My First Thanksgiving!

The wheels on the van go fast, fast, fast
Fast, fast, fast
Fast, fast, fast
The wheels on the van go fast fast fast
All the way to Grandma's

Philip in the van will drive, drive, drive
Drive, drive, drive
Drive, drive, drive
Philip in the van will drive, drive, drive
All the way to Grandma's

Mommy in the van will read, read, read
Read, read, read
Read, read, read
Mommy in the van will read, read, read
All the way to Grandma's

Daddy in the van will map the route
Map the route
Map the route
Daddy in the van will map the route
with the GPS

Judah and Mommy will play, play, play
Play, play, play
Play, play, play
Judah and Mommy will play, play, play
All the way to Grandma's

Judah in the van will sleep, sleep, sleep
Sleep, sleep, sleep
Sleep, sleep, sleep
Judah in the van will sleep, sleep, sleep
All the way to Grandma's

This is the song (to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus") we made up in the van on our way to Ohio for Thanksgiving. Judah spent his first Thanksgiving in Ohio seeing Great Grandma Coleman and other relatives. Uncle Philip went with us for the week, helping drive and play. Judah did very well on the two-day 10 hour trip both directions. Both ways we broke up the trip by stopping at the Fairfield Marriott in Bloomington, Illinois.

Swapping vehicles with my folks, we traded our Escape for the full-size van for our traveling nursery. Packed full, we left on Sunday afternoon in time for Judah to take his long nap. Stopping at Steak 'n Shake for dinner allowed Judah to have a break from his car seat after the three hour drive. After getting his wiggles out, we finished the two-hour drive to the hotel for the night. Judah experienced the pool for the first time. Dipping our feet in, he thought it was pretty funny when they came out of the water splashing. Judah also enjoyed jumping in his swing at the hotel, especially being in his seat for five hours.

Getting a late start on Monday morning (since Judah was worn out from the travel), we finally took off only to stop at Wendy's for lunch. Judah took a stroll with me around the parking lot with the stroller while the guys played Frisbee. We arrive at Grandma's that evening after the three hour drive. Great Grandma got to see Judah for the first time and what a proud Grandma she was. She wanted to hold him right away but was surprised at how big Judah was. Eating a light meal BBQ sandwiches, we lounged, visited, and looked at pictures.

We spent Tuesday resting at Grandma's. Grandma treated us to Der Dutchman Restaurant for lunch and then later with wieners and sour kraut with homemade apple crisp at home (my favorite Grandma meal).That evening we took Judah to Tuttle Crossing Mall for a Black Friday preview and a stroll. Each evening we slept in the big bedroom with Judah in his Pack in Play.

Wednesday just like the other mornings, when Judah woke up we would go out and say good morning to Grandma. When she responded, he would always get a great big smile on his face. We introduced Judah to his Great Uncle Bruce while we visited that morning. For lunch we also met my cousins, Michael and Karen, at Bob Evans in Springfield. Judah talked to his cousin William (Will) who was two months younger than him (4 months) becoming fast friends until mommy held William and Judah appeared jealous. After resting for the afternoon (a common theme), we went to the Thanksgiving Eve Service with my Uncle Roger and Aunt Linda. Judah enjoyed the music, dancing around and watching people clap.

As Thursday rolled around, Judah experienced his first Thanksgiving. Grandma had us busy peeling potatoes, making green bean casserole, and carving the 12 pound turkey in the kitchen while she finished the rest of the fixings of a fine homemade meal. Judah spent his morning getting a bath in the big tub for the first time, making him look very small. Uncle Roger and Aunt Linda joined us for the Thanksgiving feast at 1pm, but by that time, Judah had fallen asleep from all the excitement. Finally, Judah woke up to participate in the afternoon visiting by amusing us with his playing. The rest of us topped the day off with leftovers, more homemade apple pie, and Christmas movies.

Judah spent most of Friday morning playing with his bucket of toys while the rest of us read or made Christmas cards. For his six month birthday, Judah really matured on the trip. Sitting by his bucket of toys, Judah liked taking his toys out one by one to explore. By the end of the trip, he would nearly empty the bucket every time and surrounding himself with toys. Judah also started scooting more both frontwards and backwards. We caught him getting up on his hands and knees, rocking back and forth and then land back on his tummy where he would lunge forward or backward reaching out his arms for whatever he was after. Judah often became more silly as he laughed at funny things or carried a conversation with Grandma.

Later on Friday, my cousin Darrin came over to help us finish off the pie and ice cream. We visited all afternoon about the Kreis Family. Then we enjoyed a quiet evening with Grandma as the trip neared the end. Tim hooked up Grandma's flat screen to the computer so that we could watch It's a Wonderful Life.

Finally we took off on Saturday for the trek back to Iowa. We did stop in Springfield again to have lunch with my Aunt Maxine and Uncle Dwayne. Judah managed to be good for the entire trip except the last hour on Saturday. It was a good thing we stopped to overnight in Bloomington, Illinois, again. Judah played with his bucket of toys while we ordered pizza and watched football before nodding off for the night.

Judah and I opened the Continental breakfast at the hotel Sunday morning while we waited for the guys to wake up. Finally, we got on the road only to stop for a break in Williamsburg at the Outlet mall. Maestro was excited to see us when we arrived Sunday afternoon, vying for our attention as soon as we walked in the door. The guys unloaded the van while we put things away getting ready for another week.

Thanksgiving in Ohio

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are having a great time in Ohio. Bring on the turkey!

Bouncin' baby in Illinois

Thank you grandma for my jumper!

Jealous much?

My pack and play.

Growing by Leaps and Bounds: 5 Months

So the other day, I was combing Maestro's hair and even though Judah was nearby watching us from his Ex Saucer, he was doing his fake cough to get my attention. I was finished with Maestro anyhow so I went to pick up Judah. Then Maestro starting meowing at me for continued attention. The same thing happened the other night when Judah was fake coughing at me when I was attempting to make Christmas cards. Maestro was also on the prowl to get my attention by destroying my papers on my desk.

I find this competition for my attention ongoing lately. It keeps me from taking the time to blog. At last though, they are all asleep napping in the living room this Friday evening from a very busy day of work and company..Judah in the Pack and Play, Maestro on one couch, and Tim's head resting in my lap on the other couch.

Judah has been growing by leaps and bounds this month. The big milestone is that he now sits up on his own to play and play he does. His new found interest lies in his blocks of shapes. We dump them out of the bucket, put them back in the bucket, stack them and knock them down, eat them, and roll them. He also enjoys moving around in his jump swing and pealing the bubble wrap off the door frame (that I taped up so he does not knock his head - every mom's dream, right?). He still likes to play with his Ex Saucer, especially now that he can do all activities on it: pushing, pulling, and flipping. He also chews his Binky, twirling it around in his mouth, putting it in backwards, and swinging it in the air.

Judah is also on his way to master crawling. He does get up on his knees now but still needs to coordinate moving his knees and hands while keeping his head up. He does scoot backwards though and you will often find him in a different position then how you left him; he usually ends up in tripod position trying to get up on his feet with his backside in the air as if he is trying to sit up. Even during the night in bed, Judah has started rolling to his sides and sleeping on his belly. In the morning you will find him again in the totally opposite side, end, and position from how you left him, sometimes with his arm hanging out of the crib.

Judah has not only become more coordinated in playing with his toys, but also in interacting with others. He has discovered how to manipulate his cries and coughing to get my attention. It was Tim who discovered that he was doing this when his was holding him one night. As Judah watched me walk away, he started to fake cough, stop, and look at me, and when I did not respond he repeated the cough. Now he does the same thing at nap and bed time with crying. He will cry and if you do not respond, he will start up again. He has also become more social with strangers by smiling, laughing, and reaching out to people. Maestro hates it though when he grabs a fistful of hair or an ear in the process (although Judah just laughs at Maestro). Judah has also started talking to you more and more adding to his repertoire of sounds. He can carry a conversation sometimes for minutes. Then Judah has inherited a trait from his Aunt Rachel by laughing and crying before bed when he is tired. He always is the most silly when we are getting him ready for bed, often causing us to rile him up from tickling and laughing (he is just too darn cute). Then when he has had enough, the giggles turn into cries of tiredness....just like Aunt Rachel!

Judah's ear infection has finally gone but not without leaving us to piece together some sort of routine again. His ear infection (with a growth spurt at the same time) caused him to wake up often during the night. Now that he is sleeping again during the night, we are trying to establish a bed time again around 9:00 or 9:30pm. He hates to miss anything and so naps have also become a chore but slowly we are working into a morning nap and a longer afternoon nap. We are trying to solve this by letting him cry it out more each time. He still eats his rice cereal in the afternoon and is about ready for more food since he keeps longing after ours (and grabbing all the napkins). The rest of the day consists of getting up, eating breakfast, getting dressed, play while we get dressed and showered, nap time, play time, lunch time, go on a walk, and finally nap time again followed by chores at some point. Judah absolutely loves to takes walks whether outside around the neighborhood, on the trail, down to the mailbox, or at the mall; you will find him just looking around the whole time taking in all his surroundings. Finally, the evenings are made up of whatever we have going on followed by his bedtime routine.

Judah is turning into a handsome little man. He is now wearing 6-9 month clothes at 15 pounds plus. His hair is growing thicker as he gets older. He is sitting up in the bath tub now and splashes water all over the bathroom counter and us.

Oh wait - they all three stirred at the same time.

It is hard to believe that November is upon us and the holidays will soon be here. Tim had his November class today with his students, discussing the "Culture and the Arts." He took the kids to various places around town today to experience African drums, tour the Pappa John Sculpture garden, and hop at the local dance theatre. He has been busy working on a lot of Web site stuff for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa and the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. Occasionally, he still sings in the Worship Team at church.

The Indian summer has allowed me to ride some more on my bike, exploring the new trails around us. Judah and I try to take a walk each day too. I was able to make pies last weekend with a friend (since we had so many requests). My friend Sarah and I had pie making down to a system since we made six apple pies in 2 hours (Yes Amy - you can have some). I was also able to finally freeze some fresh herbs this year from our little garden. I still have been trying out new recipes - making ham loaf, split pea soup, and stew - and so send your favorite ones this way. My craft table is set up with Christmas cards scattered across it as I make this year's cards. And here and there Judah and I will do chores and cleaning around the house. He loves to help with laundry and often times we talk about the colors of the clothes as we fold them.

Judah finds Maestro's mouse HILARIOUS

70 Degrees in November

Out enjoying the beautiful weather!

Happy Harvest!

We want to wish every one a blessed Fall season.
From our home to yours, may you be filled with joy, peace, and thanksgiving as we near the Holidays.

Celebrating my 5th Month Birthday with Grandparents!

I turned 5 months on Friday and so mommy and daddy took me on an extended weekend to visit to see my Grandparents. We started the trek north on Friday afternoon to stay with Grandma and Grandpa Kreis through Sunday afternoon. Then we finished the rest of the weekend at Grandpa and Grandma Rittgers Farm.

I had lots of fun rocking with Pa Pa Kreis, playing games with Uncle Charlie, and helping Grandma iron. I even enjoyed resting in Rachel's Blue room in my Pack in Play or playing on my Play Mat in front of the TV watching football with daddy. Mommy helped raked leaves with Pa Pa in the back yard as well as helped Grandma sort some boxes in the laundry room. While I went Trick or Treating, daddy played sports with Uncle David and Uncle Charlie at their Saturday night Dodge ball event.

This weekend at Grandma and Grandpa Kreis' House, I mastered sitting up, finally balancing myself when I play with my toys. YEAH! Also I started to scooting ever so slightly on my knees so that I can reach more toys. Soon enough I will be on the move and believe me I won't stop.

This was also my first Halloween and I surprised my friend Shareen during Trick or Treating with my Pumpkin outfit. She thought I was so cute, posing me for pictures. She even let me play with her clown. I thought he was cool, especially his face.

On Sunday, we went to church at Walnut Ridge so that Grandma Kreis could show off how cute I am to her friends. I did really good sitting through the service. After a while though I got tired of sitting, so mommy took me out in the hallway. Whenever someone walked by, I just smiled at them showing them I am a social flirt. After church, we grabbed a bite to eat back at the house and then packed up to go to the Rittgers Farm.

As soon as we got to the Rittgers Farm, we headed out to the field where I took my very first combine ride with Grandpa Rittgers. I had so much fun sitting on his lap watching the tractor harvest the corn and loading it into the wagons. I even helped him drive by turning the steering wheel. We took some pictures by the combine and the corn. I really did not want to leave; perhaps I will be a farmer when I grow up.

That afternoon we had a cousin party at the farm. I got to play with my cousin Isaac again. Of course some of daddy's cousins were there as well as my Great Aunts and Uncles. While I ate my rice cereal with Uncle Matt, Grandma made meatballs for the rest of the family. We enjoyed visiting with family so much it felt like a holiday and I did not want to miss anything by napping at my first family get together.

We stayed at the farm through Monday afternoon before heading home. I became partial to playing with Grandma's car Ex Saucer so that I could drive. Also on Monday, I continued hanging out with my cousin Isaac.

I certainly enjoyed spending my fifth month birthday with my Grandparents. I just had so much fun Trick or Treating and riding in the combine. I can't wait to go back for more fun things.