on the 3 1/2 hour drive to the resort. Before going to Sunriver we stopped off in Bend to visit with Mike White. He is a brewer at the McMennimin's Frances School and we met him there to sample some of his work. Unfortunately we had to rush to get to Sunriver for Jason's work dinner. So we said goodbye and got back on the road.
The resort at Sunriver is wonderful. There is so much to do: bike ride, ride horses, kayak, golf, swim. On Saturday we got up and had breakfast and took a long walk on one of the many trails. Then it was time for me to head to the spa for a hot stone facial (awesome) and a manicure. After my day of pampering we met up with a few of Jason's work associates and had a fun meal at the restaurant. I had a chocolate espresso creme brule that was to die for!
Niko and Jason getting their picture taken outside overlooking the golf course:
Sunday was kind of a lazy day for us. We got up early and attempted to take Niko on a bike ride on a river loop around the Deschutes. After about 10 minutes he wasn't having it so Jason turned around and I continued on the loop alone. It was a pretty bike ride but it would of been more enjoyable if Jason and Niko were with me. I met Jason and Niko for the breakfast buffet then Jason took his bike and did the river loop. Niko and I hung out on the back deck and read for a little bit. That night we had an early dinner and settled in for the night with a movie.
Niko in the bike trailer. Maybe he will like it more next year!
Monday it was time to leave. We packed up, had breakfast and headed back to Bend to walk around a bit. We took a stroll in Drake Park and walked down Wall Street and had an ice cream cone. The weather was beautiful. We would of like to have dallied longer but the long drive was still ahead of us.
Jason and Niko alongside the Deschutes river--Drake Park, Bend.
Niko and I playing at Drake Park:
We had great views of the mountains on the way home. It was a little hazy at the beginning of the drive due to a wildfire that started around Black Butte/Sisters on Thursday night. There was a huge thunderstorm that started the fire and by Monday morning they were evacuating Black Butte. We were hoping to take the scenic route back through Sisters and the Santiam Pass but that wasn't going to happen with a wildfire on the loose!
We had a lovely time and hope we can head back to Sunriver next year for another fun time!
Niko hanging by the pool:
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Catching up
Well, I'm still posting on the distant past but I am catching up. Last weekend (not this one) we went camping with the Ervings, the Joplins and the Greshams up near Tillamook. The campground was along the Kilchis River and is a good spot for fishing. Steve brought along his fishing rod and also Emily and Kayla. Kayla's fishing rod is also known as her "rockin' fish". Both Emily and Kayla are quite good at casting but I still kept my distance when the real hooks came out. Alas, no notable fish were caught that weekend but the Ervings hold out hope for Labor Day weekend when they go camping up there again.
Here's a picture of Kayla with her rockin fish:
Emily and Steve with their fancy fishin' rods:
Brent and Gen arrived on Friday night and I was mightily impressed with Brent's camping chops. I have never seen a better dish washing station while camping in my whole life-no lie! I also was in awe of the many tools that came along with him on this trip. Just in case, he brought a full size axe, hatchet and maul. In case of what I'm not sure but we had them and I was glad.
Gen holding Niko--she's a natural!:
The Joplins as well as Jas and I brought rain/sun canopies and they were much needed because it began to lightly drizzle when the Greshams arrived in the afternoon on Saturday. We had a nice dry place to eat our dinner Saturday night and the canopies were even arranged so we could all sit by the fire without getting wet. I can't say sleeping Saturday night was much fun in our tent. It was cozy in there but we had a few areas where water got in--thankfully no where near Niko. He was oblivious to the rain and was warm and secure on his pallet.
Tracy with beautiful baby Skylar:
The next morning my first thoughts were, "Let's pack up and get the hell out of here" but I wanted to catch up on my sleep, not pack up in the rain. Jason and Niko got out of the tent and with Brent stoked up the fire and started breakfast. Miraculously the rain stopped and it turned out to be a decent day. The guys played a little horseshoes, Emily and Kayla went swimming, we at a lot of junk food and the girls sat around talking about the gossip magazines Keri had brought.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend.
Kayla hanging with Niko:
Jason smooching on me!:
This is camping? I had no idea!:
Keri, Kayla, Genevieve, me and Lorleen loving on Niko:
Oh yeah, it was my birthday too this weekend. Emily and Kayla helped me blow out the candles on my cake--I know a birthday cake while camping! My friends rock!!!
Brent and Emily giving the camping trip a thumbs up!:
Here's a picture of Kayla with her rockin fish:
Emily and Steve with their fancy fishin' rods:
Brent and Gen arrived on Friday night and I was mightily impressed with Brent's camping chops. I have never seen a better dish washing station while camping in my whole life-no lie! I also was in awe of the many tools that came along with him on this trip. Just in case, he brought a full size axe, hatchet and maul. In case of what I'm not sure but we had them and I was glad.
Gen holding Niko--she's a natural!:
The Joplins as well as Jas and I brought rain/sun canopies and they were much needed because it began to lightly drizzle when the Greshams arrived in the afternoon on Saturday. We had a nice dry place to eat our dinner Saturday night and the canopies were even arranged so we could all sit by the fire without getting wet. I can't say sleeping Saturday night was much fun in our tent. It was cozy in there but we had a few areas where water got in--thankfully no where near Niko. He was oblivious to the rain and was warm and secure on his pallet.Tracy with beautiful baby Skylar:
The next morning my first thoughts were, "Let's pack up and get the hell out of here" but I wanted to catch up on my sleep, not pack up in the rain. Jason and Niko got out of the tent and with Brent stoked up the fire and started breakfast. Miraculously the rain stopped and it turned out to be a decent day. The guys played a little horseshoes, Emily and Kayla went swimming, we at a lot of junk food and the girls sat around talking about the gossip magazines Keri had brought.
Here are a few pictures from the weekend.
Kayla hanging with Niko:
Jason smooching on me!:
This is camping? I had no idea!:
Keri, Kayla, Genevieve, me and Lorleen loving on Niko:
Oh yeah, it was my birthday too this weekend. Emily and Kayla helped me blow out the candles on my cake--I know a birthday cake while camping! My friends rock!!!
Brent and Emily giving the camping trip a thumbs up!:
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