The holidays have begun
We have officially entered the holiday season. We spent Thanksgiving at my parents home and were able to see Kari as she was in town for a week. Though short, it was great to see her. We had what some would call a non-traditional Thanksgiving, but in reality, it was what it should be about…just being together as a family. We did miss having my brother Kevin there…we missed his chat or phone call as we had already left for home. Matt & I spent Friday shopping for Stuart’s 1st Birthday party and were able to find a few black Friday deals as well. We were reminded that from now until after Christmas we will steer clear of the mall.
Saturday we celebrated with a small gathering but it was WONDERFUL to have it in our home where we had enough room for everyone. It was great to have so many loved ones around to celebrate Stuart’s 1st birthday. I know moms say it all the time, but I can’t believe he is one already! He loved his cake and figured out the gift opening as well….without any problems.
The past week we put up our tree, hung our stockings & took our traditional drive through the Celebration of Lights in Oshkosh. We also had flu shots, fevers, congestion and other illness as well. Like I mentioned, the holidays are here. Our family survived some meltdowns and screaming fits….in some ways it was just another week in the life. What I did learn was that George really looks forward to the chocolate in his advent calendar & is very upset if he has that taken away. These are the types of things a parent needs to take note of.
Matt headed to Chicago today to take a trip to Detroit with some family to see a Bears game. George, Stuart & I took a trip to Green Bay attend what I thought was the annual Tis the Season. However, seems that I had the date wrong & the event is actually next week. I’m not often early much less early by a week. I felt silly, but we ended up going to Heritage Hill for their Holiday Celebration. Patty, Eric, Brycen, Heidi, James & my family went to tour the glimpse of life as it once was. We had a nice day…it was cold but the snow held out.
Stuart's 1st Birthday Party
George helps Stu with his cake.
Elliot & George play...
Gift Opening
Bagel's cozy spot. Awww....
George & Brycen at Heritage Hill
Lucky Mama w/Stuart & George.
Happy Birthday Stuart
Cake is good, chocolate makes it better!
Our ‘baby’ Stu turned 1 year old yesterday. I had this yearning to do something special…..I’m typically the one who says “He’s one, he won’t know the difference” but I guess it was more for me to realize my baby is growing bigger than for him. We ended up having a spaghetti dinner that ended in Stuart screaming, George not wanting to finish his dinner and Matt with a headache. I do sometimes wonder if someone is secretly taping our home for some type of reality TV show or movie. I often feel like the dad in Mr. Mom. However, the silver lining was getting Stuart his birthday cake. We sang, Stu tried to touch the flame and I blew out the candle. Stuart got a piece of cake and was quiet….so quiet as he consumed and licked his fingers. After he was done he just looked around & laughed at his dad. He tried ice cream but mostly enjoyed the chocolate frosting on the cake.
We got him a little Chuck Truck activity toy and he was interested but not as much as his older brother who has played with it already this morning for about an hour. The biggest trick is to keep all the trucks off the floor and away from Bagel. We look forward to celebrating with family & friends next weekend.
1st Birthday
In the past weeks we have done lots of things – we got to celebrate Grandma Kleinhans’ birthday with her. George had fun picking pumpkin for prizes! We have had swim class & George is progressing well while Stuart is just enjoying time in the water. After one week of the entire family going to puppy class (didn’t work so well) Matt has resumed his role as trainer & is making progress with Bagel. It is amazing how much bigger he has gotten in just one month! Stuart is still reluctant to walk on his own but is continuing to learn new things like pointing to his nose & ear, putting his finger to his mouth (well, more like his nose) and say SHHHH, he is attempting the words Bagel & George. We are glad that both boys have interests in books. Matt & I even took a day off for ourselves this past week. We went for a nice breakfast & then to see the newest Harry Potter movie.
Bagel - 4 months
Do you want a Bagel with that?
The past couple of weeks have been beautiful outside! As new home owners we have now experienced cleaning gutters, racking & bagging leaves, and other joys of home ownership. We spent some time with my parents a couple of weeks back & went to a local pumpkin patch. It was a nice afternoon where we went on a hayride, watched fish, and went through a corn maze. To finish the day we celebrated Matt’s birthday early. Sunday we went to look at a beagle puppy we saw advertised online…a few short days later he was in our home instead of theirs.
We have had an exciting week. We celebrated Matt’s 31st birthday and Tuesday we welcomed our newest member of the family – Bagel the 10 week old beagle. Wow, I remember someone saying puppies are like babies…and they weren’t kidding. First we thought Bagel was 10 months, but instead he is much younger. The first night was rough…lots of noise from our little ‘baby’, many trips outside (almost every 15 – 30 minutes), and a few accidents inside the house. They boys are very excited to have him…George wants someone to boss around & Stuart thinks he is funny. George doesn’t understand why Bagel doesn’t listen and Stuart doesn’t enjoy Bagel’s believe that Stu’s ears are chew toys. However, we are all learning as a family. Bagel only wakes up about once a night (5 am) to be let out and we are figuring it all out. I guess it may only be another couple months til our family sleeps through the night….maybe.
Friday Matt & I celebrated our 5th Anniversary. We had many nice cards, messages & notes of congratulations. Looking back we have had a busy 5 years…and we are very blessed. I’m sure the next 5 will go equally as fast…..and be full of even more memories. For now we are thankful for all we have and wish each day for more patience, a reminder to use laughter when frustrated, and love to see the important parts knowing the rest may not last (like George’s loud mouth that spits out the word poop whenever possible). Ah, the joys of our life.
Small developments…..
George 3 year
It has been a few weeks since we posted last. In some ways it doesn’t seem like much has changed, but there are many small developments that are memorable. Stuart is now 10 months but still is on the ‘baby’ side of the room at daycare. This is mostly due to numbers of kids, but it is evident how much bigger he is when he is next to a 3 month old. Stuart has been crawling for a bit and has recently started to cruise some furniture. Crawling is a much faster way to get places, so he often reverts to just crawling. He has also learned to climb the stairs. This morning he tumbled down about 3 of them…but I suppose it is all part of the learning process. He is doing well with eating foods like us and seems to enjoy bread the most. Tonight he grabbed a piece of pizza….he sure looks like a little guy when he’s shoving that into his mouth. His chewing has gotten better since his top two teeth popped through…they are sharp!
George is growing as well…mostly in his imagination. He has developed fears of being in his room…monsters, ghosts, etc. We often clear the room before bed & get all the unwanted critters out. Lately he is loving the show Myth Busters. He watches these adults build things and test myths. About 2 weeks ago he came in after playing outside and shared that he was Grant & trying to break out of jail using bedsheets. Yeah, life to come will be exciting. There is no telling what he will do each day. One day he found a rope & tied it to a pull behind catepillar and called it his puppy, another day he wears his Spiderman Cape and others he is a pirate. It is good to see his imagination go wild….he has also taken to having accidents & wetting his pants. This is not fun. I think he just
Stuart - 9 months
doesn’t want to stop playing….but it is indeed irritating. Listening doesn’t seem to be high on his list of things to do either…..again, too wrapped up into his own world. I’m hoping this will pass. He does enjoy his books though – it is fun to have him tell the stories now.
We finally booked our trip to Mexico to go to Eric & Patty’s wedding in February. We are excited. Next year will be very exciting….John & Lena’s wedding will be in July & both boys are going to be a part of it….about 3 of our cousins are getting married as well. Hard to believe that these great things are only months away. Speaking of months away – Stuart turns 1 in November…Crazy.
Family Picture August 2010
Good for 5 years…
Picture good for5 years.
I decided to take Stuart for his passport pictures today. It was quite fun to watch 3 guys trying to get a picture of a 10 month old with eyes open & looking at them. The experience ended with one guy on a camera, one holding a stuffed monkey above his head and the third to take pictures of the whole situation. It all ended up well but it would have gone faster if they just would have made funny sounds to catch Stuart’s attention.
All is well & we are done…..now to submit paperwork.
What a weekend!
George's 1st Concert
We had another busy week & weekend. We had George’s 1st Music Concert last week Tuesday and then Grandma & Grandpa Kleinhans & Aidan over last week Wednesday. George was cute in his concert, basically spent the time looking at the crowd. We knew he could sing the songs (Winnie the Pooh & Mickey Mouse) as we had been hearing them for weeks…but when it came time for the show his mouth only moved a little bit. He was so excited & proud…and fairly well behaved! We got it on tape, so that is nice…he likes to watch himself as well. Then the excitement continued the next day when he got to show cousin Aidan his house & bedroom. They had fun running around & playing in George’s truck.
We bought tickets and took George to see the Wiggles Concert in Chicago. It was great timing because we also got to spend a little time with Grandma & Grandpa Suwalski, Uncle John, Aunt Laura & Uncle Chris. We had a nice dinner on Friday night then hung out in the morning before the Wiggle Concert. George got to see frogs and fish in the pond…he always wants to be near the pond. Stuart got to play around on the floor and explore (on hands & knees) a bit of the house.
George Crusin' w/Aidan
George in Wiggle Awe
We had fun at the Wiggly Circus concert…we were a bit sad to learn that Murray Wiggle wasn’t there because of a family situation, but the fill in did just fine. George sat wide eyed and in awe during the whole thing. He cracked a smile a couple of times, but otherwise was just taking it all in. He was thrilled to see Captain Feathersword and the Big Red Car. Matt & I laughed at the adult humor that they shared….good times. Speaking of laughing, we had quite a laugh at George’s expense this past weekend. John had just arrived & George went out to see him. Turns out the front door closed and he got locked outside (John ended up going around back & missing George). Well, a couple of minutes later Matt asked where George was. Linda went out the front door to see a naked bum and boy with pants around his ankles. Seems that George had to go (#1 & #2) and couldn’t get back into the house. He felt bad about the accident he had and we got him cleaned up. However, we giggled at the sight of lil G & his naked bum.
Family Campfire
We came home and had our first campfire. It didn’t last long as we were just burning off branches & twigs we have been gathering due to winds & weather…but it was big, hot & long enough to roast a couple of marshmallows. Perfect.
George has started to talk non-stop it seems. Mom…Mom…Papa….Papa….I don’t know if he isn’t feeling heard, but he just keeps talking! UGH. Last night he told me I had to go to work more to make more money….so we can buy more things. I told him we didn’t really need more things. He replied saying that we need more money so we don’t run out of paper towel, toilet paper or food…or mixing things (he likes to help bake). Crazy kid. He also informed me today that he got married to a girl at school, Emma. The reason was because she had a baby in her tummy and so they got married. When I asked questions he reminded me “Mama, its a pretend baby”. Interesting that he is putting that all together.
Campfire Stu
Stuart is going through sleep training, again. I’m brave and last night he woke up once & went back to sleep after I went in there only one time. He is pulling up onto everything & find great joy in the game of fetch. He mainly likes to throw his nuk & watch us pick it up. Well, we’ve got him figured out & now I put him on the floor to pick it up himself. He has taken one or two steps when I hold his hands, but I don’t think he really understands he is making it happen.
This week is the last of the summer…I’m busy with student training this week. I feel up to my eyeballs in work, but this too shall pass. It is just the start of a new semester…..in a week most things will even out. The boys start the ‘new year’ but will be in the same rooms as they are now at daycare. Stuart is trying lots of new foods at school and enjoying that. George finished his swim lessons and he is doing great. It is obvious the extra time in the water is making him more comfortable. We got some family pictures taken and I like quite a few of them…I’ll post them in a couple of weeks….the one of the boys together is precious.
We just saw in the paper that The Little Farmer is open….that means that cool weather is around the corner. Can’t wait for fall. We are planning to head to the Calumet County Fair on Saturday with my parents…should be a good time.
Walking Dogs
Papa Pirate & George Feathersword
Wiggles & The Big Red Car
Pictures & Parties
Dad's 60th Party
The past couple weeks we have been spending celebrating & catching up with family. My whole family flew or drove in for last weekend’s celebration of my dad’s 60th birthday. Mom planned a great party where over 100 people came and by the sounds of laughter in the party room, a good time was had by all. I looked around & realized how many people my parents have touched…and how so many of them knew each other. I don’t think that people are like that anymore…most folks I know have compartmental lives for different groups of friends and even family. The party reminded me of my younger days when the parties were held in my parents garage and on their lawn.
However, before the big party was a day for family pictures. We all met at Calumet County Park (where we camped often as children) to have a larger family pic done. It was muddy and full of bugs, but had a good time. The photographer (friend of KJ & Martin) was great & flexible dealing with your family of 15. I was glad that it was the end of the photo session when George took a huge sliding digger in his white shorts. I’ll post the website of pics when they are up.
Stuart, Aidan & George Camping
We stayed to camp & had a great time. Mom found sites right near a playground and James brought some jet skis, so a good time was had. The weekend was not without argument, frustration or accident, but that is what makes family….working through and together…we do that better sometimes than others. Brycen seemed to take most of the accidents for the weekend…stung by a wasp (as was Patty) and then he split his lip open (twice). George just got muddy (twice) and almost ran out of clothes…but that is what camping is for. George got a ride with Matt on the jet ski and liked it quite a bit. As stated above it was nice to see folks at the party and we enjoyed hanging out with Kevin, Kari, Martin & Aidan.
It isn’t often that I don’t want to go to work, but Monday was a struggle. I was still tired from the weekend but shortly after getting to work (and coffee kicking in) I was back to myself (with a few yawns along the way). This week George had lots of nap time wetting accidents that results in daily washes of his sleeping bag, Stuart turned 9 months and has reverted to not falling asleep well at night. Matt worked to bail the water out of the Dragonboat and told George “Don’t drink that….” just as George guzzled a bit of the stale been in there for weeks dirty water. We’ve been watching to make sure he isn’t sick. Gross.
The week ended well with an overnight visit from Kari, Martin & Heidi. Today we are off to visit my parents and Aidan as they camp at Green Lake. The boys will have a blast in the pool!
Stu's 1st Camping Trip
Kevin & George Camping
Brycen & Kari Camping
Heidi taking care of Stuart.
Brycen enjoys Honey Smacks!
My sweet godchild Serena
KJ gets some Suwalski Boy Love
Kari, Martin, Stu & George
Wonder how long it will take….
I just asked George to take a laundry basket downstairs. I ran upstairs quickly and heard him pushing the basket around the floor. I wondered how long it would take before he tried to ride the basket down the stairs. It was in that same moment I heard “Read, Set…..GOOOOooooo!” Yep, it took him only a few seconds to realize his potential. We are thankful it is only 5 stairs and that it ends on carpet. Safe? Not really. Fun, absolutely.
Stairwell Surfer
Ready, set, GO!
Making the most of our summer….
Channeling energy is a time consuming and exhausting task. The past week has been a challenge to see around getting angry and thinking of George as a little boy exerting his independence and emerging personality. However, after about a week of “I don’t want to!” and “NOOOOO” we are thankful for an adorable child who wakes up happy, smiling & using manners. We named him correctly, he is just CURIOUS! It is fun & challenging to be patient enough to watch him figure out how things work….see if it will hold his weight…if he can climb over or under it or get out of it once he gets into it….. Today we were at a local pool with a play area. He first pushed a water button for a girl who was filling up a pail then once something came available for him to fill…..so he pushed the button & ran around to fill his pail….then he realized he could rotate the unit so he could easily push the button & fill his pail. Success. Thank goodness for up weeks!
Tired from the bike ride.
Last weekend we took the boys for a bike ride…it was our first one of the year (we are far behind) but Stu was steady enough & George enjoyed that our destination ended up being A & W for a tasty treat. You can tell by the pic that the ride was too much for them!
On Monday Matt & I took a day to rent a pontoon boat with a couple friend of ours. We were planning to pick the boys up early to take them out as well…however we ended up hitting something in the water & chewed up the propeller a bit….so we went back early just to ensure we could get back. We had a nice time but I was sad to not take the boys out….instead we told George his special surprise was to go to a local park & he rode the train & carousel. He had a blast & would like to go back to try out the water bikes.
We were able to visit the Winnebago County Fair last night…Stu’s first fair. We had corn on the cob and a funnel cake (even Stu tried a bit of the dough). Matt found a new love of a rodeo burger which he will try to recreate tomorrow for lunch. 🙂 We also saw dock jumping dogs (that can jump about 15 feet!) and various animals. Yes, we saw the typical barn animals and George pet the pigs, bunnies, horses & goats (not interested in cows this time). However, we also got to see a wallaby, giraffe, baby tigers, lemurs and deer. George was very excited about the chance to see them up close. I experienced my first tractor pull…I don’t really understand the purpose of such a pull…but realize some folks really enjoy it. I however just didn’t see the point….it was loud & as George puts it “those tractors make a lot of black smoke…it isn’t good”. So instead we walked around & enjoyed an evening at the fair.
Today Matt is painting Stuart’s room. Stuart is becoming more and more playful with George and getting a taste of adventure. He can easily stand up in his crib and likes to pull himself up onto things. Most of all, he just loves to play with and watch his big brother George. George has taken an interest in getting in the crib with Stu to play…it is pretty cute and Stu tends to enjoy the company.
Train Ride!
Standing Stu
Curious George
Stuart's 1st County Fair
Brothers (& monkey)