Andrew's recent antics

Andrew is becoming more verbal each day. Words we've recently heard include "coat", "outside", "juice", "yes" and to Mommy's delight, "cow." These are in addition to numerous others he has been spouting regularly for a while.

He's saying more animal sounds, including baa, moo, neigh, quack, and a very talented monkey sound that comes with an adorable facial expressions and waving arms. And, he's also doing a great job learning his body parts. He delightfully shares people his belly button!!

Andrew wants to be a big boy like his brother. He very badly wants to ride our tricycle, but it will be a while before his short little legs reach. He's a risk taker and plays tough. It is nice to see how well he and Jeremiah play together. We were recently delighted to see him sit on top of a laundry basket that his brother was sitting under. We think we have many years of them "torturing" each other ahead of us.

Look closely - Jeremiah is under the basket.

Andrew was playing in the "dry" bathtub recently while Mommy was cleaning.

Lions, Tigers and Bears..Oh My

Well, not exactly. There were lions at the circus but Jeremiah quickly corrected us that there were no tigers or bears. Daddy, Mommy and Jeremiah went to the Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Brothers Circus at Assembly Hall on Saturday. This was actually Jeremiah's first time attending a show or game at AH. Surprising, given his Dad's previous affiliation.

Jeremiah and Daddy before the show.

Jeremiah in his seat.

He did ask a few times when it would be over but he seemed to have a good time, in general. In true boy fashion his favorite part was the motorcyles riding around in the metal sphere. He also seemed to enjoy the lions and elephants.

Getting his picture taken with the circus ring behind.

Andrew hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Todd at home. He enjoyed some special time with Bailey, their dog, playing outside.

This week's headlines

We had a pretty low key week here this week, but here are a few highlights.

- Jeremiah had a teddy bear picnic at preschool. They got to take a teddy bear to school and then had special snacks with their bears.
- Andrew has been a little clingy lately but seems to be coming out of his funk. He even cried getting dropped off at Shelly's on Monday.
- Jeremiah continues to do well at swim lessons. He is pretty good at his back float. It is our hope that he can put arms and legs together by the end of the sessions.
- Andrew is now saying "belly button" and showing his off. AND, he wants to see other people's as well.

We did have one day this week where we were able to get outside and play in the backyard in the evening. Jeremiah blew bubbles and Andrew kicked a ball around. We are ready for spring!!!

Special Visitor

Last weekend the boys were able to meet the Todd family foreign exchange student. Sergio stayed with Daddy's family in 1993-1994. He is a mechanical engineer and was visiting John Deere in Moline on business. Sergio's visit brought all the boys' aunts and uncle and their significant others to G&G Todd's house too. They had fun playing with all of them.

The boys took an extra special liking to Lucy, Aunt Carrie's boyfriend John's dog. She is a very friendly black-lab cross. And Lucy may have saved John's reputation with Jeremiah because he was quite upset at how many times John won a game of Uno. And, of course, they loved on Bailey, Grandma and Grandpa's dog.

The boys and Daddy made a brief visit to Great Grandma Z's house, where Andrew discovered that there are many little things to get in to.

Jeremiah decided the mound of snow that had not melted from Grandma and Grandpa's yard was suitable for sledding down.