I'm Not Ready For This Yet!!

Where did my coffee go?!?!

"I've been up since 10:30a.m!!! We went to the bookstore, browsing, and my first trip to the pet shop. I LOVED the Labs; but Mommy says I can only have a pug. This is me after Mom tried putting me to bed four times in the last two hours. Do I look tired?!?"
"Let's play peek-a-boo, Mommy! I'll hide behind the shower curtain and you can say 'boo'."

After a couple of 'talks' (how much mommy needs 'nap' time as much as he does, how I would REALLY appreciate it if he fell asleep for a couple hours), and several consoling phone calls/texts to Daddy (busy at work), several attempts at trying to let him cry himself to sleep- I finally gave in, and did the next best thing:

...thought about all 10cups...
... settled on two of these. I, at least, plan on sleeping tonight! My new strategy: wear Him out so he sleeps tonight! And the afternoon went on:

We played and read some books...
...one-man band gig. Let's hear it for the audience!!!

And, the hours ticked by...

"Mom, this whole routine thing you are doing isn't working."

Isn't the bedtime routine supposed to be fail-safe??

OMG- 6:20pm, 10 minutes to go. All clean, fresh nappie and pjs, plus a night-time bottle for extra security. I hope this works!!!!!

ssshhhhh

Needless to say, I am not ready for him to graduate from two naps a day. Just yesterday he was still sleeping 12-13hrs at night and 3-4hours during the day. I still need 'no baby' time, and count on that precious time to take care of everything else around the house (yes, ok, it is also a great time to update the blog). Yep, definitely NOT ready!

Fun Days

Our family fieldtrip to the Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum. Thought we were going to miss the weekend crowd; boy, was I wrong. Talk about your stroller and fieldtrip city! I would have loved to post all 100+ pics I took- we had so much fun! I got to take both my boys on their first trip to the Shedd!! They had a blast, and Daddy carried him around for most of the time, showing him all the creatures. I thought it would be a great family outing, as well as very educational for E (but, shhhh, don't tell him ;) E loved the fish, especially when they swam right in front of him.

FISH! PECES!

MONKEY!
TURTLE! TORTUGA! Such a fun time!

We found the perfect spot for a lunch picnic.

Dad was a super hero and ran all the way back to the parking garage in the freezing cold to fetch the 'milk' since E was too distracted to eat much of anything else.

Skipped on over to the Field Museum.

They had an adorable learning play center for tots.

Here are the boys in the sound room playing on various old instruments.

E walked right on over to this plaque and plopped himself down.

He loved it. Made everyone else laugh. I told him he might have his own one day as well.

"Mommy, what does this one say?"

This was pretty much the highlight of the day.

He just started laughing...his weird laugh.. a recognition.

Yes, this poor little 'cat' reminded him of his own Gershwin.

At home with Daddy.

"Me and Dad are best friends!"

We are still enjoying the cold and are out every sunny day.

Still swinging. Still stroller rides. Still sledding round and round our house.Daddy had fun with this one. E is standing all the way up.

Hehe

We went sledding with L and Miss E the other day on a huge frozen lake.

The little buddies were very cold, especially because we even walked the mile to and from.

I love it that they are just as adventurous as we are and enjoy being outside.
There's bound to be plenty of bike rides and camp trips in the summer!! Such sweet friends.

How did I manage to get a toothless smile?!

He is grins and giggles down the sled hills.

Our Love is So Cute!

So when B sent me my first valentine's gift in college (2002), we were 'just' friends from high school, and a state apart (spring break changed all of that). I thought it was 'just' sweet- a little note of how me and his mom were the only ones he was giving a valentines to that year, and how he hoped it would put a smile on my face. 3 bags of Chewy Runts (then my favorite candy), Ferrero Rochers (his candy of choice), and a delicious bag of Casteel Coffee espresso from Evanston (we were/are the biggest coffee drinkers). YUM. Years later, we have our own little love to celebrate with!

I had fun with this holiday: a couple decorations, a get-together with E's buddies, and a day to celebrate as a family.

I made some cute decorations with ornaments from Auntie S!
Treats for the playgroup get-together, with tons to spare.

Little plain cupcakes for the buddies.

E had a little taste- loved it, but has to wait till his birthday.

Jello-tinis and strawberry Crush for the mommies!

E got cards from Great-Grandmom W. and G-G Auntie S.

Everyone wants to be his!

E's Valentine teddy from Mommy & Daddy.

B has gotten me about 5 of them over the years- I saved a couple for our kids (yes, thinking ahead).

He looked at it, and then went back to cuddling with his Teddy.

E's 1st Valentine card from Mommy & Daddy.

Bubbles from us. He LOVES bubbles (got his first for Halloween).

WOW

POP

Our Little Love .

So Sweet!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Interesting Car Seat Info

I happened to find a minute of time to sit down and read through the Parents March issue. They have a section on latest findings from the IIHS on booster seat safety. If you currently have convertible/booster, or are about to purchase one, read this first:
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/gear/car-seats/best-booster-seats/?ordersrc=rdparents0208

http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/gear/car-seats/buying-toddler-car-seat/

They have also listed their top pics for carrier/carseats and why:
http://www.parents.com/baby/gear/car-seats/top-10-baby-car-seats/


We purchased both the Maxi-Cosi Micro carseat carrier and the Evenflo Symphony65 carseat and have been thrilled with both of them (if anyone is looking for recommendations). While we looked at the Britaxs we weren't willing to shell out for something that is just as safe and comfy. I like the Evenflo Symphony65 Circles more than I thought I would, especially these features: 5-100lbs, 5-point harness till 65lbs (though 80lbs would be nice, but not necessary), side-impact cushions, sliding harness, rear-facing till 35lbs! (and 2 years), multiple recline positions, SureLatch (way easier than just the Latch install on the Maxi-Cosi), only took up one seat, incredibly soft, ample, washable padding, easy to move headrest, and I love the fun circle pattern(not just a boring grey which we were originally going to get). I'm certainly glad to see that they were both featured on these lists :)

After Chicago Tribune published the Pulitzer winning article/investigation (2008) into carseat carriers that were not adequately tested (tested at 30mph instead of speeds at least 35mph- which I think most crashes happen at) and were becoming detached from their base, flipping upside down, and flying into the back of the front seats, I was really not interested in using the carseat carrier for an extended amount of time. While I think it provided the most comfort/recline, convenience, and safety for Ethan in the early months, we certainly felt he would be safer in an actual rear-facing carseat and were eager to switch him to something more secure (one piece, that didn't fold or clip in).
http://baby411.typepad.com/babybargains/2009/03/chicago-tribune-31-infant-car-seats-failed-in-unpublished-government-crash-tests.html


Just glad that Ethan has seats that are comfy and safe!!!

Growing Boy!!!!

Wow. We just had Ethan's 9month checkup yesterday, and the doctor said that he is incredibly healthy, active, and very happy. He was so cute- he giggled and laughed the whole time. The doctor made us laugh when she said that most babies his age hate getting checked, and he just laid on the table smiling away, enjoyed playing with the crinkle paper, flirted with her and wanted to play with her shiny scope. Checkups are so much fun!

We were astonished with his weight and height. Major changes. We were expecting him to be approximately...25lbs...., and were amazed that he has lost 1.5 pounds the last month, down to a nice 22lbs. I noticed a significant change in his appetite when he went to essentially all finger foods start of January. Since he has more control of how much/and when food goes into his mouth, he's regulated the intake quantity. He seems to weigh so much, but after we found out that he has grown an inch as well the last month, it is no surprise. Must be all the walking he's been doing lately- he's now cruising about '5 laps' in every which direction before he wants to just stand.

His stats: 22lbs, 29.25in

As of this morning, he finally pulled up on his own. He's totally had the ability/know how for the last two months, but would only pull-up holding onto mommy. Doctor said he was getting used to me too much (aka. smothering him in loving attention) so I set him down this morning, let him whimper a couple times (which makes me sad to hear), and finally .... ta da... he did it holding onto something other than mommy. What a little stinker.

Ethan and Who?!?

Ethan got a special treat this evening. He got to watch a minute of the super bowl, as well as the awesome half-time show. Mommy and Baby cuddled on the couch with the lights turned down and rocked out to The Who! He was way more entertained by the guys in helmets...

And, we've been getting ready for valentines day. He made cards for his friends and cousins the other day. I'm really excited about the holiday- it was always lots of fun when I was little, but I'm trying real hard not to buy him any valentine attire/accessories, for as cute as it is (I keep thinking: "too girlie, too girlie"). Heck, I even wish they made blue cards. More to come on our valentine festivities. Here are some card-making pics:

Guess that's his card ;)

On another note, I've finally figured out how to hang our gorgeous PB drapes up in the office. It only took just 3 years (thanks to a career and pregnancy side-track). I absolutely love PB silk dupioni drapes- pair them with PB and Restoration Hardware rods and you are all set! We have them in every room except the boys' (family/playroom and nursery). Next project: foyer closet.

Happy 9th Month Birthday, Little One!!!!!!

Busy Little Bee

I took so many pictures the last couple days- Ethan turning 9months tomorrow is getting to me, so I've tried to capture all the last moments and excitement of his 8th month. It has been an incredibly enjoyable month, and I think it's the first month that I've truly enjoyed and felt comfortable as 'mom'. I thought I would enjoy the whole 'newborn' phase, but for as cute as it is, it is exceptionally difficult when you have to figure out every thing your baby needs and be with them every second, all while trying to grab a bite to eat and maybe take a shower, let alone remembering why there is a baby- oh, yeah, the love of my life(what a super-trooper).

I am thrilled that Ethan can finally be on his own for a little bit, even though he is going through his Cling-On stage: I know how/and what will keep him to himself for a couple of minutes. I love the fact that he has different gestures and noises when he needs something in particular, especially when cries mean "I'm still sleeping, but need to get unstuck out of the corner of the crib" and "Abba ba ba mmm a" means "I'm ready to rise and shine". His 8th month was incredibly busy in play and movement. He can push, pull, spin, pull things out/put things in; find/search for a particular object even if he can only see a fraction of it; walk with a walker; climb the stairs with my help; eat with his own little fingers like the food is going to run out of stock; discovered he can stick his little fingers through the spout holes of his sippy cup to make a suction sound- fun; finds his things funny on his own and amuses at his surplus of toys; likes to annoy mom by putting all the wood blocks back into the corner of the basket after she takes them out and puts them back on the shelf; examines every aspect of a toy (shakes it, bangs it, turns it over, bites it); delights in chasing and petting his kitty; loves to play 'spy' with Mommy- he will make an excellent agent; sits patiently, anticipates and searches for the "cricket" while I read him Eric Carle's book; and, as of today, block-stops my hand when I try to tickle the laughter out of him. He is such a sweetheart, such a fun-loving boy. We couldn't be more blessed, happy, and proud of our little one- he simply is amazing and such a good, joyful baby!

I can only believe that month 9 is going to be even more exciting and gratifying time for the three of us!

"Beep, beep, Daddy! Coming thru!"
Our little shopper.
Destination: Highchair
He's figured out that he can use the walker to get from PointA to PointB, and loves the new-found freedom!
Ethan being silly after dinner tonight. "Look, Mom, I can take my socks off!"

A video of Ethan playing.

We just got back from visiting The Greats- always a fun visit! Ethan is so fortunate to have such sweet Greats who are able to 'play' and cuddle with him!

Great Grandmom S. and Ethan.
He wanted her walker- it's red and shiny! :)

Great-Great Auntie S., Ethan, & Me
My 96year old great aunt is so accommodating- she was pulling out all her plush animals and balls for Ethan to play with.

And, since she goes online to read this blog: Your the Best, Auntie S.!!!! We had a fabulous visit!