update

Life is traveling at break neck speed around here...allow me to share it with you....in bullets

* John is in the thick of things at work. I tried to prepare myself for the work schedule that was waiting for him (us) back here, but it's still a shock to the system. Poor Ambrose, every time he walks by the front door says "Dada bye bye."

* Ambrose has an ever increasing vocabulary, he has around 50 consistent words and will attempt many words when asked.

*he increases every one's self esteem by clapping at almost anything. If you sing a song, he claps, if you happen to be on a TV game show he comes running around the corner to cheer you on with the rest of the audience.

*my son is like a foghorn, he is SO loud. At first I thought it was just me, but the more I am around other kids (and moms) it is confirmed.

* we're back at the gym, where he hardly cries and actually shouts (literally) "pway" (play) as we drive into the parking lot. Great times.

*what isn't a great time, my 16month old getting hand foot and mouth from said gym. Ugh.

* Ambrose is now running, it's the most adorable thing ever. And to make sure we all know he's running (because let's be honest, the speed doesn't increase by that much) he sticks his arms out behind him like "look at me, I'm going SO fast my arms can't help but be pushed back by my speed."

* He has hit a growth plateau, he' still holding tight to the top of the growth chart, but his peers are slowly catching up to him

* Ambrose now has hair! Finally. The color makes it that much harder to see, but it's totally there.

* He has 14 teeth and those last 2 canines will be making an appearance soon.

* We turned him forward facing this month and it was a total non-event for him.

* Ambrose is starting to be a little more particular about what he'll eat and what he won't. I have to admit though, he started at human garbage disposal level, and now says no to 2-3 items, so still not too shabby.

* My kid is still not a milk drinker. I have even tried putting a scoop of ovaltine in his cup, and he'd still choose water over any drink containing milk. SO frustrating! However, this may be why his growth has finally plateaued.

*They are building a new house on the lot next to ours and I fully expect to have nails in my tires tomorrow because I called the city to complain that 6:20 is a little early to be going at things with a buzz saw!

Wordless Wednesday

BBQ, John style

John has always been a germaphobe, but flies in particular drive him out of his mind (because, as he reminds me all.the.time, flies carry all sorts of germs and literally vomit on you each time they land). He literally can't concentrate if there is one near him, regardless whether the fly is inside or outside.

So, each time john heads out to BBQ he arms himself with the traditional grilling tools....and a fly swatter.

I must admit though he comes by this obsessive phobia honestly (yes Bob Fischer, I'm talking to you). So I guess I wasn't that surprised when I walked outside one day and saw this...

* please note, after our time away the grass was a disaster, however it's alive and green today. I wish I had an excuse for the amount of toys we have in the back yard, but alas, it always looks that way (much to John's dismay).

Rookie parenting mistake

Wordless Wednesday

Since my blogging has been a little scant lately, I thought I'd start doing "Wordless Wednesday" to at least get me to sign in and upload something in hopes that will lead to a little more .

Ambrose now when told something is hot will blow on it.

*sorry it's sideways, the computer doesn't let me fix that ( or if it does I can't figure out how), so tilt your head a little.

Reunion

I have found that each year that passes and as each family member grows up, gets married or has kids it becomes harder and harder to get together for family reunions. Well, this year the stars aligned and my mom's entire side of the family were all able to make it to the same location at the same time.

We stayed in 5 different cabins up in the beautiful Black hills and children and adults alike played and had a wonderful time.

On our first day it rained, and while it was a bummer to unpack in the rain, Ambrose found it to be quite to his liking.

We did some hiking in the beautiful hills. It was my first time hiking with Ambrose and in true Ambrose form he ate, drank and hung out. I had a much different experience, but just as enjoyable none the less.

The kids ( great grand kids, to be clear....I still throw myself in the "kids" category when around family, which is OK, because the kids table is always more fun :) were in heaven out at the cabins. There was tons to do and many loving and willing eyes and hands to keep them out of trouble.

One of the highlights, and a family tradition, was Christmas in July. We go big or go home in my family, so we celebrated with strung Christmas lights and unwrapped gifts under a decorated Christmas tree.

What? You don't play goofy relay races in Santa costumes at your family Christmas? you're missing out!

It isn't easy for everyone to get together anymore, and we don't to it nearly as often as all of us would like, but we make up for lost time when we do.

From the flight deck

Ambrose has flown 11 out of his 15 months of life. Surly I'd be an expert by now, but no, not by a long shot.
I have, however learned a few things. Let me impart some of my flying wisdom on you:

One: this ghetto ride is the best thing to hit the airport since like...the dawn of time. I purchased yet another car seat. This is # 4 for those of you keeping track, and this thing was cheap but more importantly, it was incredibly light, which, as it turns out, is very important when you're trying to get the thing down an aisle the size of my thigh. We attached the car seat to a $15.99 luggage carrier and...bippity-boppity-boo, the thing turned into a sanity-saving, airport-sprinting, 31lb kid-carrying machine. Awesome, awesome awesome! This thing blows the socks off traveling with the BOB. We actually figured out a way to attach it to the cart with the latch straps; call me if you want the cliff-notes.

Two: those that tell you an airplane lulls a child to sleep.....they LIE. Big fat liars. Don't believe them. It turns kids into screaming, kicking, over tired messes. Well, at least my kid.

Three: the lighter you can travel the better. I try to bring the bare minimum yet still be prepared. A small backpack and carseat on wheels is all I travel with. Again, BOB travelers, Whaaaat?

Four: DVD players are a life saver, except when the stewardess informs you that all electronic devices must be turned off. Because then, your child turns into a screaming, back-arching, kicking (oh my gosh the kicking) mess.

Five: turns out, people don't care too much for the said mess that is a tantruming toddler. They will sigh, give you the look, and make it perfectly clear that your child is making THEIR flight a tad uncomfortable.

Six: for every sighing and annoyed person on the flight there will be two prepared to offer you help or give you a sympathetic glance.

Seven: when said person offers help, TAKE it!!

Eight: Don't think twice about spending the moolah on a second seat, best money I've spent in a long while. Do it!

Nine: (This is sure to win me mother of the year award) I have been known to put an overnight diaper on my little guy in anticipation of the gate change sprinting that is now flying (what gives Delta? Do you really think that landing from one flight at the time I should be boarding another is really a nice thing to do....do ya?). Trust me, subjecting my son to a wardrobe change in the airplane bathroom after his regular diaper has leaked is a far worse predicament to be in.

Ten: when opening a sippy-cup with straw, warn those around you because apparently the change in cabin pressure causes the straw to spew it's contents all over the passengers within a ten foot radius.