Sitting up!

Yes, I know I said I would be a better blogger now that we were back into our routine, but life has been crazy. I have been doing some work from home for the National Board Certification program from our teacher's union, and though it will not wind up being ton of hours, it is concentrated work. All 80 candidates sent me their work on the same day - the 21st and I have been playing catch up ever since. Note to self, stagger due dates if you do this next year! As you know, Mr. Shane is not the world's greatest napper (apparently napper is not a real word because the blog spell check keeps underlining it. Hmmm... nothing else seems to fit. He is a good sleeper at night so that word does not work. I am leaving napper. Hopefully I do not offend any grammar geeks!) so getting work done has been a challenge. I happen to be one of those people who can not relax when there is work to do, so things like blogging have taken a back seat. I am back now, though!
I know no one reads this to learn about my life, so on to the main man (sorry Dan). Shane is SITTING up on his own and has been since the day I last blogged - the 17th. I wrote the blog and then Shane and I went to the library for the Lap Sit class they have. We were early because Shane LOVES the hello song - so much that we actually sing it at dinner every night - (Shane is here today, Shane is here today, everybody clap and say, Shane is here today) and goes crazy when his name is called out so I am always early. Anyways, one of the ladies asked if Shane was sitting up yet. I told her that I had just tried the other day and he was still falling over. I sat him up to demonstrate and he leaned quite a bit, but did not fall. Here is a picture taken the next day.

OK, I know he is on the couch and it may look like he is getting support from it, but here is video proof of him sitting up!

He now sits straight up and rarely topples over!
We saw my family for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), but I did not take many pictures! My camera was acting up and I did not take many. Here is one of Shane with my cousin Andrea who came over especially to see my sweet pea! I know Andrea had a fancy new camera and I am hoping she snapped a few pictures of Shane and her mom (my Aunt Joan.)

My parent's dear friends Bob and Lynn were over as well and Shane loved hanging out with Lynn! Shane is a huge flirt and he loved flirting with Lynn! She bought him the cutest White Sox outfit (yes, it is so cute that even a Cubs fan like me LOVES it) that we can't wait to put him in. Here is a picture of them!

The 20th was the Bruce Springsteen concert and Dan's parents so kindly agreed to watch Shane who was in not too nice of a mood when they arrived! Thankfully, once we left he settled down and had a great time hanging out with his grandparents. Since Dan and I were not there, there are no pictures. We sure do thank them for giving up their Sunday afternoon and evening and staying up so late so we could enjoy Bruce. It was a great show and unique in that he played his entire "Born to Run" album in the middle of the show. Unfortunately for me, it is not my favorite album, but I loved the rest of the show and Dan was excited to hear the "Born to Run" album. All in all, it was a great show and nice to get out!
In other weird news, people keep mistaking Shane for a girl when I am out with him. To me, he looks all boy and he is usually in very boyish clothing when it happens. For example, last week Shane was in brown corduroy pants and a red and brown striped shirt with a bear claw on the front and a woman asked how old my little girl was???? Anyway, I tell you this because my sister and her boyfriend Jason purchased a present for Shane when they were on vacation in Canada this summer. They kept forgetting to give it to us and we just got it on my birthday. It was for summer and a size 6 month so we knew we had to get the little one in it before too long. Well, he wore it on Saturday and for the first time, I though he looked a bit girly. I am sorry Shane. If you ever read this - you do not look anything like a girl, but the visor in this outfit... Well, I'll let you all be the judge.


On Sunday Dan and Shane got ready for the big Bear's game by suiting up in their very masculine jerseys. Shane was so excited to hang out with his daddy for the day! Here are some pictures of the boys - how cute do they look?





My parents also got him a summer outfit from their cruise so I put him in it on Monday when they came over for Yom Kippur. Doesn't he look so cute! Look at how well he is sitting up in the second photo!


Thanks to some pushing and prodding, I mean some gentle hints, from Kristine - we finally graduated Shane out of his baby bathtub sling and into a blow up ducky that sits in the tub. We probably should have done it long ago - I mean the sling only is supposed to hold 12 pounds and we all know that Shane is far heavier than that. He also LOVES the tub! Here is a picture.

And here is video of Shane loving his bath! Again, look at how well he is sitting up!

Sitting up has also allowed me to use my shopping cart cover (thanks Aunt Tina) and have Shane sit in the shopping cart! He loves it! I keep forgetting to bring my camera to take a picture, but I will next week!
Here are some random pictures taken of Shane in the past week. The ones in the orange outfit are one of his many Halloween outfits. This one says, "I Love my Mummy!" You will notice that our little brainiac is reading his first Halloween book!

6 months in review!

Our little baby is 6 months old - Well, he is actually 6 months and 1 week old, but his mommy just got around to updating his blog! When Shane was born Kristine gave us the great idea of taking his photo each month in the same outfit and in the same place. We have done that religiously each month. Here are the photos.
Shane - Month 1

Shane - Month 2

Shane - Month 3

Shane - Month 4

Shane - Month 5

Shane - Month 6

We always take many pictures each month, but these are the best. The one thing that I wish we had done was take all of the pictures as close ups or from a distance. We have done both each month, but often the close up or the distance shot is blurry. I think the growth is still obvious, but I wish we had done them all the same. Shane is wearing a 12 month Notre Dame jersey and it is no longer huge on him!
In other news, the teeth are much more visible and you could really see them in several of his 6 month pictures. He was so happy for his photo shoot which is in marked contrast form how he was at his 5 month photo shoot. This time, all I had to do was say "peas" and Shane smiled. We took his pictures in a Notre Dame outfit and a football outfit. He looked so cute. Here are a few of my favorites.









OK, I know I said a few, but my baby is the cutest! You should see all of the pictures I did not post!
Shane loves the word peas! Here is some video proof. Now you know why he smiled so much at his video shoot!
We went to visit my good friend Melanie in Michigan last weekend! Shane went to his first college football game (Notre Dame vs. Michigan) and had a blast! It was so nice to see Melanie, Wally, Elliott and Clara. I taught Elliott and Clara so it is so hard to believe that they are 21 and 19! Shane had a great time at the game, he better have since we had to buy him a ticket! Can you believe that infants need tickets to all college football games? RIDICULOUS! Here are some game pictures.


We also had a great time at Melanie's house, which is stunning! Shane loved her two doggies - Dutchess and Domino! Here are some pictures of Shane and Melanie, Shane and Clara, and Shane with Wally, Melanie and Clara. Elliott was working all day both days we were there so we only saw him in the evening.



This week we have been watching Shane's buddy Augie while my friend Anna is at work. Shane has had a great time with Augie, who is 3 months older than Shane and crawling. We are hoping Shane can learn from Augie. Here are some pictures and a video.


Finally, Shane is learning how to clap. He did it for the first time yesterday. He is also loving his jumper. Here is some video of my little hopper!

Not one, but TWO teeth!!!!

Life has been much more laid back now that summer is coming to an end. The biggest news is that Shane has 2 teeth that have broken through his gums. I finally got a picture this morning. Dan was right, there were two. He kept telling me he felt two and I kept telling him it was only one. Superdad was right again! Here is the picture!

Yesterday Shane wore a very cute outfit from Aunt Tina. It is made by Tommy Hilfiger and I told him to remember it and enjoy it now because Mommy and Daddy will not be buying him any more - especially not when he is a teenager! He did look pretty adorable in the outfit. Here are the pictures. Some are blurry because the little man was so excited he could not stop moving his arms!



Do you know what set off Shane's great mood. The word peas. Yes, he is his father's son! I will never forget Dan's brother, John, telling me that Dan used to laugh hysterically when his brothers would say the word "pooh." I always thought that was a bit odd. Now, fast forward to yesterday. I was feeding Shane his second type of baby food - sweet peas. I said, "Eat your peas" and Shane started laughing hysterically. We quickly realized that the word "peas" made him giggle like crazy! We then said the word to him a million times and he never stopped laughing at it! He is just like his daddy!
Here is another cute photo of Shane after his bath!

Today is my parents 40th anniversary! They are on a cruise celebrating, but Shane wanted to let them know that he is thinking of them today (so are Dan and I)!

A Tooth and green beans!!!!!

As usual, I am way behind on my blogging (it should get better now that Dan has gone back to work today and we are a little less busy). However, I have to start with the BIG news! Mr. Shane is getting a tooth. I discovered it on my birthday (the 27th). I can feel the sharp edge and see a little white, but nothing has poked through yet. I tried to take a picture, but it is a bottom tooth and every time I pry open his mouth, his tongue is in the way. He has not been grumpy at all and he does not seem bothered by the tooth. He is fascinated by it and has his fingers in his mouth constantly, but he is still sleeping like a champ! Did I mention how AMAZING my little man is???
In other huge news, we tried solid food, also on my birthday! Green beans! Shane actually seems to be tolerating them now, but that was not the case in the beginning! Here are the photos and a video from his first taste of green beans! The look on his face says it all!



Shane can also roll back over from his belly to his back now! He just did it this morning on his play mat!

What else have we been doing? Everything! We had a swim play date with Shane's friend Alex. That was a ton of fun! Shane loves having people his size around! It is the cutest! Here are some photos and a video.



We celebrated my birthday by having lunch at Papa Joe's, by going to Kiddieland for one last time (please tell me why they could not find a way to keep that place open), and by having our parents over. This was my best birthday ever because Shane is here and Dan and I finally have our family!
On my birthday, I received several gifts from Dan and Shane including my "W" cubs flag! I know Dan really loves me because he bought a Cubs flag to hang at our house. Maybe he knew that the Cubs may not win any more games this season when he purchased it! We celebrated at Papa Joe's with Kristine and Connor. Here are some pictures.



We had to wait until Saturday to go to Kiddieland because they are no longer open during the week. As a child, I LOVED Kiddieland. We went at least twice a summer and when I was around 9 my dad made me an offer I could not refuse. He gave me the choice between a birthday party like I had always had or the chance to take 5 or 6 friends to Kiddieland for the day. Of course I chose Kiddieland. That place was magical to me! Bringing my own child there was something that I had always wanted to do, but not something I would have done with an almost 6 month old. However, Kiddieland is closing. There is a family feud and they could not resolve it. Apparently one family member owns the land, and the other rents the land from him. They had an 80 year lease which is now up. They are not speaking and the land owner would not renew the lease. Therefore, the park is closing and the land will probably become a Costco! UGHHH! Anyway, we took Shane and the place has not changed since I was a kid. The roller coaster, the old fashioned cars, the boats - everything is the same - even the smells! We went with my parents and Kristine (who also used to go to Kiddieland) and Connor. Shane loved looking around at all of the sites and he was able to ride the Merry-Go-Round and the train. Here are pictures and video of him on the merry-go-round.




After the Merry-Go-Round, Dan tried to take Shane and Connor on some cars. They got seated and I took a few pictures. Then, all of a sudden, Dan was leaving the ride. Apparently, no adults are allowed and kids have to be able to sit up themselves. That left Connor alone and Dan and Shane off the ride. Connor did AWESOME by himself and was a champ on all of the rides after that!


We spent a lot of the day waiting, especially waiting for the lunch! The line was over an hour - no joke! Thankfully my dad and Dan waited in it and we all just hung out at a table singing "The Wheels on the Bus" over and over again! Shane really loves that song and Connor likes it, too!


After that, we took a family photo (my parents, me, and Shane) at Kiddieland and we took some pictures of my favorite rides and attractions (I will spare you most of those!)


Then we all took the train ride - notice how you can see everyone, but Dan, who took the picture, in the train shot! There is also a short video of Shane on the train. I did not remember how small the train was and how low it sat to the ground!



After the train ride, my parents left, but Dan had one more job to do - win Shane something from the Midway! He played the basketball game and won Shane an odd looking blue and green dog that he actually likes very much (you can't tell that from the photo, though.) After that, it was time to hit the road and say goodbye to Kiddieland forever. Gosh does that make me sad! I know it shouldn't, but it really does.



On Sunday my parents and Dan's parents and Jorie and Jason came over to celebrate my birthday. We had good food and a good time. Here is one of the only pictures of the day.

On Monday we met our awesome friend John at the Cheesecake Factory for a back to school/goodbye summer lunch. John showed us great pictures of his vacation to San Francisco! We are looking forward to seeing him and Garret soon! Here is a picture of John and Shane.

On Tuesday, Dan's last day of vacation, we were at the Lung Transplant doctors for Dan's quarterly check-up. Thankfully Dan's lungs are amazing - like him! The nurses all had a great time with Shane who flirted with them all! He even had big smiles for the doctor! While we were waiting for the doctor, Dan placed Shane on the table and had the sweetest chat with him! They really will miss being together all day now that Dan is at work. I got out the camera and snapped some adorable pictures! I know, what a weird place to take pictures! They really are sweet though!


After the appointment we picked up Dan's parents and headed to Smoque - a BBQ place that has been featured on The Food Network. Dan and I were there last year (it is right by my sister's condo), but Dan's dad really wanted to go. I hate BBQ food so I had a salad and macaroni and cheese. However, everyone loved their food and a good time was had by all. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures. Next time...
When we got home, we had a little photo shoot since Shane was wearing his DePaul t-shirt and Dan was wearing his sweatshirt. Dan went to DePaul and we received a gift of the DePaul T-shirt from a friend a while back. In my delusional, sleep-deprived state (after Shane was born), I accidentally packed it away with the 9 month clothing. I discovered it the other day when I was washing the 9 month clothing and realized it was a 6 month shirt. Shane is still wearing his 6 month stuff, but is ready to transition to 9 month, so we figured we better get it on him quick! Here are the pictures!


And finally, here are a few more cute random photos of my little angel from the last few weeks!