Checks in the Mail

I don't want to brag but I think my son is a genius! I read that babies that wake every few hours are able to trigger brain cell development so that explains why my son is extra smart, since he has yet to "sleep through the night". Anyway, I had been sitting at the desk writing out a few bills while Chase walked around playing with a pen. I didn't even think he noticed me and what I was doing was certainly less than exciting. No sooner had I slid the checkbook into its cubby under the desk when Chase scooted behind me and grabbed the checkbook. He headed straight over to the coffee table to make out some bills of his own. I couldn't resist taking some pictures of him writing his first checks. Who knew he was watching so intently?

Anyway, we are doing fine. I had gotten a bit sick so my mother made an emergency trip to care for Chase and help me recover from a nasty cold. Chase and I travelled back upstate with her to spend a few days in the country. My dad even hung Kalli and Luke's old tree swing for Chase to use this summer. We have been trying to do some "grass therapy" with Chase- he is a bit scared of being outdoors so little by little we are working it out.

Ouchy!

You knew it was coming...the first big booboo. Don't get me wrong, we have had a few tumbles but this injury takes the cake. The day started off so sweet, we were all snuggling in bed. It is our routine to wake up and giggle together before we wiggle out of bed. I had swung around on one side to put my pajama pants on and Ryan was on the other playing with Chase. Apparently, Chase reached to get his binkie off the night table and slipped catching his eye on the edge of the table. Poor Chase :( and poor Ryan! He takes it pretty hard when things happen under his watch. Chase recovered much faster than Daddy did! I was teasing that I would write on the blog about how mean the kids at the playground can be...and if you think Chase's injury is bad you should see the other kid! The truth is much more ordinary- kid fell, bumped head.

Other than that we are doing great. Chase had his one year check up and all is well. To our surprise he is a bit underweight (he was pretty pudgy for a while). Since he has started walking not only is he super active but also has had a hard time slowing down long enough to eat. I have resorted to sitting on the kitchen floor and feeding him while he runs laps around me.

Figgy Fun

Wow, my life has changed so much! Many mothers have told me, "enjoy the time before they start walking because once they are fully mobile you spend all day chasing them around." This maybe true for them but it has not been the case with us. When Chase was crawling he often wanted me to carry him from room to room and hold him so he could be involved in what I was doing. Toward the end I has holding him sooo much!

Now that he is walking it is like a whole new world. Chase follows me all around the house and since he is tall enough to explore things on his own he is perfectly happy just checking out his surrounds. Finally, my arms and shoulders have stopped aching!

The downside is that his hands go everywhere. The other day he had squished a Fig Newton piece into his hand and then began walking around wiping it on the kitchen cabinets and chairs. Chase also loves carrying things around, so of course I find sippy cup lids under the dishwasher, shoes in the fridge, spices in the baby cupboard, and the list goes on. After I put him to bed I go around trying to sort the house and get everything back to its proper place. We have been having so much fun, I absolutely love this stage!