The Davolts

There was a time when Nathan would eat anything I put in front of him, especially vegetables. I would happily steam and cut up any veggie that we had in the house and he would eat it, just as happily. Then, about a week before his first birthday, he changed his mind. At his one year appointment, the pediatrician said Nathan was exercising some power over his food choices and simply to continue offering vegetables at each meal. So, in the last two months, I have provided a small veggie serving at each lunch and dinner, with no luck.  I know the doctor said he will get his nutrients through milk and other foods, but I cannot help but worry about his overall nutritional health (I am his mother after all). Determined to find veggies Nathan would eat, I have recently found three options that seem to pass his test. Unfortunately, all three are short term solutions, when ultimately I want him to simply eat his veggies. The first were these Sweet Veggie muffins, made with shred...

Is there anything better than summer vacation? I mean, really, when you were a child, wasn't that the best time, full of the best memories? For so many reasons, I feel so blessed to have been called to a career in education, and summer vacation is like the cherry on top! Eight weeks of staying up late watching movies, wearing shorts and no make up, last minute road trips and tons of time with my growing boy. Seven years of marriage! No itching here! It's even more enjoyable now that Jeff is also enjoying his summer off. Sort of. Oh, you haven't heard about Jeff's endless teaching? While I look forward to spending my time with little to no formal schedule, Jeff has diligently taken on two rounds of summer school. The first was a continuation of his primary teaching job, helping seniors pick up just one or two more credits to graduate. The second is teaching incoming sixth graders in a program designed to aid the transition to middle school and hopefully reduce t...

 Nathan is one year old! Okay, okay, today he is one year and one month old but the following is all about his FIRST birthday. I know it's totally cliche to say, but he is growing up SO fast! Leading up to the day of the party, I was suffering from "Pinterest Pressure". I love finding ideas on Pinterest, as many do, but the birthday party pictures I came across were magazine perfection. I am neither crafty enough nor have enough time in the busy end of year weeks to recreate the beautiful color coordinated buffet tables and decor I found. After a few brainstorming trips to the party supply store, the craft store, the thrift store, etc. I made a simple banner seen in the first picture above, which reads, "Happy Birthday", the felt triangle banner attached to his high chair and a blue cake. More crafty Auntie Ellen made Nathan's princely crown and helpful Auntie Jennifer played paparazzi for the day (she took all the pictures).  Nathan enjoyed the ...

As Nathan just turned one, it was suggested that I write him a letter, to be read, well, later when he can actually read.  Since, 1. I don't actually write and 2.  I would lose it, if I actually put pen to paper, I thought I would just write it here so it would be easy to find later and show Nathan. Dear Nathan,    You are now one whole year old, it has been a great year.  You have grown so much in such a little time. You started as just a tiny little guy, and quickly exploded to the biggest 3 month old I have ever seen.  (seriously, you were huge)  Luckily you are now just perfect.  It has been so wonderful to watch you grow and learn.  Your curiosity inspires me, there is so much for you to learn, and you attack life with such energy until that is you collapse, sleep, recharge and do it all over again.    Your mom and I recently took a parenting class.  Since you are so young and currently the perfect child, as of yet, w...

I can hardly believe how quickly the last year has past. I've asked friends and colleagues to assure me that subsequent years will pass at a slower rate; the results are mixed. It is truly amazing how my "Little Man" is really becoming just that. Earlier this week we had Nathan's twelve month appointment with Dr. Chrissie. Nathan didn't seem to know what to make of Dr. Chrissie's poking and prodding, but was definitely not impressed by the small poke that came at the end. At four months, Nathan weighed a record-breaking 22 pounds and was quite the round and chubby guy. Now, he is a trim 25 pounds, but can sit and crawl and stand. He is down to the 75th percentile for weight. He is 31.5 inches longer, also the 75th percentile. All in all, he is longer and leaner! Lastly, he has two more teeth coming in, this time on the top. Coming soon: updates from the last month and, of course, birthday pictures!

 You might recognize these photos from a previous post about our backyard makeover taking place this year. On the Saturday before Mother's Day, in 85 degree weather, many hard working friends and family transformed our backyard fence from the ragged old thing you see at right and below.  On the eve of project day, Jeff enthusiastically demolished the old fence. It took maybe a couple kicks and it was down. No joke. Jeff literally pulled the old fence posts and cement from the ground. Dad arrived early Saturday morning and went through a few plans with Jeff before heading out for supplies.  Jennifer didn't want to miss out on the action and begged to dig some holes for the new arbor vitae needed to finish a row. What she didn't know was how big the holes needed to be. With every, "Is it big enough?", Jenn would seek consultations from my dad and our friend Todd.  We have spotted several of these horizontal fences around Portland and knew it was a d...