Instead of Staying Dry

Jonathan ended up being soaked. It happened on my watch: Jamie left to pick up the rental backpack carrier and when he returned, Jonathan was soaking wet. It began with just his feet, and I thought: oh well, I can just remove his shoes and socks when we leave. Before I knew it, he sat down in the water (sweatpants and all). He didn't complain about the water temperature once, and he loved splashing and throwing rocks while submerged up to his knees. When asked about the water later he said: "Jona cold. Water cold." I took off the sweatpants after they began falling down from the weight of the water.
My little guy, in all his stylish glory!

Three posts in one day!! I'll share about our day of hiking later this week, after you've recovered from the large amount of reading from today.

Sarah

The Beautiful Lake

Lake Tahoe is spectacular. I love beautiful bodies of water, and this is definitely at the top of the list of those that I've seen. Lake Tahoe is filled by mountain streams, therefore, they claim it is 99% pure and free from much of the junk found in other lakes or in some oceanic areas. The other side of the coin is that the water is quite cold by comparison to other lakes and to the oceanic areas nearer the tropical regions. The surface temperature never gets above 65 degrees, even in summer. I take the cold water anytime if it is as clear and beautiful as this lake.

We spent one morning playing by the water. The original intent was to just stand by the edge and throw rocks into the water and play in the sand...


Note: I've tried to avoid being viewed on this blog while prego, but some photos of the family were fun so I'm sharing :+)

Next post: what really happened in regards to my plan to stay dry on this morning at the beach.

Wisdom for Travel

We just returned from Lake Tahoe after a delightful five day trip. The weather was spectacular and the scenery amazing. I will share photos and such from the trip in the next post, but this post is devoted to the wisdom I have gained about traveling by air with small children.

Point #1:
~ They may allow lap children up to the age of two, but children who are mobile do NOT want to be squished on an adult's lap. New Guild rule: we will not have children on our laps once they are over the age of one.

Point #2:
~Connecting flights are not a good idea. This involves more landing and take-off: the most challenging parts of flying. Non-stop flights are unquestionably superior, but by a much greater margin than I once thought.

Point #3:
~This point of wisdom is directly related to point #2. Landing makes me feel slightly ill. I thought children were immune to this sensation or at least would have it pass quickly. W-R-O-N-G. We will minimize landing opportunities for our children because I like to avoid puking. Jonathan puked all over me after we landed our second leg of the flight out to Tahoe. Then, he started wailing hysterically about having "yucky, sticky" on him and wouldn't stop until we took off all of his clothes and were very calm. Picture this: me sitting there, covered in puke and a wailing, naked child. We now open the barf bags in preparation for landing.

All in all, the trip was great so I will share more of the fun stuff in the next post.
Sarah

"New Shoes" and "Big Balloons"

Jonathan got new shoes from "Aunt" Abby and he loves them. When we ask him to get his shoes so that we can leave, he says, "new shoes on". When asked who gave him the new shoes, he responds with: "new shoes Abby". He was adament about wearing his new shoes with his pajamas one night, so here he is: We had some surprise visitors this week. Jamie's Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom from South Dakota were visiting friends in our neck of the woods, and called about stopping by on their way through. Delightfully, our schedules were wide open and they were able to stay with us overnight. Mary and Tom graciously allowed Jamie to live with them when he was student teaching, and Jamie and Tom had lively card games during that time. Jamie challenged Tom to a match during the evening that they were here: Jamie now claims to be "undefeated in my house" in his lifelong card match with Tom.

Aunt Mary dancing with Jonathan

Jonathan with Mary and Tom

Saturday was a bit of a dreary day around here, but we headed to a downtown park festival, anyway. They were launching hot air balloons and Jonathan and Andrew (Nehre) had fun hanging out and watching the fun with the daddies.

"Big Balloons, Look!, Big Balloons!"

~Jonathan will be two in one month. It is crazy to think about. When asked whether he thinks the baby is a brother or sister, he responds EVERY time with "sister". Not sure what that means!

~Jonathan is also very concerned when things "fall down". "My truck fell down", "my blankie fell down". When we ask him if he would like us to get it for him, he responds with ,"no, my get it!!"

~One more funny tale: I guess I have made a point to have Jonathan wipe up spills and such after he creates the mess. Some friends were over to visit and their son was eating and was making a bit of a mess with his dinner. Jonathan took one look at the mess on the table and with a bit of an amazed look said, "paper towel! Isaac, paper towel!"

Sarah

"Gossie and Friends"

Jonathan loves to read books, but he has his favorites. Gossie and Friends, Clifford, Cordoroy, and anything with cars are among those that make the short list. He also likes to "read" books himself. "My read it!!".

The visual aspect of this video clip is quite poor because I cannot make the videotaping obvious or the moment is gone. I have to tape without him knowing. This meant that I was propping the video camera up with one hand and participating in the "reading" with the other hand. I am posting this for our families so they can hear my little guy's wonderful little voice. I know it will change into a "big boy" voice too soon, and I want to remember this time. If you have little patience for poor cinematics... maybe you should skip this one. To the rest of you - enjoy Jonathan's rendition of "Gossie and Friends".

On a couple of other notes:

~ Jonathan loves play do ("pay does") and we have spent many minutes playing this fabulous invention in the past couple of days.

~ Baby Guild #2 is growing and doing well... he/she should be arriving in a little over two months. Remind me when I am sleep deprived that I will survive :+) As I was watching a few videos of Jonathan from this time last year after he had just learned to walk - it made me excited for another little one.

Enjoy fall... I love it and I think God outdid himself with this season!

Sarah

"My Do It"

Jonathan is approaching two at a rapid pace, and he is showing many signs to prove it. His increasing desire to "my do it" is evidence of this fact. He wants to do everything himself. He wanted to "go potty" today... by himself. Here is how the conversation went:

Jonathan: "My go potty"
Me: "OK, I'll help you get up there" (onto the toilet)
Jonathan: "No, my do it. My do it. My do it."
Me: "OK, I'll just hold your hand." (And hope you don't fall in)
Note to all: He is not potty trained. He just really likes to try. I figure, why not? Maybe one day he'll just starting going while he's up there.

He wants to cut his own food (not allowed), fold his own laundry (allowed, but not advisable if we hope to avoid wrinkles), you get the picture. I find it quite fun. He has such a personality and is my little buddy. We have good conversations that are never boring. What a great age!

Lastly: he "blinks" when he sees the camera. Then, and when he thinks it will be "sunny". This is his "blinking" caught on camera. He just looks goofy.



~Sarah~

It May Have Taken All Summer...

But Jonathan now eats peaches. This may not be momentous to anyone else, but I have lamented my child's picky eating for quite a while. Jamie and I are NOT picky. I want my child to like a variety of foods. The "experts" say that many times it takes about 15 times of a child trying a food before they will eat it. Fifteen is an strong underestimate when it somes to my stubborn child. We have been "trying" peaches since May, several times a week (I am quite stubborn, too). I stopped trying around the beginning of September because peach season has almost ended. Then, wonder of all wonders, I was eating a peach yesterday and he asked for some. He ate 1/2 of a peach yesterday and just to prove it wasn't a fluke: ate 1/2 a peach again today. Persistence pays off.

My child may never be like our friend, Andrew Nehre, who ate four spears of asparagus upon trying it for the first time. BUT, maybe with persistence, he will eat a variety of foods. I guess being a stubborn parent pays off in some ways.

About another child: Jacob Lien (my sister's kid). He is just a great baby and VERY cute. Did anyone expect anything less? We saw them over the weekend, and he rarely cried.

Jacob James Lien, 3 days old.

Carla and Nate with the little guy

Jonathan with "Baby Jake"

Our family with "Baby Jake". He was hungry at this point so that is why he looks a little less pleased. Our family will look like this in about 2 months, give or take a couple of weeks. Hard to believe!

Next post: "My do it!!" Yes, our little man is almost two and is asserting his independence.

Sarah

Jacob James Lien

My sister had Jacob today after a rather difficult time of it, but both Carla and Jacob are doing well. I can hardly wait to meet the little guy. He weighed 8lbs. 6oz. We will meet him this weekend, so many photos will follow.

My, How They Change!

I was noticing a couple of things as Jonathan played with some other children last week: he doesn't seem that much younger than the three-year olds. The difference between 10 months old and 22 months old is tremendous. He now walks (OK, runs), talks, fails miserably at sharing a large part of the time, and likes to do things that are HIS idea. So, he can play comfortably with the three-year olds without getting hurt and he enjoys himself.

Here are a few photos to show you how the little guy has started to become a "big boy":
Just on the brink of walking - last year in August

Now, he climbs all over the playground with no fear and loves slides!

Sarah