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!