Terrible Twos?

Yikes, but little mr. Willful has arrived. The tantrums have increased in the last two days - screaming when I can't guess what he wants to eat (last night he wanted oatmeal right out of the container - yuck). Screaming if I'm not in his room when he wakes up (at 3am, no less). Screaming if I leave the room for a second. Now, I suppose it COULD be teething. You might be able to see his new canines coming in above. He was laughing at the camera (maybe at that funny red-eye light?). One of his happier moments today! I'm not sure that all four canines have arrived yet - but at least his right two are definitely in (both upper and lower).

He's now saying "hi" and "bye-bye" (maybe it's baby - not sure). He's also got a word for "flower" - but I have no clue what it is. In fact, it may be his first or second word - but it sounds nothing like flower. Sounds a little like his words for cheese or shoes. Both Thomas (the train) and Tyger are "tee." But, he hasn't quite gotten the hang of that sound yet. So, how many new words this week? Ten?

Merry Christmas!

Here is Boy Friday on Christmas morning with his first gift (he opened it while I wasn't looking, and it's one of only two gifts he opened on his own!). I was trying to get him to say "donkey" (bawh-key), which he only started saying after I brought out the Christmas nativity (the fisher price Little People set). He also says "Jesus" now, too. Sounds a lot like "cheese." He also just started saying "daddy!" I know, late bloomer this one. We're chopped liver apparently - Chester, cheese, shoes, and cars are all more important that saying mommy or daddy.

So this week he started saying - donkey, daddy (dee), anya (aaah-eee), Jesus, and I think he's working on a word for train (choo). Not too interested in saying mommy or mama (although I've heard it a few times). Loves to say "mee" which means "meow" or cat. Every time he sees a cat he says "mee!" Oh, and he'll snort if you ask him what the pig says.



I think it's so funny that he enjoys putting hats on! This crazy-colored one that I knit a couple years ago looks so cute on him. And definitely cuter on him than on me.



Friday seems to be enjoying all of his gifts... except the couple that MOVE on their own (Let's Go Thomas, and Lightning McQueen shake-n-go car). Those make him cry. He has two little wooden trains (Percy and Victor from the Thomas wooden set) that he really likes, and he loves hearing his Tonka trucks talk. Ok, he's not aware that he's received clothes - I think I opened all of those for him. I'm not sure what he thinks of his new stuffed toys, but I have to say the striped lion is so fun and colorful (and even machine washable)! Both he and the gingerbread man have been hugged and sat upon.

It actually rained all of Christmas day - all of the snow was melted by late afternoon! Not that we'd had much yet anyway. Today, however, it snowed all day and we now have a few inches of light, powdery snow.

Attempting some holiday fun.

This trip to the Botanic Garden did not quite go as planned... we did not get in to see "Winter Wonderland," as apparently you need tickets in advance to go see the free event (but are charged by ticket*****r). Well, we were certainly not the only ones there without tickets! At least our kid is too young to have any idea that he might be missing out.

Is it really almost Christmas?

Sorry about the lack of posts and photos in the last couple of months. Things have been hectic and in constant flux. Chester was back in the veterinary hospital last week due to a hypoglycemic episode that just wouldn't go away. Although it is unclear what happened, or why he was diabetic for the last four months, something has changed and he's been off his insulin for almost two weeks now. I'll need to check his glucose levels at home so that I'll know when he comes out of remission, but his behavior is seemingly getting back to "normal." Unfortunately, some of the bad habits we'd hoped were gone are not... alas.

Photos. Um, yeah. The house is a serious mess and it's always so dark that the photos haven't been turning out at all without a flash. So I've gotten a bit lazy. I do have a few more videos, but none of them are quite as fun as the Friday Dance Session below!

Friday is now 32.5 inches tall (75th percentile), and 23.8 lbs (25th percentile). He got a shot today, but seemingly did not even notice! His very favorite word to say is "car." And, yes, it really does sound like the word "car." Every single time we go outside - "car! car! Cccar!" We have moved on to the "careening" stage of learning to walk - running about the house with reckless abandon.

We are hardly prepared for Christmas - what? decorate? where? And pulling out ornaments would include a Closet Expedition - treacherous. Of course, I think my winter socks are in there somewhere, too.

I'll check out the three or four photos I've taken in the last month and determine if they are worthy of upload. Or there's a short video clip of Friday yelling "stop, thief" as I read him "Peter Rabbit" (no, it doesn't sound like stop or thief, but it's pretty amusing all the same).

Dancing Boy

Now that he's been walking for a couple of weeks, Friday's on to more difficult moves - dancing! Well, and he's still up to his old tricks of moving and stacking cans of food. Still having trouble getting video of words - but he says Chester, cheese ("shuh"), ball (all things that start with "b" are "Buh"), and shoes ('shus'). He tried to say grapes and banana today, but wouldn't repeat them. The other day he wanted a soda can - I try to keep these out of his reach since he will likely THROW them. Not a good idea. I handed him the can just to see what he might do. He picked at the tab, then pretended to drink out of the correct location! So funny! Obviously he had seen me do it and wanted to try, too. No, he didn't want to drink it - just to imitate.

All four molars are at least partially erupted - so now we're up to 12 teeth.

What's Been Going On?

I know, I know - it's been a whole month since I last posted! Jenn has a new baby and she's posted more than I have. So what have we been up to? Emily came the day after my last post. We had lots of fun traipsing around Chicago - shopping in Wicker Park, visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo, and enjoying the flora at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The day she left, I came down with a minor cold. And now the little guy seems to have come down with a cold himself. In the last two weeks he's gotten two new teeth (molars), fallen and cut his lip twice, fallen hard on the back of his head at least three times, stopped breastfeeding (his idea), discovered that he can climb up steps (but not down), and started walking! Oh, and also stopped allowing me to put him to bed without a struggle. I've given up for now - and of course, he's having trouble sleeping while congested. Hopefully that won't last long. We're all getting tired quickly.

Will post photos soon, but here's a video from yesterday:

Today was a Difficult Day... but a Good Day

Let's see - yesterday was my sister's birthday, and today Matthew and Jennifer's son was born - Keegan Jon. Riley is a big sister now! She has no idea how her life just changed today. After a while, though, she won't remember what it was like to be the only one... but she still might want to hit him on the head with a bag of (was it pretzels? fritoes?).. something.

The little guy in our house was not interested in napping (despite overwhelming evidence of tiredness). Shrieking and yelling ensued [this was the difficult part of the day]. So, I gave up and went out (we got some puzzles because Friday has become interested in our foam books with lift-out pieces).

Oh, well, but earlier in the day the little dude was practicing his walking (with props still, of course).



Tomorrow - visitor from the west [Aunt Emily - which always reminds me of Mr. Mom.. so does vacuuming. i should watch that again. i bet the jokes are funnier when you've been a parent.]! And we should be having some nice weather this week - it's saying low 70's and sunny.

At the Park

We're not quite ready for slides and stuff yet. Just playing in the wood chips. And the mud. Maybe even putting some in our mouths. Icky.

Still adjusting the Chester's insulin dosage. He's still WAY high on the glucose.

Trying to Find a Smile

But, alas, there were none to be found!

Not that he hasn't been happy and smiley.. I just haven't gotten a photo recently.

Luckily I got a little rest last night and am feeling a bit more myself today than in recent days (weeks?). We have yet to adjust Chester's insulin dosage, and his glucose levels are still very high. He's been eating EVERYTHING in sight. He needs to be put in the bathroom just so I can feed the other cats. We discovered a nasty cut/burn/sore of some sort on Chester's shoulder - so now he's got a shaved spot there, too, and more medicine.

Because I can't leave food down anymore, if I get up to check on the baby in the middle of the night the cats yell "Swarm! Swarm!" And I'm forced to get them food and wait for them all to finish before going back to sleep. Either that, or Anya will follow me to bed and find something really irritating to pick at until I give in.

The Chase is On!

And that shirt he's not quite wearing says "Catch me if you can." Of course, I CAN catch him, but really, where is the fun in that?

Sick Kitty Home Today

I haven't been taking too many photos lately. We've been getting ready for the fall semester classes, as well as dealing with an ill cat. Chester has lost quite a bit of weight lately, and began exhibiting some scary symptoms late Sunday night. He's spent the last few days at the vet and is now home with a schedule of twice-daily insulin injections. I'm currently trying to keep the little guy away from Chester (I think he wants to play) - difficult because Chester REALLY wants to be in the kitchen. I'm sure he'd like me to feed him, too, but that isn't going to be happening.

Here are the last photos we took - August 17th White Sox game:







There was an hour-long rain delay, so we ended up getting home around midnight. This threw off the baby's sleep schedule for several days following! He did fairly well, though, considering there was a lot of squirming to get down and it was past his bedtime (oh, and we hadn't gotten much of a dinner before leaving the house).

No news on the walking front yet. Still lots of pulling up, and recently a lot of tearing up books (mainly the phone books).

New Uses for Plastic Containers...

Playing with our Red Bowl

Filed under "toys that aren't really toys" also perhaps "kitchen supplies."




Not quite sure how I changed that into a widescreen shot when I cropped the end. Oops! Sorry it's a bit tight.

This One Must Be My Kid

Nothing to report from the one year doctor appointment - except no shots! Yay! The molars aren't anywhere near erupting yet (although his bite is still plenty annoying). We've been stopping at the park on our walks for Swing Time, which Boy Friday really enjoys - especially if he gets to see some other little ones around. Today he grabbed at a little girl who came up to say "Baby!" Trips to the grocery store are exciting, too - there were SO MANY babies yesterday.





Friday is making progress on the walking and pulling up fronts. He really started pulling up just one week ago, and is already letting go and free standing for brief periods. (He can reach my coffee on the table! Cats on high perches!) Now, bedtime is suffering! The other night it took several hours to get him to go to sleep (in fact, it took some Bach - Daddy's idea). Tonight, I *thought* we were ok, but he just woke up again - I still hear him squirming in there. Alas.



So, just last week I noticed a spot on Friday's right leg on the outside of his knee. Yep, it's a mole! In the SAME place that I've got a one. I've always been a bit embarrassed by it, really - this huge dark mole looking like an EYE on my (very, very pale) leg. I have other large ones, but this one in particular has always bothered me. I hope his mole doesn't bother him as much as mine bothered me.

Teeth and Other Happenings

Look at those upper teeth! They're finally starting to show. He's had them coming in for a while, now, but only recently have we been able to see them well.

Friday really likes water - fountains, bath, water table, kiddie pool... although oddly, he would prefer to NOT wash his hands. Usually. Earlier this evening, the water in the tub was enticing enough for him to pull himself up on the tub edge to see it more closely! So, we're pretty sure he CAN pull himself up... he's just not that into it. Yet.

Current tricks include opening cabinets, pulling hair (his, mine, the cats, daddy's leg hair...whatever), and screaming when things don't go his way. Which, by the way, happens to be OFTEN. You know, when I won't let him have the curry. Or, perhaps, when he can't get the refrigerator door open. Or, when the cabinet under the sink won't open (he often pulls at the hinge side, and really, there isn't much I can do about it not opening there). Or, when I attempt to change his diaper or put clothes on him. Or take them off.

The Little Dude has decided he enjoys Grover's company (and sometimes Pooh also):



Bedtime hasn't been so bad lately, either. Maybe it's Grover? Of course, there is always the fun of playing with the crib aquarium. Who knows?

Birthday Cupcake!

Saturday was Boy Friday's first birthday (wait, I guess it would be his second...hmm). Ok, well, the first one with a cake. There was definitely no cake last year. In fact, I don't think I got to eat anything at all!



As you can see here, we're both much more smiley than last year at this time.











And here he is after the cupcake massacre (and some cleanup), playing with his new blocks:



I think he enjoyed the cupcake. I, however, had to blow out his candle. Although he makes blowing noises, he only wanted to grab the flame. Sorry, little buddy - maybe next year.

Boy Friday would like to thank everyone for sending cards and gifts for his birthday. Tonight he's wearing some new pajamas sent by his cousin, Riley, and her parents (and the pants GLOW!).

In One Year...

Rather Nice Saturday!

We went back up to the Chicago Botanic Garden earlier this evening - the weather was absolutely lovely. Overcast and a bit on the chilly side.



There's been a lot of "peek-a-boo" around these parts lately:







But no more pulling up to a stand just yet (although he's really interested in trying to pull up on the toilet...).

And for my next trick...

Just once, yesterday, Boy Friday slowly pulled himself all the way up to standing! Who knows if he'll manage it again today or tomorrow... but he seemed pretty happy with himself (especially when daddy came back to take his picture).

This next one is from a few days ago - Chester and the little guy trying to "help" daddy with dinner.



A few weeks ago when we had pizza for dinner, we gave in and let Boy Friday have a piece or two. He REALLY liked it, and kept screeching for more! I finally had to remove him from the vicinity of the pizza in order to get him to calm down. Yikes.

Craziness on the Fourth of July

While we were away in South Bend, Indiana for the Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson/John Mellencamp concert, my mom watched Boy Friday for the evening. As far as we know, everything went just fine - he was asleep when we got back, amazingly enough considering the war-like conditions just outside (I mean the noise from fireworks everywhere). Apparently, it's crazy here on the Fourth of July. On our drive back from Indiana, there was haze and fog and smoke, as well as an occasional firework here and there. Of course, we had no idea that when we got home, the haze and fog would be so much worse than we'd experienced the whole way home. WOW. I have never lived anywhere before where fireworks were legal (apparently I still don't. crazy!). Um. It's somewhat frightening (especially for Tyger), and I think it makes fireworks much less "special" than I always thought they were. The woman next door just told me yesterday that she found a bunch of firework-debris in her backyard, but didn't know who had been setting them off (it was across the alley). In fact, I was STILL hearing fireworks go off until last night (sure, just a few, but really, people - how much fun is it?).
Taken by pantagrapher, but you get the idea what it looked like here...



Here's Boy Friday in his holiday outfit, sent by his Grandma in Florida.

Asserting His Independence.

You'd think the little guy were into the terrible two's already these days... Seriously, if you take something away, he'll scream his head off (really wonderful at 6:30 this morning, after I explained that no, he shouldn't be shoving things into the oven door). And there is NO WAY that he wants to change his clothes or diapers. NO WAY MAMA! And what is the deal with getting only 8 hours of sleep last night (he woke up at 5:30 a.m.)?? Crazy little guy - mama needs to sleep, too!

It is fun to see what he can do. When my mom was here last week, Boy Friday started a fake "sneeze" (apparently expecting a "bless you!" in return). It's just hilarious! I keep wanting to get that on video, but I haven't managed it yet. He can sort of "stand" on his knees now (without holding onto anything), so his core strength must be getting better. Friday's crawling is quite fast, too - turn around for a second and perhaps he's trying to turn on the computer, sitting on Chester, or attempting to check out the cat's litter box. We have a gate on his bedroom (to keep him IN not out), but he'll often grab the bars and scream/cry/whimper as soon as he realizes he's trapped.

I posted more photos on Flickr, but here are a few from our recent trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden, as well as a couple from the swings at Portage Park.





Seems to enjoy the swings!







We got to see mama and baby ducks, too! So cute.

Eleven Months Old (and it's been awhile!)

Well, the Little Dude is now eleven months old! I just checked to see if I had any photos from a year ago... but I don't seem to on this computer. Not that I am too fond of my goofy-looking pregnant self of one year ago. In fact, I suspect there aren't any photos from exactly this time last year, as I had an evil-looking rash all over my arms and legs. Not something I enjoyed showing off (really, it was quite frightening to look at).

This guy is much cuter to look at anyhow:



We've spent a lot of our time lately chasing Boy Friday around the house as he attempts to harass the cats (especially chester, the cat who doesn't move unless his paws are pulled and sat upon repeatedly), get into the litter box, play with the baby monitor (it has a cool night light that he just wants to touch), and he just loves trying to get into daddy's office area (pretty blue power button on the cpu is so tempting).

Ever since he's started crawling, he's been pushing up to a kneeling position. I've found him in his crib turning the aquarium on and off, on and off, on and off... And he seems to be able to push himself up like this using the wall, my legs, the cats, unstable plastic objects... whatever!

Just so you all know you aren't missing out on anything - there are no Birthday festivities planned for next month. I don't think Boy Friday is going to feel too deprived, though. I mean, he *is* only turning ONE. I don't remember my first birthday. Do you?

This week in the land of shrieking baby...

Yes, Boy Friday has been up to his old tricks again. Shrieking up a storm! Indeed, every single time he gets strapped into a seat of any kind, shrieking ensues. Both new and old car seats? Check. Big stroller? Check. Umbrella stroller? Check. Booster seat/high chair? Check!

Anyway... it has occurred to me that the Little Dude has grown out of a lot of his clothing. Lengthwise, anyhow. So, sleepers with feet are not working so well right now. No, it isn't very cold, but jackets are still required in the evenings here - and the other day it was in the 50's! Good thing the little guy still has a jacket or two that fit. His 12 month pants don't fit so well, though - a wee bit baggy yet (especially in the waist!).

Oh, and I think I forgot to mention that he now has SEVEN teeth. Wow! Most have come in twos, though... where is that eighth tooth?? Weird (see his three bottom teeth in the photo).


In other new developments....


Even with those baggy pants he's moving forward! Yesterday and the day before he was inching forward just a bit - he's especially motivated to get the cats. Although Lotus moves quickly when Friday is nearby... Chester waits until the little guy is on top of him before moving. I suspect he will learn to move more quickly... but we'll see!

For your viewing pleasure...

Here's some babbling...



And some laughing, snorting, and sniffing...

10 Months Old... and some Photos

Yes, yes, I know I have been remiss in my duties to post new photos and videos lately. So, what has been going on? Boy Friday has been pushing himself backwards across the room, as well as getting up on his hands and knees and rocking. He can even move a bit up on his hands and knees (backwards!). The other night he backed his way into the cat house:



And, yes, he did remove those DVDs on the floor all by himself. He finally has that baby Ipod thing figured out and he will actually grab it and press the button purposefully. He is also throwing stuff (or flinging, really). So, watch out! A heavy plastic toy could be headed in your direction at any second.



The other day, the Little Dude also decided he might be able to feed himself stew. As you can see - it was VERY messy. But, I think he enjoyed scooping it up all by himself!







Oh, and you'll also notice that the Little Dude's stats have been updated - he had his 10 month appointment this past week. He's still a bit on the thin side at 19 lbs (only at the 15th percentile), while his height is currently at the 58th percentile - of course, this is nothing to be concerned about. He's just a skinny little guy. However, he is now 29 inches long, meaning we need to get him out of his infant car seat very soon. We suspect he's been a bit cramped in there anyhow!