Logan :: 11 weeks

Look at those chubby, totally kissable cheek-os :-) Don't you just want to eat him up? Logi is gearing up for Thanksgiving and wishes he could feast on real food; however, it's milk only for him this year, sorry Bear! He thought it was hilarious when I asked him if he was my "little pilgrim" -- got some good grins (but always seem to miss them on camera).
Side updates :: Logan is getting much more head control (although I still have a sore occipital bone from the head banging); he has discovered his hands, but often forgets they are there; and, all three of our favorite, he is smiling and "talking" a ton lately!!! We've had some great talks in Gerber, involving lots of different "goo"s, "ga"s and "ah goo"s...love this stage of speech development.

Toddler Camo

Jim got this picture of James this morning -- his very own version of toddler camoflauge :-)

Bailey's Birthday

We helped Bailey celebrate her 25th Birthday last weekend :-) James was very entertained by the dinosaur balloon -- we knew where he was at all times :-)

James' 1st Homework assignment. James did most of the coloring except when I wanted to play (I love to color) and he placed the stickers...our turkey at some feed, a tractor w/ a chicken in it and some hay :-)

James reading out loud...everything ends in "Hi Hi Jo Jo"

Month 19

James started his 19th month in Michigan. We went up to Grand Rapids to help celebrate CJ and Jen Starr's wedding. CJ is a very long time friend for me -- since I was 1 year old! It was great to celebrate with the Starr Family!

A. Cass worked hard for that pic! Handsome toddler! Happy Couple! James playing "spoons" as instruments w/ GG

U. Larry &

A. Kiki

A. Cass showing Ainsley how it's done :-)
GG & Pops

Pops and his grandkiddos! Ainsley is a little easier to handle these days :-)

Gross girls with CJ, the groom!

Pops and JamesE

I had to disconnect the phone in our hotel room....so James could play with it in the bathroom (I don't know, but he insisted and it kept him out of trouble)

Other Month 19 happenings (some pics included in slide show below) :: 1st trip to a bookstore; Mommy and Daddy get kisses on the mouth now, with James' mouth (usually) closed; says "home" when we leave school, "geese" when we drive past them; got sick at a store for the 1st time (and Mommy didn't feel too badly she didn't have to clean it up, sorry Hancock Fabrics); visited John & Lynn before their baby is born and saw a bunch of friends; raked up leaves and then jumped in them!!! Imitates Mommy snapping her fingers; makes noises like a fire truck when we pass them on the way home; made trip #2 of the season to the pumpkin farm to get better pics and some more apple cider donuts (yummy); Illinois beat IU for football homecoming (sorry Uncle Brian, but we've got braggin' rights for this year); tooth #12 finally came through -- all the molars are in! got another hair cut (it grows so quickly); were THE CUTEST lion EVER for Halloween (we had to bribe James w/ being able to play outside with "Ab-bee" if he put on the pants and jacket :-) whatever works, right)! James is getting pretty good at talking on the phone, even though most answers are "yeah", "Daddy" and "Hi, Hi, Jo Jo;" also using a lot more sentence-structure in his jibbering; he was soooo excited to go visit the 2's playground and climb around like a monkey like a big kid!

Lil' Lion Man

One of the teachers painted all the children as different parts of a circus on this day -- James was a lion (how appropriate as he loves to "roaaar").

:: Giving Easton a hug (I just can't get enough pictures of them hugging)
:: Practicing downward dog and getting ready for a somersault

LET'S GO ILLINI!!!! James was all decked out for the start of the college football season!

Week of 8.22.10

This week marked the end of summer for me as I had to go back to school :-( I am happy to be back but could really do without the +70 miles of driving every day -- that could be some QT with my Bug! He was going to school full time since the beginning of August, so the transition was super easy for James (and whenever Jim asks him "James, you want to go to school" he very excitedly says "JoJo, JoJo, JoJo" -- which is also becoming what he calls everything that's not Dada or Gigi, for example :: all animals but a dog or giraffe are now "JoJos" because she teaches him about them).
Above :: a new favorite past time -- taking all the towels and oven mitts out of the bottom drawer -- at least he usually helps put some of them away when he is done :-)
Below :: helping Mommy mix up some pancake batter -- YUMMY!


Other things this week ::

• He knows a lion says "rooooaaar"
• Tooth #8 popped through on Monday -- of course, waking him up in the middle of the night when Mommy had to be up for the first time at 5am, poor Bug
• He keeps asking his teachers for the "row row" to be down in the classroom -- he loves to rock in the wooden boat
• James has been very much the Love Bug lately -- getting hugs and kisses from his girlfriends at school before he leaves (practically making out with P -- so funny, but I had to play Mom and break it up)
• He also knows a monkey says "ahh ahh" but can't make the "ooh ooh" part to go with it

Week of 8.16.10

You can get a good look at the hair cut I gave James (my 1st attempt at cutting hair) -- we had to do some trimming up in the bath tub, but it was just as good as his first cut that we paid for! He took his first bath in the big bath w/o the toddler tub -- he is still hesitant about it but getting used to having all that space to move around and play with toys :-) Jamie S. had Thursday off and her, my neighbor Rachel and I went out to the Huntley Outlet mall to spend money before school started up again -- only bought James fall clothes and socks, but it was more about the time to catch up with the girls.
Above :: James was super excited to see Jamie and he showed her how to play with all of his different toys on the porch (it was super hot that day, so inside with the A/C was necessary).
Below :: James loves to take my keys at school and tell me "on on on" when we get to the car -- below, he is starting his coupe :-)

James loves to come in the office with me and take books off my shelf to read -- today it was the "Everything Exercise" book, the other day it was "Boxing for Women." He also read "Color for your Home," "Baby Signing for Dummies" and "Heart Health" -- he's well-rounded.

Below :: what happens when your child has adapted the sign for "please" to be patting both hands on the chest and he wanted "more paint please" at school for their project -- good thing this stuff comes out easily (and he's polite, ha)!

Week of 8.9.10

James was overly tired and spending some time in pack'n'play prison for hitting Daddy, so I gave him a binkie and he laid right down in there -- so I covered him up with the blankie Aunt Amanda made him and he just thought it was the coolest thing ever! So, once we had our talk about not hitting and told him we loved him, covering up with the blanket became the new game. I guess it's pretty exciting stuff since he still doesn't sleep with anything in his crib with him.
Cute story of the week :: while on a buggy ride at school, his friend, M, was sitting next to him (she's a 20 month old language genius, I swear). She kept hugging him saying, "James, he just soooo cute!" HA! I guess she's heard that a few too many times at school from all the teachers at school that come to play with him on their breaks because he never sleeps the whole nap time:)
Thursday involved Tooth #7 popping on through! I guess he only teeths in pairs (all but one have come in pairs within a week of each other). He also added some new words :: "TV" as he was concerned it wasn't on when he walked past (Daddy uses it to unwind after work) and, my favorite story of the week...
Jim (as he is counting because James is standing on the couch) :: "Onnnnneeee"
James (without missing a beat and perfect voice inflection) :: "Twwwwoooo" and then sits down on the couch. Now, I'd like to believe he was just showing us he knows the number two comes after one; however, I have a feeling Jim was being sassed by a 17 month old :-) We are in t-r-o-u-b-l-e I tell ya.

Week of 8.2.10

James went back to school full time on Monday -- he celebrated by teaching his friends how to climb up on everything in the classroom -- tables, the play school bus, you name it! Ms. D stole James for a bit and got this awesome picture of him in the office :-) Tuesday :: he told me that a kitty cat says "ooowwww" (without any prompting, but it has yet to be repeated) and he kept saying "GG" over and over again when he saw her on Skype -- although he keeps calling Pops and me "Daaad." They finished pouring our new sidewalks and apron of the driveway later in the week, so now James can reach the street again (= trouble). Friday :: his 6th tooth popped through -- top left, 2nd one in -- now 3 on top, 3 on bottom with that next top one on the other side ready to pop through any day! Saturday :: I had a wedding shower, so James and Daddy hung out, then later, Daddy went to play golf while Aunt Amanda and James and I watched some baseball.

Above :: lookin' good in his hat that Gma Chele picked him up in Park City, Utah

Below :: He was so focused, I can't wait for this lawn mower to be the real version :-) (although I will have to work on his technique)

Bella giving Easton some love -- she's made some big strides this summer with not being afraid of him

More things on the head/face :: colander

James loved to watch the "truck" work -- kept him entertained for like 10 minutes (a lifetime in toddler world)

"Cheeee" with Mommy's shoe on

James gets soooo excited every time he sees the camera come out now --- "CHEEEEE" :-D

Back Home

James was excited to see Daddy -- and Daddy was thrilled to see his bug and bud (Easton)! July 20 -- James was happy to go back to school. Later that day we went to Stonewood Ale House to see Gma Chele before she left for Utah for her birthday weekend -- Uncle John and Aunt Bailey met us there, too. July 21st was a big day for James -- his school had their annual Birthday party in the parking lot. James actually got in and "jumped" around in the bounce house! There was a petting zoo, face painting and balloon animals too but James was really not too interested in them. Daddy met us at school for some yummy dinner.
James and his girlfriend, E, enjoying some delicious watermelon. He said "Mmmmm" every bite -- I think he's become a big fan of watermelon :-D

James is in a very affectionate stage (which Mommy and Daddy love). Easton may not be such a big fan of the stage, but James has become much much more gentle with him for the most part (although he thinks it's hilarious to pull Easton's tail and to try and touch his eye balls)...but Easton is often the recipient of James' love hugs (especially when Mommy and Daddy encourage it). There's just nothing like a big hug, with his head down on your shoulder as he pats your back and a big, open mouthed, sloppy slobbery kiss (the best are the ones where he goes for your mouth, haha).

Sorry if the video doesn't work, blogger changed it up a bit and I'm trying to figure it out because it shows me the first frame but won't let the video play....working on it!

Weekend Around Indy with Mommy

I went to pick up James after our vacation and him, Easton and I stayed a few extra days. Thursday I got him from Gma Sharon's (Brian's mom) because I had to take Pops to get an injection in his back (which isn't helping, poor Daddy). Friday we hung out and played and then he played with Lauren (babysitter) while Pops and I went on a double date with Sherry and Dave Wood to see the Brooks & Dunn Last Rodeo concert (amazing)!
The Stage

Mom hooked Dad up with a golf cart ride back to his car -- his back just couldn't hack it but I was proud of him for going to the concert and having a good time still!

Me and the 'rents!

Dad and Mom, Dave and Sherry :-)

Saturday we went down to Ellettsville, IN (near Bloomington) to see Aunt Cassie and Uncle Brian's new house. Super cute house -- although you can't park on the street -- ever -- so they park visitor's cars on the lawn -- which I just find odd -- crazy southern IN towns :-)

James was a big big fan of Uncle Larry's new cowboy hat (he picked it up from the Brooks & Dunn concert) -- we should have known as he only liked country music when he was a baby :-)

Sunday we threw Aunt Kristen and Uncle Larry a baby shower! GG made an awesome taco bar for everyone to enjoy and they got some much needed baby gear. I can't wait to meet my new niece!!!! Mid-September will get her quickly though, so get ready, new Momma and Poppa!

Maddie was soooo excited to give Kris her present -- a "sisters" picture frame and a onesie that says "I'm the Little Sister."

I got everyone to decorate duckies for Mini Motesie -- I think they had fun and hopefully they can use them to decorate her bathroom or something :-) James went bonkers when he saw the ducks -- "DUCK DUCK DUCK" and doing the sign over and over.

Look at that baby belly and the excited Mommy and Aunties!

James gives Pops the best hugs. Here, he is saying "bye" to Pops at his lunch break because we were about to embark on our long journey home to Chicago. Pops, trust me, he misses you too! He goes around honking his nose, just like you taught him :-)

James Vacations in Indy with Pops and GG

After the 4th of July, James was busy cracking us up as I packed up for him to join GG and Pops in Indy for a week while Jimmy and I vacationed in Las Vegas, NV. July 6 -- James was in a fit of laughter as he started trying to "jump" -- a very exaggerated bend at the waist, then full body extension with arms raised above his head and an "ahh" screech (didn't get video on this camera yet). July 7 -- James points to his chest when Mommy asks him "where is your heart?" July 8 -- Laura S. joined us for the trip down to Indy to drop James and Easton off for their vacation (only had one melt down at the end, overall, not too bad).
Above :: turning 16 months old (thanks GG and Pops for getting this pic for me)
Below :: laying down with Pops

Telling Pops he needs to put his new fire pit outside and make him a S'more
Hamming it up with Charlie
James is obsessed with shoes -- he goes and gets people their shoes (even without a request for said service), loves to place his shoes on his "shoe shelf" and gets very excited now and says "shoes" even when he just sees a pair of socks -- I guess that is much improved from the 10 minute screaming fit he had when we first tried to put real shoes on him :-) Below, trying on Mommy's shoes.
Being silly and putting his shorts on his head -- must have gotten Aunt Cassie's genetic matter there as we have lots of pictures of her with things on her head :-)
Slide show of my pictures from Las Vegas -- not too many as we've been a few times now, but some new things we saw (City Center, Encore, Vegas at night from the top of the Eiffel Tower) and you can never have enough pictures of the Bellagio fountains :-) We stayed at the Monte Carlo -- not a fan of the room at first, but it grew on us -- good location kind of in the middle of the MGM properties and close to the trams to help get you places with ease...only went to the pool once, but had a lazy river and wave pool (which made me rock for about 2 weeks, not sure if it's the flying or the water, but last 3 vacations I've been a dizzy mess by the end, not cool).

We missed our Bug dearly, but it was nice to have a vacation by ourselves. And from the sounds of it, Pops and GG are missing the little troublemaker :-)