Bank trip, packing for overnight

The Friday "highlight" for Greg and I was a walk up to the bank. When we were almost there, the bottom of my sandal sole came loose. It was like wearing a sandal and a flip flop at the same time! The kind woman at the bank hooked me up with some packing tape and the sandal was good to go again. Fortunately I have a backup pair of Keens. I think I'll be able to fix the old pair with some shoe glue. See... it was an exciting day.

Throughout the day, I also packed for my overnight at the Girl Scout council. Around 5:45 PM, I departed for my mini-adventure and left Andrew and Greg at home to have a mini-adventure of their own!

Baby blues

"This cup is delicious!"

Talking about something

Checking out the cheese in the microwave

Friend's house, weekly picture, time with Daddy, couponing "class"

Starting off the day with Mama

Late Thursday morning, Gregory and I went over to a friend's house so that I could be brought up to speed on some Girl Scout backpacking training that we did this past weekend (more to follow in future post). When the three "trainers" discussed everything, Greg went on a stroller walk with the friend's daughter. Both of them had a great time. Then he explored their house - a new experience for him!

Back at home:

"I can reach for things now!"

Thursday is, of course, the weekly picture day. Greg is learning a lot about temper tantrums lately and he decided that he was done with the photo session.

"I don't want to sit with the doggy anymore!"

Luckily he calmed down and Andrew got him to smile great for the final picture.

44 Weeks

The rest of Greg's early evening included feeding the fish and reading with Andrew.

"Let's go feed the fish, Dad!"

"The fish go 'nibble, nibble.'"

"But Dad, I thought that cats are lactose intolerant!"

After Greg went to bed, I headed out to a couponing "class" led by a playgroup friend. Imagine 15-16 moms in one room - some on couches, some sitting on the floor - taking notes on how to save money with better couponing skills! I learned a lot of good tips and enjoyed everyone's company. It's easier to carry on a discussion when you're not chasing a baby around!

Standing!

The excitement of the day was Greg stood on his own briefly! He was standing in his playpen, he let go, and then he remained standing there for 1.5 - 2 seconds. We'll see if it is anything like when he was learning to roll over. He did so twice in a row, then proceeded to wait 1.5 months until roll #3.

We got to the end of the day and I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures! Fortunately Greg is cute at all times, so it's never a bad time to snap a photo.

"Hi!"

Webcam, empanadas, Greg distractions, fun with Daddy, nibble nibble

Greg is very familiar with talking to family on the webcam. I love it when he eagerly awaits to see who will appear on the screen even when my computer hasn't finished booting up yet.

"Who is going to be on in the computer screen today?"

Done with webcamming, Greg moves onto the dog bed

Andrew called at 12:20 PM to ask if we'd like to join him and his friends for lunch at Sarah's Empanadas. Luckily it was good timing for Greg, so we hopped in the truck and met them there. Empanadas are delicious!

I figured out a trick that distracts Greg long enough so I can get things done in the kitchen. I set up several toys in the family room and then place him at the far end. Today he started with his "kitchen," opening the "refrigerator" and "microwave" doors to find items that I had placed in there. Then he moved on to his music table. After a few renditions of ABCs and counting to ten, he continued on with his sorting container where he ripped off the cap and dumped out all of the shapes. Then it was on to the Duplo collection for a minute or two. Sometimes he would stop off at the jumperoo to pull up on the side of it. Poor Max was lying on the kitchen floor during all of this, so Greg's journey generally was ended when he went for Max's tail. I'd pick him up and plop him back down at the far end of the family room, set up his toys again, and go back to work in the kitchen.

"Don't forget to mention the stop to play with the box!"

Andrew and Greg always have fun together when he gets home from work.

Happy boys

Blowing in Greg's hair

Checking out Daddy's teeth

Greg is turning into a beaver. Proof:

Nibble, nibble (side of crib)

10-month weight, open/close, mohawk, stairs

Greg and I mostly were hanging out around the house on Monday as we continue to recuperate. We did get out to go to the pediatrician's office briefly to use their scale. His 10-month weigh-in: 24 pounds, 2 ounces. This boy isn't waiting until 12 months to triple his birth weight!

One of his new hobbies is opening and closing things, including doors. If he's in our room, he heads straight for the bathroom to pull up on the laundry hamper to open and close the lid!

"Peek-a-boo!"

Open

Close

After his bath yesterday, I had a little fun with his hair.

Mohawk!

"I think I can pull off this look, Mama."

Greg did more stairs practice with Andrew last night. With his daddy's support, he climbed all of the way to the top! He was tired by the end and started fussing, so I held him for a bit.

Starting off strong

He made it!

Happy to be at the top of the stairs

This blog is sponsored by Hank the cat-dog

Mulch, MLG, visit with Jess, toddler rails

We stayed busy over the weekend!

A few highlights from Saturday:
Andrew started off the morning with picking up two cubic yards of mulch in the truck (one yard per trip) and spreading it on the front beds.
Greg climbed his first stairs!
We went on a walk with the dogs in the neighborhood after dinner.
Our friend Jess visited in the evening.
Mucho MLG for me - see below.

Sunday highlights:
Pancakes and bacon.
More MLG.
Errands.

On Sunday I picked up the toddler rails for Greg's crib. To the average person, this seems like no big deal. But now I'll tell you that I ordered this item in February... of 2010! I'm glad that long battle is over.

Throughout the weekend, I spent as much time as it would allow watching a professional video game tournament online. I love to play and follow a game called Halo, which is on its fourth installment - Halo: Reach. I'm not the average demographic for a Halo gamer, being a 30-year-old mother and wife, but there are others out there like me! This past weekend was the first tournament of the season for Major League Gaming. Andrew and I also attended an MLG event last August when they visited Raleigh. My parents were very gracious and traveled down to take care of Greg while we were there.

Major League Gaming event in Raleigh - August 2010 (click to enlarge picture)

My husband is always very helpful with Greg, but he went above and beyond the call this weekend so I could sit in front of a computer to watch other people play a video game. That is true love. Thanks, hubby!

Cute #1

Cute #2

Cute #3

Banging on the front window - Hank begrudgingly approves

Climbing the stairs with Daddy

Exploring under the kitchen table

Around the house, top of stairs fun, looking out the window

Gregory and I spent Thursday and Friday hanging out around the house. The weather was dreary and we continued to battle our head colds. Fortunately the illness was not too bad, just more of a nuisance! The skies eventually cleared on Friday afternoon and we walked up to the grocery store just to get out of the house!

"Oh man, when did this new obstacle get here?"

"Hi Max!"

Both were looking out the front window, then Greg looked away a split second before the picture

Climbing Mt. Max

"This newspaper is delicious!"

Looking out our bedroom window

"Seriously, Mom? When is this kid leaving?"

iPod time with Daddy

43 Weeks