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.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Words to go with the pix...
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Saturday, March 06, 2010
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.
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Further Attempts to Document "The Scoot"
Noa Scoots 3, originally uploaded by Elizabeth Stek.
Lets see if this uploads.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
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!!
Monday, March 01, 2010
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.