Day at the beach

The other day we went to the beach to check out the big waves. Logan surprised us by wanting to go into the water. Usually he doesn't want to be near the water. The first wave of water caught him by surprise. After that he kept going out towards the water if the water was not close enough. By the time we were done at the beach we were all a little more wet than we planned on.

Home Movie

Here is a recent home movie. Logan loves to watch himself on the computer. Sometimes when he is being a pain, I will ask him if he wants to watch a Logan movie and he heads toward the computer. He is so vain.

Logan's First Shiner

Yes that is right. Logan got his first shiner this week. It is not his first bruise but it is his first black eye. No Tim and I have not been abusing Logan. He fell in the bathtub Wednesday night. That is not too hard to do when you spend most of your bath standing up.

Logan has been doing a few new things lately. He started walking around on his tiptoes. Also, he likes to bob his head and bounce to music. It doesn't matter if it is music from a commercial on tv or the radio. He also likes to cheer people on when we watch game shows on tv. It doesn't matter who but if he hears someone clapping, he will clap too. Not much else is new around here. I have been starting to feel a little bit better but not 100%. Tim is keeping busy with work and playing with his new camera.

One Journey Ends and Another One Begins

Logan has been keeping us quite busy lately. His latest trick to to turn the tv on and off by himself. Sometimes he will change the channel or adjust the volume. Tim doesn't really like it when he does this because Logan thinks it is fun to do while dad is playing a game on the Wii. Something we are working on with Logan is trying to get him to sleep through the night or at least 10 hours without having to get up and feed him. He still wants to get up to eat at 5:00am and then go back to sleep for a couple of hours. I know that I am ready for a full night of rest. But Logan is growing more and more everyday. Leaving behind the baby world and embracing toddlerhood.

Tim and I have been on a journey of our own lately. Tim has been having to do more around the house lately (i.e. cooking, cleaning, and taking care of Logan when he is home). That is mainly because I have been completely useless at these tasks. Okay maybe that is a little harsh. I guess I should tell you the real reason. It is because Tim and I are expecting baby #2 this spring and I am just trying to take care of myself. I have been feeling sick since the 7th of September. Last week Tim took me to the same day emergency clinic because I hadn't kept anything down for over 24 hours. Once they were able to see me, they gave me 1 liter of fluids and some medicine to help with the nausea. The doctor also is having me take some vitamin B6 and that has helped so much. Yeah, I am able to eat again. So now that Tim and I have embarked on this new journey, I will try to keep everyone updated on how things are going.

He did what?

A few days ago, Logan did something that was very strange. Since we let Logan roam most of the house on his own, he likes to go upstairs and stir up some trouble. Usually he will go into his room (the only one he has access to) and get his clean cloth diapers out of their basket and throw them all over his room. Well this paticular day there were no clean diapers in his room, so he went and got one of the dirty ones out. He decided to bring it downstairs to play with. It was only the outside of the diaper so I wasn't too concerned. A little while later that morning, Logan decided that it was time for his morning nap and fell asleep on the floor on top of the dirty diaper. Yes that is correct. The white thing underneath him in the picture is the dirty diaper. I guess I am going to have to keep a closer eye on him so that this doesn't happen again.

Another Year Older

So another year has passed since I entered this world. A lot has changed over the past year. Last year I had a 3 week old baby that I was caring for and getting ready for a move. Now I am settled into a new place and chasing after a 1 year. They grow up so fast. Logan is teaching me so much about patience and understanding. Some days it takes everything I have to keep it together but then you have those days when he is in such a good mood and it seems like he has never done anything wrong. So that wraps up another year and now a new one has begun.

An early bath

Today Logan got a bath earlier than usual. He was supposed to take a bath today but he took his bath at 8:30 am. Normally he takes a bath at night in order to get him relaxed for bed. But this morning Logan was upstairs with Tim while he was taking a shower and apparently he was trying to climb into the tub with Tim. We have taken Logan into the shower with us before but he does not like it. I think it is the water hitting him that he doesn't like. So when Tim was done with his shower, he ran a bath for Logan. Tim then finished getting ready for work in the bathroom and put some shaving cream on Logan's face while he shaved. Logan had a blast in his bath this morning and took a 3 hour nap this morning as a result.

A Little Tired

Today I apparently wasn't watching Logan close enough to see that he was wanting to go down for a nap. I saw him laying on the floor but he likes to do that every once in a while and then he gets up and keeps playing. Well this time he just got comfortable and fell asleep.

Last week Logan had his 1 year well baby check-up. He weighed in at 20 lbs 4 oz and was 29.5 inches long. Tim and I both thought that he would weigh more than that and be a little bit longer since he seemed to be getting bigger to us. Logan now has a total of 7 teeth. He loves to go outdoors and gets mad when someone goes out without him. Tim gave Logan more freedom in the house last weekend by taking down all the baby gates. So now Logan likes to go up and down the stairs by himself and wanders into the kitchen whenever Tim or I walk that direction.

Happy 1st Birthday!!!!!

It was one year ago today that Logan finally came into our world. We are so happy and blessed that he is here. Yesterday we celebrated his birthday with family via web cam and he got a lot of presents. He now likes to run on the couch while Tim and I watch. He is able to get down on his own but still has problems getting up there on his own. Yesterday he was able to get up on the couch by himself but only once. Logan also loves to explore the outdoors. Everytime an outside door opens, he thinks that he is supposed to go outside as well and gets mad if he doesnt't. We now continue to learn and explore with him as he grows up. Happy Birthday Logan.

New Furniture

We got some new bookshelves to put all of our movies and books on. We wanted something that would keep Logan out. We were out shopping at the military furniture store one day and found these bookshelves. There were many benefits to buying them here. First, they are cheaper than regular retail. Second, we don't pay sales tax. Third, there was a sale on them and they were an additional 15% off.

This is a picture of our guest room. So there is a place to stay for anyone who wants to visit us. We do still have the hide-a-bed and our air mattress but this should be more comfortable. The bed is very comfy. I should know because it is Tim & I's old mattress since we got a new mattress for our bed. Tim didn't want to buy a used mattress for the guest room and thought that if we were going to buy a new mattress it should go on our bed.

I caught one

This morning I saw a gecko in the middle of the dining room floor. When I came near it it didn't move. For this reason I decided to capture it before Logan discovered it for himself and picked it up. So I got a plastic container and put it on top of it. Then I slid a piece of paper underneath and flipped the container over. Then I took the gecko outside to free it and took some pictures too. You may need to double click on the photos to see the gecko better.

Twizzlers

A couple of weekends ago we had some individually wrapped twizzlers laying around the house. While Logan was on Tim's watch, he managed to get one open and ate about 1/4 of it before Tim realized what he was doing.

In other news, Logan has discovered that it is just as easy to walk somewhere as crawling there. Since Logan prefers to walk now, we have opened up more of the downstairs for him to roam. The only room that is off limits is the kitchen. Every once in a while he will go into the bathroom, close the door and play with the doorstop. It doesn't really bother him that he is sitting in the dark and can't open the door back up. Sometimes we will hear him wimpering because he wants out.

The last two weekends we have gone to the beach. Once Logan is in the water and used to it he is fine. He still does not like waves crashing on him while standing at the edge. This past weekend the beach trip started out fine. We got to the beach just before 10:00, did some swimming, Tim did some snorkling and we had lunch on the beach. After lunch we tried going back in the water but Logan did not want to swim anymore. Tim did some more snorkling but while he was out it started to sprinkle. A couple minutes later it started to rain a little harder and the wind picked up. Logan and I were still waiting for Tim to return when it started pouring. After being in the pouring rain for a couple minutes, Tim came back and we packed up. Then Logan and I waited for Tim to come pick us up since we had to park in the lot that was a good five minute walk away and across the busy road. I was not too happy standing in the rain but we home safely, showered and put on some dry clothes. Now we need to check out some other beaches so we have a variety to go to throughout the year.

Murder Suspect

The charge: Murder 1

The weapon: a whisk

The victim: a gecko

Yesterday I suspect that Logan killed a gecko. I saw him reaching under the couch trying to get something. I figured that he was trying to get a piece of food that had fallen. Then I saw him banging the whisk against the bottom of the couch. A few minutes later I saw him touching a dead gecko that was on the floor. Yuck. I quickly removed him from the situation and washed his hands. As for the gecko, I waited for Tim to come home and take care of. So Logan and I hung out upstairs and until then.

In other news Logan cut his 4th tooth yesterday. While we were home Logan learned how to clap and to wave. He is becoming braver everyday with his walking. He will take a few steps, stop and then take a few more steps before he sits down to crawl the rest of the way. His latest craze is to blow raspberries and to sound like an Indian by moving his hand over his mouth.

A New Look

We decided to give Logan a new look tonight. Before his bath tonight we got out Tim's clippers and chose the longest setting. We had given Logan some trims to get the hair out of his eyes but decided it was time to say good-bye to those long strands. The weather has been quite warm here and we don't have A/C. Logan would usually wake up from his naps with his hair drenched in sweat. This new look should be much cooler for him. Now he looks bald since his hair is so light and his ears seem to stick out more but we still love him.

As for our trip home, Logan did very well. We did have mishap in Chicago. When we were supposed to start boarding the plane, they came on the intercom and told us that the plane was having some mechanical difficulties and we would not be able to use that plane. Now they had to find us a new plane to go on or ways for everyone to get to their destination. Luckily they found a new plane for us and we ended up only having a 1 1/2 hour delay. That worked out well because Tim was flying a different airline than Logan and I and was supposed to get in an 1 1/2 after us. So we all arrived at the airport within a 10 minute time frame of each other. As for the flight, it was long but we made friends. There was a 12 or 13 year girl who was sitting right next to Logan and I, and she loved playing with Logan. Then there was the mom and 16 month old across the aisle and the mom and daughter in the seats in front of us. So once we had all of our luggage we said goodbye to all of friends at the airport.

Logan Walking

Flooding

I have been watching all the flooding reports online and cannot believe what is happening. My little sister and her fiance have not been so lucky. They just moved into their house before Christmas. Ryan had a friend with a small boat and so they went to the house to see what damage had been done. The water was up to the countertops on the first floor and their furniture was floating around. My dad has also had flooding problems at the golf course he just started working at this spring. When he was hired they told him that the course occassionally flooded. So far it has had flood damage 8 times. My parents had some water in their basement but have since cleaned it up and they are trying to dry the basement out. I will be home in less than 2 weeks for Sarah's wedding. So I will get to see the damage first hand and help clean up/get ready for the wedding.

9 month check-up

Today Logan had his 9 month check-up with the doctor. He is 29 inches long and is in the 75th percentile. He weighed in at 18 lbs 1 oz and is in the 25th percentile. That didn't really surprise me because since we have moved Logan decided he did not want to eat baby food and has become more active. So the doctor said that he is to not have more than 24 oz of milk a day and the rest is to come from solids. Which means that we have to be more persistant about the solids and possibly have to listen to more crying because he is not getting his way. I am not looking forward to this becuase I am usually the one who gives in first to the crying. We are supposed to go back for another weigh-in about 1 to 2 months from now to make sure he is gaining weight.

Not much else is going on around here. Logan and I will be home in less than a month for Sarah's wedding.

Going to sleep on my own

Now that Logan has become more active, he likes to play before falling asleep. Before he fell asleep this time I saw him reading his puppy book. When I checked on him 5 minutes later, this is how I found him. He really likes to read his books when he is in his bed. Little Quack is at the top of the photo.




As a side note, we have some permanent house guests. I am getting more accostumed to them even though I seem to find more everyday. Our house guests are house geckos. I first saw 2 of them about 3 weeks ago in Tim & I's bedroom. They kind of freaked me out at first but I am doing better now. We have 2 that live upstairs and 2 downstairs. They only come out at night and they eat the bugs. I have been told they are harmless and will not eat our food. So anyone who comes to see us, you will have to meet our guests if you can find them.

Sweet Tooth

As you can see from the picture, Logan likes cookies. He doesn't like to eat most of his baby food (I can usually get him to eat his orange veggies and oatmeal). He will only take a few bites of his fruit and then he is done. He doesn't like to eat Cherrios. Occasionally he will put them in his mouth but spits them back out. He finds it more fun to pick them up and move them around. But when I give him a cookie, it almost immediately gets put in his mouth. Logan usually doesn't get to hold on to the cookie for long. Before it makes too much of a mess (and gets to soggy), I gladly take the cookie from him and eat it.

New Tricks

Logan has perfected his crawling and is showing some more personality. He loves to pound on the keyboard of the laptop. As soon as he sees Mom or Dad opening the laptop up, he is on the move to get to it. Once he gets over to it, we will block him from touching it and try to redirect him to something else. That only makes him more determined. Then if he doesn't get his way, he cries and throws a fit.

Something else Logan has been working on is rolling over. Every once in a while one of his arms will get stuck under him but he manages to break free. Now we have to be sure to put the crib railing up because usually when Logan wakes up from his nap, he is standing up and walking along the edge of the crib.

Look what Dad did to me

Look at Me

On Sunday Logan finally figured out how to crawl. He was always really close but just couldn't quite get the hang of it. Now that he is crawling, he has figured out how to pull himself up on the furniture that is around him. His favorite places to stand on his own are by the tv and the coffee table. Usually after standing for a while he will get tired but doesn't quite know how to get down and will either fall on his butt or cry until someone helps him.

Our place is finally put together. The movers brought all of our stuff last Friday and unpacked all the boxes, leaving everything in piles. Now everything is put away where it needs to go. We still need to purchase a few more things for the place (like a changing table, rocking chair, high chair, another bed and a really big bookcase). Then our place will be complete. So hopefully by the time someone comes to visit us we should have everything.

A place to live

We found a place to live. We sign the lease tommorrow and can move in Wednesday. The movers come Friday, so we are going to getting our place set up over the weekend. I will post pictures once we have things settled.

Almost There

Logan is almost crawling. He gets on all 4 and then either pushes himself back to a sitting position or plops down on his belly. He is also able to go from laying on his tummy to sitting up without any help. Sometimes is takes a little bit of work but he can do it. There are times that he gets himself into a position that he doesn't quite know how to get out of. He moves around the room more and is able to get to his toy bag and find something to play with.

Yesterday we went to the beach. Tim took Logan out into the water. He did not like it very much. The water was a little chilly and Logan didn't like the waves splashing him.

Family Photos

Here are some family photos that were taken the weekend before we left.

7 Months

Logan is now 7 months old. He is doing is doing a better job of sitting up. Every once in a while he will fall backwards. He likes to reach for toys around him and sometimes ends up on his tummy in the process. He is not crawling yet. He can turn in a circle and push himself backwards but does not go forward yet. The latest thing he likes to do is while Dad is giving him a bath he tries to stand up in the tub.

Last week we had a check-up at the doctor's office. Logan weighed in at 17 lbs 1oz and is 28 inches tall. He didn't grow as much this time but he is starting to fill out a little more. Logan doesn't really like to eat much baby food except his oatmeal with bananas. He loves that and we struggle with everything else. I am hoping it gets a little better.

As for Tim and I, we are busy packing and getting things ready for warmer weather. We leave Thursday afternoon. It is going to take us 2 days (by choice) to get there. We will be thinking of everyone back home when we get there.

Great Grandma Kies & her Great Grandkids

Luca and Lauren are the only ones missing.

6 Months

Logan started rice ceral a few weeks ago. He still makes a funny face the first couple of bits. He also had some sweet potatoes last week as well. He is not sure what to think about all this new food. A lot of the time his ceral ends up on his bib and I have to get him to smile in order to get the food in his mouth sometimes. We are not sure what food we are going to try next. First we have to get over our cold.

As a side note, Tim will be back in Iowa March 7 - 26th. We start our journey for Hawaii March 27th.

More Fun Pics

Like Father, Like Son