Words.

Little O is talking so much.  He has conversations at this point.  He doesn’t always understand what you’re asking him, but he talks and talks.  Recently, his parents have realized that he is aware of when you are taking about him.  So, while they had been careful about ‘bad language’ they are now also taking precautions not to discuss Little O in front of him – at least not in a way that isn’t kind.

He does repeat back what he hears.  Sometimes immediately and sometimes days later.  It’s so interesting what little tidbits stick.

Two recent favorites:
The Huz was welding on the floor for a week or so at work. His back was pretty cramped up and when he got home he couldn’t be rowdy Dad as usual.  When Little O  asked him to “play with me”, the Huz kept saying “I can play with you Bud, but I have to sit on the couch. My back hurts.”
“Can you play with me?”
“My back hurts”
Over and over. Eventually Little O understood.
The next morning – his pat refusal to the Parakeet “My back is hurting.  I can’t”
Boys and their Dads.

***
While driving down Lake Shore last week, someone cut off the Parakeet.  She had Little O in the back of the car and she shrieked, “Ah! That dude almost hit me”
Owen responded, “Mom, we don’t hit. We just pat.”
There you have it, drivers – Just Pat.

Out and About

The Parakeet mentioned that she and the O are getting more creative at home combating cabin fever.  They do get out of the house – please don’t worry.
Last Friday, The Keet took Little O to the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier.  O was very excited to go because he was prepped that he would see a Fire Truck.
Wow – Did they have to see a Fire Truck! His little voice was going “where’s the fire truck? where’s the fire truck? where’s the fire truck?” so much as they were waiting in line that the Parakeet double-checked with the receptionist,
“Please tell me you still have a fire truck here.”
“Oh yeah” she reassured them.
“Thank goodness” the Parakeet managed out loud. How she would deal with that disappointment she wasn’t sure.
She was not prepared for just how much Little O would love this museum.  Each exhibit was better than the last for him.  She pretty much had to bribe him to leave.  Chicago Parents: He seemed the perfect age for this place. So, take your two and three-year olds downtown.
His favorites included shopping in the grocery store, putting gas in a car, playing at the water table, climbing in a tree house, ‘fishing’ for salamanders…..the list could go on and on.  He got so warm from running different places that the Parakeet had to take off his sweater.  His little red cheeks betrayed his emotions.  He hardly stopped for the bathroom or water. ADORABLE.  If the parking weren’t so crazy expensive, she’d make it a regular trip.  For now- it will be a treat.

With the Little O

The Parakeet loves to talk about all the different hats she wears.  The truth is, though, that most of her time is at home with the Little O.  Or Out with the Little O.  The other stuff is sometimes exciting and sometimes obligatory, but the bulk of her time is still with the O-ster.

As an active two-year old boy, this winter in the city is proving a challenge.  He sometimes literally walks in circles yellling.  She has been trying to get creative with him and they certainly had plenty of Christmas activities to help through December. Craft projects are engrossing for O and help pass a frigid morning.

Last week, the Parakeet decided they would celebrate Epiphany.  They made felt crowns and read the story from the bible of the wise men visiting Jesus.  O LOVED making the crowns.  They had never used glitter before.  The plan was to have one for mom, dad, and him to wear for dinner.   They never actually got them on their heads, but it was a fun project nonetheless.  Now, the Parakeet is just deciding whether to keep them for next year or toss them to have less stuff sitting around.

To follow-up with this activity, the family went to the earlier service at church last Sunday because the Wise-Men were going to process and bring their gifts.  O doesn’t usually sit in service – he usually goes straight to nursery. But, he was excited to see the “kings” and the “wise-men”.   He watched them with a lot of interest and as they processed out, he turned to his Mom and said, “Wise-men have to go to their cars now”.
So, he kind of gets it?

 

Amazing. Beautiful. Relaxing.

Looking back on 2010 – a MAJOR highlight was the big vacation.

The Parakeet and the Huz were fortunate enough to go on a Seven Day Cruise to the Western Caribbean during October.  The break was even better than they anticipated.  It has been a busy, stressful year (apparently that’s going around) and it was incredibly nice to totally unplug (no cell phone) and get away together.  The Parakeet and Huz have been working hard to work for themselves this year, which hasn’t always meant a lot of time together.  It was extra special to have seven full days with each other over their eighth wedding anniversary.  Eight Years?  Wowsa.  The reward was even sweeter, because the Parakeet earned the trip through Arbonne.  Nothing like a Vacay on the company!

The whole trip started in Lake Mary.  GB got to have all of her kids and grandkids in one place for nearly 24 hrs!  Everyone got to meet Baby Kellen and see his baptism. Beyond adorable! He already looks like his dad.
Now – the three other children 3 yrs and under crawling and climbing through one pew during service with a single tupperware of cheerios between them was its own hilarity.
GB and Poppy’s house did seem very loud.  It is like the family has grown instantaneously.  Within a couple of weeks of this trip, Uncle J also got engaged – so it’s just getting bigger all the time – for real.

So late to the party, but hopefully this photos will give you a taste!

pet a stingray in Grand Cayman
The Huz on the Rock Wall (Keet did it too, but no time for pics)

hike in Cozumel

resort at Labadee

looking at the ship from the beach on Labadee

view from the deck

they totally scored and had a private balcony on the 8th floor

one of the formal nights

lobster night. really though – every night was such amazing food. The Keet and Huz would order three entrees to try together – prices on a menu now are so strange!

Fresh.

Long Time Readers, The Parakeet owes you an apology.  She hasn’t been filling you in on even the highlights of her hectic life in the city with a toddler and a husband.  Yes, husbands make things hectic. Do you have one?
It is part of her New Year’s Resolutions to get back on the blog.  Twice a week, you will hear from the little Bird.

Writing for this blog and choosing pictures and links is a nice little creative outlet, but more importantly – she has realized that it is her scrapbook and her memory lane.
Little O is getting so big these days.  He is going through so many changes, and because there is no large photo album in this house, she must take to the computer and catch it all before time, as they say, flies.

Looking forward to hearing more from all of you!