Our little athlete ...

Christopher having fun in our basement with his dad.

Trick or Treat

Christopher had a blast on Halloween. Dad took him to a few houses, but he really had fun handing out candy to all the kids.

Happy Halloween!

Maybe later ...

Christopher's new favorite phrase is "maybe later." I ask him if he wants his coat, he says "maybe later, I carry it now" When I ask him to go potty he tells me, "maybe later."

This is really cute, but sometimes he uses it as an excuse to get out of things. One nice thing is, now I can tell him maybe later and he just says okay. And if I'm really lucky, he forgets that I told him later and the issue is dropped all together :).

This is Christopher's new favorite thing to do, go under our bed with our cat, Bailey.

It's my favorite ...

We have a bed time routine at our house that consists of Dad reading a bed time story to Christopher. Last night Christopher chose a book about dogs. This particular book is one of Dad's least favorite to read. Well, last night as Christopher was crawling into bed, he kept asking for Dad to read dogs and then told us it was his favorite - now how could we say no to that. This was just another moment when I realized how fast Christopher is growing up. It seems that they are happening everyday now. Just last Sunday, we were hanging out and I told him I was going downstairs to get him juice and his snack and just as I was walking out of the room he said "Hey Mom" and I turned around and he said "be careful, okay."

Checking out all the animals

At the pumpkin farm they had a lot of farm animals. We were able to go and check them out. Christopher never go too close. One donkey kept coming up and pushing me in the rump, Dad & Christopher thought this was funny ... Mom not so much.

Picking out the perfect pumpkin

We recently went to an animal farm/pumpkin patch as part of Mike's 30th birthday celebration. Christopher of course had to pull the wagon, pick out his pumpkin and grandmas.

Happy 30th Birthday Dad!

Mike hit quite the milestone last week - 30!!! We had several celebrations including a pumpkin/animal farm, going out to dinner, birthday cake and presents. Christopher even lead us in singing Happy Birthday. Here are the highlights from the dinner. He was so excited about the surprise present - a sombrero :)

The home stretch ...

If you ever wondered what Idaho looks like - here you go. This is the gorgeous view from my hotel room on my recent trip to Idaho. This trip felt like a milestone for me, because it is the last trip I have for work before baby comes. I was definitely glad it was my last. I'm getting a little to large to lug around a suitcase and squeeze into tiny airplane seats :)

Today, marks 33 weeks - 49 days to go and the baby is the size of a honeydew. I would argue that the baby is about the size of a very large pumpkin based on my appearance.

Dare I say ... success?

We are finishing up week two of no accidents at school, and only nighttime and nap time accidents at home. It really is crazy how fast Christopher is growing up. He is using the potty like a big boy, he can now tell me when his shoes are too small (we recently purchased his last pair of toddler size shoes), he can tell me when he is feeling better after falling down, and he even pretends to be one of our cats. Apparently, he does this at daycare too. Everyone knows who Pepper is because he crawls around meowing at them.

And before I know it he is going to be a big brother - in roughly 56 days - but who is counting :)

While Mom's away ...

The boys will play :) Here is a picture Mike sent me while I was away on a business trip in Dallas this week. As Mike was tying his tie Christopher got his stool and went into the closet and got one of his Dad's ties off his rack and put it on - he tucked it into his shirt. So cute - wants to be just like his Dad.

P.S. The potty training is going great no "water" accidents this week, but we are still mastering the "yuckies" in the toilet.

Progress ...

This is a picture of Christopher at the end of his day at daycare. He is wearing the same outfit I dressed him in this morning which means no accidents during the day!!

He is making a lot of progress with potty training and we are very proud of him. We still have a little work to do, but overall he gets it. We even went out to breakfast and run errands yesterday without a diaper.

Practicing for his new baby sister/brother ...

This is Christopher holding his newest cousin, Audrey. I know some of you might be confused by the title of this post, but Mike's parents don't know the sex of the new baby - they want to be surprised.

Christopher's cheese face with all his little girl cousins in Georgia.

Some long overdue pictures...

Here are pictures of our trip to the Atlanta Aquarium when we went to visit my parents in Georgia in August.

Not there yet ...

Well, Christopher's first day out of a diaper at daycare ended with four accidents, and no successes. But, the teacher's didn't seem discouraged and told me that he would get it. I'm not too disappointed, probably because I have rationalized to myself several times that it is quite a new routine for Christopher to have to stop playing, singing, coloring or whatever he is doing at daycare to go to the bathroom. This morning we removed the small potty from our room and he used the toilet twice at home before daycare. So I'm hoping that today he will have at least one less accident.

To help cheer me up my friend sent me this list today and I found it amusing enough to post here:

The truths for humans:

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on step #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions usually form the basis for some pretty good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray DVD’s? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish GPS systems told you congratulations when you got to where you they directed you to.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever. (bath towels may get wet but they also never get dirty as you are clean as you step out of the shower)

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

My fingers are crossed ...

Today is the first day Christopher is going to daycare without a diaper. All last week, once we got home from daycare we were out of a diaper and in undies. He used the toilet at daycare a couple of times last week, but the teachers thought that since he was still in a diaper he just chose to use the diaper instead of using the toilet. So with their support we decided that this week we would go to school in undies.

I can't believe it. He hasn't had a diaper since Friday night and only had three accidents. So we sent him to daycare in his undies today and with about 5 extra outfits. I'm anxious to find out how he did this afternoon when I pick him up.

They grow up too fast!

It's been a while ...

When I decided to start this blog I envisioned myself sitting down each morning at work and writing something about my son's latest activities - like his new favorite phrase is "right now" but, things have been crazy at work and this pregnancy has left me feeling tired and uncreative.

Speaking of work, another one of my assistants quit again. This makes two in a little more than three years, well technically three because my last one only lasted two weeks - but I'm trying to pretend like it was all a bad dream. I know those of you that know me well are not surprised by this. Mike has exciting things on the horizon with his NFL Agency work. He recently took the NFL Certified Contract Advisors exam in August, and now that we found out he passed he has been working hard to start the ball rolling on recruiting and balancing his current job.

Christopher is leaping into new territory - potty training. Today marks the first day without a diaper all day and we only had one small accident. Unfortunately, I won't be able to keep him out of diaper when I send him back to daycare, but he is in pull-ups that are supposed to turn cold when he pees. Hopefully, tomorrow we will continue to make progress on potty training and I will be able to start posting more frequently.

Traumatic Car Experience

So we had our first very traumatic experience last Wednesday when Christopher got locked in my car in 90 degree heat. He was playing with my keys while I was strapping him in his car seat and then he threw them up into my front seat. Not realizing he had locked the doors, I shut the door walked over to my door and realized all the doors were locked. This was quite the panic inducing experience for this prego mama.

Thankfully, we all are okay. He spent about 25 long minutes in the car and stayed calm the whole time. This happened outside our daycare so there were plenty of familiar faces to help us out which I am very thankful for. Needless to say, I will never let him touch the keys again or shut the door with out checking to see if the doors are unlocked.

On to more fun things this is Christopher eating his first ice cream cone which he took from his Mama.

Cousins

As I am preparing for our trip down to Georgia to visit my parents and brother's family, I remembered that I had this great picture from the fourth of July with Christopher and his Redding cousins. He had such a great time with the older boys, following them around and trying to be just like them. It will be interesting if he has that same fascination with all his girl cousins down in Georgia.

So tomorrow morning Christopher and I are flying solo down to Georgia. I have the diaper bag packed with books, food and of course the portable DVD player with Diego and Cars ready to go. I'm hoping for no tantrums or poopy diapers.

Wish me luck!

What are the odds ...

Recently, we learned that our pediatrician has decided to become a priest, then on Monday we learned our OB is moving to Fargo. What are the odds we would lose two of our doctors, that we see regularly, in the span of a few months. Fortunately, both practices have multiple doctors and we will be meeting my new OB doctor at my 6 month check up.

This is a picture of Christopher and I at 21 weeks. I can't believe I'm halfway to the end. We had our 20 week ultrasound and baby is healthy. This baby is also very active, lots of stretching and grabbing toes, which I feel quite often.

I think Christopher is starting to get it. He wants to kiss the baby in my belly all the time. He likes to make his rounds, kiss mommy, kiss daddy, and then kiss baby. Which is cute, until he tries to do it in public and lifts my shirt up to kiss my belly :).

What we've been up to ...

It's been a while since I have posted, but this is what we've been up to. Our first trip to the basement for a tornado warning. Christopher didn't even wake up. Luckily, the tornado did not come close to us but did do some damage about 6 miles away from us.

I've been trying to walk a couple times a week after I pick up Christopher - if it isn't too hot. And this is a shot of him going to time out after the walk. He wasn't listening very well and wanted to go into the street. I don't know why he thought time out was in the bottom of the stroller. I promise I have never put him in time out under there. It is very difficult at times not to laugh when I am trying to get on him. He can be so darn funny some times.

A week of firsts ...

We had our first trip to the dentist this week. That is Christopher playing with the blocks under the table. Already trying to hide. He was actually very well behaved for the dentist. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of him in the chair because he sat in my lap.

He lost a little patience at the end, but all in all a good report, besides three chipped teeth.

We also had our first Tiny Tots class this past weekend, we weren't able to get any pictures, because I forgot the camera. But, I don't know that any would have turned out because he didn't stop moving the entire time.

It was just our luck that the other three little girls in his class were shy and stayed stuck to their mom's legs almost the entire time and our little social butterfly was running around the entire place like he owned it. Hopefully, the excitement will come down a little bit next week or I'm going to need a nap after each class.

We also went bowling for the first time. He pushed the ball twice down the ally, but neither one made it to the end. He ended spending most his time in the arcade with Granddad pretending to play the games.

First trip to the Milwaukee Zoo 2010

We took our first trip to the Zoo over Memorial Day Weekend and Christopher really got into it. He loved riding the ponies and every animal we saw when we left he would say "Bye, giraffe" or "Bye, hippo" It was super cute. We were even able to let him out of the stroller and he held our hands and walked along with us. It was a great time, except the 90 degree heat.

Hopefully, this will be the first of many trips this summer.

New room, new bed

It's official we no longer have a guest bedroom. We have Christopher's room and the baby's room. We moved Christopher into his new room and his big boy bed over Memorial Day weekend.

It was a pretty easy transition. I thought we would be in for a big fight, but it took him about 30 minutes to go to sleep for his first nap and then about 15 at night.

We are all still adjusting as he does get up at night a few times and call for us to come to his room before he falls asleep, but he gets back in his bed by himself and just wants us to tuck him in again.

The mornings have been rough because he gets up at 5:30 a.m. now every morning. Hopefully, this is only a phase that doesn't last much longer.

I think he has only fallen out twice, which seems a little impossible as there is only about a 12 inch opening, but somehow my clumsy son has managed to do it.

The hardest secret to keep ...

Christopher is going to be a big brother! This has been difficult to keep quiet, because as you can see from the picture of me at 6 weeks - I started showing a lot earlier than with Christopher.

I'm due on December 3rd and I think we are ready to add another little munchkin to our house :) This pregnancy is definitely a lot different than with Christopher. During his pregnancy I was blessed with no morning sickness and this time around I have been pretty nauseous the last 9 weeks, but I think it is finally starting to subside.

I don't think Christopher has any idea that a new baby is coming, but he can say "big brother." We'll keep you posted on the latest little one.

13 weeks pregnant.

Look at me ...

"Look at me, Momma!" is Christopher's latest catch phrase. His first was hand. "Hand, Momma" and "Hand, Daddy" so that he could take our hand and take us to a different room, to pick up a book or to turn on the T.V.

Then Christopher started saying, "Come ON, Momma!" and he has a cute hand motion that he does with this. He is very determined to get us to come on to where he wants which can be very tiring.

Then we moved on to "Go Away!" He likes to use this one when we say it's time to change the diaper or get dressed. It is usually followed with a door shut in our faces.

The latest, "Look at me, Momma!" entails him standing in a shopping cart, or on a toy or putting his dinner in his hair. He thinks he is quite the comedian and it is pretty difficult to keep from laughing at him.

I'm looking forward to his next catch phrase, I just hope that it is not inappropriate or embarrassing :).

Children's Museum

Mike was out of town last weekend, so I decided to take Christopher to the Children's Museum in Milwaukee. It was the perfect place for him he could climb, explore and check out all the things.