I helped Dad out a bit by sleeping in until 7:00. We did a bunch of work upstairs (taking out the garbage, getting my laundry together, changing my sheets, etc.) and then Dad took a shower in my bathroom. We went downstairs and I had a terrible breakfast — I refused to eat anything! Dad was so frustrated. I did eat some blueberries, though!We watered the plants for quite a while and then we headed to the park with our neighbors (who just had a small baby). I had fun despite the oppressive heat and humidity:
I got home, ate a banana, and took a long nap. As soon as I got up we headed over to Nana’s house. I felt as comfortable as I ever have there – I totally run the place! Nana had made some delicious linguini which I scarfed down in lieu of the beef stew that Dad brought for me to eat. The peanut butter smoothie he had was really good, though.
After a few hours of fun, we headed home. Dad replaced the screens in my room before putting me to bed for a nap, though I didn’t fall asleep for quite a while. But when I did, I slept well past 6:00, so Dad came into my room and started putting my laundry away rather loudly.
We took a quick trip to the park before getting back to the house in time for dinner. I ate a little bit better, but still worse than usual. I fussed a lot before going to sleep and I could tell that Dad was getting frustrated with me, but he still read me mybedtime story and gave me a huge kiss before putting me in my crib.
I’m a bit short on pictures this week, as our nice camera is suffering from a broken LCD screen. We took into the shop last weekend and we haven’t been as excited to use our point-and-shoot.
Tuesday was a good day at school. I really loved playing with the kitchen toys and I had fun entertaining the babies in the infant room before breakfast. I hardly cried when Mom left me! Dad was home when Mom and I got in, but he took off for the airport before I went to bed. I got to practice the stairs and loved the lentil burger I had for dinner!
Nana was here bright and early on Wednesday. I had a good breakfast and we had fun out in the park and in the yard watering the plants. I ate a huge lunch, played and read in the afternoon, and took a nice long nap. When Mom got here I ate a good dinner and then went to bed.
I was up early (5:15) on Thursday morning but hung out in bed until 5:35. I was in a good mood getting ready with Mom and I devoured some O’s before we left home and again before I got out of the car. Again, I didn’t cry much when Mom left. I really enjoyed playing with the babies in the infant room. I also found a mirror in the toddler room — and you know I love looking at myself (ok, kissing myself!) in the mirror. Mom and I played a game on the way home where we identified trucks, buses, and trains!
On Friday morning, I woke up and saw Mom before she left for work. Dad fed me breakfast and then when Nana got home we pretty much went right outside to the park because it was supposed to rain in the afternoon. After my nap, Dad and I took a trip to Menard’s to pick up a few replacement screens that he had ordered (two of them go in my room!). The people at Menard’s were really nice and Dad let me run around in the receiving area. The trip took longer than he expected, so by the time we got home, we didn’t have much time to do anything other than eat a quick dinner and go to sleep!
On Saturday morning, I woke up a bit after 6:00, but Dad didn’t come to get me until about 6:45. We played in my room for a while and then I walked down the stairs (with Dad’s help!) and ate breakfast. After I finished, we made our weekly trip to the grocery store and noticed that it was a really gloomy day. It was nice to see all the usual people at Dominick’s. One of them even gave me some career advice: “Don’t ever work for Dominick’s!”
We got home and played together until nap time. I had a pre-nap snack (a banana, as usual) and then walked up the stairs and went to sleep. When I got up, I helped Dad cook, and in the process ate some raw onion (eww!) and some raw red pepper (yummy!).
Lunch was a bit of an ordeal. I was really fussy depsite repeated requests from Dad: “no shouting” and “no crying.” I didn’t eat especially well, until dessert (of course). Dad has turned my blueberries in to a math lesson! For weeks, I’ve always said “one more” when I wanted more of something and I always got more than one of it. Today, Dad made me choose between “one more” blueberry and “two” blueberries. You won’t be surprised to learn than I alway chose two — what a great concept! I wonder if there could be anything cooler than 2!
So, I had calmed down a bit and Dad was really happy that I was learning about 2. We were going to play on my mat and he brought his lunch (a bowl of pasta) with him. I immediately attacked his food and ate his entire adult portion! We were both really happy about it!
After he changed my diaper we decided to go outside. It had stopped raining but it was very hot and humid! We stopped by Starbucks (where I even got my own beverage!) and then went to the park.
I spent for the first part of the visit on the playground equipment — I’m so good at the stairs now! Then Dad changed me into something lighter and he let me get wet playing in the fountain. By the time we left I was hot, wet, and tired!
As soon as we got inside, I devored some peach yogurt but I was too hot to fall asleep right away. It took me about half an hour to fall asleep, but it was a good, deep sleep when it finally came. When I got up, we pertty much went right back out to the park. I made two new friends, Eleni and Lydia. They were a lot older than me, but they were so nice! They played with me, pushed me in the swing, and even shared their toys with me. I was having so much fun that Dad let me stay out much later than usual.
Just as we were walking up to our house, our neighbor walked by with her dog. Dad talked to her while I played with the dog — Dad even let me kiss the dog (or maybe he didn’t notice it happening?)! We got inside and I ate pretty quickly and took the fastest bath ever before going to bed right at 8:00.
I got up this morning and was excited to spend some QT with Dad in the morning until Nana got here. As soon as she got settled in, we went out the park. I had a good nap and was in a great mood all afternoon.
Dad’s been letting me climb the stairs on my own (well, holding the rail with one hand and his hand with the other). It takes a lot longer to walk up the stairs than to be carried, but I really like the independence. And I’m getting a lot better at it. I’ve also started climbing into my stroller all by myself:
We had a fun morning and then went to Portillo’s for lunch with Nana. I really like their spaghetti and meatball (which I call “burger”). After we ate, we went over to Nana’s, where I got to run around and play. When it was nap time, we headed home.
When I got up, we went for a walk to Oberweis (somehow, though, I never get to eat anything when we go there!) and then to the park.
I woke up this morning and after breakfast, Dad & I went to the grocery store (actually, two). The big event today was our family outing to the Children’s Museum. I had a really fun time and we took plenty of video!
We had a snack at McDonald’s on our way out and we all walked along Navy Pier on our way to the car. Mom even let me skip my afternoon nap! Enjoy the videos!
Dad was working from home this morning, so I he came to visit me & Nana upstairs quite a few times. Nana and I had a really fun day together, as always. Mom got home right after lunch and played with me until Dad was done with work.
So, I’m not allowed to wear my sandals to school (have to cover those toes) and my regular shoes are getting a bit tight. Mom decided that we run over to Macy’s to buy some shoes for me. Our Friday evenings are usually pretty tame, so this was definitely unusual.
Macy’s was totally empty (recession, anyone?). That meant that I could run around as much as I wanted. Dad and I played an elaborate game of hide-and-seek, which was a perfect way for me to test out each pair of shoes. I ended up with a really comfy pair that I can’t wait to wear to school next week!
I got up with Mom and we took off for school. So, when I get to school early, I spent some time in the infant room while I wait for my toddler friends to show up. Well, I discovered something I really like in the infant room: ELMO! Whenever I get to hang out there in the morning, I always take Elmo into my room. Those babies don’t even put up a fight!
I had a great day at school (except that I cried a bit when Mom left!). I kept Elmo with me most of the day. I also busted a move or two when the music was on and I also had fun popping bubbles!
On the way home, Mom and I looked up in the sky for airplanes hoping to see Dad’s! I was sitting in my high chair eating dinner when all of a sudden Dad burst into the house! With total disregard for my meal, he through my tray off, grabbed me out of my chair, and gave me a zillion kisses and hugs. He missed me soooooo much! Here I am sharing my dessert with him:
After he finally put me down, I ate a bit more, he gave me a bath, and then I went to sleep!
I’ve fallen behind posting videos over the last couple weeks, so here they are. Better late than never!
I woke up Tuesday morning and everything got back to normal in a hurry! I got ready with Mom and then we hopped in the car and headed for school. My teachers were surprised at how chatty I was, especially at the breakfast table. I napped for less than two hours today because I had so much catching up to do with my friends.
Mom and I sang on the way home and had a pretty uneventful dinner. I keep waiting to for Dad to be home. I haven’t seen him in 10 days!
Tuesday morning was also back to normal, with Nana greeting me when I came downstairs. I gave Nana an especially warm welcome because we haven’t spent much time together over the last two weeks! I had a nice, big breakfast and we went right outside to play. On our way to the park, we stopped by my favorite fire hydrant, which I always like to “touch” when I see it.
I had a whole banana before my morning nap — which lasted 3 hours and 20 minutes! I woke up in a great mood and devoured my chicken curry. I played and read until my huge afternoon snack and then a quick nap (1 hour). We went back to the park for another hour and then before we knew it Mom was home!
Mom’s friend Kyle came to visit. I really like playing with her and of course I gave her a hug. I did a little better brushing my own teeth tonight, but Mom still had to finish up (unlike Dad, who usually just gives up!). I played doctor with Mom and checked her ears and her heart. She seems pretty healthy!
Mom was finally back from celebrating her and Dad’s anniversary in Dublin! Mom, Grandma, and I spent most of the day out in the yard finishing up our big landscaping project.
We took Grandma to the train station and I could tell that she was really sad to leave me because we had so much fun together over the last two weeks! I can’t wait until I see her again!
margaretyagan 
