Christmas 2012

Roland was to interested in his trains to give us more than just a couple of photos but here it is: Our Christmas 2012 family photo.  And yes, the mystery man is indeed Steven Colbert, a gift from Emily as her white elephant. 

 

Happy 2nd Birthday

Roland loves his Thomas The Train And Friends.  Grandpapa and I found this train table for his second birthday.  It is a great table that has molded tracks so the trains stay the course.  We have spent hours watching the trains go by.  It works with Hot Wheels too.

Roland's Art

This is Roland's first work of art from school.  I know this is the first of many that will adorn our refrigerator.

Run! Run! Run!

Roland is full speed ahead these days. He will be 2 on the 24th and what a year this has been.  He was wobbly on his feet last Thanksgiving but look at him now. He has found his running legs and a racetrack around Grandma's and Grandpa's house.   This is just s short clip but you can get an idea if his speed. 

Run! Run! Run! from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Thomas The Train

Roland loves his Thomas Trains.  He got Percy today and absolutely refused to do anything without them.      Thomas held up well in the tub too!  They are tough toys.



Thomas The Train from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.



 After a morning at school, lunch, bath and playtime at Grandma's, Roland napped with Thomas and Percy close by.

Snowman Sweater

Roland is sporting his new Snowman sweater.  What a cutie!

The New Playhouse and Uncle Roman

Uncle Roman is visiting for awhile and Roland got to get reacquainted with his Uncle and discover the joys of having a portable playhouse to explore. Looks like Ollie enjoyed the fun too.   

New Playhouse & Uncle Roman from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Drool and Hulahoops

Roland had somewhat of a rough week. He got a cold, had teeth coming in and took a hard face dive when he tripped and bit into his bottom lip.   Consequently, he was drooling more than a toddler would with just tooth eruption, or a cold, or a fat lip, but add them all together and he was wet, wet, wet.  It was simpler to have him shirtless and wipe the skin than to change his top AGAIN.   His mommy was working at the VA Hospital today so Grandpa and I were thrilled to show him some new moves, but he showed us a few too.  

Drool and Hulahoops from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Oh No and Ice Cream

Roland came to visit and he learned a new phrase while I was on vacation....Oh No! I cleaned out all of the baby toys in his toy box and he was thrilled to see what I had replaced the rattles with...cars! Later that day Grandpa and I took him to get a frozen yogurt cone  and it didn't take him long to get the hang of it.   How wonderful to see life through a child's eyes. 

 
OH No! And Icecream from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Let's Get Going!

Hello Everyone. It looks as if Roland was trying to tell me something today: Let's Get Going!  He is a strong little boy and pushed his stroller all around the yard. I had him dressed to go into his pool but he had a different plan.  The video opens with him saying Bye Bye. 



Lets Get Goin from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Surfer Boy

Hello everyone.  I look at this photograph of Roland that I took today and see a little boy emerging.  His mom calls him the little surfer boy with that beautiful blond hair and blue eyes. 

Bubbles

Kasey invited me up to see her community garden and I took some bubbles to keep Roland occupied.  I guess bubbles are for chasing, licking, and touching.

Bubbles from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Kickball With Ollie

Roland and I spent a great afternoon in the backyard throwing the ball for Ollie.  Roland also mastered a few soccer moves. Watch out for this future soccer player.

Raviolis With Ollie

Roland loves our dog Ollie.  Ollie loves Roland too, especially at meal time.   I am teaching Roland not to fling food over his tray when she comes begging for food.  I guess this day he was to hungry to share much.

New Toys and Somersaults

I can't believe how much Roland is changing everyday.  Just seems like yesterday that he was wobbly on his feet but now he walks, runs, climbs, and tumbles with confidence.  He is a climber and everyone needs to be on their toes these days.  This is just a peek of how we spent another rainy day in Portland.  I love this photo. 

 

At The Payground

Hello everyone. Its Monday and its a beautiful spring day in Portland. Roland and I went to a playground near us and it was packed with kids.  He is learning to play games with his peer group and can  go down the small-fry slide all by himself. He's still a bit clumsy stepping down steps but learning to hang on when stepping down.  I wanted to take some video but found I needed to have him in one place so the swing was it.  

Into Everything

Roland is just the perfect combination of his dad and mom. Sometimes I see Kasey at that age and other times I see Jake.  I see Jake in this photo. Now that he has the run of the house he is into everything. 

Roland's Favorite Game At Grandma's

Its Monday again and Roland is visiting on another rainy day. Today we found a new play group and I will update that later when I feel more comfortable with the other parents to take videos. But today after the play group we played his favorite game. We Roland proofed the rest of the house and now he can run in circles and loves hide and seek. Grandma hides and Roland seeks.



Untitled from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

A Visit To the Big Boys Park

On Easter Sunday Kasey and I took Roland to the big kids park.   He did well with the equipment but has a fascination with bikes.   He also found the big mud puddle but I was unable to get to him before he waded in.  I did give it my best effort and Kasey actually replied that she hadn't seen me run that fast before.  After he was muddy we just let him splash in the mud amid the gasps of the other parents and kids.  As luck might have it my camera batteries were dead so I can just share that the hardest part was keeping ourselves clean while we changed his muddy clothes and shoes. 

 

Untitled from lynden tanenbaum on Vimeo.

Just Hangin With Uncle Roman

Just seems like yesterday that Uncle Roman was cradling Roland in his hands. Now they can both enjoy a  lazy rainy afternoon enjoying the toons.  

Baby Blue Eyes

 The sun fell across Roland's face and illuminated his lovely blue eyes.  

Stacking Blocks Are Fun!

We are still waiting for Spring and some sunny days.  Rolands' cousin Diana is visiting for a couple of days so we played inside and stacked blocks and Roland knocked them down.   I think he was twitterpated with Diana as he spent the first 20 minutes of his visit rolling around on the floor and almost did a somersault.

Whoo Hooo A New Book

Hello Everyone.  The Spring rain is hanging around more than most of us Ducks and Beavers would like so again Roland and I are stuck inside but I picked up this (gently loved) Thomas The Train book for Roland to enjoy.  It held his attention for 25 minutes.   Looks like he will be following in the footsteps of his mom and dad. His favorite toy is a book, especially one that has buttons that make noise.  Another activity that he has learned recently is throwing a ball for Ollie who is pictured with Roland.   The two of them already have a strong bond.  When Ollie comes into the kitchen while Roland is in his high chair, he has learned to fling his food to get her close to him.  Ollie will eat anything that comes over the side of his tray, even freeze-dried baby treats. 

Rainy Monday and All Dogs Go To Heaven

Its a stormy Monday so Roland was entertained watching All Dogs Go To Heaven.  I remember taking his mother and Uncle to see the movie when Kasey was 6 and Uncle Roman was 4.   The circle of life.  

Sundays With Grandpa

On Sunday afternoons Roland comes to visit so Grandpa can play with him.  This afternoon Roland was a bit under the weather with a cold so the two of them spent a lot of time streaming U-tube movies and just relaxing.

On the Run

Roland is moving around with a lot of confidence these days.  He is almost running. At least its a slow gallop.  We are again in the park at his favorite place under the big trees.  

Grandpa makes me laugh

Hello everyone.  We had Roland yesterday and he learned to eat a whole banana and laugh at his Grandpa who was showing him what his mommy will do when she finishes her Speech and Language classes.  

  

Notice Anything Different?

Its Monday again but I have been away visiting my mother in CA for the past week and came home to see that his mother Kasey had given him his first hair cut.  Cute!  

The Big Trees

Its Monday again and Roland is visiting while Kasey is at school working toward her Post Baccalaureate in Speech and Audiology.  We are at the park and Roland has found some Pine trees to play under. 

 

Adventure Under The Big Tree

Love Those Stripes!

Roland came to visit and I was so excited to show off my latest stripe purchase: Hannah Andersson Organic Cotton One Piece Sleeper Romper.   I love Hannah Andersson for their bright colors and super soft fabric.  Babies and toddlers just have to love the ease of movement and comfort.   And who doesn't just adore a baby in stripes! The bib is catching all the drool.   2 teeth on the bottom, 3 on top.  Still a long way to go.  

Favorite New Toy "The Sound Puzzle"

Roland came to visit this afternoon and I was excited to share with him two new toys by Melissa and Doug. One was a Latch Board and the Sound Puzzle. The Sound Puzzle makes the sound of the puzzle piece when it is replaced.  There is a boat, fire engine, helicopter, race car, motorcycle, etc. He loved this puzzle. His favorite word is car and truck.

Enjoy this video.

Splish Splash

I saw these light weight plastic multi colored balls and thought that Roland would have a grand time in the tub.  It might be a fun way to teach him his colors too. The rubber duck is a gift from his mom that shows if the water is to hot when HOT on the bottom of the duck lights up.  Roland loves his bath play and has learned to "Sit down please". What a joy!.

Just Let The Mess Be!

I think there are two types of cooks in the kitchen; those who clean up along the way and those who wait and clean up after the meal is finished and the company has departed.   I am one who cleans up as I go.   But I have found that this activity will not work in my favor when Roland comes to visit.  Yes, I did give it a shot, but soon realized that I would wear myself out in no time.  So when Roland is visiting, I Just Let The Mess Be!

A Look Back In Time. My favorites 2010-2011

Kasey in the backyard at 32 weeks pregnant.

Roland Roman Thomas   November 24th, 2010 11:59 PM   8lbs 8oz    22 inches long.   He is 10 days old in this photo.

Roland and Uncle Roman Dec 2010. 

Grandma Claudia (right) comes to meet Roland and get to know our zany family.  Pictured: Claudia, dad Jake, Kasey holding Roland, Bryce, Uncle Roman, cousins Diana and Emily, Aunt Terri and Greg.  Xmas 2010.   In the studio wearing our Xmas finery.  Grandma Claudia lives in Colorado.

I loved these John Deere boots that were a gift from his Great Grandmother Joan who lives in Texas.  The flannel blanket was made made by Bryce and Uncle Roman.  All he needs now is a tractor.  He will grow to love the outdoors.  

Grandpa singing and strumming.  Roland loves the sounds of Farmer's Market Material. That's the family band.  We all play some instrument.  He will grow up listening to his mom play the Uke, his dad rockin his bass with Valkyrie Rodeo, Grandpa playing the guitar, Uncle Roman picking the banjo or his Grandma hammering the dulcimer.  Oh and his mom has a beautiful voice. We also love the Boppy pillow.  Laying around won't last long.

Ready for his closeup.  

We took a lot of studio photos of Roland in his formal pin stripe pants, red velvet vest and white shirt, but this candid shot of Roland and Kasey spoke the loudest.   Grandpa Jak was behind the camera.

Four generations: Kasey, Great Grandma (GG) Marie, Me and Roland.  Fort Bragg, CA   June 2011








    Roland Learns to Crawl.
Roland visits Grandma & Grandpa - July 5, 2011 from Jak Tanenbaum on Vimeo.

A day in the park.










   

Its all about the stripes.  Grandma loves to dress me in stripes.  Roland also loves to look out the big picture window watching the trucks, squirrels and dogs stroll by when he visits. He has great hair!

Halloween, 2011 in the studio.  I love the Hannah Andersson pumpkin outfit.   11 months old and steady on his feet.   (He will be walking in 2 weeks). 

Roland's first birthday and Thanksgiving 2011.  Roland's birthday will fall on Thanksgiving every 6 years.  Visiting is Grandma Claudia and Great Grandma Marie.

Strollin With Roland

I live in the wonderful Westmoreland neighborhood of Portland OR.  Just blocks from my home I can visit parks, wetlands, family owned coffee shops, playgrounds, and a variety of small eateries.   Now that my grandson Roland is strollin along on his own two legs with confidence,  I have made a commitment to photograph our adventures.  He turned 1 on Nov 24, 2011.   

January 9, 2011

 Roland's first real adventure out into my backyard on his own power.   Yes, we were wet and dirty at the end of the play but he loved splashing in the water.

At Westmoreland Park there are large soccer and baseball fields where both Roland, and my Goldendoodle Ollie, can stretch their legs.  The black dog in the video is Ollie who just turned 3.  We strolled with Uncle Roman this chilly winter afternoon.

A Walk in the Park