Outdoor Adventures

Jonas and Mom have taken some fun outdoor adventures the last few days. On Monday, they went to a local duck pond, where we thought Jonas would be giddy over seeing the animals that make him giggle to no end when he sees them in books. Maybe he was expecting them all to be yellow or something, because the real ones didn't seem to excite him too much...

...But today, Jonas and Mom went to another part of the park that features a nature center, and Jonas got to see the sights while Mom carried him along. Mom reports that he took in everything he could see. And he looks pretty good in a hat, too.

Back to School

Jonas didn't seem too interested the other day at the store when we went down the aisle with back to school stuff. Luckily for him, he's got other things to worry about for the next few years.

Getting and Giving

Jonas pretty much gets smothered with kisses at various points throughout the day. In fact, just the other day, Mom couldn't help herself...

...but moments later, Jonas proved that he can give and good as he gets...

Super Baby

You might recall that one of Jonas' first alter egos was Captain Adorable. But lately, with the help of Mom, he's transformed into Super Baby! Now he just has to learn that most super heroes wear their capes on the back.

California Dreamin'

Shop Around

Mom has been taking Jonas on some fun adventures the last few weeks. Today, she tried out a new device that will help strap the big guy into a shopping cart. With one successful trip under his belt, I have a feeling Jonas may be in for a few more shopping adventures.

Carrot Top

Just a few weeks into his experience with real food, and Jonas continues to show tremendous interest in whatever he is offered. Tonight, he graduated to the "orange" food group, tasting carrots for the first time. Needless to say, he liked what he tasted...

...after using his fingers to cram in all the carrot goodness he possibly could, all he wanted was more...

...and when it was all over, all he was left with was a warm washcloth—which he proceeded to eat, too.

Baywatch Baby

Let's just say Jonas has a few things to learn about being a lifeguard. Rule No. 1: Try to stay awake.

Ready For Some Football

Jonas has been rooting for the Colorado Buffaloes since his earliest days. But his loyalty goes back even further. Back when Jonas was still Nub, Niki and I bought him a CU football jersey, timing the sizing just right to coincide with the start of his first season. Well, we're two week away now, and this morning, Jonas couldn't wait for kickoff...

...in fact, with those guns, and viewed from just the right angle, he looks like he's even ready to suit up tomorrow. Middle linebacker perhaps?...

...Dad got so excited, even he had to go get his jersey to celebrate the impending start of the season. Go Buffs!

Glamour Shot

When Jonas gets his first GQ photo spread, here will be his cover shot.

Day at the Aquarium

This summer has been unusually cool, but the last few days have more than made up for it. So Mom decided to take Jonas on an air-conditioned adventure yesterday, presenting the big guy with his first experience at an aquarium. From the beginning, Jonas was wide-eyed and fascinated by all the unusual sights and colors...

...at the sea lion exhibit, he was mesmerized...

...even the divers cleaning the tank seemed to notice Jonas, waving to him from the other side...

...eventually, Mom remembered a page from one of Jonas' favorite books called "Baby Colors." In the fascinating chapter on the color orange, Jonas is introduced to a crab with giant pincers...

...so when Jonas saw the real thing (well, maybe a bit less orange...), he was once again in shock...

...not everything seemed to go over well. Let's just say the giant whale sculpture was a bit intimidating...

...but Jonas pulled it together and by the time it came to go, he seemed to be asking, Hey Mom, when can we go again?

Jonas' Island

One of the fun parts about living in Long Beach is knowing how much of the city has been used as backdrop for television and movies. One of our favorite pieces of trivia is that the marina where we go to the farmer's market every weekend was where they filmed the opening sequence of "Gilligan's Island," the part where the castaways depart for their "three-hour tour." In recent weeks, we've taken Jonas to the market and walked along the marina to check out the boats. Jonas has slept through most of it, no doubt dreaming about how we would have gotten off that island. Or, perhaps, all the delicious milk he could have extracted from all those coconuts.

Dining Out

Jonas went for his first dinner outside the house this weekend, joining Mom, Dad and his Aunt Barbara and Uncle Steve at a Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica. He seemed to enjoy the experience reasonably well, but eventually Mom took him outside to take a look at the scenery in an environment where maybe he could talk as loud as he wanted without being quite so distracting to his fellow diners. Once outside, and in Mom's familiar arms, he seemed to enjoy the outing even more.

Bright Eyes

Jonas has always had beautiful eyes, but they seem to be glowing of late. The other night, as the sun was going down, they were especially bright.

Veggie Tale

Tonight, Jonas began what hopefully will become a lifetime habit of eating actual vegetables. And to celebrate the occasion, we set up a high chair that we had received as a gift to get Jonas in the mood. And boy was he in the mood. It all began simply enough, with the big guy waiting patiently for his meal...

...before long, he was getting his first taste of green beans, literally eating them up...

...then, it was on to a combination of green beans mixed with his old standard, rice cereal...

...pretty soon, Jonas was directing Dad with his finger, telling him exactly where he wanted all this delicious food to go...

...and not long after that, Jonas was screaming for MORE!!!!

...safe to say it looks like he'll be a good eater.

Music Man

A few weeks back, we took Jonas to see the Long Beach Municipal Band in a local park, a summertime tradition here that Jonas mostly slept through. But last night, we tried again, and the big guy really seemed to catch on. First, he sat on Mom's lap and took in all the surroundings...

...then, before long, he was imitating his best "Opera Man," holding up his "kerchief" at the dramatic parts of the music...

...but to truly appreciate Jonas' time at the concert, here's some Bonus Jonas video footage, captured as Jonas attempted to play every instrument during the obligatory "Stars and Stripes" played near the end. 

Jonas-Eye View

Jonas spends much of his awake time in the play area we created for him before he was born. So the other day, Dad got down to see what the world looks like for the big guy when he's not focused on Mom or Dad amusing him. Now it's even more clear he's always so happy, as some of his favorite things in life are there in one view—pictures on the wall, bright yellow paint and a ceiling fan. What more could he possibly ask for.

Dimple Dandy

Jonas has many endearing features, but his cute little dimples, which reveal themselves during moments of pure glee or silliness, may be among the best. Fortunately, he's gleeful or silly most of the time, so the dimples make regular appearances. But catching them on camera has proved somewhat elusive. Here, though, he shows off the deepest of the dimples below the left side of his mouth, cute as can be.

Too Cute

I mean, does it get any cuter than babies in sunglasses?

Puppet Show

There is no doubt that having children provides a wealth of new opportunities and experiences for the parents. The chance to mold someone's life and teach them your values. The shared joy of accomplishments big and small. And, oh yes, finally a good excuse to go out and buy some high-quality puppets. A few weeks back, we made an important investment in Jonas' future and secured some amazing hand puppets. There's the King, who will teach Jonas about manners. There's the Pirate, who will teach Jonas all about safety. And then there's Chef Alfredo "Al" Dente, who will eventually teach Jonas about proper food choices, but in recent days has been playing an amusing game of Patty Cake with the Big Guy that cracks up Mom and Dad almost as much as Jonas. Looks like they're all going to get along famously.

Keyed Up

Our nice-enough but alarmingly nonspecific daycare provider has given us few hints as to how Jonas really spends his days while we're at work. But one of the few details she's offered is that "he likes keys" – and we're hoping she means the toy kind. So, Mom went out and bought Jonas his own set this weekend, and as you'll see below, he does seem to enjoy them, even if they only appear to be unlocking his mouth.

Silly and Sweet

In recent months, we've shown you pictures of Jonas being silly and smooth, and even silly and serious. But today we offer you some shots of the big guy at his best, being silly and sweet.

Living Color

Mom took this great shot, which she calls Jonas and the Amazing Technicolor Dream-Onesie.

Perfect 10

There is no doubt that Jonas is the star of this blog. But we're going to pause now to celebrate Mom and Dad, who 10 years ago today on a hot and beautiful Colorado afternoon began their lives together as husband and wife. Jonas wasn't even a glimmer in our eyes at that point, but he has capped off a decade that has been filled with nothing but smiles and laughs. He is the best possible way to round out 10 perfect years.

Foot in Mouth

Jonas hasn't started saying actual words, of course, so he hasn't yet experienced the embarrassment of putting his foot in his mouth in the figurative sense. But in the literal sense, he seems to have the concept down pretty good.

Mommy Kisses

Mom often knows just the right thing to say or do to get Jonas smiling. And smothering him with kisses often seems to do the trick.