The Trip Out West

There must be something about me going out to Western Nebraska in early spring. For the second year in a row, Jeremiah and I headed out to the ranch while Jon went to Wichita for flight training. And for the second year in a row, the weather forecast predicted warm, pleasant days. And for the second year in a row, the forecast was wrong!

Thankfully, the blizzard on Monday and Tuesday missed my parents’ place, but it still made for a couple of cold, very unpleasant days. Ones where a very active little boy was not able to go outside to play, but instead chose to get into every cupboard in his Grandma and Granddad’s house—and make his mother exhausted.

Seriously, we had a wonderful time, despite not being prepared for the cold weather. Jeremiah loved being with “A-ma” and “A-dad,” as well as his aunt and uncle and cousin Kaylee. After waking up in the morning and asking for daddy (of course), he’d then say “baby?” as if he couldn’t wait to see her. He got to pet a horse and a newborn calf, see some deer and lots of cows, not to mention the two other “puppies” (border collies) on the place.

And I had a nice time catching up with my parents, hanging out with my brother and sister-in-law, playing with my adorable niece, and watching lots and lots of HGTV. We got back last night and spent today catching up on laundry. We’ll post pictures later, as soon as I get them downloaded from the camera.

A visit from Grandparents

We recently, ok almost a week ago, had visits from both of our parents. My parents (Jon) came on Friday and left Sunday. Mindy's parents came on Monday and left Wednesday. Let me tell you we had one wound up boy. All that attention sure had him full of energy for the next couple of days. We discovered he also had a few more time-outs than usual. Never the less we are very grateful for the time he gets to spend with his grandparents.

Jeremiah's new favorite word (and possibly food)

Jeremiah has recently learned a new word. He loves to say it, it kind of just rolls off the tongue. He also loves to eat it. Well, watch the video and you'll see what we mean.

Things I Learned Today . . .

That when you let a toddler play with a plastic knife, he can easily break it and send pieces flying all over the fast food restaurant you're sitting in.

Mimi and the Fort

Not long after Jeremiah gets up in the morning, he wants us to help him make his "fort." This just means we prop all our couch pillows against our coffee table leaving one side open. He likes to crawl under the table, then push one of the pillows aside and pop out as if saying, "Here I am, Mom and Dad!"

He also likes us to get in the fort with him. It's hard for me (and even more so for Jon) to maneuver in that small space, but Jeremiah insistently pats the carpet until we are at least partway underneath the table with him.

But the last few days, Mom or Dad hasn't been enough. "Mimi," Jeremiah calls, and then pats the carpet underneath his fort. "Mimi," he calls again, as he waits for Maggie to join him in his play space.

Yesterday, I did get Maggie to lay on the floor and kind of be in the fort with us. It was enough to satisfy Jeremiah. He got in his fort, said "Mimi," and patted her on the nose. Then he patted Mama's cheek, too. He was a contended little boy.

Cleaning out the Fridge

I was inspired by Sue's blog today (plus the odor of spilled milk that had turned sour) to clean out our fridge. As you can see, I had a little helper. And yes, that is a cell phone that you see on the shelf. Jeremiah loves to carry Jon's cell phone around listening to downloaded music--his own personal "boom box" if you will.

A Long Absence

OK, I know we haven't posted in awhile--as many of you have reminded me. In fact, it's been a month today. So, in the off chance that anyone who used to look at this blog is still checking--sorry.

Jeremiah is now in the climbing stage. I guess he always was, but now he's actually able to do it! A few weeks ago, he figured out how to climb our kitchen chairs. I knew that was coming, but I'm sad that I can't use the middle of the kitchen table as a safe place to put things anymore. One thing I have found in the middle of the table, however, is Jeremiah!

He is also big into mimicking us. Yesterday, Jon signed and put his hand on his head. His little shadow let out his own sigh and put his hand to his mouth. One of his favorite things is to wear his cell phone on his belt, just like Daddy. And today, as I was vacuuming and dusting, Jeremiah got out his own "cloth" and proceeded to wipe off the coffee table for me.

With all of Jeremiah's energy and his curiosity, every day is a new adventure around here. But we're loving it. And as long as Mama, Daddy and Mimi are here with him, everything in his world is all right.