The past two weeks - a synopsis

Thanks to nicer weather than we thought we would have, all three of us were able to attend the last Illinois home football game of the year on November 17. After a great weekend, I loved the chance to get to spend some extra time with Jeremiah because the sitter was on vacation. I took Monday-Wednesday off work to be just a mommy! Jeremiah visited John's office on Monday afternoon because I had to drop him off there on my way to work an evening event. On Tuesday, I took him to Sears to have his one year pictures taken. He totally cheesed the camera for some of the shots but we were happy with them. We also sent flowers to Grandma S. because she retired. We're excited to know she'll have more time to spend with Jeremiah and his 9 other cousins now.

Wednesday brought packing and a VERY cranky boy. He just would not settle in to a morning nap but we were barely out of Fisher when he passed out in the car. We stopped in Mendota for a stretch and diaper change. Jeremiah picked out some fig newtons so we decided to get him his own personal snack. Granted, he picked the multiple serving box and we substituted the 2 newton package but it was cute just the same. We arrived in Lena at about 5 p.m.

On Turkey Day we went to have lunch with the Schnitzler family at Aunt Judy's. After a morning full of parade watching and playing with his aunts, uncles and grandparents, he was wiped out and fell asleep on our way to lunch. He slept through lunch but partook of all the Thanksgiving foods when he woke up. Then, he proceeded to play with cousins and terrorize Aunt Judy's house. She has stairs to the upper level of her house and he thought they were GREAT to climb.

We returned to Lena late that afternoon and spent time there on Friday too. On numerous occasions, he showed everyone his newest pastime - dancing. Aunt Carrie was unpacking all her Christmas decorations and she collects the Hallmark musical characters each year. Jeremiah loved hearing the music and dancing so much that we had to put them away so he would go to bed on Friday. He went straight to the living room on Saturday morning to play with them. He also enjoyed rocking on a rocking horse and rocking chair that was brought out of storage. The rocking chair was Grandma's when she was little and the rocking horse was Daddy's. Isn't that cool? He's a big fan of rocking in his rocking chair at home now too. It was Mommy's when she was little.

Saturday was the day for his big birthday party! Our drive from Lena to Elizabeth, where we had the party, was perfect timing for a nap for him so he was well rested for the party. He received some wonderful toys (some of which people will be receiving payback!), books, clothes, and contributions to his college account. Again, he covered himself in frosting and had an enjoyable time doing so. We spent the rest of the afternoon with Papa and Mamma, where he ran circles around the living room and kitchen with Karl, while Daddy worked on their house construction

Sunday brought our trip back. He traveled really well and we stopped for a fun lunch at McDonald's. He loves his hamburgers! When we arrived home, we unpacked and he got busy with his new toys. We're certain to have left something out but when we don't provide an update in so long, this is what you get.

1 year stats

Jeremiah went to the doctor on Tuesday. He had to have 4 shots and I think this is the most he has ever cried. He was fine on the first one but when she jabbed that second one his big lip came out and he was really crying. Poor thing!

He weighed 23 lbs. 3 oz. and was 29 3/4 inches long.

He's official in a front facing carseat, which we turned around last weekend! He loves riding forward!

Birthdays and bucks

The birthday festivities were spread over a few days. On thursday morning Jeremiah opened a few gifts before we left for the day. We sent cupcakes to daycare and then he had one in the evening at home with me. (Daddy had class.) Then, we gave him another present on Friday and finally, we had a birthday party with some friends and family on Saturday night. He loved opening presents and eating his cake. I had no idea he would have so much fun with his cake and once he figured out that everyone was watching and laughing at him he started entertaining, which made people laugh even more. He got some fun new toys and new clothes. Thanks everyone!!!

Before

After - look at all the red frosting on his face!

Among other things, Mommy and Daddy gave him a John Deere combine, which he has enjoyed pushing around the house.

We'll have another party up north during Thanksgiving weekend. It's sure to be another fun time.

Oh yeah, and this is Jeremiah celebrating the Illini win against The Ohio State Buckeyes. I-L-L-I-N-I. We think he is sticking his tongue out at the OSU fans.

How quickly time passes

At 6:19 this morning, our little boy turned one year old. There are so many vivid memories flashing through my head today. He was on the Channel 3 news this morning as a Wonderful One. We'll post some pictures of him opening gifts, etc. later today but for now, here's a reminder of what he was like as a newborn.

Nearly a year...

Earlier today I was thinking about what I was doing a year ago. I had cleaned by house from top to bottom over the weekend and I was somewhat bored on my first day of maternity leave. It's hard to believe our little baby will already be a year old. Just two more days until the big birthday!

The last week has been fun with Halloween and a trip north. Jeremiah went to the school Halloween parade on Wednesday with Shelly. Apparently that made him tired or messed up his nap schedule because when I got home from work he was napping - not a normal routine anymore. He woke up about 7 and I took him to a few houses for trick or treating. Then, we came back and had dinner.

Thursday was a normal day but on Friday morning he seemed to be confused as to why we weren't getting ready to go to Shelly's house. Instead, we got in the car and drove to G&G Todd's house and then on to G&G Schnitzler's to help pack more boxes. He found great delight in taking a package of Ramen noodles and some boxes of jello out of the boxes. After a nap, his cousins Becca and Dylan took him for a walk in the stroller and then they played around the house. That night for supper he had his first taste of Manny's pizza (one of our favorites) and he seemed to like it as he gobbled it down.

Jeremiah spent all day Saturday with G&G Todd and uncle Matt. Grandma even bought some new toys for him to play with at her house. He seemed to do really well for them, except when we stopped back at the house between moving in the morning and a wedding in the afternoon. With the time change, Jeremiah woke at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday and we spent some more time playing in the house and outside at G&G Todd's house. He had a morning nap and then we all had pancakes and sausage for lunch. He liked it alot!

Soon after that it was time to get back in the car. We're noticing that his willingness to be in the car is getting shorter. The last hour is a rough one for him. We go through alot of graham crackers and books during the last portion of our trip.

In other news, his cough seems to be gone and he's off the nebulizer.

Big highlight - the whole family was on the cover the of local newspaper a week and a half ago. We were part of an article about people who came to school here and stayed around. Jeremiah looks so cute in the picture. I'll try to scan it and put it up soon.