10 Months for Nick!

Nick passed 10 months last week, but he seems to be growing well past his age. We had Lainey in the trusty Keyfit 30 (infant carseat) until 18 months, but there is no way Nick's making it that long. We'll be lucky to hit one year. Although he's still under the weight limit, his little feet are starting to dangle past the edge and with his winter coat on he's definitely snug as a bug. In spite of this, we are STILL carrying our big guy around in it...but, only in/out of daycare. It's just easier to struggle along with him weighing me down in the carrier than to juggle getting Lainey and him safely to and in the car. If the temperatures weren't so scarily frigid and we didn't have mounds of ice and snow everywhere, I'd be a little more open to figuring it all out. But for now I just want to get them safely in their seats as quickly as possible in the eveings.

Nick's had a few achievements recently. As of this weekend, he's finally pulling himself into a standing position. Mark tried futilely all weekend to capture it on camera, but Nick wouldn't perform. What he DID catch on camera was Nick's first "mommy" during bathtime tonight. As much as I would like to claim it as his first word, Mark's says he said "dada" twice the other day and pointed to him. I did not see this feat. But, since no one witnessed Lainey's first recognition of me as "mama," which I still declare HER first word, I have to give this one to Mark. Although, if we're both honest, I really think his first word was "Lainey." For a few weeks now, he's been making the noise "aynay," and it just so happens he makes it when Lainey appears in the room. Mark took the video on the camcorder, so it will be awhile before I actually get around to downloading it and posting...like until we run out of memory and have to take stuff of the memory card.

Nick's also waving hi/bye, clapping, and playing peek-a-boo (aka "Where's Nick") on command now. And according to his daycare teachers, he's rolling his eyes. I wonder who taught him that little trick? Couldn't be my sweet little 2-year-old? (Nor his mommy when reacting to the many challening things said sweet little 2-year-old does.) He's also learning to fight back a bit. Lainey stole a toy from him in the bathtub last week and he screamed and then slapped her across the face. While I really don't want another hitter on my hands, I had to cheer a little for my guy (internally, of course).

While I've been a little sad at how quickly time is passing with Nick, I have to admit, things are getting pretty fun. He's babbling and playing and learning new stuff every day! Love this little guy!

He's still comfortable enough to doze

He is such a happy boy!

Will Someone PLEASE Stop the Clock?

I just scheduled Nick's one-year check-up and am all kinds of emotional now. I know it's two months away, but the last 10 months feel as if they went by in 10 weeks. I need more time! But, alas, no matter how I cry or stomp my feet, his birthday will be here all too soon and my sweet baby boy with be a toddler. **Sigh**

I can still smell his newborn head...

She's a Little Bit Country; He's a Little Bit Rock 'n Roll

The guitars continue to be the all-star gifts from Christmas. The kids can't get enough of them. Enjoy a clip of Lainey and Nick rocking out together, followed by Lainey's rendition of "Oh My Darlin' Clementine." I smell a Grammy...

Hercules, Polar Vortex, and 231 Travelers

I am finally unclenching from the intensity of the past week. January 3 - 6 was my company's annual GM Conference where we bring all the General Managers and our Zone Support teams from across the country to Chicago. In January. Because there's no risk in that. And I was the lone soul booking all the travel. Some quick stats for you...

• I booked 245 people on flights and was expecting 231 to actually travel.
• Passengers were coming from 20 different airports on 44 different flights on Friday. Monday's return was consolidated to 20 flights.
• On Friday, only 103 passengers arrived on the originally booked carrier (but, not necessarily their original flight.)
• On  Monday, only 62 people departed on their originally booked flights.

Although flights were grounded, trains weren't running, and roads were closed, I (with a small team under my direction) managed to get all, but 9, of the people to the conference by mid-morning Saturday and everyone was back home by Wednesday night. Did I mention our work email server went down and I was communicating constantly changing travel information over the phone?

I worked from 6:00 AM to nearly 9:00 PM on Friday, spent the majority of Saturday trying to untangle the mess of Friday and start collecting refunds, and then all Sunday afternoon doing normal conference activities. Monday morning I headed out to catch the 5:50 AM train in 30-below windchill and just as I saw the train come into sight and it was announced over the speaker, I heard a loud crunching sound. The train had hit a semi about half a mile from my stop (no one was hurt, thankfully). I hustled back to the house, pounded for Mark to let me in (after 25 minutes outside I could no longer feel my fingers to use my key), then jumped in the car and headed downtown. At 7:25 AM the first flight cancellation rolled in and I worked non-stop until 7:30 PM that night to get all of my people alternate travel arragements.

Meanwhile, Mark and both kids were sick at home.

I am soooooo ready for Friday.