Ash Wednesday

We went to the soup supper and church service last night to mark the beginning on Lent. During the service we had ashes put on our forehead. It was fun to watch Gerrit's reaction to it. He obviously couldn't see his head but looked perplexed at Adam's. And then to come back to the pew and see my forehead! It was a great distraction for a few minutes.

Sunday, Sunday

Adam and Gerrit slept in a bit too long to make it to church. When I returned from brunch following church this is what I found:

Later in the day Gerrit whined so much (it drove me crazy!) wanting his clothes off, I finally gave in. I heard about kids liking to be naked and was beginning to think my kid has now joined that club based on his actions. It was quite cool in the basement but he didn't mind.

I wasn't sure if he wanted to practice dressing himself:

Or perhaps getting ready for warmer temps:

Luckily by the end of the State game, Adam was able to get Gerrit's clothes back on; we are hoping this was an isolated incident and not a habit!

Following the basketball game, Adam and I went to an Oscar viewing party at the neighbors. We had a blast - not that we saw many of the movies that were up for awards, but it was fun to hang out with friends and eat yummy food. It was fitting seeing the hosts are the theater owners too! We met some new people and were in the company of good friends.

I'm Watching

Gerrit each morning when I start the car.

This is his favorite spot - he can stand on the 1st step and see the driveway. When I first left him in the house 'alone' to start the car he cried. When I returned he was not standing by the door waiting for me to come back. I thought it was odd but didn't think much more about it. After a few days of him disappearing when I started the car and hearing a pitter patter when I came back in, I finally realized he was watching out the window!

Reading

His new reading spot.

Can't Find Me!

Gerrit is 'hiding' from us.

Update on Shoes

I wrote a while ago about Gerrit attempting to putting on his shoes. He has gotten a bit smarter - look close:

You'll notice he has removed the laces - much easier to get shoes on without laces!

Same "Royal" Treatment

This time Gerrit was saying good night to me and instead of a kiss, he head-butted ME! Yep, hit my cheek bone quite hard I am hoping I don't have a bruise in the morning! Where does the kid learn this stuff?

He Really Does Love You

It was time for Gerrit to go to bed and I was the one putting him to bed tonight. As a routine, Gerrit gives a hug, kiss, blows a kiss, and waves good bye to the other parent before heading to bed. Tonight Gerrit started heading up stairs before giving Adam his 'good bye' loves. So I followed him up and he went faster. I finally caught him on the second set of stairs and brought him back to the kitchen where Adam was waiting for him. He held him and asked for a kiss (which usually is an open mouth gesture on the cheek). Instead he hit him in the face! Adam put him down and Gerrit laughed and headed for upstairs again. I brought him back scolding him for hitting and asked him to give his daddy a kiss. He tried to take a swing at Adam again so I held his arms down hoping he'd give in and just give him a kiss. Instead, he head butted Adam! I could hardly contain myself from laughing which would just egg the kid on! I know Gerrit loves his daddy; he has his own way of showing it!

You Know You Are A Parent When....

You lick your child's hands because you don't have a napkin nearby.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here's Gerrit ready for daycare - Valentine's party!
The other day he came home from daycare with the heart 'hat' (made for him by Julie). I thought it would be a nice accessory to wear today back to daycare. I look forward to when Gerrit makes his own crafts!

I saw this shirt and couldn't resist. (Adam ok'd the 'pinkish' color too.) Nothin' like Snoopy sportin' the shades and it says 'call me' underneath! I thought it would be the perfect Valentine's day shirt - plus it was on sale at Target!

For those of you unfortunate not to receive a Valentine from Gerrit (sorry, I didn't feel like making many) here is what he did give out at daycare today. He came home with some from his friends, and yes, he was the only one with a 'hand made' Valentine; but he didn't give candy with his, I didn't even think about that! Next year I guess. (Note: he got a cool homemade crayon in the shape of a heart from Soren which I thought was a great idea! I'll have to consult his mother on that one and make those next year. I think she melted old crayons and put them in an ice cube tray??? Anyways...)

Gerrit might not have given candy out but he did bring a plate of heart shaped brownies filled with Valentine's M & Ms!

Simple Pleasures

Nothin' like little feet in cute socks.

(don't look too close, he had been running around the house in stocking feet - ya, i need to clean the floors soon!)

I don't take enough pictures of the little things I love about Gerrit. I'm too busy capturing what he's doing and not what I treasure about him.

Try, Try Again

Gerrit attempts to tie his shoes on a regular basis. He even has figured out how to untie a double knot and the other day I noticed his laces were tied in a triple knot (Julie must have gotten sick of tieing them!). Today was no different. He put his boots on by himself (of course on the wrong feet) and walked over to the steps to sit down and tie them.

His first attempt:

His second attempt:

I don't know how moving up a step can help tie his shoes, but whatever work for ya kid!

A Fun Day for All

As I set off to scrapbook at a little shop in town, Adam decided to take Gerrit to the Science Museum. He didn't want to be inside all day and really wanted to see the new exhibit on water. So the boys had a day out together. I felt better about being gone all day too knowing they were having fun themselves. I told Adam to take the camera and get some pictures and this is what was shot:

I guess Gerrit is at some dinosaur exhibit where he had more fun watching the kids than playing on the toys. Not quite what I was expecting to see on the camera but that's ok. Now I know why I usually am the one taking pictures!

So Thankful

Gerrit has boycotted his high chair and must eat now like the big people - on a real chair. He has his own place mat that he was given and loves to look at it. We spend much of dinner telling him what animal he is pointing at on his place mat. It is starting to get old, I think I need to switch to a different place mat to spice things up! Anyways, during dinner we somehow got on the topic of drilling Gerrit with facial features. To our surprise he knew where his nose was! Neither of us had really stressed that as of late.

We then said how thankful we are to have Julie. She thinks of everything! I said if I stayed home with him everyday, I would be pathetic! I just don't think of all the little things and take for granted what I know and what Gerrit is still learning. Its nice to know he's getting educated somewhere! :)

How Stereotypical?

I just laugh when I think back to our evening...

Ladies:

I helped a friend tear wall paper off her bathroom walls and Gerrit hung out while we finished. Anne and the boys then came to our house and hung out so Gerrit could go to bed. So, the women ended up with the children.....

Men:

Adam went to a friend's house to check out a new bike, help assemble that bike, and drink beer. At first it was a invite for all but when we understood what was happening at this gathering, I don't think any of the women wanted part of that!

I'm not complaining, I just think its pretty funny to think how our Friday night turned out. I'm ready for bed and looking forward to scrapbooking tomorrow! Its been a long time - I hope to get finished with summer '07 (in Gerrit's book). I'm way back at Christmas of '05 in our other book. Pathetic.

The Latest and Greatest

Gerrit loves to look at the computer whenever we do. He especially likes to push the buttons. I had set the computer down for something and Gerrit hopped up on the couch:

I guess he is checkin' in on the blogs he frequents!



A few minutes later he is on the floor having a tantrum because I didn't do something right!

He's not quite 2 and he has perfected the tantrums already. Although I learned this week that he doesn't have any at daycare! He's a perfect little angle for Julie...I wonder if we are talking about the same kid at times!

Valentines?

When I dropped Gerrit off this am, Julie handed me a list of names of the kids at daycare - for Valentines. I guess Gerrit needs to bring Valentines next week even though he has no idea what is going on. I wonder if I can get him to at least 'sign' his name...

Adam's response to the list: that means you have more to make doesn't it?

My response: yep, and I should probably bake up a batch of brownies to go with them.

Why do I do this to myself?

Battle of the Sexes

I was blessed with having a boy and I often think the Lord did this because He knows how much I enjoy girls' clothing and I could get out of hand. Case in point:

 I knit the above hat for a friend who just had a little girl. How cute is the pink tulle on top!

Then again, how cute is a little boy in Levis?

 

 

Workin' With a Colic

Yesterday Gerrit had his 3rd haircut. Last time Gerrit did really well, sat on the booster and didn't mind having his hair cut. Well, this time was way different! I had to have him sit on my lap and at times hold his head still and even Adam helped hold his arms down while I was holding his head so she could get around the ears! So much for sitting still! We even went through 2 suckers which worked briefly.

We decided to try short and see if his silly colic(s) could be hidden. See for yourself:

They are not quite hidden but its better. I tried to have it cut similar to a friend's son and it sort of worked.