West and Shannon (with a lot of help from Dalen, because I had to work a titch more than I wanted to) had many adventures. Aunt Shannon took West for his first trip to the park.
As any fun Aunt would--here she is 
Copper was really happy that she was around, because he got a lot of walks.
We all really enjoyed Shannon's visit and were so glad that she came!!!
We bid Bon Voyage to Grandma and Grandpa Moore. They are headed to Seattle for a 2 week cruise to Alaska. A much deserved retirement trip!
Then we all relaxed. :)
.......... and hang out with the cool dude with a beard.
Dalen cooked us a lovely breakfast before we set out for the Farmer's Market (sorry no pictues--will get some soon; it is how we always spend Saturday morning). He took a little nap on the way home, but was still tired pants, so he rocked with Grandma while she sang some songs to him. Something about those Grandma's.
See how tired he is, yet no nap. We then went out for an afternoon stroll at Lake Como, a small lake to the south of Hamilton. There is a trail that runs the circumference of the lake, but only a short bit of it is paved...which is really cool, because everyone can enjoy it (especially Copper Dogs).
We ended the day by eating at The Broad Axe, this really awesome restaurant in Sula (about 30 miles south of Hamilton).
Needless to say that we are all tired..especially the napless wonder, who is still screaming from his crib. You would think that the little Bean would be exhausted and fall right to sleep...ah the magical sleep patterns of babies. No nap = long fussy nights. Wish us luck! Oh yeah, that is a brace on my left hand. I have inflamed tendons from picking up the Bean too much...not really, but that's what my doctor and I laughed about. Hopefully it will right itself in a few weeks or else I will have painful physical therapy on tap. Good times...okay back to happy.
Then, while Westin and Dalen went to the Farmer's Market, I headed over to Susie's. She had planned a few hours of pampering just for Moms. I had my nails done. I learned a bit about make-up (still scary). And I got to eat chocolate-covered strawberries!! On Sunday, I got the sweetest card from my guys, some beautiful lilies and homemade Egg's Benedict with a mimosa!
I have spent many a Mother's day at my Nana's, and while they were all lovely days, I don't remember the mimosa component, but really hope that it will become a yearly treat!
I am pretty sure that he didn't love sweet potatoes, because they simply weren't orange enough, like carrots,..which almost match when he smears them all over his Auburn bib. War Eagle! We welcome Grandma and Grandpa Moore this evening...stay tuned for more adventures!
Dinner started out innocently enough. Yummy, familiar rice cereal. MMmm tasty pants.
Then something went spectacularly awry. They fed me these things called organic sweet peas.
Healthy? Nope, not even possible. Definitely poison from the inside out. I really don't know what I did to deserve this. I promise that I will 
I guess I am learning what Monday's are all about.
Can you believe it, 5 months old?!
Dalen and I can't believe it! Westin is just pure magic (even though right now he is screaming at the top of his little lungs because he is tired, but doesn't want to fall asleep :))! Aha, there are the teeth..both of them! 
You can see them best when he is crying...and since bedtime is going ever so smoothly, there you go! And yes, the shiny thing at the corner of his eye is definitely a tear. Poor little Bean.
In honor of his 5 month mark, we went to Chapter One Bookstore and picked up some new books. One is a reiteration of the Tortoise and the Hare story, and one is called Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really BIG Adventure by Kristina Stephenson. Both were super fun to read to West tonight before bed.
We saw this little duck and didn't know what was wrong with his wings, but one thing is for sure, he probably has had better weeks. Hang in there little buddy!
And we are so excited! West wowed Dalen with some new skills. West is very into faces--he grabs and laughs and screams with delight. He is also tugging on hair. [Note to Aunt Shannon: wear ear rings and necklaces at your own risk! :) My baby has mad grabbin' skills!].
West finished all of his rice cereal tonight, and for "dessert" he got to play with balloons. Hooray!
So far bedtime is going smoothly...which makes me look really good. No, no, I never went in and picked him up if he was screaming and not wanting to go to bed. Why would I jeopardize our finely tuned bedtime routine? Thank goodness Dalen is home!
The scary one is a dragonfly nymph. It is amazing to me how gross it looks before it become something completely extraordinary. Okay, so we both are kind of dorks. Admittedly, Dalen is the cooler of us two dorks, so West probably has a chance. Good luck, kiddo! :) [Please note the beautiful hyacinth in the background...our first blooming bulb!]
