Gasparilla Birthday Weekend

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday weekend! The weather was gorgeous and we spent a lot of time outside at the Gasparilla races and the beach! Here is the weekend in pictures: Koa started eating "real" food in the last week.

Here he is enjoying kidney beans, zucchini, banana, and pasta.


Daddy described Koa best when he called him "Koa and Clark" and "Koalumbus" as he is such an explorer right now! Here he is exploring the dining room table and chairs. (I love his diaper butt!)



Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the awesome new watch. I am so happy that I don't have to wear my work out watch to work anymore! My clock in my classroom does not work and a watch is a must with 7th graders who are constantly wanting to write passes to go to various places to get out of math class! :)

Joey started my birthday off with some delicious cinnamon rolls--they were so good I would miss a flight for them! ;) Thanks to Joey's mom who stopped by and brought over a wonderful goody basket with lots of great treats.

Koa and I spent some time with Ashley and Justin at the pool before work. Koa even took his morning nap at the pool once I put his pack and play behind the brick pillar so he couldn't see us!






After a great afternoon at work (I think I still smelled like coconuts from the sun block), we went on an adventure to the Gasparilla race expo to pick up our race packets and out to dinner.

We signed up to do the 5k walk this year so that we could bring Koa in his stroller. Joey's mom, Joey, and I enjoyed pushing Koa in his first race. I was pregnant with Koa last year when we did this race, and this year he had his very own bib number and got a medal at the end!





Katie seemed to really enjoy her first race, too!






Mommy's Gasparilla Half Marathon

Official results:



Mommy is finished!



Ashley finished in 1:44!! Go Ashley!!!




After the race, we made our way to Siesta Key for a beach day with Ashley and Justin. Koa loved playing in the sand and water and even took a nap in his stroller!







We took Koa's baby bathtub and water so he can rinse the sand and salt water off before we went to dinner!




Looking forward to another great birthday weekend next weekend for Daddy!

February Fun

Koa has a few different "snugglies" that he sleeps with. It amazes me that even though he moves around in his crib at night, he still has his little snuggly wrapped under his arm in the morning.



We have created a "baby jail" where Koa can safely crawl around and play with his toys without getting into trouble. He will start out with all of his toys organized and put together and by the time he is done, they are scattered about demolition style! Koa also practices walking while holding onto the gates--only a matter of time before he masters that one!


Koa had his 9 month doctor visit the beginning of the month. He is now 20 lbs. 15 oz. and 28.5 inches long! He is very proficient at his "army crawl," eats little pieces of big people food with his 8 chompers, and wants to explore EVERYTHING!! Here he is eating a snack while waiting on his shots.


Joey and I love giving Koa his night time bottle, reading him his bed time story and putting the little guy to bed. This is about the only time he will sit still in our laps anymore!


Happy Valentine's Day
So, this year we decided to go to dinner and a movie. We both decided on Sanctum--I knew it was a little out of my usual comfort zone, but thought it would be fun to see a 3D-edge-of-your-seat kind of movie. Joey picked a movie theatre where they serve you dinner and drinks at the beginning of the movie and you enjoy your meal while you watch the flick. Dinner and drinks were great. The movie was not. Well, it was an awesome movie--if you are into watching people die in 3D!! I like warm fuzzy feelings when I am leaving the movie theatre--this was anything but warm and fuzzies!! We did have a great time out on the town and the movie/dining experience was a lot of fun! The movie pick for Valentine's Day makes us laugh!




Beach Day
Joey and I have not taken Koa to the beach since he has become so mobile. What an experience it is getting set up for success. Here is the packing list:
sun shade, baby jail, large sheet for under baby jail, baby bathtub & 2.5 gallons of water for rinsing off sandy baby, chairs, towels, cooler, etc. Let's just say we decided a beach wagon is a neccesity now! We met Vanessa and Mila at the beach and enjoyed hanging out with them for a few hours before it was time to pack it all up and head home. Not bad for our first go around, and I am looking forward to many more beach days. Koa seemed to really enjoy it! PS Yes, Koa is wearing his bath robe with his board shorts!


Sunday in the Park
Koa loved his first park experience!

Funny Fetch

We love our dogs and they love each other.

Kimo doing yoga!



Kimo and Naia bring smiles to our faces daily. I realize, as I take them for runs with Koa in the jogging stroller, that Naia is a great motivator. In fact, she must think she is a sled dog because she does a great job of pulling me and the stroller faster and faster. I actually run faster with two dogs and a baby than by myself!

Well, tonight Naia become the most hilarious thing Koa has ever seen. Who knew fetch was so funny?

Ending January

I can't believe January is already behind us! Koa, the dogs, and I have gotten back out on the road run/walking anywhere from the 3 mile loop through the park to 10 miles at Bayshore. With the weather becoming "cold" here in Florida (that means upper 40's to low 60's for your Northerners), we had to get the weather shield for Koa's jogging stroller to keep him warm. This, obviously, happened to be a warm day! Koa turned 9 months on the 26th. I happened to have the day off and was able to capture some of his tricks that he has learned. Koa's first spoon experience was a success! He has been self feeding finger foods like bananas and green beans for a while now. We gave him nectarine for the first time and put the pieces on his spoon--he knew just what to do with it!

Koa and Joey Look-a-Likes

So, Joey and I have decided that we hear "Koa looks just like his mom" half of the time and "Koa looks just like his dad" the other half. After finding this picture, I think everyone agrees that he looks just like his daddy!

Koa


Joey

Sunday Brunch

We enjoyed a champagne brunch with Joey's mom after church. The food was delicious and it was nice spending time with family!

Date Night

We had so much fun going to dinner with Justin and Ashley and watching fireworks on the beach around a bonfire afterwards! Ashley found Spinners--a revolving restaurant on top of the Grand Plaza in St. Pete. We enjoyed one and a half revolutions with dinner. :)