Jason, Mitzi, Jack & Julia: June 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Monday Jack went to see the orthopedist and his only problem is that he has flat feet. Otherwise he is a normal 2-year old. I had no idea that flat feet could make your ankles and heels look different (it's not the same for everyone). So I guess I was just being a worrying mother, but I am still glad that we had it checked out. Jack enjoyed the doctor's office so much that he didn't want to leave (they said this was a first at the office), it was a great place to play with his trains (the newest obsession). The doctor was very good with children and was quite patient when Jack was fascinated by his mustache and Jack kept touching it. I think the doctor really liked Jack because Jack kept calling him by his name and the doctor was impressed that he could say it...this little boy sure can turn on the charm when he wants to!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

CHICAGO!

What's not to like about Chicago? We spent Friday, Saturday & Sunday checking out the Chicago sights. For many years we used to go to Chicago every December (or London when we lived in Europe) and it's so much different going with two small children. We hardly did any shopping, which would normally consume our entire trip (we did stop at the outlet mall on the way...so I guess we did go shopping, just not in the city). Our hotel room (Jack LOVES hotels!) was on the 18th floor and we had a great view! The first thing Jack said when he looked out the window..."I see the Eiffel Tower"! Wrong city Jack, but a good guess for a 2-year old! Here is the Eiffel Tower that Jack saw...

Saturday we walked from the hotel to Navy Pier to check out the Children's Museum (we have been making the rounds to the Children's Museums!)...we took some pictures along the way...

The Children's Museum was great...Jack loved the fire engine, bowling, making "faux" stir fry, the huge water tables - there wasn't anything he didn't like...

We were horrible parents and let the kids stay up late (they did nap until 5:45 p.m....that's how I justified it) and went for a city stroll...

During the second bath of the day (it was hot, sticky & in the 90's all day!) Julia decided that she could get into sitting position all by herself. It was so funny that she decided to try it in the bathtub and we were both watching her. Jason even got a picture (they are a too naked to post here).

After his bath Jack had to look at the Eiffel Tower "one more time" before he could go to sleep. He finally started calling it Trump Tower before we left.

Sunday we went to Shedd Aquarium...this is one of the few pictures with a fish in it! No flash photography...so a lot of the pictures were dark and blurry!

Are we having fun yet? There was a long line to pick up our tickets, but they waited patiently (or as patiently as possible).

Jack & Jason being silly at lunch!

Julia smiles as soon as she sees a camera!

Jack got comfy as soon as we got in the car to head home...

So did Julia...this is how she took a nap!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Sand & Swimming

Jack had another class at Impression 5 this morning and today's topic was sand. After last Saturday's class I wasn't so sure how this one was going to go, but Jack was great today. I think it helps to know what to expect. We read stories, sang songs, learned about sand and did sand crafts.

Coloring with the "tiny little crayons" (as Jack called them)...we use big crayons at home...

Glue & sandpaper letters...

Sand in boxes...

Jack loved playing with the Moon Sand (I thought it was fun too, I had never seen it before)...

Jack took his own picture during class

After class we stopped at Kohl's and Jack made himself at home...

A few weeks ago Jack started another round of Little Minnow swimming classes...Jack and Daddy have so much fun (Mom not so much...I had my first try a few weeks ago and Jack does much better with his Dad).

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Let's Get Curious

We made another trip to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum, but this time to check out the Curious George exhibit. When Jack got out of bed this morning we told him we were going to see George at the museum and he said that he wanted to bring his George along too (at least he only wanted to bring Big Brown George). Jack was so excited he could hardly contain himself. He had a fantastic time and we will probably have to go again before the exhibit ends this summer!

One of the simplest exhibits was his favorite...the bunny house from one of Jack's favorite Curious George books!

Jack absolutely hates riding in elevators (I think it stems for our apt. elevator in Paris), but here he could push the buttons and open the door and he couldn't get enough of either one!

I thought the hats were fun, but Jack didn't!

Julia likes monkeys too (see Jack running wild in the background!)

A very sleepy boy and his George...

....finally asleep after all of the excitement!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Miss Julia - 9 Months

Little Miss Julia you are 9 months old today! You are full of smiles, giggles, screams and energy! Your first tooth popped though a few days ago and it looks like three more are on the way shortly! You had your 9 month doctor's appointment a little over a week ago and weighed in at 17 pounds 10 ounces (31%) and 26 3/4 inches (30%). You take two naps a day (10:00 & 2:00) and sleep at night from 8:00 to 8:00. You are a great little eater and have not met a food you didn't like! You love yogurt, cheese, rice, Cheerios (it pains your Dad to buy these at the store!), puffs and any kind of baby food (even the chunkier stage 3). You still distractedly nurse four times a day. You fit perfectly in your 6-12 month clothes. You started crawling this month and you have gotten really quick. You started out with the commando crawl, but have graduated to a combination commando/hand & knees crawling. You love to make your way into the kitchen, especially when I am cooking dinner. You love books and have started pulling them off of your bookshelf. Your favorite book is My Very First Tea Party. You start smiling with the very first sentence. You started sitting in the "big girl" seat in the double stroller and you love checking everything out and trying to swipe your big brother's snack. You want to play with everything that you shouldn't and you want whatever your brother has. You love to yell mamamama and dadadada and we think you know the difference. We love our happy little sunshine! xoxo

The Sugar Shack & a Visit to the Doctors

Jack was so good at the doctor that I thought I had brought someone else's child with me, so we stopped at The Sugar Shack to pick up a few special treats on the way home. Jack really wanted that HUGE pink cupcake in the upper left corner, but that not what he got (see the small ones on the bottom shelf...that's what he got!).

Darek (the owner) was kind enough to let Jack sample some frosting...surprise here, but Jack LOVED it!

The reason for our trip to the doctors...Jack's ankles (don't mind the knees...he's not standing up straight). His ankles curve inward and his heels outward (more so on the left ankle than the right). We are waiting for his referral to an orthopedic specialist to see what the next step is (the doctor suggested physical theraphy and/or a brace of some sort, but we first need to meet with the specialist). Jack often trips over his own feet and this is probably the reason...and we thought he was just a little clumsy. Poor little guy! He was so good at the doctor's office and was talking to all of the ladies and asking them what they were doing (he can be so funny). He weighed in at 31 pounds (he loved the scale...I think he weighed himself at least 3 times!). We were able to get our preschool health forms completed and questions answered. The doctor assured me that everything I considered a quirk was just a result of being 2! It's hard being 2!