Late summer fun

Ronan's been walking for about two weeks, and he's so cute we just want to hug him with every step. He toddles around the house -- still wide-legged with his fists up by his shoulders -- with a huge, self-satisfied smile on his face. He rarely wants to hold our hands... He's a big boy now! When not walking, laughing, reading, and climbing everything in sight, he's searching for Daddy so that he can hang out with his best buddy. He's definitely in an I LOVE DADDY phase where he wants to do anything and everything that Christian does!

Over the past month, we've taken him several times to the Discovery Museum in Sausalito and the Exploratorium in SF. Both are fantastic places for kids. The Discovery Museum has an outdoor stream that Ronan loves -- it's the same height as he is, and it's full of fake fish and frogs. What could be better? There's also an arts/crafts room where kids can paint and play with clay, and a huge playground with a ship, cave, climbing structures, and, best of all, a play construction zone. While Ronan vroooomed the trucks (or lorries, as his nanny calls them) and shoveled the gravel around, we got to admire the Golden Gate Bridge looming right over us. When we asked him if it was time to go home, he grinned and shook his head. A "no" and an irresistible smile... our baby's learning some persuasive powers!


Truck. Gravel. Boyhood.


Daddy and Ronan




Will Ronan tower over Daddy one day? (There's an old wives' tale that says a kid's height will be double his height at age 2.)


More walking, with arms at the ready!


One of the rare times that he let me hold his hands... Love it!


The outdoor stream at the Discovery Museum. When not splashing and chasing birds, he was trying to climb INTO the stream. (And no, those aren't real fish dying there!)


Hello, blonde girl!


"Ooooh"


Stylin' Ronan with his hot wheels at the Exploratorium


Cousin Cessa gave Ronan a huge, blue, plush Care Bear that we've named Blueberry. Here he is getting ready to pounce on it.