news from chicago: Mid-Month Update #2

This mid-month update fell right in-between everything this month! Hence the lateness in posting. Again, I will have to let the pictures tell the stories this month. We have been really busy around here. Mom has been working. A lot. And poor Dad goes right into parenting mode the minute (some days the second) he walks in from work. However, we've been having a great time and are really looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

James is continuing to grow and to change and to develop his personality. James is really very funny and smart. James can figure things out so quickly it's scary sometimes. James also has a little bit of a stubborn streak in him. We have no idea where he gets it. No idea at all. Couldn't possibly be the Irishness. . . . For example, Tiny sometimes now accompanies James to snack time. Also, we sometimes leave the house with a hanger or an extra shoe.

James is teething so badly right now and it's different than it was with the front guys. These molars are not nice. We offer ice cubes in the feeders and teethers but sometimes James just wants to bite and gnaw on random things. So as long as these items aren't poisonous or could hurt him and as long as he's not hurting anyone - we let him.

James is very into putting items in a box, or in a cabinet or in a Tupperware and then likes taking them out again. He usually goes one at a time and he can do this for a really long time. We'll sit with him and talk about what the items are or what they feel like. James does this especially in the kitchen with his pots and pans cabinet. Mommom and Grandpa Mike just sent James tons of old sunglasses, hotel room cards (totally bleached!) and a brand new Superman wallet. He has been putting all of these things back into the box in which they arrived and then back out again.

James also loves playing with tape. Yes, tape.

In the vein of arts and crafts, we've been coloring more and James loves to write with pens in Mom's composition notebook that has all of her dissertation notes. Mom bought James some washable markers that James really enjoyed. As a side note for those who are interested, they are indeed washable.

James is in his big boy car seat! We finally switched over to the Brittax and someone LOVES it! James is still rear-facing because Dr. King told us to keep him that way as long as possible just for safety reasons.

Helping Dad pre-installation

First time in it in the car

We also went to the beach for the first time. Not the beach like Florida, but the beach across the street - the beach for Lake Michigan. While we were there, we were thinking, Why did we not do this earlier? Then, after we came home and all tracked sand through the house, we realized why. But, it was a great time and James did his first sand face-plant which Dad thought was hysterically funny.

James is becoming more and more steady with his walking which is great. He is also lengthening out a little bit! We're not used to being in the 75% for height around these parts :o) Look at his shorts falling right off of him!

James also comes in for a leg hug when Mom or Dad is standing. It's adorable to feel these little arms squeezing you! It's awesome. James also has "Mom" and "Daddy" down pat. Whenever one of us leaves the room, that's the name he says on repeat until we reappear. The big word has arrived in the Sennott house - "no." Although, it is said in a very adorable little voice. James is also trying very hard to say "more" - it usually comes out as "Mah" or "Muh" - when he signs for more, he says "none" but depending on the situation, we figure out which one he means. "Eeees" for keys and "eeeeee" for cookie are favorites to hear. James also knows the sign for open now but sometimes just hands us something that's closed and then signs more.

Speaking of cute things, last week was our last music class until the fall session starts in September. After class had ended, everyone was just hanging out a little and James was pulling the parachute up over him to play peek-a-boo and I was playing along saying, "Where's James?" and our little friend Olivia screamed out, " I NO NO?!" "I NO NO?!" It was hilarious. Everyone was laughing. I now find myself saying "I no no!" if Doug asks me a question sometimes - it just makes you laugh - give it a shot :o)

Eating has been an interesting and fun adventure with James the toddler. James has a wonderful appetite thank goodness and we continue to try new foods with him. Still not peanut butter. I know, I know. I'll do it. New favorites include Mac and Cheese, Chicken Scallopini a la Whole Foods, Cheeseburger Balls, Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Sorbet and Mandarin Oranges. James used to love deli meats but I think Mom overdid them and now we're taking a break because he just won't eat them. He will eat them on sandwiches, just not straight-up anymore. James also has been eating frozen bagels sometimes at lunch because of the dual benefit - food and teething pain relief. Also, James has been LOVING the sweet corn from the farmer's market - he eats it right off the cob! Such a cutie!

We've been having a lot of fun and here are some of our favorite photos from the Air and Water Show! James was not scared by the planes at all - he was super curious and got so excited everytime a plane flew by. If they went slow enough, he would reach out his arm and grunt for them. He is defnitely his father's son. Doug and James had such a great bonding experience with the Air and Water Show. Mom grew up loving the planes too because Grandpa Mike would take Mom and Uncle Michael to the shows when they were growing up :o) I almost believe that James thought Doug was making the planes come fly by us. Doug would hear them coming and know from which direction they were coming and would tell James to look. James just looked in awe at both the plane and at his Daddy.