Da plane!

Last week I (and some of my coworkers) headed up to the roof of my building, 7 stories up, to watch a FedEx Boeing 727 land at Merrill Field. Merrill is technically a small plane airport, which is why everyone made a big deal of this event. KTUU Channel 2 story here.

FedEx donated two 727's to the University of Alaska aviation department (one to the Anchorage campus, the other to Fairbanks) and since the plane is so huge, it couldn't be trucked/hauled from the International Airport to Merrill Field. The landing had to be done while the ground was frozen to avoid damage to the runway.

The 727 flew over Cook Inlet, then Ship Creek and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It turned to pass over the Northway Mall and land on runway 25, which runs parallel to 5th Avenue.

It was definitely an experience, watching the huge plane fly low over the city and make two passes over the runway before landing on the 3rd attempt! I'm mildly afraid of heights, so I didn't get too close to the edge of the roof. Still, it was AWESOME to see my city from up there, at a 360 degree angle. 

Looking south, and towards our house. Waiting for the takeoff from Ted Stevens Int'l Airport, which is more to the right (west) in this photo.

Merrill Field there in the background.

I think this was the first pass-through.

It got so low we thought it would land...

Taking off again.

Landing.

View of downtown Anchorage.

Boyd - 12.5 months

**I spent about 30 minutes updating this post last Friday and went to publish when Blogger sent an error message and my whole post disappeared! So frustrated. Now I'm trying to remember what I wrote...**

Boyd received 4 shots at his1-year appointment and was NOT happy about it! His growth stats are right on track, as usual. For weight he is right around the 55th percentile - meaning 45% of boys his age weight more than he does. For height he is in the 90th percentile, which makes me happy. Statistically he should be fairly tall in the future, since D is over 6 feet and I am 5'5". 

• Boyd has been saying "mama" for a few weeks now. Finally! Still says "dada every once in a while. No other discernible words yet, just a lot of babbling and sometimes shrieking.
• He likes to lay his head down on pets, toys and sometimes us - just being very affectionate in general.
• He will put his arm out and push it through when we say it's time to put a coat on or get dressed.
• I took him to a friend's house for a monthly play date and he was in heaven. He needs more interaction and socialization with other kids, I think At Costco and the grocery store he is fascinated by other kids. 
• Also at our monthly play date/mama brunch, Boyd would giggle anytime the adults would laugh. And at home, he thought it was hilarious when the cat chased around the laser dot in the living room.
• Standing for longer periods, and has been taking a few unassisted steps here and there.
• He enjoys giving us items and "sharing" (and then wanting them back immediately!).
• Along those same lines, he likes to feed us finger foods. Very generous baby.
• Pulling his own hair - the pediatrician says this is fairly normal and we should distract him when it happens.
• I noticed that Boyd has small bumps on the back of his arms. According to the doc it could be keratosis pilaris. Nothing serious, but we are supposed to apply creme after bathing.
• I taught him the ET game - when I stick my pointer finger out and say "ET," he touches it with his first finger.
• We've had a couple rough nights last week and we think Boyd is teething again - this time with the first set of baby molars. I was up for 2 hours on Wednesday night and almost 3 on Thursday. Poor kiddo was in pain and couldn't sleep. He got some homeopathic teething tablets and a half dose of Tylenol, and finally fell asleep around 3 a.m. And then on Sunday night he was very constipated and upset for close to 3 hours. It's tough to be a baby!
• He has gotten the hang of sippy cups, food pouches and these reusable Sili Squeeze pouches that I found. Getting a little more picky about what he eats, but mostly that happens when he is getting full. I'm still surprised at the variety of foods that he'll try (and like!)

I love these Sleep & Play outfits and will be pretty sad when he outgrows them. They're so practical when we're at home or he is with my mom during the week. No worries about losing socks or his shirts riding up. When we leave the house I dress him in regular clothes, but you can't beat Sleep & Plays at home.

I broke down and purchased a Pillow Pet, and of course Boyd loves the thing. He cuddles "Mr Owl" by leaning down and rubbing his face it.

His new favorite activity - emptying out drawers, bags, bins, etc.

This photo touches my heart, with Boyd's little belly sticking out. And I love how his bottom lip sticks out when he is concentrating on something.

Raccoon pants!

Someone is supposed to be sleeping in this picture.

This is the only way I can get ready in the morning - by letting him empty out my toiletry cabinet.

Keeping Daddy company while the driveway gets shoveled. Risha and I went to meet with her wedding photographer last Saturday and when she dropped me off, Boyd was sitting in the snow like this.

Wheeeee!

Sharing with the puppy. He will give Drift all sorts of things.