Big Weekend Update!

Well, it has been an interesting weekend, to say the least. On Friday we sold our house!! We still have to have an inspection (happening tomorrow) and appraisal but we found buyers and our closing is November 20th. We negotiated to be out by Dec 1st at no charge. I guess I won't be hosting Thanksgiving after all. I had the menu all picked out! Someone better step up to the plate because I will need some turkey.

Last week we had buyers but the deal didn't go through and this week another couple came and we got another contract. We're excited, scared, happy, scared, delighted, scared. Did I mention scared? As much as we wanted to sell our home, it's bittersweet because Daniel was born in this house and this is all he knows but at the same time we know better things are waiting for us including a better commute for Ry. We won't necessarily be going bigger just a different layout in a good neighborhood with good schools. It all happened so fast that panic has not set in yet. This time of year is not the best time to buy either so as we ventured out for some house hunting on Saturday we quickly realized we will most likely be renting until that perfect house comes along. We don't want to settle for just an OK house since this move will hopefully be for a good while.

Yesterday to put our worries on hold we went to the pumpkin farm. Even though it was breezy we had a good time. Ry's parents came with us and we all realized how much easier it was with a 7 month old last year vs. a 18 month old this year. D had a mind of his own, wondered aimlessly and we had to run after him. Overall he had a good time. Here are some pics. D doesn't smile when told so we had to do tricks still.

He fell asleep in the car on the way there and it took him 20 minutes, a cereal bar and some water to get him going.

Goodbye and Hello

It is with great pleasure that I announce Daniel has a new show that he loves more than Yo Gabba Gabba. We have about had it with DJ Lance and his orange spandex suit, annoying voice, stupid characters and down right ridiculous story lines. Don't get me wrong there is nothing better than that orange guy entertaining D at noon as we're trying to shove veggies in his mouth before nap time. He is still mesmerized by him, BUT what has my little guy smiling from ear to ear for an entire 30 minutes....WONDER PETS!
It's a cute little show with a hamster, duck and turtle that go on rescue missions. They sing a lot and are super cute. Daniel especially loves the Duck, who in every episode says "This is serious" in the cutest voice and D just cracks up every time.
We took him to Toys R Us and pointed out the characters but let's face it, nothing about a battery operated plush animal looks the same as on TV.
This evening after his bath we enjoyed 30 minutes of relaxation because we realized the show comes on at 7:30pm. He typically gets feisty after a bath and it's a pain trying to entertain him for 30 minutes as we try hard to push his bed time to 8pm.
He did not move from his chair at all, just adjusted once in a while.

Costume clue #3

It's Tuesday again and we only have one more clue after this one to Daniel's costume.

We have a Halloween party this Friday so it will be so hard for me to take tons of pics and not be able to post them afterwards.

I might make this week the final clue and reveal it after the Park District party this Friday night just because I'm not feeling creative anymore, haha.

Ok, here it is. If you look closely you can see "something" behind the green.

Weekend Recap!

The weekend has gone by fast, don't they all?! We didn't do much and I regret to inform that the pumpkin farm was a bust because of the cold weather. We just didn't think 38 degrees would be much fun walking around with a toddler.
On Saturday Daniel got his third haircut and it was quite different from the first and second time we went. He refused to sit in the car chair, the only way we could cut his hair was sitting in my lap.
A few screaming fits when the buzzer came out

but it was over quickly

did I mention that daddy got his haircut as well? Daddy was in much need of a trim and I convinced him to do it together with D
Daniel was more interested in the cars (AFTER his haircut) than paying attention to daddy

but after it was done my two men looked oh so handsome
Later on we went over to my sister's house for dinner and some fun. Daniel enjoyed listening to his cousin play the cello
They pushed some cars around,
terrorized the dog,
and Lexi and her friend. Doesn't he look like he's saying "ughghgh girls!"

and sported their winter hats together
Nothing much more exciting to report! We've been a little inconvenienced with a couple of house showings but we found an escape to the local Toys R Us. Hope you had a great weekend.

Costume Clue #2

It's Tuesday, time for another clue to Daniel's costume.

BTW-I will reveal what all the clues were in the final post. Also, the clues will not necessarily be parts of his costume.

I think this one is a good one and easy. You need to combine this clue with the first clue.

Any ideas?

Weekend Recap

Friday ended with a visit to my cousin's house to meet the new member of our family, Adrian. Daniel wasn't really interested in him. He starred when I held the baby but then went and played an exhausting game of peek a boo with his cousin K. They had a blast. After some delicious pizza and fun he passed out when we got home.

Here is Adrian. It was so amazing holding a tiny baby, I can't believe Daniel was even smaller than A was. Don't I look like I'm ready for another?!
Daniel having a blast with K.

Saturday wasn't much of anything, really. Daniel had his Saturday class, he did well. It was funny because the previous week Ryan took him to class without me and one of the mom's commented yesterday how well he did with me compared to with his dad. I pretty much translated that to "Your kid was a mess without you". Ryan is great with him but when it comes to new surroundings he just does well with me. My mother in law has told me that when she takes him to his class on Thursdays he cries in the elevator (a fear already), again with me he didn't want to get on but once he did, he was fine. What can I say, I have the touch. :) Daniel's speech therapy resumed and he did well, not much to report.

Later on we went to the mall for... nothing, we just wanted to get out of the house. The mall was a zoo! We came home to some tasty chili that had been cooking in the slow cooker. In the evening, we watched a movie and ate some popcorn.

Sunday morning we needed to go food shopping but before that I needed to stop at a teacher's store for a felt board. We've been doing a weather board in the morning with D and he really enjoys looking out the window and then picking out the appropriate picture (with help, of course)and sticking it on the board. I got the idea from http://www.adaycare.com/, it's a site that provides curriculum for daycare kids and I'm always on the lookout for fun, quick activities that I, my sitter or mother in law (MIL) can do with Daniel.

I made my own felt board initially and I just hated how it turned out. So, this is the one I bought. The pics I printed out, laminated and put velcro on the back.

When we arrived at the store we realized there was a pet store next door. We went in and it was pure fantasy for Daniel. This place had fish (TONS), puppies, kittens, bunnies, birds, hamsters, snakes, etc. The best part, it was FREE. I recommend a pet store like that to take your kids to for an hour or two. It doesn't cost anything and the experience pretty much is like the "zoo", if not better. They even had birthday parties there, I think that would be cool when D is older. We decided to get Daniel a goldfish as his first pet for his second birthday. I was ready to get one today but Ryan told me we should wait. Daddy was disappointed when D didn't show an interest in the kittens at all. YEAH! They were really cute, I do have to admit, maybe another day he'll be in the mood for them.

Daniel looking at some fish.

Falling in love with puppies. Daniel was screaming he was so excited. These two were his favorite.

Admiring the skills of a hamster spinning a wheel.

Sorry for the blurry pics, it's my camera phone.

After Daniel went down for a nap, my sister, niece and I hit the outlet mall, here in Aurora. None of us were impressed. It was crowded, the prices were still ridiculous and it was just a mess. I'll stick to TJMax, Marshalls and my coupons, thank you very much.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

18 months and counting

Today Daniel had his 18 month appointment and it was great. Here are his stats:

29lbs and 7 oz (75%)

34 and 1/4 inches long (95%)

=

BIG BOY!

Everything went well, he's on target with all of his milestones. The Dr. is not concerned with his talking at all. The fact that his sign language is up to like 15-20 signs, those count as words. We are hopeful those verbal words will come out soon.

Did I mention he now says "he, he, he" for monkey and "mmmm" for cow, I know it may not sound like much but it's a start.

He had his flu shot and is ready for the flu season. He's also ready for the tundra outside, check out his new winter hat that he just loved trying on yesterday. NOT!

Today, we're going to visit Daniel's brand new cousin. I wonder how he'll react to a newborn.