Martha at 13 months

You may notice a certain theme in the ten pictures selected for viewing here. We've been delighting in the delight our Martha takes in the outdoors, and taking advantage of the spring weather to get out to several local parks. The progress since Martha's first independent steps has been quite dramatic--we suspect she was waiting longer than necessary to make her first solo attempts, because in a very short time since these she has learned to stand on her own, to stop, to turn, and to toddle off in all directions.

Martha loves to be outdoors and go on walks, but after about half an hour she tires of the backpack or ergo and starts to make a moany sound. She can be distracted by the sight of a dog (dooh! dooh!) or if given a twig or blade of grass to gnaw on, but we're going to have to figure out a longer term solution if we're to undertake a more ambitious trip this summer (as we hope to do). Nonetheless, it's been really exciting to begin to share with her two of our chief shared loves, hiking and camping. We seem to take her hiking at least once a week, and on her 13 month birthday we were in Point Reyes National Seashore, having hiked in around 4 miles with her and all her stuff. She dug right in to the dirt, befriended several rocks, gobbled clovers when we were not vigilant enough, and slept in a little nest in the tent next to us. (Next to us that is, not in the tent next to us -- hubby). Along with us on the trip was Uncle Tim, over for a splendid two week visit.

In the pictures above, Martha is by the creek at Sunol, one of the East Bay Regional Parks. Below, on a hike in another, Wildcat Canyon in Tilden.


When she's in the backpack, Martha finds the back of mummy's or daddy's head quite enticing.


Below, above Arch Rock at Pt Reyes.




Breakfast at Glen Camp with Daddy and Uncle Tim


Searching for edible (or not) flowers at Glen Camp


On the hike back, before a brief walk on her own



In the botanical gardens at Tilden


No video this time, but we'll keep you posted!