news from chicago: Mid-Month Update

To begin this post, we would like to send a Congratulations to Eileen and Michael on the birth of their daughter Brooke! We have a new cousin!!!!! Brooke was welcomed to our family on November 4th :) We cannot wait to get out to New York and meet you Sweet Angel! Isn't she just beautiful? We love her so much already!

Also, we can't upload all of our photos - this laptop is so old, it doesn't even have the spots to connect the camera card into ... so we're making due with photos from Mom's cell and Mom's camera that has a isb the laptop can read. Oy.

November so far in Chicago has been really enjoyable. What? Yes. It has actually. Today was definitely the coldest it has been - in the lower 40s - but this past week we've had a heat wave and it's been in the upper 60s and low 70s. It's made for a lot of fun outside and we've been taking total advantage of it because in a few weeks, it's going to be the beginning of a very long, very cold winter. With a very active little guy who LOVES being outside.

James is continuing to grow and change and make new advancements socially and in what he's actually able to do physically. We've seen little bursts of speed - almost running - and he really likes to 'chase' me around and then I turn around quickly and swoop him into the air and swing him around. We both love it. Lately, James has been protesting the stroller so on the weekends and sometimes when the weather is nice, we'll just hold his hands and walk with him across the street into the park. Obviously we hold him if we're crossing the street or if the bike path is full of bicyclists. Bicyclists who I think personally love to say, "On your left!" - I think it makes them feel cool.

Anyway, back to James. I had my first ever Parent-Teacher conference on Friday. Guess what? James is perfect. Ha! All joking aside, he is though, he's right where he needs to be and he's growing in both social-emotional and gross-motor skills areas. High tech language I know. But the point is, is that our little guy is growing into a little guy. Oh yes and also, the teachers love him, ahem, and I quote, "How could you NOT just love James?" You're preaching to the choir lady.

He climbed the stairs in the classroom all by himself the other day and then proclaimed, "I did it!" and was just beaming. My whole body warmed when I saw his little face and all of that sense of self-worth. It's really amazing to be witness to that. James also loves trying new toys and is beginning to explore new areas of the classroom. His little exploratory circumference around me is growing. It's awesome. Some of the other parents are starting to separate for class, but as of right now, I'll be staying with James. He and two other boys that were born within 5 days of each other all have parents still with in the room and show no signs of separation either.

James also loves having chairs and tables his size at class so Dad and Mom bought him a chair and table and I cannot express to you the excitement of James when he saw the chair. He looked in the box, pointed to the chair and with a smile on his face said, "I do dis." Almost as I was taking it out, he sat in it. We love it. James plays play-doh here, does stacking toys, colors, reads, everything. He loves the table - sometimes doesn't sit, but just stands next to it doing his 'work.'

James has also been helping Mom in the kitchen - he stirs the veggies or the spaghettios (with no heat on) before they cook and then right before Mom serves them. Then we tell him what a great job he did cooking them. James is an excellent chef :)

We also have the cutest animal sound maker in all of Chicago at our house. His little sounds for cat, dog, cow and elephant among others are a-dor-a-ble. Like, super cute, cavity causing preciousness. Oh my gosh, funny side story. So one of our neighbors has 3 dogs - they are all pretty little but one is really little - it's a teeny tiny furry chihuahua and everytime James sees it, he makes the cat sound instead of the dog sound. I just laugh because well, it's hysterical.

James also likes to pretend to give us food while we're eating and then at the last minute take it and put it in his mouth. What a joker. James is also drinking right out of cups these days. He likes it and he does a great job of it. We just have to watch how much milk or water we put in a glass, because he takes the whole thing down. After drinking - even just small sips, he says, "Ahhhhh" like it's the most refreshing drop of liquid he's had in his little life. He's hilarious. He also likes to give Mom "fuzzies" off of Dad's hair - they are totally pretend, but James thinks it's so funny. I personally agree :) If you ask James a question, "Where are Mom's keys?" or "Where is Tiny?", he'll put his hands palm up and say, "No?" - his way of saying, "I don't know?" And then when we find whatever it is we are looking for, he smiles and says, "I did it!" Cuteness all over the place with this child.

We've got a big month ahead of us - Mom is going to be in Atlanta for Polly's baby shower!!!!! I cannot wait to see my wonderful friend pregnant and to see that precious baby growing! Then, we're going to see Grandma and Grandpa Sennott for Thanksgiving! We are so excited to see everyone!

Here are a few of our favorite photos from the last few weeks! Enjoy :)

Family walk in the park