The things we do for love

We wake up at 3:45am Saturday morning to go stand in line for two hours in zero degree weather to get a wrist band. We get home at 6:30am, climb into bed and mumble "Just a little more sleep" to Chris when Peri gets up an hour later. Then we watch as Chris gets suited up for the cold to use the earlier wrist band to line BACK up just to get our 5 year old into the rookie baseball league. Phew and brrrrrrrrrr.

Apparently once you're in, you get early, priority sign up the next year. That's at least what we were all telling ourselves as we were out there this morning.

I wish I'd asked Nick if he wanted to play baseball before going through all of this - ha! His first reaction when I told him we got him signed up was "So I'm going to do hockey, basketball AND baseball?" Jeesh - hockey and basketball will be over when baseball starts. Don't make me look like one of those over scheduling parents. It's not my fault they make us sign up for baseball 4 months in advance.

Sweet Heaven! The day has come!

I've been waiting 6+ months for this day! Peri slept through the night. And I fit into my old pants!

Peri has been a super sleeper. Put her in her crib at 6:45pm and she goes down without a fuss. She usually wakes up at 1am and 4am, but quick feedings send her right back to slumber land. But last night found me awake at 2am asking Chris to make sure she was still alive. (That feeling takes years to go away) She woke up at 5am, ate and slept for another hour and a half. Totally doable! Yeah!!!!!

And my pants - well I might have never known to try the old size on because I've been wearing so many skirts/dresses. But a -4 degree day found me in my closet with no pants to wear (between drycleaners and those on their way to drycleaners) so I had no choice but to go to the pre-baby pants.

Rock on-it's set to be a great day!

Nick the Photographer

You know about Nick's love of taking photos. We actually think he takes some pretty nice ones. Notice the great composition above?

So the little guy got his own camera for his BDay! Guess he needs a step stool for some of the shots.

I put him in charge of being the photographer for Megan's shower. He got a few good ones in before he pooped out. We teased him about taking this one of Shannon.


When I told Chris that Nick was taking shots of Shannon's boobs, Chris asked Nick about it and got the answer "he he, yep!" A boy is a boy...

Skating

We went downtown to the outdoor rink this weekend. Nick has been taking skating/hockey lessons for months now. And what does he do once he gets out there? Holds the rail. Jeesh.

On the way to get hot chocolate, we came across this bike with a puppet show on the back. It was funny and creepy all at the same time. Nick got the biggest kick out of it. Everyone on the street got a kick out of watching Nick react.

Mom-Mom and the Kids

Poor Mom-mom just wanted a nice photo with her two grandkids (soon to be three with Nolen!) but Mr. Nick never seems to cooperate. These are only the ones I took with my camera. Her camera was full of tries. By the end, Nick finally smiled but my mom looked exhausted.

Active Baby

Peri, Peri, Peri. She's started strong-legging us (legs out straight and won't bend them). Think that means she's getting ready to crawl, walk, run. Ok, not sure what it means, but it's good. She's started saying "da da da da" last weekend while we were in FL and Chris was back home in Chicago. She's started eating real food - bananas, cheerios (real food?) and anything off C's plate.

Yesterday we went out and bought her an activity center. We've been able to reuse most of Nick's stuff, but since we never bought Nick one, Peri finally got something of her own. It took me friggin forever to get the thing together. Peri cried and had a fit because it was taking me so long and she wanted her center. NOW.

Sweet potato on her face in these photos. Notice her hair turning lighter?!

Disney

Every kid dreams of going to DisneyWorld. Some sort of brainwashing that goes on with those Disney commercials and the big mouse. My sister lives in Orlando and we've managed to avoid Disney every visit. But with Nick turning the big 5, I thought it might be time.

We were in Orlando over the weekend for Megan's baby shower (yeah baby Nolen!)

and decided to devote one day to the Magic Kingdom. Mom-Mom, Shannon and Megan offered to watch Peri while Nick and I went to the park. Craziness to find out that one of Nick's best buds would be in Orlando that same weekend with his parents and grandparents. So we met up with them and had an awesome time. Despite the "chilliest weather in 9 years". Figure we'll never forget the year we went to Disney with hats and gloves.

Nick rode his first roller coaster and was not so impressed. Until he stopped and he yelled "again!" Then onto the Haunted Mansion, which again didn't impress him. So much so that he said "I'm going to go to sleep now." Seems his body has a mechanism for shutting out scary stuff. Apparently he got this from Chris (ask Mary about Chris falling asleep at the dentist when he was little. Just too much stress and they zonk). He loved the racing cars

teacups and the Buzz Lightyear ride.


Now we have to expect to go to Disney every visit to Megan.

Only Child

People are always asking how Nick is enjoying Peri and if there's any jealousy. Luckily for Nick, he believes the world revolves around him. Somedays I'm not sure he even realizes we have a new member in the family.

Last week I was tired and asked Nick to go check on baby (funny how we got used to calling her 'baby' before she was born and still use that nickname) to see if her eyes were open (another way of asking if she's asleep). Nick was in her room for a while and came back all excited. "Mom, her eyes are open and she's smiling at me!" It was like he was seeing her for the first time. Or maybe just realizing for the first time that she is more than just a blob.

New Year, New Skill

Try explaining to someone in words how to blow a bubble. Nick and I tried this for ages on the car ride home from school last year. Then we saw a neighbor kid blowing a bubble and his dad reminded us that bubble gum is best for bubbles. Not Extra or Trident, but Bubbalicious goodness.

Santa brought Nick a pack of sugarless Bubble Yum (what a great name that I never appreciated before) and Nick figured it out! I was able to get a little one on video. Sad I didn't get the proud look of amazement when he blew his first one.