This past weekend we ventured out on our first kayaking/camping trip with Oliver and company. He did great in the boat. We were surprised how quickly he took to paddling, he's a natural. Just kidding, he stayed a shore except for the water taxi out and back. The weather was great (no rain) and we thoroughly enjoyed getting back in to our boats, hiking, and hanging out with friends.
Here are some pics from our trip (you can also view them from the 'Albums' page).

May has been a full month for the Casurella clan. We spent few days in Portland sharing about Mad Vision in Jonathan's home town and introducing Oliver to his aunts, uncle, and cousins. After that Jonathan headed back to Alaska to earn our family a living while practicing exciting bush medicine in Bethel, Alaska. Along with hard work, he managed to squeeze in some hard play. Here is pic of him on a hike with our friend Matt.





After Portland, Oliver and I (Mandy) headed to Texas for his debut trip. Texas was Oliver's introduction to HEAT and many family and friends. He was spoiled by his grandma and grandad and loved on by his Uncle Kole, Uncle Ben, and Aunt Donna.



A highlight of the trip was a mini-reunion with my life-long friends and all of our new babies My how we have grown since our college days.













FACING MY FEARS...
A few days after Oliver was born I was struck with the fearful realization that one day we would have to get on a plane together. That day arrived and unfortunately was worse than I feared. To be fair, four out of the five flights did go remarkably well. The only tragedy was an unfortunate diaper crisis. He grew out of diapers on the flight out of Anchorage. Thankfully we had spare clothes with us.
It was the flight we took alone from Houston to Anchorage (9 hours total with a stop in Seattle) where everything came undone. And by alone I mean, without Jonathan. We certainly were not alone in the sense that it was full flight. Oliver was very uncomfortable riding in my lap since he is quite a mover and a shaker (like his father). If I wasn't walking the aisle with him or standing in the bathroom letting him kick around on the changing table, he would start to fuss. Fussing isn't so bad, except the fuss only lasted about five seconds before he would break into the most ear-piercing scream I have ever heard. People around me would jump and cover their ears, even though they had ear phones on. This crying would last anywhere from 5-15 minutes, however long it took me to wait for the fasten seat belt sign to turn off and dash over the people next to me into the aisle or back to the bathroom. I have never found so much solace in an airplane bathroom.
Gone are the days where I sit on a plane, reading a magazine with my biggest concern being lack of leg room.

Yesterday the sun was out, pavement dry, and the snow was gone. Today is another story, we will have two feet of fresh snow by the end of the day. Alaska is a strange place in the spring.

Happy Oliver is 11 weeks old. He is astounding us everyday with his new found voice, charming expressions, and constant engagement.
My friend Andrea was up visiting from California. She makes me laugh more than anyone I know. She and Oliver hit it off. Who do you think he is beaming for in the picture above?

Disclosure: If you continue to scroll through this blog entry you will be bombarded by a bazillion photos by some seriously obsessed parents. Do so at your own risk.

Oliver is TWO MONTHS old. He is adorable...cooing, laughing, smiling, and growing more every day. He is most responsive to the faces of animals. He beams when he sees his monkey mirror in the car, the zebra above his chair, the lemur on his play mat, and his daddy. He has a thing for the wild already. We are emerging out of the newborn fog and daily becoming more acquainted with this new life. Its pretty cool.

Enjoy.

Mum and Ron enjoying their newest grandson.

Easter Sunday with Marcus, Ingrid and Greta

Beautiful Alaska day

The joys of bath time.

Sweet dreams.

Oliver is growing by leaps and bounds. He has already outgrown his first set of clothes! This last week has been full of discovery and engagement since he has had the undivided adulation of Grandma Stuart. She has an incredible knack for getting him to smile! Check out this video of the two of them talking!

Oliver is three weeks old and counting. It is amazing how someone so small can have such a BIG impact. Every inch of our lives is impacted by Oliver. This is most felt in the wee hours of the morning when we used to participate in this wonderful ritual called sleep. I hear that somewhere down the road we may become acquainted with this old friend again.
We are grateful for all the friends that have gathered around us in this time of transition. Meals and baby-holding are most appreciated.

Here are some pics from Oliver's latest and greatest adventures:

Here is Oliver's first field trip into the gorgeous Alaska Wild with his parents. We are pretty sure he had the time of his life. This is Turnagain Arm, the part of Cook Inlet that surrounds Anchorage. He stayed cozy and warm, and fast asleep, during this adventure.

This morning Oliver had his first field trip out without his mom or dad. Here is a pic of our friend Ingrid and her daughter Greta. Oliver accompanied them for a 2 hour walk in the mother of all strollers...the chariot! He could barely stand all the excitement and slept beautifully the entire time (and so did I ). Thanks Ingrid and Greta!