Fall 2016

It seemed like the moment school started this fall, life became exponentially busier. Homework, soccer, swim lessons, Cub Scouts, three trips to Chicago, a camping trip, a half-marathon and work kept us constantly on the move. Here are a few pictures left on my camera and phone...

Darth Vader and Kylo Ren made appearances at Halloween.

Miles' class went to a pumpkin patch for their fall field trip.

Grant and I also visited the pumpkin patch on a rare day off for him. 

The boys found any chance they could to play in leaf piles.

Charlie wore a giant bow tie for Uncle Alex and Aunt Stephanie's wedding.

Miles and Grant performed their duties as ring bearers.

The first documented photo of everyone looking at the camera -- at the same time!

More leaf piles.

Boys in cute hats.

Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Chicago.

At the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.

Camping Trip

We went camping last weekend at Backbone State Park, about three hours northeast of Des Moines with Grant's Cub Scout pack. It was a beautiful fall weekend, with the leaves in full color and the weather mild during the day and cold at night. 

After dropping off Charlie at Grandma and Grandpa's house on Friday evening, we arrived at camp around 9 in time for an owl hike. The boys were so tired that they pretty much collapsed in our tent that night. The temps dipped into the 30s, but they didn't seem to mind, sleeping soundly throughout the night while Kent and I tossed and turned. 

Our SUV trunk was filled to the max even for just a two-night trip. 

Saturday morning we had pancakes followed by a visit from a naturalist and fishing. Grant was thrilled to catch a small fish in the pond after waiting patiently for the better part of an hour. Miles didn't have as much patience—he found a steep hill and rolled down it over and over.

That afternoon we hiked a pretty trail, spent a lot of time at the playground and capped off the day with a campfire and s'mores. 

All in all, it was a fun, adventure-packed weekend, and the boys wondered when we could go back again. 

Charlie at 1 Year

Happy birthday to Baby Charlie! His first year has been full of fun, chaos and sweet moments. He showed a determined spirit from Day 1, overcoming a scary entrance into the world and thriving. He came home and fit right in with his goofy, high-energy, loving brothers.

So far Charlie is independent and determined, often silly but also quite serious. He loves books, baths, Ted the Hero, books about dogs, eating, music, swings, stroller rides and of course his big brothers. He's a little shy, especially around new people. He typically studies people with a furrowed brow before volunteering a smile. He doesn't sit still or tolerate snuggling, but catch him in the right moment and he'll happily give kisses and hugs, before pushing you away and beelining to climb the stairs.

New this month, Charlie:

• Says "ma-ma," "da-da" and "dog"
• Blows kisses.
• Seems to understand more words, like diaper, feet, cat and brothers.
• Stands up on his own.
• Pretty much decided he's done with nursing. He had seemed less and less interested ever since our Italy trip, but I was still holding on to a few feedings a day. This month he's gradually dropped all of them. 
• Also refuses to let us feed him, demanding only table food that he can feed himself.
• Has finally grown enough hair to develop little blond curls above his ears.

Previous monthly photos

Miles' monthly baby photos

Charlie at 11 Months

With the leaves starting to turn colors, I keep thinking back to a year ago when I was hugely pregnant, waiting for baby to arrive. It's crazy to think that Charlie is almost a year old. At 11 months, he's at a fun yet exhausting age, full of personality but getting into everything. 

New this month, Charlie:

• Waves "bye-bye."
• Says "dog" and "da-da," which sound the same. 
• Can go from squatting to standing unassisted. He's like a kid learning to ride a bike; as soon as he realizes that he's standing on his own, he panics and sits down.
• Pushes a baby walker around the house.
• Loves oranges and salmon, has decided that's he "over" Cheerios and bananas, and still loves cheese more than anything.
• Adores books but isn't crazy about sitting still to be read to. Instead he likes to hold them and turn the pages himself. Favorite books are "Doggies" by Sandra Boynton and "Dear Zoo."
• Throws mini-temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way, often holding his breath until he turns blue.
• Can climb up the stairs. 
• Every morning as I'm getting ready for work, methodically empties every drawer in my bathroom. First he shakes out every last hair tie, then he removes Kent's shaving supplies, and then he moves on to the bottles of hairspray and hairbrushes under the sink. He's a mini tornado, a path of destruction following him everywhere he goes. 
• Loves Kent more than anyone. If Kent is in the room, he whines until he picks him up. If I'm holding him, he'll often push me away and reach for Kent. It's a very sweet bond that they have, and I try not to be offended.

Miles' First Day

While Grant was at a new school this year, Miles was back at Montessori, this year in the 5-7 year-old class. It's the first year he's going to school all day...It's hard to believe he's already old enough! In the days leading up to school, he seemed especially excited about lunch. He loved the idea that he got to eat lunch at school with his friends, followed by playing outside. And sure enough, when I picked him up on the first day, he wanted only to talk about lunch. As the week went on, we heard a bit about his new friends and what he was learning. But when asked his favorite part of the school, the answer was always: lunch.  

Here he is with his BFF Izzy, who started at Montessori this year in the 3-6 class.

Grant's First Day, Second Grade

Grant started 2nd grade last week at a new school. After five years at his Montessori school, it was time to move on to traditional school in our neighborhood. He was ready to move on, but we were all a little anxious about the changes.

In the weeks before school started, we went shopping for school supplies and he picked out a new Star Wars backpack. When we came home from our shopping trip, Grant organized everything on the dining room table and insisted on sharpening all of the pencils. Then he carefully tucked everything into his backpack.

He got to meet his teacher and see his classroom on a "back to school night" a few days before school started, so that helped him know what to expect. The morning of his first day, he got dressed right away and couldn't wait to leave the house. We walked the six blocks to school and I walked him to his classroom. That's when his eyes filled with tears. I gave him a hug and blew kisses as he walked into his classroom. I watched him walk over to his desk with his teacher and get settled in. Walking home, I was a little teary myself; I was glad I wore sunglasses that morning. 

When I came home that day, he had so much to tell me about his classroom, new friends and finding his way around the new school. I was relieved to hear that he couldn't wait to go back the next day, and he even insisted that I drop him off in front of the school instead of walk him to his classroom. We couldn't have asked for a better first day and first week. We can only hope his excitement for school continues all year long.

Charlie at 10 Months

Sigh. My baby is already 10 months. His current favorite things are re-organizing kitchen cupboards, taking apart his big brothers' Lego creations and drooling.

What's new:

• He pulls himself up to standing and scoots across furniture.
• He gives open-mouth kisses.
• He does "so big," stretching his arms over his head. 
• He likes to mimic his brothers.
• He's down to nursing two times a day. 
• He mostly feeds himself table foods. Favorites include peas, cantaloupe and green beans. He also loves cheese of any kind, from goat cheese to feta. 
• He's practicing his balancing skills, and even stood up once without holding onto anything. 
• He had his first week away from Mom and Dad and did remarkably well. 
• He loves bath time. 
• He whines. I can't begin to imagine where he learned this communication skill.
• He still has almost no hair but he seems to be sprouting new teeth every day.

Previous monthly photos.

Miles' monthly baby photos.