Spring Fest!

Last weekend was very busy for Shane. On Saturday, we headed to Bolingbrook to meet our great friends John & Garret for dinner. We met at 6:30, but had a 20 minute wait for a table. I was a little worried about how Shane would do eating so late (he goes to bed by 7:30 every night), but Shane pleasantly surprised me again. He was full of laughs and giggles and was happy until the end! We did not leave the restaurant until 9:30! I know for a fact that we have the world's greatest kid! Here is a picture of Shane with Uncle John & Uncle Garret.

We took that picture right before we left, so you can see what a champ Shane was. It did not hurt that Garret is AWESOME with him!
Sunday was full of more firsts for Shane as we attended Plainfield's Spring Fest (Shane has been to other fests, but never participated like he did this time!) My hope was that we could take Shane on a few rides. We quickly learned that adults were not allowed in the bouncy rides, but that they had one for little kids. As you can see by the pictures, Shane had a blast. We let him go in several times and he loved being in there and hanging out with the kids! Kristine and Connor met us at the fest and I think having Connor in the bouncy with him really helped Shane gain some confidence!





Shane hung by the entrance of the bouncy while Connor, an expert in these things, leaped right in. We asked Connor to help Shane get up and he pretty much tackled him! It was hysterical!


Shane eventually became eager to explore and follow the big kids around! Here are the last of the bouncy photos!





After bouncing around for a bit, it was time for lunch. Shane enjoyed some pizza and was ready for the mechanical rides! Connor and Kristine started out on this safari ride!

Meanwhile, Dan & I eagerly purchased tickets and raced over to the cars. It looked a little tight in there, but I was sure Dan could somehow squeeze himself into the car with Shane. You be the judge. Did he fit?

The ride attendant kicked Dan off once I took this picture. My heart started pounding and palpitating as I realized Dan was leaving our 14 month old baby ALONE on the ride. I was so freaked out that I didn't really take any pictures of the first ride (yes, I said first). I was so sure Shane was going to 1) Freak out when I was not in his sights, 2) Squirm his way out of the seat belt and onto the cement ground, & 3) Be so traumatized that he would hate fests like he hates the zoo. Guess what, Shane had a BLAST! The only thing that traumatized him was when I tried to remove him from the ride. He was so upset that he rode again. He loved the canopy that spun above the ride (I think it reminded him of the parachute in our library class) and loved steering the car. It was so cute. Here are some pictures and of course, video! The first video is before the ride and the second is during. The camera was full and cut off into the second video, but you will get the point. I could not believe how brave my little man was!!! He is the car coming up when the video ends - look how little he looks in that car!







After a few rides on the cars, it was time to hit the Merry-Go-Round! I went on with Shane and Kristine went on with Connor! The boys loved it! Kristine and I held on for dear life - it is harder than you may think to hold onto a child who is going up and down as you spin in a circle - or maybe I am just getting old.





After a big day at the fest, it was time for a bath. The harry leg you see in the tub belongs to Dan who graciously agreed to put on his suit and jump in the tub with Shane for Shane's first bath in the big tub sans the inflatable duck that I love so much! Shane loves to splash so I took some video of the boys making a water mess! Overall, I am still using the duck and while Shane had a good time in the big tub, he has just as good a time in the inflatable duck tub that sits in the big tub.


In other news, Shane is learning more every day. He is making kiss sounds now when asked - sooo cute! He also always kisses the bear at the end of one of his stories and is even starting to kiss his parents. He understands some more phrases such as "It is time to go upstairs." Which tells him he can crawl up the stairs, something I am not allowing him to do whenever he pleases. He also stared telling us he is hungry or thirsty by saying, "Mmmmm." The first time he did it, we were reading books on the couch and he looked over where his bottle warmer is and he started to say, "Mmmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmmm." It was not bed time or first thing in the morning when he gets a bottle so I ignored it. He started to cry and kept saying, "Mmmmm." Finally, I took him downstairs and gave him a glass of milk which he finished right up. I told Dan about Shane's new skill at dinner that night. Neither of us were really sure what to make of it. After Shane was done eating, we cleaned him up and put him on the floor to play while we cleaned up. Then, Dan and I got some ice cream snacks out. Shane saw them, walked over to the table and started saying, "MMMMMMMMM, MMMMMMMM!!!" really loudly. We got the point and he got my ice cream bar. If there was any doubt that he knew what he was doing when he started saying, "Mmmm" it ended right there.
Have a great weekend!

WALKING!!! Sort of...

I have so much to post and share, but I have to start with the most exciting news! Shane took his first steps on Mother's Day! What an awesome gift for me! It made this the greatest Mother's Day ever!!!! The best was that Dan was there to see them and so were both sets of our parents! We were all sitting around the table and talking while Shane was playing at his musical stage. I looked at him and he just started walking across the room to me. I started yelling, "He is walking - Shane is WALKING!" We immediately got the camera and had him do it again! He never took as many steps as he did the first time, but he continues to walk, a few steps at a time. Here is a picture and the video!


After the monumental first steps, we headed to Stride Rite on Monday for Shane's first pair of Shoes! We discovered that he has an extra wide foot - poor kid, poor us! You see Stride Rite is the only place that makes extra wide shoes for toddlers so we will be paying the big bucks for his shoes for the next few years. The saleswoman said that his feet will thin out, but we have wide feet on both sides of the family so the poor kid may be doomed. Here is a picture of Shane being fitted for his first shoes! Check out the look on his face when looking at them! He did not love them, but the sales lady told me most kids cry hysterically and Shane didn't do that!


Shane has yet to actually walk in the shoes, his little legs started shaking as soon as he stood up in them. I left them on most of the day Monday, but he took no steps in them. Now, I am back to bare feet or socks in the house and shoes when we go out. I am letting him slowly adjust to shoes!
Shane is growing up and changing so fast. It seems like he learns something new every day. Some things are wonderful, and some not so wonderful. For example, he just learned to flush the toilet & unroll the toilet paper. He gets a huge kick out of it! We try to keep him out of the bathrooms, but if I have to go and am alone, he has to join me. Even when I am not alone with him, he prefers to join me and will cry outside of the door if I don't let him in...He also talks a lot. We don't know what he is saying most of the time, but he says something that sounds an awful lot like "Yeah!" and "that". He follows simple directions like sit down, turn the page, and give __ a kiss. However, he likes to kiss characters in books and stuffed animals more than real people, like his mommy! He also waves hi and bye!
Speaking of books, he LOVES his books! I read to him over an hour a day! His favorite books sit on top of our couch to protect them. His favorites are mainly pop up and non-board books so they need protecting. Here are Shane's favorite books all lined up and waiting for him!

When he wants to read, We sit on the couch and shane pulls himself up and chooses his book. He points and says, "that!" and either pulls out the book or waits for me to grab them. He sits down, after I tell him to and we read the book with him turning the pages! It is sooo cute!


In other news, we are still battling the fear of zoo animals... I went with Anna and Cathy to a free zoo in Aurora. The zoo was small with some wolves, a cougar, Peacocks, an eagle, a reptile house, and a wild turkey. The wild turkey, who was in a fenced area, must have seen Shane's bright red stroller and charged the fence (as fast as a turkey can charge) and the fear continues... Here is a picture of the 3 boys at the zoo.

Shane has been on the go lately! He was in Evanston visiting 'Aunt' Debbie and her pooch Ashley. Shane loves Debbie and was so at home in her condo! Debbie had a great truck for him that he loves and he had a great time playing with Ashley who was remarkably tolerant of Shane. Here is a picture of the three of them.

After a wonderful lunch, we walked over to a park near Debbie's house and Shane had so much fun!



Shane even tried to climb up the slide - I swear it is hard wired in boys to explore like that!

Then Dan and Shane took a ride down the slide together and then alone!


After a great day with Debbie, we met up with Aunt Jorie and Jason. Shane had a great time sitting next to Aunt Jorie at dinner and I had a hot meal while Jorie fed Shane! Whoo hoo! Here are some pictures from the dinner!



Last Monday I took Shane to my parents so I could take Thunder to the vet in Skokie. Thunder needed his heartworm and flea meds and I did not want to take Shane with me so I dropped him off and Thunder and I went to the vet. I love my vet which is why I still use her when I live an hour away from her office! Her office is right out of a 1950's Norman Rockwell painting. The best is when she plants all of the flowers outside the office, she is a wonderful gardner and animal doctor! I even took a picture or 2 in her office.


After the vet, Thunder and I went back to my parents for lunch. My dad had a dentist appointment and had to leave before lunch. Here is a picture of him and Shane before he left.

My Aunt Joan came over and joined us for lunch! Shane loves her (so do I) and it was great to see her! She gave Shane 2 of his favorite books and had another for him! he loves to feel the bunny fur and tickle the gorilla in the new book! Here is Shane sharing secrets with his Great Aunt Joan!


After lunch my mom practiced walking with Shane (I guess the practice helped!) and gave him some snuggle time!


My mom's friend and neighbor Lisa was also over at my parents. She took a turn holding Shane as well.

Another thing I am continually amazed by is the relationship that Shane and Thunder have. Thunder never touches Shane's toys, though Shane takes Thunder's all of the time! Shane climbs all over Thunder and Thunder lets him. They actually interact and share Thunder's toys. It is really sweet. Here are a few pictures of the boys.


Mother's Day weekend was very busy! Shane had 2 birthday parties to attend on Saturday. The first was a former student of Dan's son. It is crazy to me that Dan taught a girl who is just 6 years younger than me and who has a son a year older than Shane. Life sure is funny! Anyway, Dan was so excited to go and Shane had a blast. Happy birthday, Noah! The party was at Little Monkey Bizness and Shane loved playing with all of the balls on he under 2 area! I have to take him back there soon!



Shane's lack of a morning nap started to catch up with him during the lunch and cake time!

Here is the birthday boy, Noah! He is a cutie!

After Noah's 2nd birthday party, we were off to Brennan's 1st birthday party! Dan and I taught with Paul (Brennan's dad) and we keep meaning to set up playdates! Anyway, Shane was pretty tired by the time we arrived at party #2, but he managed to charm some adults and have some fun!

Here he is playing with the birthday boy!

Finally, here are a few pictures of Brennan!


Mother's Day was the greatest! Did I mention that Shane walked????!!!! I also received flowers from Dan, a bracelet, & a paper shredder! Shane got me 2 cds that I wanted (Lifehouse & Shinedown) and he topped that off by WALKING!!!! I'm not too excited! Both of our parents were over and the day was terrific! Here are some photos!
Shane and me!!

Shane and both of his Grandmas!

And finally my mom, me, & Shane - the 3 generations!