Sicky McSickersons

Yep, we are sick. Yucky sick. throwing up sick. All of us. What a weekend/week this has been. I started getting sick on Thursday, then off work Friday. Felt better Friday night and Saturday only to have Patrick get sick Friday night, Saturday and into Sunday. Then Ryan gets sick Sunday night, then Patrick then myself again all at the same time. Yuck. The worst was trying to nurse Patrick only to have to lay him in his crib to run to the bathroom while I hear Ryan in the downstairs bathroom. My poor baby, just had to wait for one of us to feel better. After doing almost 6 loads of laundry and feeling like our house needs to be under a fumigating tent, I am sick of being sick. I am now home for the 3rd day from work. Finally get P to sleep only to have him wake up throwing up again! That is day 4 for him. We'll be heading to the dr. in the am. I am really ready for this to all be over. Take care all and wash your hands well!

Visit from Great Grandpa Gilbert

We met Gilbert and Gerda Bliss for lunch today. They were just in town shortly. Patrick did really good. Eating out is a challenge these days. Patrick isn't too interested in sitting for very long and food can be a challenge at times as well. But he did great. He ate everything he was given and didn't even drop much. He is using a fork so well now along with downing almost a full glass of water (although much of that ended up on mommy's lap!) After dinner he even showed off a bit with the actions to itsy bitsy spider, jumping, raising his arms for touch down and saying lots of fun words like "all gone", "bus", and "bye bye".

Weekend wrap up

Fall is upon us. With 13 shoots this month and 15 next month, every minute feels very busy! Although we make the most of each of those moments. Including silly time before bed.

Patrick got a boo boo last week. We almost thought a trip to the ER was needed but are hoping that a Hello Kitty Band-aid will do the trick. Real men wear pink afterall.

We took a little trip up to the cities this past weekend to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Bliss. Our hotel was connected to this great indoor park.

They had a super fun gym along with a large play place and an indoor garden area.

We all had a lot of fun there. So much fun in fact that P filled his pants. You have to love the diaper check. Like the smell didn't quite convince you, you need to take a look!

Well, this will be few words and lots of photos like usual.

We also went to IKEA to look for a children's table and chairs. We lucked out and are waiting for Daddy to put them together for us.

After playing hard and working hard, this week will almost be like a break from the weekend.

Patrick has beent talking up a storm adding in all gone and bus (also lots of truck and car) He also has a new trick where he likes to grab my finger and make me do things with him or take me where he wants to go. It was cute. at first.

Potty like a big boy

Before each bath I try to remember to sit Patrick on the potty. Last night we put him on, ran a little water for encouragement and bam! We had pee in the potty.

*yeah, he'll hate this someday. ;)

More of SD

Just a few more of our trip.

GB getting his groove on the boat.

Patrick grooving right back!

When on vacation, dress code is not enforced.

Boat rocking makes P so sleepy!

I wonder if there is a law against 17month old's driving a boat while clearly needing sleep!

Watching Uncle Jay get the squeak out of the chair.

17 months

Yep every month this number grows right along with my boy.

What has Patrick been up to this month?

Talking, talking and more talking. Most of the time we don't have a clue what this kid is saying, but he continues to talk anyway. Some words are coming out pretty clear. Ball, Boat, All Done, Car, Truck, Bus, Kitty Ryan and I have begun just making up what we think he is saying. Kinda funny! yesterday he looked out the window and kept yelling a-boa! a-boa! We couldn't figure out what that was until we got outside and he ran towards a sprinkler yelling a-boa, a-boa! Who knew? He is so expressive when he talks to with lots of pointing and eye brow action. So fun.

Patrick is really good with utensils now. He'll use them for most of the meal and thinks it is fun to stab everything with a fork. Even applesauce. He prefers forks, but will use a spoon. He still resorts to his hands, but just when he is extra hungry and the utensils are taking too long.

We had to get Patrick tested for Whooping Cough this past week (cousin Luke had it), luckily it was negative, but he is left with a yucky cold. While at the Dr. we found out that he is up to 23lbs. He is really filling out lately and his 12-18mo pants and shirts are starting to creep up on him. He is wearing a mostly 4.5-5 shoe, but I suspect he may be out of those soon.

He still loves anything that isn't a toy, but the toys that do have wheels he is fan of. I found him a .99 plastic trike at the thrift store the other day and he has had a blast riding that up and down the sidewalk. He'll ride it down the driveway but then carries it back up. Very cute! (We did try out a really great bike at a friends house the other day, so if ever you see one on sale, give me a shout as I'd love to pick one up for Patrick for Christmas. Funny looking, but awesome! It's an Okiedog.)

We've had a great time traveling this month. Patrick did great in planes, cars and buses. He traveled a total of close to 90 hours in a little over a week with a 3 hour hike thrown in there. He was a real trooper. He did great sleeping in all the strange places too. In only a weekend he was in 3 hotel rooms! We were all glad to go but glad to be home as well.

I got a total of 3 photos of him before he ran out of the studio this week, and had to take them with his jammies on. It's the best we can do down there lately!

More cabin fun

Here are some more photos from our great labor day week. P wanted to run out on the dock all the time, it gave me a heart attack just holding on to him out there.

Nana loves.

More fun on the beach.

Every boat that would go by, P would get super excited and shout "boat" with this adorable Canadian accent.

Fun at the beach

While at the cabin, Patrick loved playing in the mini-beach that my parents have.

The shovel was perfect, but as you can tell I wasn't really planning an early morning swim.
But when at the beach, you don't always have time to change into all the neccessities to have fun.

Beside, a little sand and water are washable!

Fun at Great Grandma's house

I finally have a minute to write about the last few whirlwind weeks.

Last week we traveled to Colorado for a friends wedding. We had an amazing time and it was so fun to be in a new place and exploring the world with Patrick. Upon our return I learned of the passing of my Grandma's sister Florance. Since this is the last remaining sister, I felt it important to try and be there for the funeral.

Unfortunately the funeral was on Tuesday (we returned Sunday) and we were scheduled to be out that way on Thursday. Monday morning I decided it was important enough that Patrick and I would travel Monday afternoon and return Tuesday evening. Upon arrive at work, my boss convinced me that taking the week off would be fine and better for the whole situation. So I left work and was on the road for a week in only an hour!

We arrived to greet a number of family members. Patrick instantly fell in love with the farm.

It was so fun to just let him run and explore everything without the worry of other people or traffic interfering.

We didn't spend a lot of time at the actual funeral (Patrick thought climbing on headstones was more fun, don't worry, I removed him and we played in the car instead!)
We finally got some pictures with Great Grandma Gladys after the funeral as I was hoping to do for a long time.

We also got a 4 generation picture, which amazingly turned out pretty well!

It was so fun to see Patrick enjoy the many things at Grandma's house that I enjoyed for years growing up, including this old baby buggy. He ran over a number of toes, but enjoyed pushing the old creaky buggy all over the house!

1 wedding, a funeral and an unexpected vacation.