Sunday, September 20, 2015

Chet- 14 Months Old


Here is my crazy Chet.  He yells "Mama!" or "Mommy!" whenever he needs or wants something.  He can also say "Daddy, doggie."  He just started pointing and grunting when he wants something.  Taking him shopping at the grocery store is tough now because he points to it all as he tries to climb out of the cart.  

He has a high pitched scream that he makes whenever someone has a toy he wants, takes a toy from him, or won't give him something.  We made a lot of people turn and look at church today with his scream.

He is still crawling.  He will take a few steps here and there but then drops down and crawls away.  He doesn't like to practice by holding my hand.  He will just drop to his knees.

Some tricks he can do: fold his arms for prayer, blink his eyes, clap his hands, touch his mouth, play peek a boo, show how big he is.

He takes one three hour nap every day in the afternoon.  He still takes a pacifier just when he sleeps.  He doesn't eat much.  In order to get food in his mouth we have to put an interesting toy in his hand and while he is distracted he will open his mouth.  He is still drinking milk out of a bottle because he won't make the switch to a sippy cup.

He likes to read books, but will only focus on the ones that he likes.  Otherwise he will toss it or squirm away.  When we are laughing at something he will start fake laughing to join in.  He dances when he hears music by bouncing.

He is independent and will go off in the house playing on his own.  He pulls himself up on coffee tables, his train table, and the trampoline downstairs.  

He won't hold still to snuggle.  He used to a little but now won't let me hold him and sing a song before bed.  He just wiggles a lot!

Love seeing his personality emerging and he seems to have a lot of it.  Love my petite, happy, picky, funny, opinionated, curious boy.

First Day of School








These two were so excited!  They had a great day and love going to school.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

St Louis

























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I decided to make one more trip to St. Louis with the kids before summer was over.  Eric couldn't miss work, so I drove and met Marita and Newel half way.  Marita got in the car with us, and Blake drove the rest of the way with Newel.  It made the drive so much easier.

We went to parks, worked outside, swam every day, went to Chuckee Cheese, and to the zoo.  Blake was excited to see penguins since he studied them in first grade.  Newel took Blake on his first fishing trip and they even caught something.  

11th Anniversary

Eric and I enjoyed a date of Jimmy Johns, Cabanas ice cream, and watching the sunset in St. Joseph.

Jelly Belly Factory





After the tour, the kids spun the wheel and then were given an unknown jelly belly.  It could be good or gross.  Blake tried his but was unlucky with "barf" each time.  Janie ate hers and earned some prizes.  Ty ate whatever was given to him no problem until his last turn.  He was given either licorice or skunk spray.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Six Flags





















Our friends have a membership to Six Flags in Chicago and a few times during the summer they are able to bring a friend for free.  They were nice enough to choose us!  They even shared their meal plan park food with us.  Our kids had never been to an amusement park and it was a joy to watch them experience it.  This was one of my favorite days of this summer.  

One of the first rides we tried was the Log Ride.  Everyone went on it, even Chet.  Once we all were in a log, I knew it was a bad idea and afterwards everyone was crying but Blake.  Ty will still talk about how he did not like that boat ride.  Chet was in the stroller for most of the day.  He was happy the whole time and never even took a nap.  Thanks Parkers!