Two years and one day ago....

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It Came!

Tooth #3 is here. Finally came through on Sunday!

Still Waiting....

Peter's tooth has not come yet, but he was far less crabby today than he was the past two days. He was so out of sorts yesterday that after going to bed at 8:00pm (fairly normal), he woke up at 8:30pm and was completely inconsolable. Finally, after a long while of trying to console, exhausted and very weary, we decided to just put him back into bed to let him cry. I had fed him, changed him, gave him Motrin, rocked with him...everything I could think of. So, he just had to cry for a while. Finally at 10:00...he fell asleep. Aaaaaahhhhhhh..........the sweet peacefulness of a sleeping baby.

Today he was pretty cheerful and hamming it up all day. We went for a couple walks, played a lot and had fun. He started doing the cheesy smile today - a huge and sometimes fake grin with his eyes shut. How he figured that out is beyond me! It is pretty cute, though. It makes us laugh every time!

He also really likes to try pulling himself up to a standing position whenever he can. With very little assistance from either of us, he is quite capable! He seems more interested in walking than he does in crawling. Maybe he'll be one of those babies who skips crawling? Not so sure I'm liking that idea, though! Too grown up too fast!

But, since he's already in bed for the night (hopefully not a repeat of last night) and Luke ran to my parents' house to borrow my dad's waders (he has become quite the avid fisherman), the house is quiet...think I'm going to go do some sewing and maybe watch a movie?

Teething Again

Peter is teething again. This time, however, I am seeing signs of it! Maybe the first time around I just didn't know what was going on and that's why I didn't pick up on his teething-ness state...maybe? Well, there is a tooth on the top coming. He also has a runny nose, which I know often happens when a baby is teething, but since it didn't happen with the first two teeth, I wonder if he has a cold or if it is teething related?

Seven Months and Counting!

Okay, so Peter isn't counting yet, but wouldn't that be incredible???

Since I just posted a couple weeks ago, there isn't too much to tell....or is there? Let's see:

He can now sit all on his own. He will, of course, fall over if he forgets what he's doing and loses his balance - like if he suddenly lunges for a toy or if one of us is standing right next to him and he tries to crane his neck to see our faces. He definitely will lose his balance then! So, typically he just stares at our legs or feet. haha... :)

Remember when you were a kid and were fascinated with bubbles? And then when you realized if you were careful enough and pooled enough saliva in your mouth you could ALMOST make your own bubbles using your mouth and spit? Yeah...well.....Peter has already figured that one out!

He loves to turn the pages in books for me. I just read board books to him and I hold the page up a little bit so he can grab it and when it's time, he turns it! Of course, sometimes I have to read really fast to keep up, but...is it me or is this little man a genius?

Peter, if you haven't been able to tell from all the pictures of the two, absolutely ADORES Lucy! All she has to do is come waltzing into the room and his whole face lights up!

He is starting to outgrow Baby Einstein videos. Sadly enough he gets bored watching them! Okay, okay, just so you all know, it's not like we plop him down in front of the TV all day long or anything....but when I'm trying to make dinner and he just wants to be held, or when I'm trying to quickly pick up the house...a little video is great! His current video series of choice? Fisher Price's Little People. He could watch Eddie, Sarah Lynn, Sonia, Michael, Farmer Jed, Zookeeper, and everyone else allllllll day long! So, thanks Chrissy for giving those to us. :)

I know he's probably too young to start talking, but when he's babbling away, he often says "ma-ma" and I get so excited. I pretend he knows exactly what he's saying. I'm sure his first real word will be "da-da" or "Lucy" or something like that, but for now I can pretend.

One of our current frustrations is his sleep, or the lack thereof, at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He's starting to have a really hard time sleeping, well falling asleep, when he's not at home. We first noticed this when we were at the Iowa Conference last month. He sleeps just fine once he's asleep, but...sigh...it's hard. I work Tues-Thurs and the first two days consist of much crying at nap times. Finally by Thursday he's realized that it's okay to sleep at Grandma's house and that he won't miss out on too much and he goes down without a fight. But those first two days are a real challenge. So is traveling!

Last weekend we decided to surprise my brother Brad with a visit for his birthday. We also permanently brought my aunt and uncle's dog - now Brad and Kerri's dog - back down for them. Brad had no idea we were doing any of this. Our arrival didn't work out just how we had planned, but we did surprise him and we ended up getting to visit with the family of one of my former students from Pine Island. She is 21 already! I guess it helps that I first met Jamie when she was a junior, but still.....how are all these kids growing up so quickly? I'm pretty sure that many of my first students are all graduated from college and getting their own jobs now. Wow. That's weird. Just like when the babies you used to babysit are suddenly not babies anymore...but are graduating, marrying and having their own babies! Hmmm...think I'm starting to date myself...

On Monday evening, my friend Laura came over with baby Uriah - we hadn't met him yet! So, while the mommies and babies (and Lucy) hung out and went for a walk, the daddies went fishing. I love summer!

Oh, and remember my nice neighbor Lisa who loaned me her ladder when I got locked out of our apartment? She had her baby last week! Kaitlyn Grace is her name and she is a beautiful little girl!!!

Yesterday, Peter and I drove to the mall to see my friend Gretchen and her two darlings. She and her husband David recently moved to South Carolina and were home for a visit. Funny how you don't get much visiting time in when kids are in the picture! I think we have more productive conversations over the phone! But, it was wonderful to see them and meet their new (9 month old) baby and let them meet Peter. Too bad David and Luke were working...we missed having them with us.

We are hopefully planning a camping trip to the North Shore later this summer...all tips on camping with a baby are welcome! Not sure we know what we're getting ourselves into, but I'm sure it'll be a trip laden with memories!

My favorite time of the day is bedtime. That's the time when Peter is actually a snuggly little baby. We say goodnight to daddy and head into his bedroom for pajamas and a fresh diaper. Then we sit in the comfy recliner so he can eat his last meal of the day and then regardless of how restless and squirmy he was moments ago, as soon as I start praying with him, he stills. And nestled against me, we pray for our family and friends, I pray for Peter's life and thank the Lord for all His blessings and provision for us. We are such a blessed people...it's unfortunate that we forget so easily. And when we're done praying, I recite verses to Peter. I'm hoping that by the time he's old enough to talk, he'll have a wealth of wisdom already tucked away in his heart. Currently we're on John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son. That whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." and Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

Peter just loves Lucy's tags.

While she may have more energy and love to share with the world than we'd like sometimes, Lucy is so good and patient with Peter. We have been blessed with a truly wonderful dog and we just love her all the more for it. Nicole, if you read this, thank you!

Peter and Anna. She's Gretchen's daughter and she loves babies.

Gretchen!

Zachary and Peter....well, Zachary fell asleep and so this was the best we could get. Peter was wishing he was alseep...

Laura's little guy Uriah and Peter. Uriah is only 2 1/2 months old!!!

I couldn't resist putting this in - it's a picture of Luke from the day he was on a fireworks crew. He's holding a 10" mortar (firework). Wow.

Fourth of July Weekend (and 6 3/4 months!)

Many, many things have happened since my last posting. This one is so very overdue so I will hit the highlights:

On June 6th, Peter got to go to a wedding for the first time. Our friends Matthew and Nancy got married, but since we were sitting in the back corner I did not get any good pictures. I think I deleted them all! However, Matt, Jen and baby Audrey were in town for the wedding and I got a good one of Audrey! I'll be sure to attach that picture. It was a beautiful wedding with lovely flowers, yummy food and a beautiful bride. The groom couldn't stop smiling, either! Congratulations!!!

A couple weeks later, I finally found an armoire for our TV, dvd player, vcr, tapes, dvds, cables, reciever, remotes, etc, etc, etc....so the three of us piled into Luke's Ford Ranger - Luke driving (my efforts driving a stick-shift vehicle have always ended terribly and sometimes rather dramatically...ask sometime about the time when we were driving to our birthing class...), Peter in the passenger seat and me in the backseat! Since it's an older truck, there are no airbags and the backseats flip down from the sides, not facing forward, so Peter had to sit in the front! That was a little weird, and since he could see me the whole time, he cried, so I had to duck down behind the seat so he couldn't see me. That was just too weird! We did end up, however, with a beautiful cabinet that very nicely hides all of our junk! Well, the tv junk, anyway...now what to do with the rest of it???????

Peter now rolls like crazy. If he's on the floor, he'll be halfway across the room before too long. He can even pull with his arms while also pushing with his feet and scoot himself forward a bit, too.

While he still LOVES to spit, he's also discovered his tongue and likes to make clicking sounds sometimes. But more often than that, he plays with his lower lip by sucking it in and then pushing it back out, over and over and over and over again.

He is able to sit, aided with my Boppy nursing pillow (it's shaped like a horseshoe) for long periods of time, and can sit completely alone for....about 10 seconds. But he is getting stronger and stronger. Each week he's able to do new things it seems.

A few weeks ago, Peter and I went on a marathon garage saleing spree one Thursday armed with a stroller, water bottle, snacks (for me) and $40. We bought puzzles, two plastic play barns with people and animals (I think they are both Fisher Price, one is just, well, a little dated and runs completely without batteries!), two shirts for me as well as a couple bracelets, a glass that matches our set to replace #12 that broke a year or so ago, LOADS of clothes for Peter including: more, bigger summer clothes, jeans, dress shirts, pajamas (fuzzy winter ones!), regular shirts and more things that I can't remember. We came home with $8 left over! I love garage sales. Oh, and, the dated Fisher Price barn without batteries that cost $.25? It's Peter's favorite!!!

We also went to Iowa Conference, a Bible conference our church has each summer, in June. It, too was, of course, Peter's first time there. We finally landed a really nice, albeit rather small, cabin and had a pretty good time. It's much different when one brings kids along - no more late nights at Happy Chef after bowling or mini-golfing or whatever is going on that night. Oh, well...I had a really good book along! Peter also spent two mornings during the morning session in the nursery. He did very well and I was quite happy.

Two weekends ago, Big Lake celebrated Spud Fest (ours is a community full of potato farms) complete with a carnival across the street from our apartment (fun...), fireworks and a parade. Well, that's just what we went to. The carnival was, well, a small town, overpriced, greasy food-filled, noisy carnival. With rides. Expensive rides. I wanted to go on the Tilt-a-Wirl so badly.....but instead I just enjoyed the ride from afar. Not quite the same. Peter, however, enjoyed his first parade with our friends Rebecca (her husband, Willie, is one of the community's potato farmers!), Courtney and James and their two darling kids - Corinne and Daniel. Peter was quite taken with Corinne...

That same weekend, Luke, at the prompting of something he read in his psychology textbook, decided Peter should try tasting something with a really strong flavor...something like....an onion. Well, we finally agreed on a lemon, sliced it up and let him have a taste. If I can get the video to load, I'll let you see his whole body shudder he does when trying something new. It's pretty funny!

And now we reach this past weekend - Peter's first Fourth of July! We spent the weekend at the cabin with family and friends. Luke got to try one of his "Bucket List" items - being on the fireworks crew! I was a little nervous, but he came back with no missing limbs or fingers and had a huge smile on his face. I guess the fireworks up in Garrison were especially spectacular this year!

Peter got to go on his first paddle boat ride, had his first taste of watermelon, pineapple and a host of other fruits and cooked carrots. We have this little mesh bag with a handle on it that you can stick any type of food into (within reason, of course) and then let them chew/suck on it. They are able to get any liquid out and all the flavor without any chunks that they might choke on. He did not get to see any fireworks as that is WAAAAAAY his bedtime and, quite honestly, I'm pretty sure he'd be a complete mess and terrified of the noise. He did, however, spend lots of time on the beach and with everyone there.

Picture time!

Hanging out while I wash the dishes.

Watching TV with Uncle Ben.

Baby Audrey!

Our new armoire that we had to drive to south Minneapolis, Peter in the front seat and me in the back to get...what a ride!

Typical guys. Heaven forbid they actually have to sit close enough to touch! :) Love you guys...

All clean!

Why is he happy? Because he's playing with his new barn!!!

Still playing, still loving.

Don't know why it wouldn't rotate this one the right way...

He JUST woke up.

Peter and Lucy in what is quickly becoming a typical pose around our home.

One night we had a rainbow...two rainbows!

See his teeth?

For whatever reason, Lucy likes to hang out back there in Peter's room.

My little brother. Isn't he so cute?

This is what the guys did most of the weekend at the cabin...

And this is what the kids and the moms did!

He isn't such a fan of cool lake water.

He didn't really like this either. Can't imagine why...I love it!

Eating breakfast with Auntie Kerri and Uncle Brad.

He really did not like his lifejacket...

Awww....

But he LOVED the boatride!

Getting ready for the fireworks!

Kyaking...beautiful cool morning.

Lucy just adores this game....jump off of the dock to retrieve a ball! Her pal (and twin?), Stewart is still on the dock. She beat him to it.

Meeting the Neighbors

By the end of the story below, you'll know the significance of this picture.

This morning, Peter, Lucy and I got to meet some of our new neighbors. The hard way.

We were getting ready to go for a walk, without the stroller (it's locked in the garage...another story!), so I had to strap Peter into the Baby Bjorn, put the leash on Lucy, grab my cell phone, grab a plastic bag (for Lucy, you know) and head out the door. Except that as soon as the door slammed shut behind me, I realized I was missing something. You see, we have one of those locks on our apartment door that even if it's locked, you can still open it from the inside, but once you're out it's still locked. I quickly rummaged through the pocket on my favorite gray hooded sweatshirt (I'm sure you've all seen me wear it a million times)...phone, plastic bag. Leash in my hand. Peter strapped to my front. NO KEYS!!!!!

So there I was with baby and dog, locked out of the apartment but still in the building. Luke has our other key...but since he started his first day of school today (yay, Luke!), and was nowhere near or able to leave even if he was nearby, we were sort of on our own. I started knocking on neighbors' doors one after another until I found a man named Pat at home. He lives across the hall in 202 and was on the phone when he came to the door. He said that he's gotten locked out before and just climbed onto the balcony (we live on the second floor) and walked into his sliding door. That sounded great, except where on earth was I going to get a ladder? I couldn't get into our garage!!! He didn't have one, was busy and on the phone, so I said, "Thanks." and left.

The next door I knocked on was 204. No answer. So I turned around and knocked on 203. The door opened and there was a very pregnant lady standing in the doorway! She and her husband used to be the caretakers, so she thought she knew of a way to get back into my apartment. No luck. But she did have a ladder in her garage. Not a tall one, but a ladder nonetheless. So we traipsed outside to the garage, got the ladder, dodged the sprinklers (Peter got hit and didn't like it very much) and set it up below our balcony. Too short...but since I'm tall......Lisa (I thought we should introduce ourselves) offered to hold Peter while I climbed up the ladder. Just as I was working up the courage to do such a thing (I'm kind of a whimp when it comes to heights), neighbor Pat from 202 walked around the side of the building and offered to climb up. Fortunately he's pretty strong as he was only able to grab the balcony and then he had to pull himself up the rest of the way! Fwew...he didn't fall and die. :) He went in, got my keys, Lisa and I put the ladder away, Lucy, Peter and I went for a walk, came back and now I need to bake some cookies. I hope Pat and Lisa like chocolate chip!