The Great Wild North (pronounced Nor-T)

I'm playing catch up here. There are several new posts - you'll need to go down to see them all.
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We left for Rochester on Wednesday afternoon. William was a trooper in the car - we were a little worried as he is more mobile now if he wouldn't be as content to sit for as long in the car. We had a few little fussy times, but overall it went wonderfully. William enjoying visiting with the Grandmas and Grandpas very much. On Thursday evening, William discovered he could climb the stairs! He spent a good chunk of the rest of our visit practicing this skill whenever he had a spare moment of free time (whenever anyone wasn't looking). Not to worry, he was always spotted very carefully from both the top and bottom of the stairs.

Playing with Grandpa and the frog puppet

Going Up!

We made it!

Friday was a big day for us! We got to see a lot of different people. On Friday, William got to meet his new cousins for the first time. We had to be careful as William is still sporting a runny nose. William came with us for some quick pictures and then he went back to hang out with Grandpa Kevin. The babies were beautiful as expected and it was so fun to hold them and snuggle them close! John and I both got to hold BOTH babies, although John did not attempt to two baby hold. We enjoyed visiting with Mike while the babyfest was going on.

Cousins! (L-R) Elena, Alexander & William held by Mike and John


Mike and his babies! Elena & Alexander

Me practicing my 2 baby hold.

Friday afternoon, we had another special treat! My friend from high school (Robyn) came with her 1 year old baby (Jacob) to visit. It was fun to see her again and catch up as well as watch our boys play together. Okay, well sort of play at the same time in the same room. Jacob is now walking and William loved watching him run all over the place.

Me, William, Robyn & Jacob. Why do we always wait to take pictures at the end? Neither boy is very happy to sit still for a picture here.

Friday evening, John and I met Jessica and Chris for dinner while Grandpa and Grandma babysat. It was delightful to go without the diaper bag or worry about high chairs not to mention the adult conversation!

Saturday we went out for lunch with Grandpa and Grandma and then back to the store where Grandpa works to help him out. William liked the egg shaker toys and the big drums the best! It was REALLY busy when we were there, so we didn't get to do the fun stuff like sit in Grandpa's chair or play with the cash register. Next time.

Playing drums at Grandpa's store

Playing with Grandpa Heidt's dump truck on Saturday afternoon

Saturday evening, Aunt Megan came for dinner to visit. William really liked seeing Megan again. We all ate dinner together with William in his high chair! Megan and William read stories and played with toys before William had to go to bed.

Reading a new book with Aunt Megan

Building....something with Aunt Megan

Sunday morning, we went for brunch at Valentinos with Aunt Kaye and Scott. We were impressed that we got to visit with them as their flight from Germany came in LATE on Saturday night! No pictures from that as our camera was packed up in the car!

Hip -Hippo- Hurray

We picked up a new push toy from one of the neighbors earlier this week. It is pretty cute. Within the first few moments of having it in the house, William safely pulled up on it and took a few steps. He wasn't sure he liked when it moved so he stood up, took a few steps and then would sit down again.

Pushing on your knees isn't as scary

Tastes good!

Exer-baby! Also works for ballet and squats.

Oh! And the yellow handle part folds down and then you can sit on it. How fun is that? Especially when Daddy is pushing you?

Our Bruiser

Playing catch up here after returning from a wild trip to the great North. Now that William is more mobile (read: faster), he is getting himself into more trouble than mommy can keep up with. Our little bruiser. There are 3 bruises on his forehead (above R eye, 2 in an X shape over his left eye). He has a bump on his chin and several scratches under his eyes. Looks like we should invest in a face mask. Or a padded room.

Why I love my dad, Rochester

Just a quick post with two things I need to tell you. We are leaving for Rochester tomorrow afternoon sometime and returning on Sunday. I called my parents to inform them that they would be hosting us starting tomorrow when I happened to mention to my dad I was on a quest. A quest for a brownie recipe.

It all started on a cool night last weekend. The chocolate cravings were kicking in and it was actually cool enough to turn lights on as well as the oven inside the house without getting heat stroke. So, I pulled out the brownie mix. On the side of the box, I spied a recipe for "4 star brownies". I am unable to resist such things. Brownies good enough for the 4 star rating, but not enough for 5? Irresistible. So I made them and they were excellent. So good, I would like to have them again. Alas, the box is now gone with the recycling last week. So I've googled and searched and can't find the stupid recipe anywhere. As a result, I was out at the grocery store picking up a few things which included another box of brownies only if it had my recipe on the side. I went to THREE different stores without any 4 star brownies in sight.

That brings us back to this evening while making reservations at the McGarry Motel. Turns out my dad was at the grocery store. I told him the whole brownie deal and he promised to take a turn through the brownie aisle. I didn't hold much hope as 1) I couldn't find the mix and 2) I didn't think he was actually listening for part of the story. I was very VERY happy when my dad called back later to confirm the kind of brownies I was looking for : he has them! Hurray!

Hmmm....after reading over this I have to apologize. I promise an update tomorrow with pictures. Remind me to show you the neat new walking toy the neighbor gave us!

Ma Ma Ma

John put up a link to William doing some babbling on Saturday. I was worried no one would notice it and I think it is darn cute. There is a link on the left side of the page, but here is another one for you (same thing) William saying "Ma Ma Ma". Very exciting, although I know he doesn't know what what it means yet.

We've been working really hard at pulling up this weekend. William no longer requires something to hang onto when standing up. He just needs something to help himself balance as he pushes up (walls, cabinet doors, people's legs, etc). A few times in the last couple of days he has even let go with both hands and stood unassisted without any help or leaning on anything! WOW! Very exciting for us and a lot scary also! We are also fighting what looks like might be our first cold. Not bad to make it almost 8 months without getting sick once. So far, we just are sporting a runny nose which he refuses to let me wipe. Ick. I think it is bothering me more than him. He is quite happy to wipe the boogers across his face and then continue playing. Me= not so much.

Anyone want a drink? These were moved later because he was able to pull the whole box around while standing there (all 24 cans are full)

Pulling up on the cabinet and reaching for the drawer!

Mudd and William looking out the windows...and a lot of mess in between!

It was time to upgrade to a toothbrush now that there are so many teeth in there!



Last, it appears the Giggle Drill has been recalled. However, ours is NOT one of the serial numbers affected by THIS recall. Is it safe to play with? I don't think we will find out. Very sad.

I'm a Turkey

Thank goodness for short weeks! William is still a mystery to me. After our urgent care visit last weekend, he hasn't really improved or changed any. Still irritable and not wanting to eat his solids. Yet, nothing else really to go on. If these are teeth- HURRY UP!

Today was a little bit better with the solid feedings and we went ahead with the last meat:turkey. I'm not sure he liked it a whole lot. But, he did eat it all. Note he also has a very sticky looking teething biscuit in his grubby hands. He used to really like these, but now will only hold it and drool on it. This holding drooling= very messy. Oh well.

Turkey for dinner and a nice close up of our counter tops


Hmmm...not sure

But, still opening my mouth!

Did you mean to put that stuff in there?

I don't know what this look is, but it is funny!

The battle for the spoon begins. Who will win?

The triumphant champion gazes at his prize. This is a serious victory folks...

Right after our turkey dinner extravaganza, we saw a herd? gaggle? pride? of wild turkeys meander through our neighbors backyard! Our pictures turned out blurry - but how funny is that?

Edited: PS The red bump on his forehead, right side is where he ran into the corner of a wall earlier in the day. He cried less over that than when I try to wipe his face after eating.

Pears?

The food/eating battle continues on at the Heidt house. Last night it was a little worse, this morning a little better, and tonight worse again. This morning I finally got William to try some pears in his fresh food feeder thing. He seemed like he REALLY liked it at first and then a minute later not so much. Oh well. The watermelon and banana I bought for him to try last week are still sitting out on the counter as is our last type of meat: turkey. I just don't have it in me to push something new when I can't get him to eat his "old" favorite stuff.

Big smiles this morning in the high chair. Look how tall he is getting! I should find an old picture of him in his chair to show you how much he has grown....ohh...so lazy! Another day.

Trying out the pears. He went back for more a few times and then decided it would be much more fun to bang the feeder on his tray. Unfortunately, this made pear juice/pear chunks fly everywhere. Mommy (aka: The Party Pooper) found it was time to take away the feeder after that.

I have been out hunting around for some pants for William to wear this winter. Eventually, it will have to cool off around here and we are going to be stuck without anything to wear. We currently spend most of the day crawling around in a diaper because it is so hot and it is way easier that trying to wrestle the wiggly boy into an outfit. Soon, we won't be able to do that anymore. William was pretty set for clothes through the 9 month size stuff. Now that he is wearing 12-18 month stuff, we are going to have to stock up. Here he is trying on some pants for me this morning. I guess I though the 12 month stuff would look bigger on him? Not sure if these will work for him all winter, or if I should go back out and get some in the 18 month size also? Experienced mothers and/or opinionated persons should leave me a comment or e mail me please.

Okay, I know they are a little long in the legs - but it isn't a ton... Also, he is wearing a paper diaper and the cloth ones take us a little more room (pants will be shorter).

Tonight we went to our friend Charlotte's house for dessert. Charlotte will be one at the end of this month and she is having heart surgery tomorrow morning. We hope everyone will keep "Sharlie" in their thoughts and prayers tomorrow - she is a special little girl.

And, a few bonus pictures as I know you all have been missing him!

William using his new toy. Please note: this isn't what I had in mind when I made this toy.


Again, the purpose of this toy is to help develop the fine motor skills with his HANDS. Not mouth!