Happy Xmas!

Felix had a very nice xmas. He opened his stocking....


and played with ribbon, which was probably his favorite gift!


Later, we took a sled ride in Felix's new sled.


And visited a snowman!


Later, he had some mashed parsnips and plum pudding.

Solstice Pickle

On Saturday, Felix went to Lisa, Eli and Gil's solstice party, and had a delicious pickle!



He says, it's all mine!

prisoner no more

Felix has reached a new milestone. This past Monday Nicola put him in his crib while she brushed her teeth, and lo and behold he figured out how to stand up in his crib. Now, some parents probably would have immediately put him on the floor lest he fall out of the crib, but we could not pass up the photo opportunity. He seems so proud of himself.

biscuits please

The blog has documented Felix's progress in eating solid food. He graduated from simple rice cereal to pureed foods like squash, beets, broccoli, apples and pears. However, now he is really only happy eating by himself. He loves to pick up chunks of food and eat them on his own. We are happy to oblige him with things like pieces of banana and pear, whole peas, and his favorite-crackers. It is really amazing to watch Felix as he strives for more and more autonomy, he has such a strong desire to do things for himself.




yummmm barley biscuits

Felix does the Hustle

Felix and his moms checked out the action at Pi Bar, which had a afternoon dance for queer families. Nicola and Felix had fun on the dance floor doin' their moves. You can't really see the kids behind us in the pic, but their are lots of cute kids showin' their stuff!

Felix and Soren

Our friends Tom and Sandy, and their son Soren, came to the Twin Cities for Thanksgiving week. We got the chance to have Felix and Soren hang out together. Soren is one week younger than Felix, and developmentally on the same page. It was fun to play peek-a-boo, chew on spoon, and bang on things x2! Hope to see you again soon, Soren (and Tom and Sandy)!

Felix the Charmer

Need we say more?

Happy Turkey Day

Felix got to celebrate his first Thanksgiving with his Pine Grandparents and Auntie Caitlin and Uncle Adam. It was a delicious meal that included the usual turkey and stuffing, plus yummy brussel sprouts (Susan) and a chocolate pecan pie (Caitlin, of course). Felix did not partake in any of it, though he did thoroughly enjoy sitting in his new convertible carseat that Nicola spent a full HOUR installing in her parents car. We are thankful to have Felix in our life, and that got we got to spend a lovely day with him.

Beets, Beets, Beets!

It took a couple tries, but now Felix is a fan of the beet, which pleases his eastern-european parents to no end. Next, turnips...or rutabagas!

Susan Adopts Felix

On Friday, November 2, Susan and Nicola headed to Hennepin County District court for Susan's second parent adoption hearing. Judge Pamela Alexander signed the adoption order, meaning that Susan has now legally become Felix's mom. Felix charmed everyone in the courtroom, especially when he raised his right hand along with his moms during the swearing in.

Even though we don't need the state to tell us that we are both Felix's moms, the ceremony did mean something and it guarantees a lot of legal rights for Susan and Felix that most families take for granted.

Minnesota is one of only 24 states that allow same sex second parent adoption. While we are delighted and relieved that Susan was able to legally adopt Felix, it is maddening that in more than half of the United States families like ours can't secure some of the most basic rights in order to protect their relationships with their children.



Felix plays with Judge Alexander's robes


Felix and Nicola celebrate at a post adoption party

Happy Halloween

Yes, its Halloween, Nicola and Susan's favorite holiday. We had a hard time deciding on a costume for Felix, because the chicken costume we got him was too small. Finally, we stumbled upon Tinky Winky, and just couldn't pass up the irony of it all. So, here he is, in his glory, at the Halloween party at his daycare.



And chewing on his red purse!

Felix in Texas

Susan, Nicola, and Felix just returned from a week in Austin, TX visiting Susan's parents and her brother Joe and his partner Bonnie. We had a good time eating great Tex Mex food and hanging out in Joe and Bonnie's beautiful house.


Felix sits with his Granny

Felix and grandpa

Felix visits the Svatek family farm

One of the higlights of Felix's trip to Texas was visiting the Svatek family farm outside of Flatonia, Texas . Felix toured the farm and pastures with his grandpa and his great uncle Andrew, while Susan and Nicola enjoyed a cool Shiner beer.


Felix and his grandpa tour the old farm buildings, in this case a cotton gin/hay barn from the 1890's.

Hanging out on the front porch of the farm house.

Brrrrr that water is cold!

While in Austin, Felix visited one of his mom's favorite places from her days living in Austin. The Barton Springs swimming pool is a beautiful spot to cool off and people watch. The water is a constant 68 degrees, and as the weather was in the 90s on our visit the water felt really good! While Susan thought the water was kinda cold, Felix loved it.

Felix surveys the water

Felix is ready to splash in the water

Joe and bonnie at Barton Springs

Susan and Felix

Felix's Sweater

Now that the weather has started to turn colder, Felix is dressing in warmer clothes. Check out Felix in the beautiful little hoodie that his Auntie Corinth knitted for him!

Felix and Fatou meet!

Last weekend Felix, Nicola, and Susan hung out with one of Nicola's closest friends in high school, Ingrid, and her daughter Fatou. Felix and Fatou were born one day and one year apart from each other

Felix Prepares For Winter

..well he may look like he is actually getting ready to hibernate, but Felix really just enjoys his snuggly outerwear.



this chair is too hot!



this chair is too cold!



this chair is just right!

I am Felix...

King of the impish grin.

Felix Chows Down

Felix turned six moths old this week, so we decided to experiment with feeding him a little rice cereal. He has been very interested in watching us eat lately, although it seems he is mostly interested in grabbing the shiny utensils. He did very well, he loved having the spoon in his mouth, but he was pretty confused about the swallowing part. Like everything else, eating solid food will take some practice!

Roll Over, Roll Over

Felix has graduated to rolling over on to his tummy and then back all on his own. He is also pushing himself up by his arms and he is in the first stages of trying to figure out how to propel himself forwards (i.e., crawl). All this info is just an excuse to post some nice "tummy time" Felix pics. Enjoy and comment away!

Felix says hey!

Sorry I have been away from my blog for so long. A lot has happened to me since my dance with Zora. I turned five months old, got my first tooth (and then a second one!), and went on my first vacation.

Felix goes on vacation

Felix went on vacation over the labor day weekend. He went up to the North Shore of Lake Superior with his moms and members of the Pine clan. We stayed in a nice resort near Lutsen.



Nicola and Felix gaze down at a hidden lake from the top of Oberg Mountain.


Felix with Nicola, Uncle Adam, and Grandpa Pine on the shore of Lake Superior near Gooseberry Falls.




Caitlin gazes out at Lake Superior from the top of Oberg Mountain, Felix does not seem impressed!



Felix and Susan sit out on the deck at the cabin. The Sawtooth Mountains (or as Adam calls them, "mountain-lets")can be seen in the background.

I do not have too many toys!