Christmas in Chicago

Here are some tidbits from our recent excursions... First is a bit from the Santa Train and second is from downtown as well as a few Santa sitings...

Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Recipes

For all that extra zuchini...

Farmer's Market Fun

We trolled farmer's markets yesterday. First we thought we'd check out a smaller market west of us, we were hunting pumpkins, and it turned out to truly be the smallest farm market we've ever been to. There were three vendors. On a Saturday. We kept lookin' around for the others but that was it. A total surprise, and no pumpkins. We did get some tasty Mutsu apples for the road though. After that we went straight to the biggest market in town, Green City Market. It was a beautiful 80 degrees and the market was packed. We found our pumpkins and some Spy's (for pies), a bunch of big, crunchy carrots, a 1/2 gal. of Golden Delicious cider (light and sweet with a touch of acidity) and yummy baked goods from a friend of mine. The carrots went into chicken and dumpling stew and the Spy's E made into a crisp. Yummy dinner.

We also visited the Lincoln Park Farm/Zoo which is right across the street and the boys got to see a couple o' big John Deere's and some ponies, cows, steers, and chickens and Ian got to pet the goats. After that, while I went to get the car the boys got a botany lesson in the park from E as they went seed hunting in the arbor.

A very good day.

la la la di da

We're just a movin' and a shakin' down here. Noa's learning to dance. Muddy Waters gets his groove on. Ian in in preschool and loves it. His counting is getting good and he is getting a hang of spelling simple words. He is also developing a creative imagination, making up his own songs and "talking silly stuff" as he puts it. #3 is getting bigger everyday. They say he is as big as a spaghetti squash! Gonna have another big one.

Our garden is winding down and up. The tomatoes are on their way out but I just finished the cold frame so we'll be harvesting some beets and greens and radishes and carrots and maybe even a turnip or two well into December. The radishes will be ready next week and I'll put in some spinach or lettuce in its place and cross my fingers. There will be a bake sale on the sixth of November at the garden and I'll be making bread or pies to sell for the garden.

See some you soon.

The Flu and Other Horror Stories

Noa had his 15 month check up last Friday the 17th where he passed with flying colors. He weighed in at 27lbs 5.5oz and 32in. Which puts him about 90 percentile for both. He is hale and hardy. At least on Friday... on Saturday both boys came down with a nasty flu bug. Noa is still fighting it in the intestines. Messy... very messy.

I had my big ultrasound on Thursday where we found out that we are having another BOY!! We are so going to need a gymnasium on site. Everything looks to be okay - all the parts are there (plus one). I am so outnumbered... but I love my boys.

What a ham!

Parallel Parking from Yum Yum London on Vimeo.

The Holy Grail

I've found it! Both boys are napping! Aaron seems to get them to do this all the time but for whatever reason they don't do it on the weekends for me. Maybe just less structure on the weekends...

Things have been a little hectic for us the past few weeks. We had some problems with our mortgage company changing servicing agents and not telling us until the new company starts sending foreclosure threats. Can they even do this?? Yes they can. Even if you have been making all mortgage payments on time. Unfortunately since no body told us we were to be paying someone else and our old agent had our incorrect address (through no fault of our own) so was refunding checks to a non-existent address... we didn't know we were supposed to be paying to a new company. ARGH!!! I think things are finally getting cleared up - although I have yet to get our credit report cleared or the new company to cancel all late fees... at least we aren't in default anymore :-) and won't be losing our house. Bankers should be sent to their rooms without a paycheck until they learn how to treat people with some decency.

Everyone is healthy - new baby included. We find out late September if Ian will be getting his baby sister. We are all excited to know - and to know that she has got all her parts and they are in the right place. Noa walks exclusively now and is so excited by his new trick that it is hard to get him to sit still long enough to eat or bathe. He just recently got in 6 (!!) teeth at once and is now sleeping without pain meds for the first time in weeks. He only has one canine and a molar on the lower left side to get in and these are already bumps and will appear soon. I'm looking forward to having all the teeth and major first year milestones behind us. I think this might mean we will all be sleeping better. Ok - except the pregnant lady. But even that discomfort would be easier if not disturbed throughout the night.

I went out for a walk Tuesday night. All by myself. I wandered about in the Logan Square neighborhood. It was a beautiful night. I happened upon a small community garden tucked into a vacant lot katty-corner to a head start school called Christopher House. There was no fence to speak of, just some string on a rope. There were raised beds in groups of three or four with an assortment of veggies in them. Cabbages, lettuces that had bolted, greens, peppers and an unruly mob of tomatoes with melons hiding under them. The tomato boxes were a great mess of steel wire, vegetation and webs of various types of string all endeavoring to hold up the fruit that was bursting forth. As I wandered out I stumbled upon a row of stunted corn followed by spare supplies and compost bins. It was a nice little garden.

Mine on the other hand has seen better days. My super abundant looking squash is dead. I had some beetles first and then a mold swept in and finished it off. I harvested four good sized white patty pan squash and that was it. My amazing corn met with the reaper too. Most of the stalks have been eaten from within and beetles are devouring the silks. It has been a bust on that end of the garden. That doesn't mean that I have been without rewards! The tomatoes are thriving as are the cucs that I planted in early July. I also saw some turnip greens popping up too. All of my potatoes have been harvested for about 36 taters in all and the beets were delicious. So was the melon. Minnesota Midget Melon(that's them in the hammocks up there). Think super sweet cantaloupe only four inches in diameter. Yummy! More next year please.

de-e-e-lightful.

Second Wind from Ian Worrel on Vimeo.

Walking!!! (cont)

I did promise a video of Noa's first steps. But... all of us being so busy these aren't exactly first steps but... it's still awfully cute. He is so excited to be walking that once he realizes he's doing it - he falls down. I love this drunkin' sailor stage. He can now take about 10 steps max and is becoming more confident and steady each day. It seems like he put it on hold while we were camping but then really got into on our return.



The camping trip was great - not perfect - but great. Ian was so excited to take the ferry that he was shaking and couldn't finish a sentence as we boarded the ship. He still talks endlessly about it! It's a must do again trip. The campsite was lovely and during the week we almost had the whole place to ourselves. Lake Michigan was walking distance and there were lots of trails to explore. Ian and Noa (but especially Ian) turned out to be excellent campers. We went for a beautiful hike one day (what turned out to be the last day). So that's the good parts. The not so good parts were that Noa had explosive diarrhea which is awkward in a tent (especially at 3am) and we had a few big storms roll through. The last storm was Thursday afternoon and evening, which was a biggy and the one that we struck camp during. The rain was coming down so fast it was an effort to keep the overhead tarp from collapsing on the boys (who were both huddled under it and screaming from the noise). We made it safely to Mary's house that night and spent a nice dry night in a bed.


Other big news is that Noa will be a big brother! Much to our surprise, after having our first two through the miracle of modern science we got pregnant the old fashioned way! The latest Stek is expected to arrive in mid-February. It's because of this that I am behind on posts and photo upload and any other extra activities. I am tired... and now I have to get to work.

Walking!!

I would say that as of last night, Noa is walking! His biggest reason... attacking his brother. Whenever Ian gets near he will take the three or four steps require to get himself within range of a full body launch at Ian. It's awesome to watch. Tonight I will take video so that you can all enjoy. For now, you will have to thrill to the sword fighting adventures of the Stek boys!

Crawling??

So in the eleventh hour Noa has decided to crawl. No, not scoot, crawl. He still scoots when he picks up speed but more often than not, lately he will start by crawling on both legs. Maybe he decided he needs to build those leg muscles more evenly to walk. Who knows?? We continue to sit back and be amused by our children.

We are back on the grid. After a bit of a rough couple of weeks, where the computer blew up, the bicycles got stolen and everything seemed to be in turmoil, we are back on track. Or at least the computer has been repaired and nothing more has gone seriously screwy (knocking on wood here).

We are all looking forward to the month of July. We spend the fourth of July week at my parents - looking after my Mom as she recovers and repairing our overdue house. I then return to work for one week before we head to the north woods for some camping. I am hoping this is relaxing but it is hard to tell how Noa will take to it. Ian I'm sure will have a blast - Noa too, but how much energy will we have to use to keep Noa from wandering off...

This is a great video of Noa playing at a birthday party we went to. So much fun!!

Off The Grid

Communication may be a little sparse from the Stek house for a couple of weeks - we are sans computer. "NO!", you gasp. Yes, it's true. We are having technical difficulties and our desktop computer is being repaired (fingers crossed). Until then I am back to using our laptop without protection (that sounds a bit illicit, no?) so we are limiting the amount of internet browsing. Aaron for some reason cannot access his email at all - no idea why. We are attacking this on all sides but for now, if you want to reach Aaron or me, best just call. Just think - we didn't even own a computer seven years ago... now, I can't believe how dependent we are.

Fun Videos

I am in the process of uploading all of our videos to You Tube. You should be able to find them here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/elizabethstek

Just in case our children's lives weren't going to be public enough. What will this next generation do when there future employers will be able to see there baby pictures with a click of the button.

Ian & Noa at the Park

Morton Arboretum Tadpole Pond

I took the day off yesterday and we all went to Morton Arboretum. If you come visit us this summer this is a must do. We had a blast!!

Hungry Boy

030, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Noa is very curious these days and loves to rummage through the kitchen cupboards. A couple weeks ago he got into the potato/onion drawer and pulled out an onion and proceeded to eat it like an apple. Poor boy is underfed. Aaron peeled off the outside skin and let him go to town. We just sat there and laughed - sadistic parents that we are. We kept expecting him to make a face or spit it out or something but he just kept going. Eventually we took it away. Funny stuff.

Noa's fish

0420001334a, originally uploaded by AaronStek.

This is the fish that Noa reeled in (with a little help from Dad). Boy did he love the feel of it! The older boys kept there distance from actually holding a fish but Noa was all about it.

Ian's first fish!

0420001317, originally uploaded by AaronStek.

The boys and I went on a mini vacation with my friend Pat and his son Etienne his parents house in Jackson, Michigan. It was a great adventure! The boys had a blast and Pat's parents were wonderful hosts. They have a good sized pond in the back 40 and we did some fishing. Pat and I had to do the casting but the boys reeled in anything we hooked. Thus, Ian got his first fish. He wanted to keep it; I said he had to eat it, and he said OK. We caught half a dozen or so and had a little fish fry for dinner. It was great.

Words to go with the pix...

Aaron has been great about adding the pics so I'll add some words. We are all doing great and are very happy about the arrival of spring and the ability to get OUT of the apartment!

Layale and Bryan came to visit on the 14th & 15th and while they were here our Jeep Jeep finally had its last day. The kiddos had spent Sunday at the Nature Museum and swimming and generally having a great time visiting with Layale and Bryan while Aaron was stuck watching an endless parade of black dress pants as I shopped for long overdue new work clothes. Aaron was rewarded with dinner at Kith and Kin and a late night visit to a bakery that night in celebration of my 10th rebirthday. We then went to pick the very tired little boys up from Layale and Bryan's hotel. When leaving we turned on the lights and every dash board light turned on, but not the headlights. So Aaron turned on the brights and the hazards came on. He tried several combinations and couldn't get headlights so we gave up and borrowed Layale and Bryan's CR-V to get the boys home. The Jeep had had this progressive electrical cancer for some time but this was the first time it had stranded us. It was time. Aaron stayed up late looking online for the best car and we spent all day at the Honda dealership purchasing "Filbert". Filbert is our new to us, 2003, black Honda CR-V. It has only 45k on it and is in excellent condition. We are pretty happy with the purchase even if dealing with used car salesmen has left us with a sorta residual slimy feeling.

Ian has named the car Filbert and he is quite happy with it since there is are two cup holders that fold down in the middle of the back seat for his and Noa's sippy cups. Once he found that out he wouldn't let us buy any other car. The name came from us calling the boys nuts - Ian = Filbert, Noa = Pistachio. I think Ian's logic is that if the car is Filbert then he won't be. I can't really blame him - Filbert isn't exactly a cool nickname.

Noa is pulling himself up on everything and scooting all over the apartment. He is making small steps while standing, but not officially "cruising" yet. Awful close though.

More to come later, I should get to work. It's been a busy week and I have lots on my desk that is time pressing.

Sesame Street Guerilla Gardening!

a day in the life...

019, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Ahh love...

aaron posted this.

just another cute moment....

036, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Sand box fun

048, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Up we go

056, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Off to the races!

058, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

More internet gleanings.... enjoy.

Caught in the Act!

Noa Scoot 001, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Signs of Spring

We are all getting excited to see the sun and the mud again. We took a little time this week to plan our summer activities and dream of warmth now that our hope of spring arriving is being rekindled. Intellectually, you know that it will arrive, just as it does every year, but somehow in February it seems eternally distant. You know what I'm talking about. Part of this process is the arrival of our tax return!! That momentary rush of income can be a thrilling experience. This year we got to pay off TWO!! debts that have been lingering since school. It still leaves us with plenty, but just like spring, the hope that one day we could actually be caught up has arrived. Now we get to look for a car to replace the Beast! Probably just as it is about to see it's last days, we will be able to replace it. Funny how that works.

Noa is showing signs of moving past the scoot to a crawl. Hard to believe he will be one year old in just three months. We are planning a birthday party for him in GR in my parents big back yard on Sat, June 5th. All are welcome. Invitations will arrive when the day gets closer.

Aaron and I are excited for camping this year. We took a little of that return and spent it on reservations for a campsite and a trip on the Milwaukee/Ludington Ferry. I think it sounds like a blast. Ian loves the idea of riding on a big boat, I hope he feels the same way about the reality. It looks like a lot of fun and sure beats driving all day. This way he can run around and play!

Noa has been waking up several times a night for the last couple of nights. Not sure what that is about. The next teeth he will get will be his molars and that would just be ridiculously early. It's probably just a growth spurt because he is hungry when he wakes. I actually heard his little tummy growling last night.

That's about it! We are all well. Life is good and the sun is shining. Oh and I finally caught Noa in the act so I will post the scoot video too.

Further Attempts to Document "The Scoot"

Noa Scoots 3, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Lets see if this uploads.

Trying to Capture "The Scoot"

As Aaron mentioned Noa is mobile! Not crawling, but just as effective. Our pet theory is that it is a function of the floor and his clothes - the combination offers little friction. But he was intent on moving (read catching Ian) so he came up with his own method. I tried valiantly to capture him in action on Sunday night to no avail. The results are a fun peek into our lives and the interaction between the boys. I am not crazy about the infant stage of life but I am falling in love with Noa more everyday, and watching my two (three) boys play together is wonderful. Noa goes in for his nine month well child visit this morning - I will post the stats later.

Ok, apparently the gods and minor electronic demons don't want me to capture "The Scoot". I can't seem to upload the video and will have to work on that. Noa measured in at 28" long and 23lbs 2.5oz. This puts him at 98% for weight, 50% for height and I think his noggin' made it to the 65-70%. Doc Peter tells us that after a shakey start in this world he is currently the size of an 18 month old. Not bad, huh? I'm proud of my little chunky monkey. He really is a succulent little muffin!!

So, a lot of video postings here lately from me but little in the way of news about us or the kids which I suspect is what you really want. The boys and I are doing our best to beat the winter blues and the cabin fever that goes with it. With this last bit of snow I was running Ian around on the sled and Noa too when he could stand it. E recently took them out in the wagon with great results. We enjoy going to the museums here a lot. The library in Chicago has passes to all the major museums available for a 7 day loan and we make great use of that. Also each museum has a number of discount/free admission days that we mark in our calender. Ian's faves are the Field Museum and the Notebaert Nature Museum. We have yet to make the trip to the Museum of Science and Industry. It is an hour and a half commute by public transit or a $16 parking fee. We'll wait for a special day (& a free day) and drive down there.

Noa is on the move! He cannot crawl yet but we think that is because it is easier to scoot about on his bum with his fleece jammers or pants on our hardwood floors. He can't get any traction with his knees. This means trouble of course. Ian is having a hard time adjusting to this new situation. Specifically in relation to his train set which Noa gravitates to like Godzilla to Tokyo.

Woah.

Resistance

MUSE | MySpace Music Videos

Sky Full of Bacon Short: Making Illegal Cheese from Michael Gebert on Vimeo.

this is part of a raw milk cheese article run by Chicago public radio/WBEZ/Worldview on 2/22/2010

Sky Full of Bacon Short: Making Illegal Cheese from Michael Gebert on Vimeo.

'Find Me A Dodo' And Other Absurd Requests - The Picture Show Blog : NPR

Ian + Flour = Fun

030, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.

Chatterbox

Noa has said his first words this week. Dada came out of his mouth first but it was followed the next day by Mama. Good boy. And he has more teeth sprouting!! He now has three teeth on the top! I had said to Aaron that he was acting like he was teething - and so I checked to see if he was getting the next two on the bottom. Didn't even occur to me to look on the top, then he had his mouth wide open giving a hardy wail and I see this extra tooth staring at me!!

I can't believe how fast it all happens...

Thus starts a new year and a new decade of our lives...

Ian started preschool yesterday at Independence park and I think he loved it. It's a program through the Chicago Park District. He goes everyday for two and a half hours - they do an hour and a half of learning activities and one hour in the gym playing. Aaron said Ian's face lit up when he saw all the kids. I think the program was a great find by Aaron and probably just what Ian needs. It must be a little stressful though because he had several accidents yesterday and that hasn't happened in weeks. A bit of a frustrating day for Aaron as Noa is sick and cranky too.

Noa went to the doc yesterday and has another ear infection, other ear this time. Poor little guy, two ear infections and one stomach bug in just three weeks. Both boys go in Friday for H1N1 boosters, then they want to see Noa again for follow up in a couple of weeks. We are all trying to settle in for a nice, uneventful winter. Actually, that's my New Year's wish... an uneventful year. No new babies, no moving, no new job, etc, etc. It's been a tumultuous decade for me - all of this going to school, getting married, having babies, moving multiple times, starting a new job, blah, blah, blah... Nice and uneventful - that's my hope!

My grey hairs seem to be multiplying lately and I am actually a little glad to see them. I see them as sign of a little wisdom and the hope of less of the chaos and drama of youth. (Either that or it's an outward sign that my kids are driving me nuts!!)

oops

oops, I just noticed the snowman made two blogs... oh well. he was a good snowman, he deserved it. live on little snowman!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Ian's first snowman! The snowman didn't survive the rain we had on Christmas but he had a good run. Ian would check on him every morning. I'm sure there will be grander snowmen to come. Maybe next time he will even help me build it :-)


Christmas morning. Ian loved leaving cookies and eggnog for Santa and even insisted on a carrot for the reindeer. He is still young enough that he was actually the last awake that morning and it was so great to watch him discover the signs of Santa. First it was the cookie are gone, then that the stockings were full, and then he squealed in delight at the new white presents with Santas on them he found under the tree.


Noa loved unwrapping presents but was more interested in eating the paper than with what was inside. Both boys had a wonderful Christmas. Gifts were generous and truly loved (thanks to all!!). It was great to see everyone over the holidays but it is nice to be home.


Last night the boys got their annual bath. I love seeing Noa sitting up and splashing about with Ian. I have high hopes that they will become friends as well as brothers this year. After the bath, we packed the gang up and went to my co-workers house. They live nearby and have kids a few years older. It was a great time. There were lots of people our age with small children who live in the neighborhood. I think this is the first time that Aaron and I have met a really nice group of our peers since we have been in Chicago. Nice to talk to adults!! Ian had a great time too, running amok with all of the kids and Noa was just a doll, flirting with all of the ladies. We made it all the way to 9pm when I thought that we had kept the boys up long enough and we were pushing our luck.

Glad to be alive and healthy for another year! Best wishes for all!