WSP: 9 Months

Tayloe and Sawyer


Sawyer: mmm - hat strings, good.


Tayloe: hey - something funny's going on here.


Sawyer: mmm - ball, good.


We actually had one of those rare out-and-about days in the Northern Neck yesterday. Our little family unit celebrated Sawyer's 9-month birthday with a trip to the Heathsville Farmer's Market in the morning and then an afternoon at the Menokin Bluegrass Festival. Our friends Catherine and Tayloe started this festival four years ago and it has since taken on a life of its own. We finished the night at an afterparty on the Rappahannock River where the Barrrel House Mommas serenaded us. It was the first absolutely beautiful spring day we've had. Two weeks ago the area received 6 inches of snow, which was followed by days of chilly, wet weather. We'll probably have about a week of spring before temperatures turn to 95 degrees and summer begins. We'll think back on that one lovely week in April. I am always jealous reading our friends' baby blogs - those who live in the city near so many aquariums, zoos, parks etc. We just rarely seem to find time to go do something as a family on a weekend that isn't either directly related to work or household chores or working on the house. In truth, while the market and the festival were fun, I was covering them both for the paper. The best part of this week has been seeing Catherine and her son Tayloe Jr. twice. T2 and WSP are only two days apart. Catherine and Tay came over for a playdate one day last week. It was the first time Sawyer had a friend over to play. Turns out my kid is kind of a bully. Every toy that Tay picked up Sawyer had to have. And he would snatch it away until he had like five things in his arms - thing he could have cared less about until Tay showed an interest. Tay was very patient with him - especially when we all tried to play a game of ball. Sawyer thought the game was called 'Eat the Ball.' Tayloe, who is far more versed in the rules of this game, sat patiently waiting for Sawyer to throw the ball - for about a minute - while Sawyer gummed it. Then Tay squawked loudly and came after Sawyer and the ball, swatting it out of Sawyer's hands. Clearly these two kids are destined to be best pals, and Catherine and I are already trying to decide whether to plan joint first birthday parties for the boys this summer since she will be out here visiting. Great seeing you all Cat, T1 and T2!



This is why I'm going to be a hunchback


Sawyer suddenly stopped walking. He had found a young hand sticking out from a lawn chair fort. Ah - to see the world from the perspective of a 30-inch-tall human.


Sawyer: dooode, this is the coolest tractor ever