Lots 'O Pictures Blog

OK, so we haven't posted new pictures since getting back from Scandinavia. Well, here they are.

Sean in his beach hut last weekend - a good place for a chew.

Daddy and Sean play in the water - it took me several tries to figure out I liked it.

I don't need a walker - I can crawl!

Elissa and Sean play with Dave

Elissa hugs Sean - he looks doubtful

My crumb crunching competitors

I show off my standing skills - Stage I

Stage II

Stage III

Stage IV - Yeah, that was me. No stunt babies needed!

Norway Updates

Click HERE for a few more photo updates.


Photos from Elissa's recent trip to Seaworld San Antonio unveiled the existence of Project Puffin. While this blog supports puffin proliferation, it only does so for culinary reasons. The Project Puffin website, however, is part of the vast left wing puffin conspiracy - IT MAKES NO MENTION OF PUFFINS AS A FOOD SOURCE! How can this be? Oh, give me succulent puffin any day of the week.

Scary Dean and Frightening Sean

Your author apologizes for the dearth in updating the vacation blogs with photos. Between a somewhat bad Scandinavian virus and preparations for Hurricane Dean at the plant I have not had a lot of awake time at the home computer. Thankfully, for us, it appears Dean will be heading into northern Mexico and not Houston.

Yesterday was mostly spent recovering from a late night at the plant Friday and tracking the storm during the night. Last night Grandma and Dziadziu came over to babysit Sean while we went out to celebrate Aunt Heather's 35th birthday at Cafe Adobe and Jillian's (soon to become a Dave and Busters.)

Today we went to the beach. Sean was scared of the waves the first two times we went down to the water. After a nap he sat in the surf and really enjoyed himself. After hanging out at the beach we went to Murdoch's bathhouse, apparently a new tradition, for ice cream and beer on the breezeway.

Murdoch's depicted on a 1938 postcard. The original Murdoch's was destroyed in a hurricane in 1909 and then rebuilt.

Frightening Sean?!? After the beach we went to Grandma and Dziadziu's house for dinner. During dinner Sean was crawling on the floor. He crawled to Dziadziu's chair and then, slowly, pulled himself up to a stretched out standing position and then walked his feet forward until he was completely upright. He then proceeded to do it all over the house, 7 or 8 times, just like when he learned how to roll over. Welcome to the next stage of child proofing!

Oslo revisited

Click HERE for an update

Back in Houston!

We arrived back in Houston at about 1pm this afternoon. It appears the return to Central Time is not going smoothly, likely due to our short night last night. It is now 7:45pm and I am up after a 1.5 hour nap - Barb and Sean not so much awake. Thanks to our support crew for taking care of the house and Barley! Keri Carter and Dan, Marge and Joanne (Dziadziu, Grandma and Aunt Joanne.)

After all the rain in June and July it did not rain the whole time we were gone. All the vegetation is wilted and dry, despite a watering by Dziadziu on Wednesday. The sprinkler had been on since 2pm and will keep going until I fall asleep.

The plan for pictures? I plan to post incrementally by updating the posts made during our wonderful vacation. The first picture post is here: 1211a-and-we-are-on-plane

Thoughts on vacation Part-I:

• It is amazing how much spoken English we encountered in all of Scandinavia. Every individual we had occasion to speak to had better English than the employees we encountered at Cafe Adobe on the way back from the Airport in Houston.
• The babies had freedom to breast feed everywhere and in every situation without stigma. This included crowded trains, cafes, restaurants, social occasions, etc.
• It was freakin' expensive! Between it being normally costly Scandinavia and the weak dollar I am afraid to look at my bank and credit card records online! Maybe tomorrow night after being fortified by a few shots of Brennivin! (Also known as Black Death - Finally! An alcoholic beverage encountered abroad that cannot be purchased at Spec's at all, let alone cheaper than in it's own country. We did not get a chance to sample in Iceland, but I did score a bottle at the Duty Free on the way home. Just tried it, not that bad but burns all the way down for several minutes.)
  
• It was surprisingly hard (even after being there in 2002) to use credit cards in Norway - typically because my card does not have my photo on it. Iceland was a different story - we could have spent our entire stay there without ever using cash!
• Special thanks to Eric's family: Jack, Karin, Sara, Michael, Jacob and Leo for hosting us in Norway and Sweden and allowing us to share part of their family time with the USA Wheatley's. Their generosity cannot be appreciated enough!
• I am sorry to report that I did not get to try puffin. A restaurant that served puffin was just 5 doors down from our apartment in Reykjavik but could not seat us on late notice.
  

Back in the USA

Howdy!  Just landed in Minneapolis.  We will stay the night here before going on to Houston.  It is nice to be home!

Leaving Iceland

Friday night we went out for a late dinner.  On the way back we encountered the start of "runtar" - the Friday and Saturday drinking festivities.  On Saturday morning we explored the downtown area, and took in most of the Lonely Planet guide architecture walking tour.

Now we are on-board Icelandair bound for Minnesota.  See y'all back in the states!

Icelandic Friday

We drove along crushed lava roads in isolated SW Iceland, between the sea and the mountains - very cool.  In the afternoon we went to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.  Everyone had a good time, including the babies.  It was Sean's first time to go swimming!

Real Sean update:  he is now a sitting champ! When placed in a sitting position he can maintain it well and reach and stretch for toys and objects.  Sometimes when he half tumbles over he can push himself back up to sitting position again.  His crawling skills are also much improved.  He will actually get up on his knees and hands and crawl - no longer using his head for help.  He and Rachel continue to have fun together, they like having someone their own size to play with.  This morning he stood on his own for 10 seconds.

Iceland

We finished up Stockholm on Wednesday by taking a 3 hour boat tour of the archapeligo (sp?).  We rounded out the day by spending more time in the old town and in the shopping district.

Early Thursday we left for Iceland.  We landed and rented sibling Toyota Yaris cars - consensus opinion, they suck!

We checked into our apartment and headed out to see the sights.  In a word - awesome!  The geysir area, including Geysir, the one all others are named after, was great.  The Gullfloss falls were spectacular.  Driving around the volcanic landscape was very cool.

We made it back late, got some great take-away pizza and drank wine.

Ignore decoy post about first steps

Lack of sleep, bottle of wine, let's torture aunt Joanne!

Sean's first steps...

The best beer in Scandanavia?

Nils Oscar India Ale is excellent!  It is similar to an American pale ale, and not limited to 3.7% alcohol.  Look for it at The Bishop's Arms on St. Eriksgatan.

Stockholm

Monday morning we arrived in Stockholm about 1:30pm by train.  It is a beautiful city, full of colorful old buildings crowding the waterfront where ever possible.  We checked into our hotel and then walked to the old city center.  The walk included a mile worth of the main shopping street.  Gamla Stan, the old town, is now art galleries and shops housed in 400+ year old buildings.

Tuesday we visited the Vasa, a Swedish war ship launched in 1628 that sank the same day and sat on the bottom of the harbor for several hundred years.  It is now housed in its own climate controlled building and museum.

Then we visited Skansa, the world's oldest outdoor museum.  It is mainly a collection of historic buildings relocated there from around Sweden, along with a small zoo and other attractions.  We then took along walk along the harbor to Sodermalm, the main hipster district.

The kids are doing well, considering how much we are hauling them around.  Yesterday we stopped for a feeding break (and beer) and Sean and Rachel played very well together - very cute!

Relaxing at the Sea House in Sweden

We spent the last several days relaxing at the Wheatley family sea house at Sandvik (sandy beach) Stromstad. Both of Daniel's grandparents were there along with aunt Sara and uncle Michael and their kids Jacob and Leo. It was very mellow. The house is just south of the Norway /Sweden border on a little inlet from the Atlantic. To get there requires driving 1 km down a dirt road and then hiking the last 0.5 km down a steep, rocky, hill.

We got there late afternoon Thursday. Friday was spent lounging around on the patio and the beach. About 6pm Grandpa Jack makes gin and tonics and dinner is shortly afterwards. Saturday we took our turn to make Pasta spaghetti. The biggest slowdown at the supermarket was finding sour cream - we gave up and used cream cheese. Dinner and company were great. on Saturday we took a walk to the top of a nearby ridge and looked down on the beach where the house sits.

Click here to see pictures from our trip to the cabin.

Done with the wet Western Fjords

On arrival in Trondheim it was not raining - which turned out to be an evil ploy. After the late flight and the time it took to get to town from the airport it was already after 6pm. Thanks to the very late sunset we were able to "skim" the sights of the city. By the time we went to Peppe's Pizza, for the 2nd night in a row, it was chilly and 10:30p. Summary - a beautiful small town with a very cool cathederal.

Tuesday morning we slept in to catch up a little and took a Pastalaniec death march to the Hurtigruten ship. It started to rain. The ship was a smaller version of the one I was on 5 yrs ago - the cabin was a bit cozy but comfortable.

However the rain and cold kept us inside for much of the trip. We made short visits to Kristiansund and Molde during stops - getting a taste a the beautiful scenery on the west coast.

Sean playing in the state room.

Barbara and Sean try to check out the fjords but are blown back.

This morning was spent waiting for arrival in Bergen. We got in a 2:30pm but did not clear thr terminal until nearly 3pm. By the time we made it to the bus station to stash our luggage it was almost 4pm, leaving us little time to explore rainy Bergen. Between a feeding session and a late lunch we only made it to the old warehouse district and the fish market.

Now we are back in Oslo. It is 2am and we are going to sleep before making our way to Sweden (hopefully in the late morning.)

On to Trondheim

On arrival to Oslo we were greated by Eric's family.  We had a wondeful dinner at his parents house and then headed to our home base at his sister's house.  Everyone slept well Saturday night and felt little jet lag.  Sunday the 3 of us took a short walk to a nearby lake and then returned for a Birthday lunch for our host, Michael.  Sean was very entertained by Erics's sister, our hostess Sara, and her and kids Jacob and Leo.

Sunday afternoon the traveling party, minus Daniel, walked to downtown Oslo and then to Vigeland park and Eric's parents house, about 7 miles total, and did not get back to home base until midnight.

This morning we borrowed Eric's dad's car and headed for the airport. Right now we are waiting for a flight to Trondheim.  Sean is in his special seat belt - attached to Barb's seat belt - first time we have seen that.

Off we go!

Oslo!

We finally made it with all hands and luggage accounted for.

Saturday night we were treated to a nice dinner at Eric's parents' house. Sunday was Eric's Sister's husband's (Michael) birthday. Sara and Michael were very generous in hosting the Pasta's for several nights.

Sean and Rachel get to know each other

Sean exhibits his sitting skills by sitting on Dad's trachea

The hikers pose

Cute Rachel and Anida

Sean trying to order a drink, "The scar makes me look older!" The sore and scab from traveling in the back pack asleep.

The city of Oslo at night (ish) Actually Vigeland Park - otherwise known as the "Naked Statue Park".

Iceland!

We made it to Iceland, went through security and customs and are now back in line to get back on the same plane - the only reason we have a plane at all!

12:11a and we are on a plane!

12:11a and we are on a plane!

We also have news from Oslo that there is a plane being arranged in Iceland to move us on to Oslo when we get there.

The kids almost did not sleep at all until about 10:30p - it appears we got them all on board w/o waking them. We are in row 13, the Wheatley's in 7. We do have a seatmate :-(

*******************************
Update: It, of course, turned out that our luck in having a plane to get from Iceland to Oslo was not so serendipitous. The plane from Minneapolis to Iceland WAS the plane going from Iceland to Oslo. Other travelers on the three delayed flights from the US to Iceland did not fare so well and got an unplanned overnight there.

Camp Pasta-Wheatley I with Anida, Rachel, Eric, Daniel, Sean and David

Daniel drives the baggage tractor pulling Camp Pasta-Wheatley II

Camp Pasta-Wheatley II

The babies finally sleep!

Trapped in Minnesoooooota

We arrived on time and hooked up with the Wheatleys. We schlepped over to Icelandair only to find our 7:30p flight delayed until 11:30p and then until 12:30a!

That means we get to Iceland about 11am, after all flights to Europe have left for the day. So we will be spending the night in Iceland and taking off to Oslo Sunday at 7:50am (best case) - a day late (and probably several Icelandic Kroner short...)

Camp Pasta-Wheatley set up at Granddaddy's Bar and then to the awesome children's play area. 3 hours down, 5 to go.

And we're off!

The 3 of us made it to the airport, through security and onto a plane! Surrounding passengers are very worried.  Packed flight.

July Beach Holiday

Click HERE for album and short video

Sean models a windbreaker we borrowed from the Johnson's

Dave poses with the latest baby Gator- Morgan Maria - born just before one Saturday. Mom, baby and family are doing great!

Sean discovers the ocean! Cool! It works just like the bathtub!

Mom and Sean hanging out in Galveston. Sunglasses aren't just for breakfast anymore!

There Once was a Puffin

Thanks to Keri!

There Once Was a Puffin

Oh, there once was a Puffin
Just the shape of a muffin,
And he lived on an island
In the bright blue sea!

He ate little fishes,
That were most delicious,
And he had them for supper
And he had them for tea.

But this poor little Puffin,
He couldn't play nothin',
For he hadn't anybody
To play with at all.

So he sat on his island,
And he cried for awhile, and
He felt very lonely,
And he felt very small.

Then along came the fishes,
And they said, "If you wishes,
You can have us for playmates,
Instead of for tea!"

So they now play together,
In all sorts of weather,
And the Puffin eats pancakes,
Like you and like me.

by Florence Page Jaques

Church Directory Photo

Puffin - the other white meat

TAKE THE PUFFIN POLL! ------>

Now the liberal hordes attack puffin connoisseurs! Daniel, a scion of the left wing media, has posted a diatribe against puffin lovers! It is absolutely natural for one to love a living puffing in nature and to also enjoy its fishy, succulent, flesh off the grill! Next "they" will come out against seal clubbing or whaling! What is this politically correct world coming too?

I encourage you to call your senators and congressmen to protest this demonization of puffin consumption. Even if Trent Lott comes out against talk radio saying it "needs to be dealt with" please continue your vitriolic calls until the rights of puffin consumers are secured!

RECIPE: Bacon larded puffin in milk sauce
RECIPE: Puffin in milk sauce

Puffin preparation poetry from Theoretical Pet Cookery:

Last night I cooked a puffin
But I buggered up the stuffin'.

New Buddy and Crib Remodel

On Tuesday my newest buddy, Isaac Heider, was born to proud parents Carol and Clinton. He may rival me for cuteness (I know his mother threw down the challenge yesterday!) We went to visit the newest Heider last night at Hermann Hospital - he was a cutie.

Sean in play saucer

What is this cup thing? It looks like fun!

Uh-oh. It looks like Sean is getting a little big for his crib - must be time for a re-model.

Sean in his new tricked out lowered crib. Click HERE to see video and a picture sequence of Sean taking his first victim in the re-done crib

Sean is 1/2 A Year Old!

Sean turned 6-months old yesterday! He went for his 6-month check-up and everything is fine. His stats are:

Length 90%
Weight 20%
Head Circumference 20%

Sean is doing well and has been very active. He finds clever ways to get himself around but has demonstrated no real crawling skills yet. He has been eating tons of rice cereal and this week will move on to food number two - pureed carrots! Some of our numerous books insist on veggies first, others on fruits first - so, we picked a sweetish veggie. (maybe we should have settled on a Swedish veggie, like rutabagas?) He is more or less tracking the skills he should have, however his new fascination with dropping things is getting old after two days!

The Wheatley/Pastalaniec annual vacation is starting to come together. We will be in Scandinavia for two weeks with stops in Norway, Sweden and Iceland (a new country for all of us! Watch out puffins!) By the end of the trip Sean will have 4 countries and 2 states on his traveling credentials. We will all be staying with Eric's gracious family in Oslo and Sweden. The Pasta's will be taking a side trip to Trondheim and Bergen to ride the Hurtigruten ferry and see some fjords.

Friday we took Dziadziu out for his birthday at On The Border - not a bad chain tex-mex place. Except - no changing station in the men's restroom. In a restaurant in Pearland? That opened this year?

This week Dave tried out www.tirerack.com to get new tires - it worked out well. The last time I needed tires for my sport edition G35 (what? It has the word "sport" in the name and is a discounted program car? sold!), Discount Tires only had 2 that fit on the Gulf Coast and they were very poor tires. Only took 2 days for tirerack to deliver 2 Bridgstone Potenzas. I went to NTB to have them installed today and have the brakes checked. Current status? My brakes are specific to my edition of the G35 and they are still looking (something about double-piston v. single-piston? over my head.) I walked home.

Ok, now for the long awaited picture update!

Barley wants to go for a run! I don't think she would like being strapped in.

Sean has always enjoyed bath time - meaning he found it interesting and not scary. He is now finally relaxing enough to really have a good time.

Putting Sean in bed after he wakes up on the weekends is good for 1-2 hours more sleep for mom and dad. (Somebody needs to tell dad that short hair may be good for preventing hardhat-head, but not for bed-head!)

Barbara's birthday and Sean still steals the focus of the cameras

Sean gets time with Grandpa before he heads to Russia

Same for Nana. Check out my new sleep duds!

Bye Nana!

Quick Patriotic Post

We have definitely hit a weight plateau.

Maybe pictures tomorrow? It has been a busy couple of weeks. Sean now has teeth! One and then another appeared in the bottom front about 2 weeks ago. Relatively painless, compared with Monday night. Sunday Grandpa and Nana came to spend some time before leaving for vacation today. Monday night Barbara and I went on a date for her birthday - dinner at Ouisie's Table and then wine at the Wine Rack. That night Sean had approximately 1.5 million teeth begin to come in. Being a normal human he reacted by screaming and crying most of the night. at 3:30am I gave up and called in "baby derailment" to work via email. So far "only" some back bottom teeth can be found.

Last night Nick, Heather and Elissa came over for the 4th and steak grilling.

Today Grandpa and Nana headed out for Russia!