Christmas

Ian definitely got into Christmas more this year than last (you know, when he kept crawling away from the excitement), but mainly because of Audrey's excitement. He loves her so that anything exciting to her is equally exciting to him! He had learned to check his stocking over the recent weeks, but the prize on Christmas this year was the football from Eric. We knew this would be his prized possession and that it had to come from daddy. I mean, this is the boy who will throw his arms up in the air and yell, "FOOTBALL!!" And sometimes there is actually a game on when he does it! I do love this picture of him first thing in the morning at Grandma and Grandpa P's, Nuk in mouth, surveying the chaos that is about to begin!  

Carousel

Yes, Ian really did have this much fun on his first carousel ride at the Children's Museum!

Santa

This is as close as we got to Santa this year! Ian was all smiles until we got a little too close to the big guy. I thought he would sit on Santa's lap while Audrey was talking his ear off, but, not so much. Oh well! He did help Santa out and give him back his sleigh bells!

Thanksgiving

Ian had a great Thanksgiving. spending time with all of his family. He looks really worn out in all the pictures! Must have been all that turkey! I think he was asleep before we left Uncle P's and Aunt D's after cousin M's birthday party. You know, until we hit the pole! :)

Halloween

Ian had a great 2nd Halloween, and got much more into it than last year! :) We had a beautiful night to trick-or-treat, and everyone loved his costume. We had one very tired Big Bad Wolf on our hands by the end of the night!

Root, Root, Root for the Cardinals!

Oh, I soooooo hope I have a little Cardinals fan! Had to don this gear for the WORLD CHAMPIONS!!

16 month stats

Ian had his 16 month appt with Dr. M today. He weighed in at 26 lbs, 4 oz (68th percentile) and was 33 inches tall (88th percentile). Eric and I were nerds and counted out how many words he has (40) plus 4 words he signs but does not yet say. She said he's perfect - of course!

Pumpkin Patch

Ian got a whole new perspective on pumpkin patches this year since there was no way he was going to be contained to a baby sling this time! He loved the tractor ride out to the patch and helped locate his very own pumpkin. He needed some help from his daddy hauling it back onto the wagon for the return ride, but he didn't complain. I'm guessing next year this little boy will be able to carry his own pumpkin! While running!

Dear Ian,

We love you so. You are becoming such a little boy. Not much baby left in you. An emerging chatterbox. Signing some, but using your voice more and more. Lots of 'dog', 'more', 'mama', 'dada', 'Audrey', 'hot', 'what's that?', and 'duck'. Did I mention 'dog'? But, my hands down favorite is 'all done'. You are so animated when you say it. When finished eating. Or riding in the car. Or when looking at a book. Or when you decide you are ready to get out of your crib (even when we've just laid you down for the night!). Or when daddy has NPR on the radio. A man after my own heart! You are such a sweetheart. Giving us kisses for no reason. Loving on your lion. Insisting on as many Nuks as are within sight. Greeting all with a 'hi! hi!' Though you love to pull your sister's hair, you also love sharing with her. You insist that she needs a book in the bath just like you. It drives her bonkers since she has no interest in it, but we laugh since we know you are just being thoughtful. You love when she plays with you, and get so excited when you see her first thing in the morning. You are sensitive to redirection and love to please. You love life and dive into most things headfirst. Literally. You are so willing to try new things. Including food. You down asparagus like nobody's business. But only if you can first hit yourself in the face with it. Daddy is not allowed to cut it up or there are lots of tears about asparagus no longer being fun. You love whooshes when the Bears score and imitate the Bears when you catch a play. And you sit on the couch or floor when the TV is turned on, anticipating Murray Monster from Sesame. So excited when he appears.

I remember when you were born and talking with our beloved pediatrician about how concerned I was that you would not get as much individual attention as Audrey. She told me that while your reality would be different from when Audrey was born, you would thrive nonetheless.

Indeed.

I have no idea who Ian looks like in this picture...

Swim Lessons

Ian loves the bath. Especially walking around in it. Needless to say, this results in short baths. Just as we did with Audrey, we enrolled Ian in swim lessons and we knew Ian would not hesitate to get into the pool. Eric gets in with him, and we hear the same songs we learned when Audrey took lessons. I don't remember Audrey doing this, but as soon as Ian sees me (and Audrey), he waves and smiles and blows kisses and says, 'mamama', and turns his head to keep us in view. He is just beat after lessons. So is his daddy!

Who looks more suspicious?

Ian or Uncle Brian? (The Bomb sign behind Uncle Brian does not help his case...). Taken within seconds of each other, maybe they were part of a conspiracy...Uncle B would definitely like that...

Hide and Seek

Ian is really getting the hang of hiding these days. Usually if I ask, 'Where's Ian?', he pats his head to let me know, "Right here!" But, since big sis hides behind the chair during a good game of hide and seek, he knows that's the place to hide.

Love him to pieces. (And, yes, living room generally is what I affectionately call, 'a disaster area'. When I was recently cleaning up, Audrey very seriously said to me, "Mommy, why are you cleaning up? We're just going to make a mess again after nap.")

Ba Ba Ba, Barbara Ann

Just like his big sister, Ian loooooves the song, Barbara Ann. It's foolproof in getting a smile out of him. And, even on a hot, hot day, some dancing! :)

First Year Stats

Ian had his one-year appt with Dr. M and got to impress her by toddling over to her! He weighs 25 lbs, 4 oz (82nd percentile) and is 33 inches tall (95th percentile). Let's see, Audrey was 24 lbs at her 2 year appt and was 33 inches at 2 1/2 years. Swear they're related!

Father's Day!

Ian looks a little different than last Father's Day!

ianeugene.blogspot.com/2010/07/catch-up.html



And oh how he loves his daddy. Signs 'please' if I get him up in the morning as he instead wants Eric. Throws the ball to him instead of me if Eric is in sight. And the wrestling. Eric is his go-to guy.

Ian is a mini Eric, through and through. I only hope we never find a mini-version of Eric's shirt! :)

Birthday Party!

Ian loved seeing family for his birthday party, even if he was the first to bed!

Happy Birthday!

Ian had a great first birthday. He woke at his usual time of 6 AM sharp and was ready to get his day started! He enjoyed opening his first present but lost interest shortly thereafter and instead wanted to drink some milk while his sister helped open the rest. He napped at 7:30 but was ready for a day at the zoo shortly thereafter. His favorite by far was the bear who he got a really good look at. He snoozed after lunch and didn't wake until the ride home. He loved his first taste of ice cream, complements of Jenny at Coldstone. He loved playing with both sets of grandparents to end his day. He was wiped and headed for upstairs when asked if ready for bed. Nothing gets in the way of sleep when there is a Nuk and a penguin nearby!

Dear Ian,

Tomorrow, you turn 1. You most certainly are more a toddler than a baby. You now toddle into the kitchen. Just strolling in to see what's going on. You are a laid back, go with the flow kind of guy. Unless it's time for a meal or a snack. Or you are ready for your 8 AM nap (!). As Dr. M mentioned at your last appt, you have really just fit in so well to our family.

This birthday is bittersweet for me. You are my little boy. Growing much too fast. Tonight, when I arrived to pick you up, I spotted you immediately. Sitting in the grass. Outside with the big kids. You were just soaking it all in. The others were running, but your legs must have given out in the grassy incline. I heard your teacher asking if you were going to join the fun. You started toward me as soon as your tracked my voice, and I was of course so glad to scoop you up. I know that you will be taking that grassy incline in no time, and keeping up with the big kids. But, for now, I love that little boy just soaking up all around.

So, we close your first year. With four teeth. Two more starting to peek thru. With words including mama, dada, and 'what's that?'. Signs for more, please, bath, and all done. A love for flags. And your daddy. And baths. And Murray Monster. And Audrey. And swings. Did I mention flags?

We can't wait to spend the day with you tomorrow. Your first trip to the zoo. Bet you'll especially love all the flags. :)

Love, Mommy

Memorial Day weekend

Ian had a great holiday weekend. He had the best seat in the house riding on Eric's back for a hike through the woods at Brown County State Park, but would not keep his hands inside the moving vehicle. He just had to have his arm extended for the entirety of the hike, much to my horror as I was concerned his arm was going to be broken by all the trees within close proximity. (This is the best I got of Ian and Eric. Probably is an actual eye roll from Eric after all the pictures...)

He also loved his first dip in the pool. He got the hang of splashing his sister more quickly than expected...

There was some crying though when told his pool time was up, but thankfully the next stop was the bath. For which he cries every night when dinner is over. Adamantly signing "please" and "bath" until we oblige. This little water baby definitely didn't inherit that from me!

11 Months!

Audrey asked me today why I was so sad. Eleven months! That's why! I can't believe Ian is almost a year old. Such a great little boy. He's been up to a lot of moving around this month. No longer can I give him a haircut as he moves around too much, despite Audrey's best attempts to distract him. He's taking 6-7 steps at time and started pivoting and doing squats this evening! Such a show-off! He loves, loves, loves his swing. Cries if he's told it's time to get off before he's ready. He desperately signs, 'please' to go outside, especially for that swing! Audrey remains the bees knees. He's starting to say 'nana' for banana and continues to say 'mama' and 'dada'. We think he's working on tooth #5 (and maybe #6).

I did attempt to get a picture of him in the chair. He almost fell out of the chair when trying to stand and climb back out of the chair. Audrey and I get a workout trying to get these pictures!

Walking

My first attempt at getting some video of Ian walking...must copy and paste the link given some IT issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVBJGrTqZow

Mother's Day

I had a great first Mother's Day with my little boy. He was ready to begin the day by 6 AM, and Eric thankfully entertained him while I slept in a bit. The rest of us were no entertainment for him during brunch as he people watched and enjoyed some balloons celebrating Mother's Day. I think though, without a doubt, the highlight of Ian's day was riding on his swing.

Oh how he LOVES his swing. Loves it. Cries if not warned that the fun is about to end. Could swing all day. I took many pics of him on the swing and when reviewing them later, he was smiling from ear to ear in each of them. Oh what a fun summer we will have!

I so love being this little guy's mommy. Just a year ago he was kicking and doing somersaults that made me stop in my tracks. Now he just glances my way, cocks his head, and gives a big grin.

Love this easygoing guy.

And...

we have walking!!!

First Easter

Ian had a great first Easter though he could have cared less about all the festivities! He headed in the opposite direction while Audrey was hunting eggs and snacked and played during egg-decorating. Took full advantage of his sister being otherwise occupied to spend time doing what HE wanted to do! Bet his interests will change next Easter! He did enjoy his first chocolate bunny, bearing a big grin the minute he got his first taste!

Ten Months!

Ian celebrated his 10 month birthday recovering from a double ear infection. Good times! The antibiotic seemed to kick in quickly though, and Ian has been much like himself. He's busy trying to keep up with his sister, and we're busy trying to keep up with him. He makes a beeline for the stairs if not gated, and he's quite skilled at scaling the staircase at record speed. He continues to cruise but is beginning to try to stand on his own. He shares his meals with Fris in exchange for Fris allowing him to pull up on her. He gets frustrated when she moves on him but she's more than patient with this curious little boy. Ian LOVES his bathtime with Audrey. They generally get along so very well. He lights up when he sees her and struggles to close his peepers if he hears her voice. I have no hope of a vegetarian with this little boy. Every time I turn around his meat is gone but his veggies remain. I can't wait to buy an infant swing for him so he can enjoy the swingset. He loves to look out the window and seems to want to have a front seat view of the swingset. Socks don't stay on his feet for long. I bought him his first pair of shoes last weekend, and he had managed to get one off buy the time we arrived home. He hasn't yet figured out how to undo a double tied shoe...