Counting

So I haven't written much about Nick lately. Sigh. He's still doing silly things, but he's spending more time trying to start fights with me. Sigh. I had to get our "discipline" book out again to see if I can get the little bugger under control. He's totally fine and adorable around Peri, but if he's not getting full attention or exactly what he wants, total breakdown. So hard being the big brother. And being four years old.

Snow White

Every girl has her favorite princess. Mine was Snow White. I thought my mom looked like Snow White growing up and I always wanted her to wear a big red bow in her hair when she went out. She didn't. But I always drew her with one in her hair. Anyway, I was looking at Peri sleeping the other morning and thought "Oh my! I've got a Snow White baby!" Perfect skin, pretty brown hair and little rosebud mouth. Sweet baby snow white!

Auntie Shannon!

Aunt Shannon came to visit! She loaded her suitcase with gifts for Nick and brought lots of cuddles for Peri. Chris is a little jealous because his torso is too bony/solid for Peri to truly snuggle into. And then Auntie Shannon shows up with a big bossum that screams "baby!" Chris described Peri as a little kitty cat purring and snuggling into Shannon. Peri is in heaven.

Mr. Mom Week 3

Peri and Chris are rocking. He's got her on an afternoon nap schedule. They finally got some good weather this week and made it out on a walk. And guess who's big enough to face forward in the Baby Bjorn now? Rock on Peri! Chris said she was just tickled being able to see everything as they walked. Probably extra tickled because she was 5 feet off the ground. It's nice having a tall dad.

Here are some photos from their first week together. I love the silly look on C's face in the one below. "I'm so excited! I'm not working and I've got a sweet baby to hang with!"

Old or Young

So why is it that a bald head and fat thighs are thought of as negative images on adults, but adorable on babies? Look at those little thighs! I could eat them up! Poor Peri, she actually has hair, but is now one of those babies with a bald spot on the back of her head. Whenever I used to see kids with bald spots on the back, I'd blame their parents for not picking them up enough. Now I realize an active head moving from side to side will wear the hair right off your head!

Marathon

Sunday was the Chicago Marathon. We went out to cheer on our friend Daryl. My friend Tracey taught me how to cheer at marathons. You yell "Looking good runners!", "Great job" and "Way to go ______". Luckily many wear their names on their shirts so you can fill in that blank with a personal touch! Well this year, Nick was being a bit shy and didn't want to yell out, so he was asking me to yell for him. "Mom, tell them "Go Faster!". Ha! Just what they want to hear with miles to go! We'll have to work on his motivation speeches. Or maybe he's learning them from us?!

We missed Daryl, but were able to cheer on some other runners.

Where are my pjs?

Chris and Peri had a great week together last week. Once she realized that the big guy could feed her too, she was in love! I spent most of the day with her on Saturday, while Chris worked on the porch stairs. (I know. They're still going on. But almost finished! In time for Halloween. And they look great! Just need some stain and the new handrails!) Anyway, when Chris finished for the day, he came in and said "hi" to Peri. Boy, the smile he got!

Last Monday I came home to find the smiley girl and melt-down boy. Later that night I couldn't find my pj bottoms. Turns out Chris had put them in bed with Peri so she'd have something that smelled like me. Awwww-sweet and icky at the same time! You think I would have caught on, but this week I was once again hunting for my pjs. Yep, in Peri's room. She usually smells like an apricot to me, but today she had a turkey smell to her. Wonder what I smell like to her?

Homeless

So we have a lot of homeless people asking for money on the streets of Chicago. Nick used to ask "What did that lady ask you?" or "Why does that man stink?" when we would pass them on the street. Usually asked loudly and within hearing distance. I'd try to nicely explain that they don't have money or a house to go to. So now when we pass homeless people Nick will first ask "Mom, do he have a home?" and then say "Mom, he can come to our house!". Wow! I was so proud of him the first time he said it. So thoughtful! I told him that we could use some of our fun/toy money to give it to the man to buy food or someplace to stay that night. "Um, maybe we can just use your money, Mom." Sigh. We'll keep trying.

Mr. Mom

Sigh. Twelve weeks zoomed by and today I found myself putting on real clothes and heading back to work. Nick wanted to go to school early, so the two of us high tailed it out of the house by 7am, leaving this behind...
I won't show you the one that has Chris and Peri in the photo, as I'm not in a mean mood :) And because I never want Chris to take an early photo of me to post for all to see. Just think of a tired pirate face.

So Chris is taking six weeks paternity leave, making it much easier for me to leave our little one each morning. And saving us from jumping right into the double drop off/pickup at daycare. Peri and Chris had a great day. Sleeping, eating, sleeping, eating. Guess she's still growing! I was able to keep my mind mostly off baby by working my way through the stack of emails I didn't make it through while I was on leave. But come closing time, I was ready for my baby! Luckily she was still awake by the time I got home and I got some smile time!

I also got a taste of grumpy Nick time. But turned out he was just overtired and needed a hug. Nothing a bath and some ice cream couldn't fix. It's hard being a big brother.

Sk8er

Ok, so I think that title is more for skateboarding than ice skating, but our little Nickie is learning how to ice skate! He's had skates for about 2 years now and has been out on them a few times. You may remember these photos from last winter.But now it's time for actual lessons. What equipment does one need for actual lessons? A helmet with mask, shin pads, elbow pads, gloves and skates. Jeesh. No wonder he thinks he's taking hockey lessons.

Grammy offered to pick him up from school each week and take him to lessons since they are from 4-4:45pm. When she dropped him off this week after his first lesson he was so psyched!

Narrative from Nick:
"It was so awesome! I falled and then the coach helped me up. And then I falled again. And then I couldn't figure out how to get up. Then I falled. Then I tried to get up. Then I got up! Then I falled. Then I got up and skated a little!!!!! Then I falled..."

All the parts where he "falled" were told with such enthusiasm, that you wouldn't guess he was really falling. Guess I see what they needed all the pads now.