Joyful Gift Recipient

BryAnn sent Linus some belated birthday presents. The one that caused the biggest response was a wood mobile with a cat at the top and tropical fish dangling. He pulled it out of the box and proceeded to giggle with joy. It was cute to see him so excited.

We all went to the City Park Arts Festival this morning and one of the vendors gave Linus a pinwheel. He looked adorable waving it around while he rode on Matthew's shoulders and it was a beautiful sight to see him riding in the stroller with the pinwheel spinning in the breeze. What work of art did we purchase? A peach pie. We met the baker, the owner of a bakery in town that uses organic ingredients. She'd baked the pie this morning. Since I won't be turning on the oven until the daily temperature drops below 60, what a delight for us to have this pie. Plus, a lot of peaches are grown in Colorado, so we should enjoy the bounty.

Verbal Skills Explosion

In the last week, Linus has become very verbal. Every day he says something new. We've made the call, and his first word was baby. We were waiting for him to use a word more than once without us saying it first, and that is the word. His second word was tree. He pointed to one in a book and said tree. He said cat on Wednesday. Yesterday he said his first sentence, "Wuter doin?" for "What are they doing?" He excitedly pointed to a bulldozer working in the park as he asked it. I was blown away. Later in the day he attempted to say cockadoodleoo after I said it while reading a book to him. That was hilarious! He also said no for the first time this week. His one and only time saying it was in response to my asking if he wanted to ride Bennett's bike.

In other exciting news, Linus identified the following body parts by pointing to his body instead of mine: eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, hair, ears, and toes.

Here is Linus at the sand and water park in the Stapleton neighborhood. He'd just finished eating a plum and has a red, sticky face. The water aspect of the sand box wasn't working, but about 20 kids showed up and played. By 10 o'clock the sun was nearly literally cooking us and we fled for home.

16 Months Old

Today Linus is 16 months old. No matter how crazy life gets, or the fact that I lose track of what day of the week it is; I always remember the 3rd of each month. Here is what Linus is up to these days:
-He loves to play with the Mega Blocks Brandon passed down to him. He has just started building with them. He takes me by one finger and pulls me into his room to build with him.
-In the last week he has started saying things that approximate English. He repeats things we say. He has said hat, baby, beep beep, cat, yay. For cat today he said, "Ta," When I asked if he could say bird, he said, "Bee bee." Which is how he says baby. I pointed out a dump truck to him on our walk today and he said, "Duh tuh." He said, "Bee bee" on the phone to his uncle Peter the other night when we called him to talk about the new baby, Linus' brand new cousin, Lorraine (aka Lorrie).
-He blows zerberts on my legs and arms.
-He laughs really hard when we play chase and it is so much fun.
-He enjoys it when I do the finger play that goes like this: These are Linus' fingers. These are Linus' toes. This is Linus' belly button; round and round it goes.

Rice Krispy Treat

Here is Linus enjoying a rice krispy treat that he pilfered from a plate on the step while I hooked up the sprinkler. We had just returned from Bennett's house and Linus was wet, coated in sand from the sand box, and sticky from the orange juice popsicles. I thought I'd water the lawn and rinse Linus off before bringing him inside. His diaper is sagging because it is bloated from when Linus sat down in the wading pool.

My version of rice krispy treat for my kid? I use organic brown rice krispies, organic free trade chocolate chips, organic butter, and the regular old mysterious marshmallows. My mother always made rice krispy treats with chocolate in them and that is my favorite kind. We took them to Bennett's house for the party.

Tired kid update: He fell asleep in his high chair again while eating lunch. The thing is, he did it with pretty much no notice. He pointed to something on the counter, then put his head down and zonked right out. I guess I'll move lunch up a bit. We had a fun time at the zoo this morning, so I guess I wore him out.

The Week of the Popsicles

Linus had his first popsicle at the zoo with Sara and Billy. Then I got a popsicle mold that makes them in the shape of sailboats. I put blueberry yogurt in them and we enjoyed those popsicles together on a very hot day. Then Linus and Bennett each had three orange juice popsicles at a summer party at Bennett's house. If I'm going to have a popsicle, I choose a fudgesicle, but homemade ones are lots of fun to share with little Linus.

(Bennett turns two later this month. His favorite toy is his lawn mower and he also likes to push Linus in the stroller if we encounter him when we are out for a walk. He isn't very good at sharing yet, but his moms are working on that with him.)

Tired Out Little Kid

Linus fell asleep while eating his lunch one day last week. I had to take pictures because it was cracking me up how he was still sticking food into his mouth as his eyelids were drooping shut. He was so tired, he continued sleeping as I cleaned him up and then tucked him into bed for a much needed nap.

I just tucked him in for a nap after he fell asleep on me on the couch. We were playing a version of peekaboo and he fell and cut his cheek on the corner of a base board. I made him feel better with hugs and kisses and stories on the couch. Next thing I knew, he was fast asleep. There is nothing like having a sleeping baby in one's arms.

Wisconsin Visit

I can't believe we visited Wisconsin instead of living there! Here are a couple of pictures from just over a week ago when we were in Madison to see family and attend American Players Theatre. We had wonderful meals with everyone and Linus got to sleep in Brandon's room with him. Brandon also read to him. Linus spent Saturday with Sara and Billy. He got to sit in Billy's race car and had fun at the zoo. Next summer we'll get to spend more time in Wisconsin and see our Green Bay friends.

Guiness Book

Saturday night we took Linus to the Denver Art Museum for their free weekend of activities, including having the community stop by and paint on the gigantic paint-by-number picture. They were trying to break the Guiness Book of World Record's record for longest paint-by-number. All three of us painted on it. We also saw a fire dancer and checked out an exhibit that is finishing up at the museum. Linus was up past his bedtime by about an hour and boy was he irritable on Sunday. I guess we just tried to pack in too much in too short of a time.

There are so many fun free things to do in Denver. On Sunday I attended a free performance of Much Ado About Nothing performed by No Holds Bard and last night I went to see their performance of Hamlet while Matthew and Linus attended Mayor Hickenlooper's inaugural party at the Botanic Gardens.

Sprinkler Lesson

One warm evening last week, the three of us went for a walk and tried out an ice cream shop we hadn't been to before. Linus arrived back at home with chocolate ice cream dried up around his mouth. Matthew took Linus in the house while I turned on the sprinkler for the lawn. In Wisconsin I have never watered a lawn, but here we need to. Linus came back outside and walked to the sprinkler. He was shocked when it sprayed him in the face with water. I thought I would allay his distress by demonstrating how fun it is to run through the sprinkler. He still wasn't convinced, so I scooped him up and we ran through it together. He liked it better this way because I kept his face out of the water.

Four Firsts

Friday was a big day for Linus! "Why?" you ask. Here is why:
1. He crawled for the first time!!!! He crawled across his room in the morning and in the afternoon he crawled in the living room and Matthew witnessed it, too. We were both in shock.
2. He walked down steps by himself, using the handrail. I got a picture of it because I was taking pictures of him sitting on the steps in the back of our house and then he proceeded to walk down the stairs. This is the first time he did this by himself.
3. He was on television. We went to dinner at our Indian restaurant and a local news station was there filming a story about how the restaurant's business was effected by the closing of a nearby hospital. We were all on the news, but Matthew and I were excited for Linus to be on television. No one was as excited as his Aunt Stephanie, who LOVES television.
4. Linus brushed his teeth for the first time. Now that he has teeth, the doctor said it was time to start teaching him to brush his teeth. Matthew and I demonstrated for him. I got him a cute little tooth brush with Sesame Street characters on it. (They didn't have any without licensed characters.)

Latest Interests

As I mentioned before, Linus has become very interested in sitting in chairs. He also sits on the vacuum cleaner, my head if I'm lying on the floor, and the step stool. Over the weekend he figured out how to climb up onto the dining room chairs, but he dances around up there instead of sitting down. Yesterday the chair flipped over backwards and he hit his head. So far today he hasn't climbed the chairs.

He is also interested in eating out of little containers. I put his fruit or crackers in little bowls for him and he gets a kick out of it. He also enjoys pulling crackers out of ziplock bags.

Our realtor gave Linus a soccer ball and showed him how to kick it. He wouldn't kick it with her, but when we took it out to our back yard he kicked it around with me.

Linus is able to point to my eyes, nose, mouth, and sometimes ears, but he won't point to anything of his except for his nose. One day he'll suddenly be able to do it, as that is his way.

Cowboy

Before leaving Wisconsin, I procured a second hand rocking cow for Linus. He likes riding it, as well as sitting on it and looking at books now and then. The other night after his bath he ran over and got on for a ride. We were cracking up!

15 Months

Linus turned 15 months old on Tuesday and the very next day decided to try eating yogurt with a spoon, with some coaching from Matthew. He mostly sees the spoon as a plaything, but he's on the right track.

We went to the Botanic Gardens this morning and saw a duck with five ducklings. They were adorable. I was gushing over them and Linus acted as though we saw baby ducks every day. He was more interested in the kids that gathered around. (Linus' rash has healed so it was okay to be in public.)

Flirtation

Last week it was dastardly hot and so I set up a little baby pool in the back yard for Linus. At first he sat down next to it and played in the water with a boat. I told him a few times that he could get in and then he stepped in and played while standing. He eventually sat down to play and splash. It was fun to hang out with him back there in the shade. And I was very happy to capture his coy look. This is the look he gives to the neighborhood women when they call out to him from their porches. He also gives it to our realtor now and then. He had never given it to me before and I happened to be snapping a picture just then.

Linus has been sick since Saturday evening. He suffered from a fever of 101 and he didn't sleep well. He also cried a lot. His fever went away and it was followed by a rash. I took him into the doctor on Tuesday and he was diagnosed with head, foot, and mouth disease. He also had the beginning of his very first ear infection. So he is on an antibiotic for the ear infection and he can't be around other kids until his rash heals. That is when he'll no longer be contagious. It isn't very fun being stuck in the house. The temperature cooled down some and it would have been a good day to go to the zoo. We'll play in the back yard when he gets up from his nap and go for a walk this evening. We'll just keep him away from kids. He started feeling better yesterday. Thank heavens. It is nice to have my happy baby back.

Chair Fascination

Linus has become very interested in sitting in chairs. This strikes me as odd since the kid has never been interested in sitting and has always wanted to be on the move. He has a little red plastic chair that I junk-picked (also known as curb shopping) and his way of getting into it is to climb up on it into a standing position and then he tries to maneuver into a sitting position. The chair is too small for him to do that, so I come to the rescue each time. Then he sits there swinging his legs and looking very pleased. I hand him a book sometimes and he looks at it while sitting there.

His interest in chairs has even led him to stand at his high chair and gesture and grunt in a way that tells me he wants to be lifted up into it. So I put him up there, whereupon he sits for a minute or two looking around and then wants me to lift him out. He also likes rocking chairs and uses his whole body to get the chair to rock. Yesterday his great aunt and uncle Martha and Bill watched him for me while I got my drivers license and car emissions checked so I can register my car here. They pulled out Thomas' chair from childhood and Linus enjoyed sitting in that. In the afternoon, we all sat outside on the breezy deck, each in our own chair, and enjoyed ice cream sandwiches. I gave Linus a third of mine and he gobbled it right up.

Linus Meets Margaret

We had a great trip to Virginia and D.C. over the weekend. It meant a lot to us for Margaret and Linus to meet one another. Linus was interested in her cane and walker. After he warmed up to her, he liked handing her things through her walker or playing peekaboo. Actually, he'd act like he was handing her a book and then pull it back as she reached for it. He really enjoyed going up and down the stairs with our help and he liked carrying around a stuffed tiger he found in the girls' room. Another activity that entertained him was playing with the gravel in the driveway.

Margaret told Matthew she wasn't going to try to hold Linus, but when we were saying our goodbyes, she did. I stayed right there by her side to make sure that if Linus lunged, I could help out. It is interesting to think about how Margaret and Linus are 100 years apart and all that Margaret has seen and all that Linus will see.

Summer Fun

We went to the Museum of Nature and Science right away this morning before it got too hot to walk there. I like taking Linus in the morning because the museum is pretty quiet and he can run around the exhibit halls without annoying anyone. Other stay-at-home parents are there and Linus usually makes a friend each time we go. When we left, the H2Odyssey was on. This is an interactive water feature; basically it is a fun fountain that people of all ages enjoy. It shoots up sprays of water, starting out with only two sprays and working up to all 30 or so going at once. People run through it squealing. We joined some other kids down there playing and they lent Linus this blue bucket to play with. The water felt so good in the heat.

We leave tomorrow for D.C. to visit Matthew's grandmother and to see some sights. Linus and I return home on Monday and Matthew will be gone all week.

House Hunting and Books

Yesterday afternoon Linus and I went around with a realtor for some preliminary house hunting. Linus was a good sport about getting in and out of the car so many times and not getting to walk around much. Of five houses, only one was good and it was so cute I was ready to move in right then. And the neighbors have a goose!!!! A perfect fit for us! Our Green Bay realtor said a family went through our house for the second time. I hope they make us an offer.

Since last Friday Linus has been looking at books on his own, as well as bringing me the same book over and over and over again to read. It is kind of cute, but tiresome, too. His room here is large enough that we put a book case in it with most of his books on the bottom shelf. There are two large books that don't fit on the shelf so they are in the living room on the coffee table. Those are the two that he tends to have me repeatedly read. One is a Little People on the farm book with flaps to lift and the other has photos of animals.

Table Manners

Recently at the Indian restaurant the waitperson gave Linus a little melamine bowl for his food. He did a good job with it and didn't toss it on the floor. I decided he was ready for his own plates. We went to Target and I got him some fun melamine plates from the summer/picnic aisle. One has fish, another has suns, one is gingham, and one is shaped like a strawberry. They are lots more fun than the plates in the kid department. That night with dinner he used the strawberry plate. We've started giving him his spoon, but he mostly just plays with it. Once in a while, when his food is gone, he puts the plate up to his face or on his head. For the three weeks when we wouldn't have our things here, I got Linus a travel booster seat. We now have it at the dining table and he eats dinner at the table with us instead of in his high chair. Breakfast and lunch tend to be in the high chair in the kitchen.

A few evenings ago I asked Linus if he could give me a hug and kiss. I hadn't done this before and didn't know what I'd get. He leaned in close and put his mouth on my nose. I thanked him and then asked if I could give him a kiss. He leaned in and put his nose in my mouth. So sweet and goofy.

A Boy and His (Neighbors') Dog

The people on the other side of our duplex have this cute little dog. Her name is Diva and Linus adores her. He gets so excited and squeals when he sees her. Sometimes he even drools, which is a sure sign that he is really excited. Diva was out in the back yard the other day when Linus and I were back there playing with his new sand and water table. (We just have water in it.) He kept offering her his wet socks. She is the perfect size for him to get comfortable with dogs and to learn how to gently pet an animal.

Some of Linus' new skills or interests: good at climbing stairs, eating off of a plate, closing doors, carrying things from one place to another and then taking them all back again, starting to push his corn popper toy, looking at books on his own. He also now has six teeth

Having Fun in Denver

We are all doing well and getting settled in. I have lots to update you on, but will start with these pictures of us visiting Matthew's workplace, Denver Botanic Gardens, for the first time. We went in the late afternoon on Memorial Day and then went to dinner at an Indian restaurant, which Linus really enjoyed.

Since moving here we've been working on teaching Linus to touch plants nicely instead of bashing them or pulling them. We say, "Gentle touch," and demonstrate. He has been nice to plants for over a week now.

We really love Denver for the friendly people and the fun things to do, like the awesome Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature and Science.

Our Last Days in Wisconsin

Spring time here is beautiful and life would be great except for my attempting to pack while looking after Linus. The house isn't so child safe any more with everything coming out to be packed. Plus, Linus has started climbing to get to things. It is difficult to keep a close eye on him when I'm trying to shove things into boxes and wrap breakables. So then I give up in frustration and just play. Thank heavens Matthew's parents are coming to the rescue next week!!!

Linus has changed again. Everyone has noticed it. Last night Sue (our neighbor) said, "He's different. His face is different." He plays like a kid plays and has new expressions on his face. Here are pictures of Linus climbing the ornamental bridge by himself (a new skill), "helping" me plant pansies, and playing chase with me in Matthew's office. Linus has also had peanut butter on bread and our friend Lynn shared her potato chips with him at Kavarna. Last week he gave Johanna hugs and kisses and went at her like he was going to tickle her tummy. He watched the handy man and window repair people use tools and he wanted to get involved with the work. He has just started riding his little trike with help. He adores our neighbors and laughs or squeals to them from our yard. Yesterday he kept saying, "Maa, maa, maa, maa," like a sheep. Is he working up to saying ma ma in time for Mother's Day? I'll let you know. I looking forward to hearing him call to me with words and not just crying or fussing.

The movers load up the truck next Thursday and we fly out the next day. It might be a week or so before I can post again.

Dill Pickle

Here is Linus chewing on a pickle and waving to our neighbor, Mark. Mark invited us over yesterday afternoon for the family cookout they were having to celebrate Phillip's confirmation. Mark cans his own pickles and Linus took mine from me and walked around chewing on it for a while. Sue got out an old toy shopping cart and Linus pushed his sippy cup around in it. The weather was gorgeous and my daffodils bloomed. Linus would like to be outside every minute. We go out a couple of times a day.

Car Seat Promotion

We've promoted Linus to riding in a forward facing car seat. We kept him rear facing as long at the instruction manual recommended and then turned the seat around because he reached the height restriction. He enjoys looking out the front window (we have him in the center) and when we are waiting for a train to pass, I play peekaboo with him from the front. Now and then he giggles about something as we are driving around, but I have no idea what is striking his fancy.

Bubble Frenzy

Here is a picture of Linus chasing after bubbles on our deck. It was challenging for me to blow bubbles and take the picture at the same time. It was rather windy that day so the bubbles blew away and none stuck around for Linus to pop them. The weather is supposed to improve this weekend and I look forward to another bubble experience.

Tommorow we are attending the first birthday party for James, Linus' second play date buddy. Then all three babies will have had their milestone properly feted and they can be on their way to all sorts of toddlerhood adventures.

Spring Time Pursuits

It was chilly and windy out yesterday, so we didn't play outside too long, but Linus still managed to burn off some energy. We played ball, I blew bubbles for him to chase, and he picked his very first dandelion. He also poked around at his first anthill, which is what he is doing in this picture.

Linus is turning into a little person more and more. He gives me the greatest hugs. He gives them with such enthusiasm and today he gave me about a dozen in around five minutes. He must have sensed I needed them.

The best way to describe my packing is that it is Linus-driven extreme multi-tasking. This morning for example: he took me into the living room. While he played, I pulled the plastic and tape off of the windows in preparation for the window washer this weekend. Oh, wait, now we are going into Matthew's office. He explores and I pack two boxes of books. Uh oh! He's stuck behind some things. After I execute a rescue, Linus takes us back into the living room. I finish another window while holding Linus. Then I start sorting bags of baby clothes into those I can sell to a resell shop and those to go to Goodwill. Linus gleefully assists by shoving clothes into bags. Not necessarily the ones I intended. Then he runs off with some of the clothes and I find tiny size 3-month pants in his blocks basket and a 3 month onesie in Matthew's office. Upstairs I tackle our bedroom windows and the top of Matthew's dresser while Linus walks around with my Shakespeare action figure, sans feather pen and book, which are choking hazzards. Then I spy Shakespeare in the trash and I talk to Linus about that not being such a good place for the Bard. After this, we head back downstairs to read books and then Linus decides it is fun to cover my face with his new sun hat.

Big Event

A week and a half ago we took Linus to the Big Event for Little Kids with Linda and Johanna. Linus was overwhelmed much of the time by the kids running around, the music, and so many things to see. He got up the courage to pet two gentle service dogs. He saw baby animals, such as chicks and calves. He looked worried when a kid goat kept bleating.

Linus gets very excited when we encounter dogs on our walks. Near us live two mean sounding German shepherds that bark in a very aggressive way. They are behind a fence, so we are safe when we walk by, but I carry Linus near there and we hurry past. Other neighbors just got a new puppy that is really cute. Linus squealed last night when he saw it. From the library I got him a board book with photos of animals and their mommies. He talks to the dogs in it.

Matthew should be getting pretty close to Denver around now. We miss him. These few weeks will seem awfully long when it comes to us being apart. In terms of me getting the house packed and ready for the market, the time will fly by much too quickly.

Hooray for Morning

This is a picture of Linus one morning last week. He ran around his crib excitedly squealing. This is in contrast to how he has been feeling lately. He is taking such very long naps and is only his normal self about 25% of the time. If he is teething, I wish the tooth would hurry up. If it isn't teething that is plaguing him, then what is?

The movers I selected brought some boxes, packing tape, and paper. Linus will be surprised to see it when he gets up from his nap. I'm getting things ready for Matthew's going away party on Sunday. I can't believe he'll be leaving in a few days and I'll be a single parent.

So Big!

Here is Linus playing So Big during a meal. He ended up with bits of food in his hair. It is my fault that he plays this while eating, because I taught it to him while he was in the high chair.

He is still teething and rather fussy; although, I did manage to get us through the grocery store without him getting upset. He had a meltdown when we got home. Nothing seems to help very much.

Political Activist in the Making

Last Thursday there was a state budget hearing at the National Railroad Museum here in Green Bay. Linus and I went so I could register support for two budget items: extending domestic partner benefits to state employees and providing $17 million to clean PCB's out of the sediment in the tributaries to the Great Lakes. Our friend Jessica was there all day. She works for the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute and was handing out granola bars to conservationists who were waiting a very long time to get to speak before the 20 legislators. We brought her a latte, registered my opinions in writing, and visited with some Democrats. Here Linus is posing with Jessica. He attracted a lot of attention. He was the youngest person there.

The last of the three movers have come through and I've met with the last of three realtors. Linus has struggled with sharing me with these people. He is used to having my undivided attention. He's been a trouper, but now appears to be teething more. He slept a lot yesterday and didn't eat any of his dinner. We gave him Tylenol and Ora Gel, but neither helped much. He ate well at breakfast, but isn't fully himself today. He has needed lots of snuggling from mama.

Breaking News: A Tooth!

Yes, Linus' first tooth has poked through. Matthew discovered it last night and it wasn't there yesterday morning. He was in more pain this morning and very upset about it, but is jolly once again this afternoon and more of the tooth is showing. It is the left maxillary lateral incisor (I looked this up so I knew what to call it). We are very excited about this big development.

It has been a crazy and stressful week with us informing friends that we are moving away and I've been scheduling movers, realtors, a handy man, a window and gutter washer, etc. Plus, I'm planning Matthew's going away party for the 22nd.

For a few weeks now Linus has been clingy with me when Matthew is around. The last two mornings he cried when Matthew left for work, and today he cried when the realtor left. I don't even think I'm going to choose her to sell our house, but I guess Linus liked her. I guess he just doesn't like to say goodbye to anyone right now.

No Tears

Linus has his 12-month check up yesterday and when he received his immunizations he didn't cry at all. I was so surprised. He also didn't cry when he had blood drawn for tests. Linus is 31 inches tall and 22.5 pounds. He is still in the 90th percentile for height and 50th for weight. Dr. Gast said all was going well, except that we should wean him from his pacifier. He pretty much only uses it when he sleeps or takes Johanna's from her. Even so, Dr. Gast said we should end the use of it. We're still deciding how we want to go about this.

Here is Linus with Dr. Gast, who saw me through my pregnancy, assisted during the C-Section, and has been Linus' doctor for the first year of his life. We took pictures because we are moving to Denver and will have to find a new doctor. I'll miss him. He wears nice sweaters, our senses of humor click, and his eyes sparkled as he smiled at me when we first heard Linus' heartbeat.