Packing Up

We're moving! Joe and I close on a new house in Allen Park tomorrow (Friday). As soon as we close the moving begins. The official move won't be until the following Saturday. Ian has been helping us pack. He's read to move to his new house.

Up-North Mini Vaca

Ian listening to music in the park (we should be in the restaurant but it was super loud inside)


















People watching in Charlevoix - Yes I know he has a Petoskey sweatshirt on


















Tired after his very long day

Ian and I went up-north after visiting Dad on his birthday at band camp just north of Grand Rapids. Ian was a little under the weather but that did not keep him from having a good time. He was exhausted every day after all the people watching in northern Michigan.

On the Move (Sort of)

7-month update

Wow! 7-months! Before we know it, Christmas will be here and Ian will be turning one! Ian is still the greatest kiddo ever (I'm just a little biased). His best smiles are in the morning. He's so happy and ready to tackle the day. I wish I woke up with no worries and in a state of happiness. He starting to get himself across the floor. It won't be long before he gets his legs into it and really start moving. Right now I'm just enjoying the time he'll sit in my lap because I know it won't last long.

Best Little Trooper

Ian has been quite the trooper the last week or so because so many things have happened in the last week to two weeks. Where to start.

1. Joe got a job with South Lake High School and has jumped in with both feet already. The celebration of Joe's new job lasted about 15 minutes and that lead us into the second adventure.

2. We immediately started the house hunt since we realized we had about 45 days before we start school and thus needed a place to live. Joe accepted his job offer last Thursday, we met with a real estate agent on Friday (Ian stayed with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Caroline), explored neighborhoods on Saturday (Ian joined us), saw about 14 houses on Sunday (Ian stayed with Aunt Steph, Uncle Andrew, and Cousin Owen), revisited 2 houses and saw 1 new house on Monday (Ian went with us - after his doctor's appointment-complete with shots), made an offer on Tuesday, accepted the counter offer on Wednesday, and completed the house inspection today. WHEW!!! Just summarizing it makes me feel exhausted.

During the whole process Ian also started daycare and through it all he cut his first tooth and smiled almost the whole way through. He's just such a happy little guy. Joe and I could not ask for a better son. Love you Ian!

Here are more pictures of Ian and Owen playing.

Movin' and Shakin'

Ian turned 6 months old this week. He is movin' and shakin' every day - well definitely shakin' and only movin' in a circle - not in a forward motion yet. This weekend was Ian's first 4th of July! He had a great weekend up north with all the family. Ian spent the 4th in his new backpack - thank you Grandma! He didn't go and see the fireworks - we'll wait another year or so before we attempt fireworks viewing. I don't even want to imagine the meltdown after jerking away from his deep sleep.

Ian is laughing all the time and is becoming very ticklish. He squirms, giggles and smiles while you tickle him all over. There are not quite a few thing that consistently make him laugh like running forwards and backwards, galloping, pushing him in his highchair and lifting him up in to the air.

Every day as I watch him play I see new skills he's developing and it blows my mind! I haven't gotten out all my TPBA development charts but I'm getting close. Still no teeth but he nawing on everything he can get his hands and mouth on. He's also beginning to sit up on his own but we haven't set him out in the open to try on his own but I think sometime soon he'll have it down enough that he can try it without the mom/dad-leg-training-wheels.

Overall, he's doing great. He's happy and health and that makes his Mom and Dad happy.

More Pictures

Ian embraces the "Up North" way of life

This weekend we made our first trip Up North to "The Hill" with Ian. He had no problem adopting the Up North mentality. Ian enjoyed his first time sitting in the big green chair but then he had to give it up so mom could enjoy it too. Ian seemed so excited to wake Aunt Caroline up bright and early Saturday morning.  He seemed happily surprised that she was already there and his face said "She's here so early in the morning, she usually doesn't come until the afternoon!" 

 

On Saturday Ian hung out with Grandma while Mom rode 20 miles with Aunt Caroline and Dad rode 42 miles (no one could top Grandpa riding 60 miles). After the ride in the morning we got lunch at our favorite restaurant and then strolled around town. Of course Ian couldn't miss out on his opportunity to swim in the heated pools so we took a trip down to the pools Saturday evening. Unfortunately there was a large soccer tournament going on in the area so there were LOTS of rowdy kids in the pool.  Ian was a trooper but hung on really tight to Mom.  

Sunday was Father's day and Ian was happy to be able to spend the morning with Grandpa Dobbins and then spend a little bit of time with Grandpa Verbeke in Lansing.  Ian showered Dad with lots of slobbery kisses and a few little things (with help from Mom).  Overall it was a great weekend! Ian's already been asking about when we can go back.