Kansas Living: First Week!

Well, we made it! I have to say, I don't think I'd like to make a move halfway across the country ever again. But the ride was pretty smooth, and thanks to God's grace James was a complete angel. It also helped to have my Aunt Martie along for the ride. She spotted me, fed James from the backseat, and pretty much acted as a much-needed live in nanny for us the first few days in our home. We are all now pretty much experts in changing a diaper without ever moving James from the carseat, and James got pretty hooked on unsalted crackers and juice. Thankfully we arrived in town in the afternoon ( a day early, besides)..with enough time to eat at the only restaurant open past 7pm - The Lazy T Tavern. It's a bar/restaurant, and we met some interesting people while we were there, and got the low-down on half the people in the town. But the food was good, and although I was still a bit shocked by the fact that people could smoke inside the building, I was relieved that James was home asleep with my Aunt Martie watching him. Smoky bar + baby = not very happy Mama. So, it all worked out for the best.

The next day was a little crazy. We attempted to set up our phone (which was successful) but internet was a huge problem. Tim's parents and my Aunt were with us so there was a lot of hustle and bustle in the house. Our new neighbors up the street also dropped by to welcome us to the town. They brought us a crock pot of food to make Sloppy Joe's, deviled eggs, and cherry angelfood cake. It was delicious and very nice of them. It had been so long since I'd experienced such hospitality. It was a welcome change.

The next day was spent unpacking and moving yet more heavy items up the stairs. Having a 2 story house is wonderful - but whew! Quite an undertaking when moving. Our internet still wasn't working. And there was still so much we needed to do.

On Friday we finally had a chance to go down to the bank and open up an account there. There are no ATMs, so everything is done inside. Everyone there was really nice, though. We even got free popcorn! Apparently every Friday the bank makes popcorn in their old-fashioned popcorn machine. I couldn't believe this actually still happened somewhere! I felt a deep sense of relief - I was actually beginning to like it here!

Saturday of course was a whirlwind of activities being the 4th of July. We got up at the crack of dawn to make the 2 hour drive to Wichita to drop my Aunt off at the airport. Then from there on to Winfield to spend the day with Tim's family. We had a huge BBQ lunch, topped off by evening fireworks (we get a great view from the parking lot of the high school). James was pretty exhausted, but he made it through the fireworks and finally we both retired for the evening around 10pm.

Sunday we had another BBQ lunch and birthday party for Tim's brother Randy. It was a lot of fun but I was definitely ready to go home and have some quiet time...it had been such a crazy week of go-go-go...I was ready to sleep, sleep, sleep. :-)

Sunday evening we arrived at home and spent our very first night as a family in our home. It was really nice. James has been sleeping beautifully since we moved in and assembled his crib. Hardwood floors agree with him - he hasn't stopped crawling around since we got here. And he's getting fast! Kansas has definitely agreed with James. He is hugging us, kissing us, and now says "Da-da" to Tim. It's been an eventful week!

Monday we took our first trip up to Pratt as a family to go to Wal-Mart. It's a 45 minute drive, which is a bummer. But a very scenic drive, which is nice. The Wal-Mart there is super clean and not even crowded. I love it!



Yesterday the Dish Network guy came and ran a million miles of cable around the house so we could get hooked up in our bedroom. It was worth it. 4 hours later...voila! DVR and cable!!!! My life is complete.
Unfortunately, we never did get our internet to work. So we decided to buy one of those cards you stick in your laptop and you can take anywhere. This is a wonderful invention. Now we have internet no matter where we go in the country. I'll take it!
To top off our day, James took a wonderfully long nap, so he was awake in the evening. It doesn't get dark until 9pm, so we were able to take him to the park with both of us for the first time! The park is literally a one minute walk, and we had the place to ourselves. We're definitely not in Cali anymore!


After we put James to bed, we sat out on our porch, talked and watched the fireflies. There was a warm breeze blowing and we could hear the trees rustling above us. It's so nice to have so much greenery and nature right outside our doorstep. It was a great way to end our first week in Kansas!

The time has come

Well, suffice to say, it's been an interesting month so far. Apart from all the stress of packing up our entire lives and getting ready to saddle up our horses and wagons for our move to the Mid-West, things are going as smoothly as a major life transition can.

And in the midst of it all, our son turned 11 months old. I can't believe it - the time has finally come. James is no longer a tiny little newborn baby, or even helpless infant. He is full on turning into a little boy with a mind of his own, and believe me if he could voice his opinions - he'd have plenty.

Since of course our home is turned upside down from moving, James decided this would be a great time to start moving around. He is crawling everywhere (on his stomach) like the army man. He is pulling up and getting into things. He has discovered our coasters and will crawl to great lengths to get them. And he gets very very put out, if they happen to disappear. He has also discovered the grill on our gas fireplace. And computer wires. So, it's been an interesting experience trying to pack these past few days. But, we don't make the schedule...James does. So as we celebrate his new explorations and progression toward true mobility, we also mourn those quiet mornings where James would play with his toys without protest. And getting to our coasters was not a matter of life or death, complete with tantrums if they do not somehow make it into his hands - pronto.

James has also realized that what goes in, can also come out. So the new game is put everything on the table. Then push it all off. Put everything in the box. Take it all out. Stack everything up. Unstack it immediately. Lather, rinse, and repeat. He also likes to gives people his stuff, then get mad because they have it. Here he is playing with my friend Glenda.
Although the mess in the living room has gotten rather extensive as a result of these games, we love being able to interact with him so much more. Good thing we're moving to a house that has a loft upstairs. Having a playroom is looking better and better.



And after we (finally) realized that James was ready for graduate spoons, he has been more than happy to feed himself. Silly parents. However, the mess is terrific - so good thing we take stock in Pampers Bibsters (not shown here - Daddy doesn't mind messy clothes as much as me LOL)


James is going to miss his buddy Ben when we move. But we'll make sure to keep in touch, and maybe next year they can play together over the summer when we make our annual California visit, running around and leaving a path of destruction in their wake. (ah the things we look forward to!)



This is James' potential girlfriend, Grace. I guess they'll have to settle for a long distance relationship, but since I'm sure any average 5 year old will soon be able to navigate Facebook and operate a laptop, that won't be a problem.

This is James & his buddy Brandon. They are 8 months apart and they are not men of many words, but I'm sure in his own way, James will miss him too.




We love our little guy. Every milestone he reaches is one to celebrate. No matter what changes await us in our new life, He is always our sweet boy, and as he grows and changes, he never fails to take my breath away. Here's to 11 months!

10 months old :-)

In honor of James turning 10 months old, here are 10 reasons I love him so, so much...

1) your squeals of delight and laughter when you are amused
2) your cute way of waving "bye-bye"
3) when you say "Mama"
4) when you snuggle with me putting your arms around my neck
5) the content look on your face when you sleep with the blanket twisted around your head like a turban
6) the way you create 'art' with your food
7) your jiggle-wiggle dance
8) your grin that lights up the room and causes all the ladies in the nail salon to swoon
9) your wonderful way of making me smile without even doing anything
10) and last but not least, just being YOU!

Happy 10 months, James!

James & Oatmeal: Take 1

Self gratification: it's the best.

Jimmy Choo Choo is 9 months old!

Time has been going by way too fast these days. But in a good way; I am excited to watch James grow up and interact more and more as his world gets bigger and bigger. And today there is much to celebrate - he is a very healthy, happy 9 month old baby and I couldn't ask for anything more!

Today was his well baby checkup and everything went pretty well - (with the exception of me needing to duck out to the restroom for a couple minutes - that was not so good. But the pediatrician got to have a first-hand experience with James' separation anxiety, so hey - there you go).

Weight: 17.9 lbs, and Height: 29 inches. Yep, he's a little string bean still, even with the transition to formula. But it's looking to be more genetic than anything else. He certainly doesn't get his slim figure from myself, so I guess we have Daddy to thank. I definitely see basketball in James' future childhood....

And thank goodness for not having shots this time around. Good news is, James has been cleared to start citrus foods, since there are no allergies on either side of the family. More for his palate (as if he isn't eating enough!!!)

As for his development, everything is going well. Although still not crawling, I have been taking James to playgroup for the past 2 weeks and he is really blossoming from the experience. He is now getting on all fours from a sitting position and kicking his legs out in a desperate attempt to move forward. Sometimes he gets frustrated and actually ends up pushing himself backward, but I can tell that he is on a mission!

Other fun things that James likes to do:
*share his food with the dog
*throw his toys at the dog
*throw his pacifier out of the crib
*play with his busy box in the middle of the night
*say "Mama" and "BaBa"(to pretty much everything and everyone)
*laugh at nothing in particular
*roll a ball back and forth
*pull everything out of his toybox and put them back in

and of course, scream bloody murder when he doesn't feel like taking a nap.

But we still love you, James!!!!
Happy 9 months!

Long time, no blog

I know, I know...I haven't blogged in almost 6 weeks. But these things can happen when, say, in a span of 2 weeks you travel to Kansas, accept a job, realize now you're moving to Kansas, you have to somehow figure out what to do with your house, find a place to live, and start preparing for the biggest change of your life.

So, I missed James 8 month mark- but I have a good excuse. I was on a flight to Kansas late that morning.

Now he is almost 9 months old - and yes, I will blog about that on Thurs...:) but in the meantime, here are some of his recent photos...notably, from his first Easter (which was April 12th).

:)
Enjoy.

Playdate with James' best buddy, Ben - 4/04/09. James is going to miss him when we move!
Look Ma, no hands!

Happy Easter! We took this pic right before we left for Kansas, so he wouldn't miss his chance with the Easter Bunny. :)

At my Aunt's house on Easter. James has a thing for Mylar balloons, so we indulge him when we can. :)

Baby in a basket

Just some creative playing around...:)
James has this new game where he likes to put his finger in your mouth. And we are the lucky contestants.