Change is in the Air

All this change makes me sleepy!

We are finally feeling the change of season here in Mariposa, and it came on abruptly with a 30 degree temperature drop in two days. Lyell is absolutely loving it, however, as he seems to have his dad's hot blooded constitution. Two Sunday's ago he stained the carseat with his sweat as we drove home in the 100 degree heat. Last weekend we found ourselves in sub-zero temperatures at a mountain wedding.
Beyond the climate, change seems to be everywhere. Lyell's eyes are changing color; the outer rims are still a dark blue but the insides are swirling with brown, green and grey. His awareness of the world is changing too; as he seemed to become aware of himself in the mirror this week. He looked at his reflection for minutes, first with surprise, then concentration, then joy. Lyell is now able to use his hands to grab and pick up things, although he mostly likes to employ his hands by stuffing them in his mouth. He can almost fit both fists inside! I am still researching if I should be concerned about this or not ;)

I am feeling some welcome changes after a year of baby-growing I am back in the running world. I completed my first 10k on September 26- three months after Lyell's birth. I am already planning my next series of runs, bike rides, ski trips etc... Yahooo....

Another change is our entry into the El Portal community as Matthew settles into his job there, and I come down at least one day a week for a Preschool program. Here we are at the community Taco Night, which is a major social event every other Thursday.

Here I am trying to implement the change of baby carrier as Lyell is finally big enough for the Ergo (pictured above) which is by far more comfortable than the others. Lyell, unfortunately, is not quite sold on the change, as he likes to be facing completely outwards so he doesn't miss a thing (sound a bit like his social mommy?)

Lyell had a very special exprerience this month as he got to meet John Muir (or a fabulous reinactment of him) at the end of Grandpa's big hiking trip. My dad, Pete, did a 7 day backpacking trip to raise money and awareness for the Restore Hetch Hetchy cause and dedicated the trip to Lyell! Here they are at the reception event at the end of his trip where John Muir spoke about the importance of resoring this amazing valley (the lake behind them should not be there!)

The one thing that hasn't changed is how fabulously cute our little guy is everyday, and how much he amazes us and amuses us as he discovers this world!