The Accidental Boilermaker

Jameson turned 1 year old today!  Evelyn picked out cinnamon rolls for Jameson's special breakfast and she of course helped blow out his candle. Jameson also had his 12 month check up this morning.  He weighed 22 lbs 13 oz (74th percentile) and was 31 inches long (89th percentile).  Jameson is always so well behaved during the appointments that the doctor can let his med students exam him too.  And today Jameson didn't flinch or cry for either of his vaccines.   After the doctor's office we went straight to church for Bible study.  Once we finally got home, Jameson was so tired, I just put him right down for nap. Jameson has definitely started walking; he can take about 5-10 steps before he looses his balance.  He has yet to stand up on his own. He has about 4 words - mama, dada, no, uh oh, and night night.  He can sign more, please, no, and bath.  He is still a good eater.  Favorite foods probably are yogurt,...

Evelyn started her pre-ballet lessons today.  She was very excited. Evelyn and Bella are in dance together.  Bella has done dance before, but both girls seemed to have lots of fun and listened well to their teacher.  Watching 2 and 3 year olds learn ballet is serious cuteness overload.

Today our it's too cold to go outside (even though we did venture out to story time) activity was dying pasta.  We put a few handfuls of pasta in a ziplock bag and then added several drops of food coloring plus a tablespoon of vinegar.  Mixed up the pasta and food coloring and voila - multicolored pasta! We dyed the pasta in the morning and I really wanted it dry for use later in the day, so I put the cookie sheet in the oven at 170 degrees until the colors had set.  Evelyn had fun making necklaces with yarn and pipe cleaners.  Jameson really wanted to eat the pasta and was disappointed when I wouldn't let him.

We celebrated New Years in Michigan and it was a nearly perfect weekend.  The only thing that could have gone better was Jameson's sleeping (by which I mean it would have been nice if he had slept). On Friday Pat, Jameson, and I did some shopping at the mall while Nate, Evelyn, and Paul went ice skating. On Saturday we went to a Countdown to Noon party along with Amanda, Isaac, and Joshua.  Jameson didn't seem real impressed; maybe because he didn't sleep? Evelyn and Isaac patiently waiting for the countdown and the balloon drop. Happy Noon Year! The balloons continued to be a lot of fun once we got home. After naptime, we opened presents, had dinner, and did an early countdown to midnight for the kids. Nate and I both thought the cousins played very well together this weekend.  There really weren't any arguments about toys; they took turns and shared so nicely with their new presents.  I'm excited for when Jameson is big en...

Christmas morning we opened stockings before loading up the car to drive to Decatur. The drive went very well but Jameson was done with the car and ready for some snuggles. After dinner we opened presents.  Evelyn did a good job helping everyone.  Monday morning we visited my Aunt Martha and saw the twins. Evelyn and Jameson with Katherine before she had to drive home. Jameson coloring with Mimi. This is me pretending to be happy after Jameson woke up several times Monday night. Really I'm saying more coffee, lots more coffee.

It's Christmas Eve!  We were supposed to have dinner with some friends, but plans changed and we instead had a nice evening at home. Evelyn helped me make snowmen sugar cookies for Santa this morning. And after dinner we opened presents. Not too long ago Evelyn broke a mug of mine, so for Christmas (with Nate's help) she gave me a new one.  It's hard to tell but the mug has two owls - a big one and little one : )  Nate said she picked out the mug all on her own. Evelyn got a Nemo ornament and a light up Elsa doll from Jameson.  Unfortunately Elsa did not light up or sing, despite multiple battery changes.  Evelyn understood that the doll was broken and did not get upset, but I still ran to Target with her in the hopes we could exchange it for a new Elsa.  The trip was a success and Evelyn was very excited for a working doll. Evelyn gave Jameson a build-a-bear monkey that she built herself.

Today was a day of firsts.  Nate took Evelyn to see her first movie, Moana.  Nate said the movie is very good and that Evelyn loved the whole experience.  When they got home, Evelyn told me she wanted to go see Moana again tomorrow with me : ) Then tonight Katherine took my dad to his first Blackhawks game!