Thanksgiving in Ohio

We just go back from a great trip. There was only one bad day when we got rear-ended (nothing serious) and then Jim and I got food poisoning (from a food court restaraunt). Once we got that stuff out of the way, it was great. Monica cooked dinner on Thanksgiving and we played pool and darts (two games I assure you I am fabulous at- um, yeah...). We had a great time though. JJ loved getting to visit with Poppa Henry. He repeated a number of new words, but his favorite thing for the week was gogurt (yogurt). He led us to the fridge at every meal time, repeating, "gogurt?" On the way home, we stopped at a mall in Coralville, IA that had a really big carousel in it. It was a great way to get out of the car for a little bit to stretch our legs. JJ liked playing on the car rides, too. And he's still at the age where he can "ride" those for free! It was great trip. We hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving, too!

Dancing to the classics...

Or Classical I should say. We brought in the kids' radio from the trunk of my car-finally! We typically have it set for classical music because Ally tends to like to fall asleep to it. So, when we turned it on, that is what was playing. Apparently, that was just fabulous as far as JJ was concerned. He even turned up the volume as he was dancing! I had to grab the camera for this one! He kept playing with the volume button, which didn't actually move anymore-a good thing since sometimes he turns the radio up so loud he scares himself! So, here it is...

When it rains it pours!

The Morton Salt people were on to something when they adopted that as their slogan.... We've decided that JJ is much like his parents-we do everything all at the same time. I guess some of it is daycare that's doing it to him, but he sure does keep doing everything all at once! As some of you know, he just got over a case of pink eye (is there any other way to do it other than having it in both eyes?), a stomach bug (which is actually why he went to the doctor in the first place), he cut two molars Tues and Wed night (he's been working on them for a while now), and at his 15 month appointment yesterday, we discovered he had an ear infection in both ears. The doctor asked if he's been cranky lately..."well doc, you see how chipper he is right now... so no, not really"(as my son tries to stick his fingers in the unprotected electrical socket on the examining table). The other dr we saw for the pink eye/stomach bug said he was the happiest sick kid he'd ever seen! Yep, no time to be sick, mom! I got trouble to get into! That's my boy.

He is working on the talking thing. As usual, he's not doing it the way we would think he would do it. I keep listening for mama and dada, but he rarely says them. He does sign them, so at least he knows who we are! Nope, he says things like "cheese," "cracker," "cookie" (thanks, gramma), "kitty," "turkey", "stinky" (while holding his nose) -which he learned at daycare-and even "sissy" last week (though he refused to say it when she could hear it!). He's definately growing-he's practically grown out of all of his 12 month clothes. Too bad his 18 month clothes don't really fit yet either! Despite a currently ill-fitting wardrobe, he is getting pretty good at getting dressed. He's too little to be independent or anything, but he'll put his arms in his jacket while you hold it, put on and take off his shirt with just a little bit of help (of course putting it on is more of a fight because he likes to go half naked). He holds his feet out to get his socks on, helps put his legs through his pants and will get his shoes for you so you can put them on. While I sometimes miss the days of him being the "burrito baby" all wrapped up in his blanket, these sure are some fun times! He's learned so much just in the last month. I think it's time for the rain to let up a little.

Pray for the Callison Family

I just want to extend our love to the Callison family and request that everyone say a prayer for them. They are currently going through a difficult time with their new baby girl, Lynnea. Her heart did not develop properly and she will need a series of surgeries. You can follow the link on the right to their blog if you want more detail. I just can't imagine the heartache they are going through. As parents, we cringe at every bump all the while knowing they will get up and run again. But this is so much more. I think that every prayer and positive thought will help, not only for Lynnea's health, but for Corey and Tina to be fortified with strength and love. Please take a moment for them. Thank you.