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.

Christmas 2013

Our Christmas festivities were intense and long, but I am happy to report that everyone in my little crew were happy and healthy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lainey gave us a scare Sunday and Monday with a nasty cold, but she woke up virtually snot free Christmas Eve morning...a lovely Christmas miracle. Nick is back on the sick train with a horrible cold, but we just returned from the doctor and he is ear infection free...for now. Maybe New Year miracle for him tomorrow?

 

We celebrated in Moline this year and Lainey and Nick got lots of quality time with their cousins. Lainey still adores her cousin Amelia (I think she said her name about a million times over three days) and is now old enough that she and Oliver can pal around and play. Nick and Eleanor got along quite well, too!

 

We took the kids to get the obligatory Santa picture...I think this may be a Moline holiday tradition, because it's so fast and easy at the mall there. Who wants to wait in a long line for a picture that's probably not going to be that great? There were no tears this year, but Lainey was still leary of the big guy. Nick rolled with it for the most part, but getting them both to look at the camera and smile was impossible. You can check out the result below. Good enough, I say.

 

The kids enjoyed an overflow of presents Christmas Eve night from the family and Christmas Day from Santa (Lainey finally decided to be on the "nice" list - whew!). Mid-morning we bundled up and headed over to Uncle Tim and Aunt Rebecca's for some sledding fun. Lainey LOVED it! We couldn't get her inside. It was back to Grandma and Grandpa's for nap time and then back to Tim and Rebecca's for dinner and lots of play for the kids. Lainey enjoyed watching her big cousins Jacob and Ben play guitar hero and checking out Ben's new drum set. She also played her first games of hide-and-seek, sticking close to Amelia (and kinda' ruining Amelia's hiding as a result). It was awesome watching all of them hang out and interact. As we were leaving to head back to for bedtime,  Lainey said, "Daddy, I had so much FUN!" Aaawwww...

 

After a quick birthday celebration for Amelia and Oliver Thursday morning, it was time to head back to Chicago where Dad and Sharon were waiting for us. We rushed through another huge stack of gifts (my kids are nothing if not spoiled), while skyping with Uncle Chris. It was a whirlwind! But, Lainey got her most prized possession of Christmas, a pink acoustic guitar from Grandpa! Stay tuned for some video of her strumming and singing "Oh my darlin', Clementine." Spoiler alert...it's adorable!!!

 

Dad and Sharon stayed through the weekend and headed back yesterday. So, things have been all over the place for the past week or so, but it's all been worth it for the kids to have some great quality time with our loved ones. Now on to 2014...hoping for good health and cheer!!!

 

Eleanor and Nick Having Some Fun

Elaine is keeping her distance...

 

Enjoying her first candy cane with her idol, Amelia



Guitar from Grandpa...our little folk singer

Nick is 9 Months!

Another month has flown by in little Nick's life. This last one has been rough on him, so here's hoping for a brighter path to month 10.

We did his 9-month check-up on December 9, but I've been holding his stats for the official monthly update. He's 21 lbs. 6 oz. (75% - although I suspect this has gone done a bit over the last week, what with the whole eating strike and all). He's still topping the charts in length  (29.5" / 95%) and head circumference (18 3/8" / <95%).

Nick is crawling everywhere now and is starting to pull himself up, but hasn't gotten all the way to his feet yet. He's taking on finger foods like a champ and pretty much attacked Mark's pizza last night. So, we may get that weight back before we know it. The teeth that we've been swearing are coming in for the last two months are still nowhere to be seen, but he continues to gnaw on anything in arm's reach and to soak his shirt in drool.

In less fun news, I think his "dream baby" days are over. I don't know if it was the extra attention at Thanksgiving, all the illnesses, or just his age, but he has become pretty demanding. Where he once was happy to play alone where ever I decided to plop him, separation anxiety has reared its ugly head and he mostly wants to be right by my side. Nap time was always a breeze, but now takes some extra rocking, swaying, and back rubbing. He also has a new and inexplicable hatred for putting on his jammies at night. He wails and screams and fights during this once perfectly calm and lovely nighttime ritual. The worst of it all, however, is he's back to waking at 4:00 - 4:30 AM every day. Last Friday, not only did he rise at 4:30 AM, he screamed every time I sat down. If I was walking, he would collapse against my shoulder and sleep, but the minute I tried to take a load off, he would erupt. As soon as I took that first step to continue pacing, he was right back asleep. I finally got Mark up at 5:30 AM to switch.

But, in spite of his new found fussiness, he's still a joy and watching his new feats and daily discoveries is awesome. We love our little buddy!

School Photos

It's once again school picture time at CLP. Nick is looking pretty good in them, but the ones of Lainey make me cringe a bit. But, in spite of the heinous background and Lainey's odd expressions and "unique" hair style, we still shelled out the $100 to buy a DVD with the images (this was actually the most economic option).  Yes, we are suckers.

This one is pretty cute

Not Lainey's best angle

Little Buddy

Nick worked it!

Not so bad...

I don't know where to start with this one...