Where's Waldo? ... uhhh... PHOENIX?!

We've been very lazy in our postings, and part of the work here was done by the Nederland Gazette. P-bug made an appearance in the local newspaper as a result of our checking out the parade for Frozen Dead Guy Days... how exciting it was!

Double click to enlarge the photo and then you get to find P-buggler and papaJoe somewhere in the clipping...


Sorry for the delayed updates. We just bought a new camera that can capture more than a blur for those in motion shots (which are most of them). MORE TO COME.

TALES FROM THE BLUE CHAIR

It’s been ages…
Well, a long time since I've given you all an update.

What have I been doing?
…mostly just hanging around

I’ve also become quite accustomed to this stuff that my Momma calls “tummy time”.

I’ve been dreaming of strummin’, once I get a little better at using my fingers

Making friends with the locals . . . . . . slowly winning over the furry one with sharp claws
(not talkin’ about my poppa).

We even had some CHICK-en for Easter.

Finger lickin' good!

I can sit up all by myself …
with the help of a few pillows

I can also stand up and walk a little bit!
Yeah, yeah… a little help needed here too.

"God, it feels good to be a gangsta..."

At the end of a long, hard day...
it really feels great to just stretch out and relax!

What can I say? Life is good.

A walk about & a bath

Phoenix really likes to get outside for fresh air. On his fussiest days, we can just put him in the Bjorn and take a stroll outside. He settles right into the walk about in the brisk mountain air.

"SIR, your bath is ready..."

After a long walk, it's time to enjoy a good soakin' in the tub.

(Phoenix requested that we keep this photo *clean*)

The month of the FAM...

So, as most of our local friends are aware, we disappeared during the month of January. This is fondly referred to as the

Month of the Family.

From the beginning of the year, we were blessed with visitors starting with Aunt Monique and Grandpa Joe. Then we had Aunt Vickie and Cousin Casey, followed by Grandma MJ. Finally, Grandma-V and Grandpa-G. Whew!

It was great to see everyone and we were really worn out!! The snow was still deep in our driveway, so some were brave enough to make the daily snowshoe trek to cabin. Fortunately, no one had to stay in our small space and the local Best Western ended up cashing in on our guests. We really need to set up a frequent flier account with them!

Here are a few snapshots...

Grandpa Joe

sorry... bad lighting on this sweet photo... blow it up!

Phoenix lifted his head for the 1^st time to get in a good chat with Aunty Monique

"Ewwww... Aunt Vickie! Was that you?!!

“I love my Cousin Casey” !

Phoenix loves giggling with Mema-MJ

Grandpa Koebel does like hugs!

Grandma Koebel and the P-bug

STEELERS FAN! Chip of the ol' block.

“Time to change a diaper? He's ALL YOURS“!

A few new SNAPSHOTS

OK, OK, OK! We've gotten plenty of flack for not posting any new photos on the blog. Yes, it's been awhile since we've updated... so, in a desperate act in avoidance of future floggings, here's a quick update to wet your appetites.

We've been so busy during the month of January with all of the family who has made the trek to Colorado to see little Phoenix. Thank you much our padres and our sisters for coming out... oh yeah, cousin Casey made it too!

We have plenty of photos to post, but I'm dealing with a not-so-good photo editing software on my new laptop, so there are only a few for now...

Phoenix is now 11 weeks old and it's been amazing to watch his progress with the motor skills... he's not poking himself in the eye so much anymore. And his babbling can almost be understood, just listen...

“HEY! Mom. Dad... COME ON! couldjas quit skrewing around in front of the camera? GEEEZE!!”

Probably the coolest thing is the active interactions. He recognizes us and really acknowledges our talking to him.

“What? You'd like me to smile"?

“Hmmm, not sure if I should”...

“Well, OK, maybe just one.”

Then there are those awesome smiles that turn into laughter.

I think he's getting a kick out of the fact that he has more hair than his daddy.

Of course, then we have our more serious modeling moments like those for the constipated medicine ads...

And finally, we have the "P-BUG"...

P-BUG [pee-bug] noun, verb: p-bugged, p-bugging
1. A hemipterous insect that pees on things
2. (loosely) any peeing insect or insect-like invertebrate
3. to bother, annoy or pester via the act of peeing
4. (Informal) a craze or obsession for the act of peeing
5. The cutest little friggin' bug ever!
6. Also known as Phoenix or "P" in reference to "the cutest little friggin' bug ever"!

More photos of little men (man)

So, I've blogged my head (and fingers) off today, just to finally get out some updates. Now, I'm simply editorially winded (that too). So, here are just some other photos of the little man that made the "keeper" pile.


My favorite way to hold onto the boy... he seems to be pretty comfortable like this








Being entertained in his Baby Einstein floor crib thingy












Squeezable!











I told you he was gaining weight. Look at those gopher cheeks!











"Hey Phoenix, pull my finger!"
. . . I was helping him understand one of the definitions of the word "winded"

More to come in the not so distant future

Skinny little Legs

When babies are first born, they start losing weight. Then it turns around and they start gaining it back ...once mamma'a milk (no, not the cat) starts getting all of the "vita-nutritions" going on. Well, these semi-professional shots were taken when Phoenix was on the low end of his weight.

skinny little legs...



No worries, he's since been packing it on ... he was up to his birth weight (7lb 3oz) at 1 week and he's now feeling better than 8lbs (at least by highly calibrated arms).

Santa Claus?? and hugs

So there we were, us and Phoenix just HANGIN' out around the house...

The cat ("Mama") has been a little upset about the lack of attention that she's been getting since this little noise makin', arm swingin', poopin', eatin', pink-ish thing came back home with that woman and that guy that feed her.

One morning, while Phoenix was having his breakfast, Mama (yea, the cat) decided that enough was enough and she decided it was time to move in for that long overdue hug. She stepped on the boy on her way in. ... she was merely delirious for some of that good lovin'.

'Tis the season... the cabin was in need of some Christmas cheer and the Keebler Elf (fooled ya... didja really think it was gonna be Santa?) stopped by to decorate the place... he also took a little time to visit with the boy.

needless to say Phoenix was pretty ecstatic about the visit

yeah, he smiles... kinda

As mentioned previously, it's tough to get a photo of the little rascal smiling. Some might claim that it's just gas... well, if you saw his face when he has gas, you'd surely not qualify it as a *smile*. Kinda looks like the above shot.

The smiles are brief... usually right when he falls asleep - "ahhhhh, to be rid of that damn gravity and off to dream land!" When they do happen, they are absolutely precious.

Once again, these shots tend to be a little on the fuzzy side, but it's really tough to get a baby (and the photographer) to hold still! Here's a 4-pack of photo rips...

. . . OK, in this case it might just be gas

… and so they came to see the Phoenix child

We have been very blessed to have friends who are willing to make the trek into the mountains, braving harsh weather conditions, blustery cold, blinding snow … and an extremely steep, rocky, not to mention anxiety inducing driveway (well, it’s not really that bad). They came bearing themselves (not like that) and gifts of an incredible smorgasbord of culinary delights! …let’s not forget the wine and the beer. Yes, those who know me, well they understand my NEEDS … and with a part time crying baby, I’ve found that I tend to NEED a beer or a glass of wine from time to time.

They came, some escaped without a photo, they delivered, they held, they cooed, and then as quickly as they blew in, they left… most of the time, leaving us with tasty leftovers.

Thank you to everyone! The gift of meals and shared time holding little Phoenix is so appreciated. Some photos of a few guests follow… not included in these photos are the Linda, Adam, Janel, Connor, Lucas, Sharon, Chris, Ms. Love & Jill & Chris

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Aunt Kelly. She’ll teach this little guy all about speaking with the native spirits around these parts.

Uncle Russell is going to show Phoenix how to kick some BIG AIR (someday) after Phoenix learns to ride a bike.

Tom takes a photo opportunity with the little man. Yes, Thomas holds babies… quite comfortably, too!

Nice head shot (top of the head) of Heather. She makes a mean Pollo con Arroz… even when there’s been a restraining order on spices!

The Yoho’s brought us some *fresh kill* deer meat. Even cooked up the meal right in our kitchen! …and Jason was willing to help install a washer/dryer while they were here. Thanks!

Olga made the daring drive down our jeep road… we hope she makes it back to visit again …baby medicine always calms the nerves after a hectic ride.

Bob’s pretty good with kids, too. We were sure he was sitting down to avoid any classic “DAAAHHH” moments. We missed getting a photo of Linda, but she brought many edibles including homemade apple sauce. Oh-yeah!

And Susan… her and Lucas came up toting Calzones, vino, tangerines and themelves. How did Phoenix get her blue eyes?!