Animal Hospital
We ended up having to take Seth to the Animal Hospital Emergency Care on Sunday the 11th of October. Thankfully things seem to be getting back to normal, however there was enough “irregularity” (shall we call it?) that we felt the need to spend an enormous amount of money on a domesticated animal. What can we say, Seth is family.
This is blogworthy because Ian was his semi-usual rambunctious self that day, until we told him that the kitty was sick and we were headed to the hospital… immediately he took on the role of big brother saying things like “don’t worry seth. you gunna be ok kitty.” And when we left to get a bite to eat, leaving the cat alone at the hospital for an hour, Ian continually asked where the kitty was.
On a more hilarious note, when a nurse took the three of us into an empty examination room to talk about Seth’s diagnosis, Ian looked at the nurse and slowly pulled his shirt up, seemingly to show her his belly. I noticed this but filed it under “That’s a two-year-old for you.” But when she came in a second time, he did it again. I couldn’t put my finger on why… and then looked back at the nurse and suddenly interrupted everything by laughing really loud. The nurse had a stethoscope around her neck… Ian was lifting his shirt to allow her to listen to his heart, like at our doctor’s office.
Also, on the way home, it was dark out… so Ian assumed we were headed to the cottage, and asked us when we would see the boat.
A couple of notes for posterity:
• The animal hospital is unique in the way it is staffed, resulting in extremely long wait times that are not in order of arrival. Patients are seen in order of stability, which means you could technically be there the rest of your life.
• Ian does not like Dora the Explorer.
• Multiple warnings to the staff did not save the doctor from Seth’s ninja-fast claws. They never listen.
Bath time! 
I have a great shot of his butt too, but I figure he’s getting old enough now that maybe it is a bad idea to post it on the internet. 
Yay, bath crayons! 
*I can draw on walls! (…in the bathtub only.)* 
Ian and I at Millennium Park, the next day… Monday, September 14th. 
Can he climb that? Yes he can. 
Did we have fun? Yes, we did! 
Ah, Sunday morning… here we are on the way home from church. Ian pauses in front of some black-eyed susans. Really I’m guessing on that flower type. Let’s make up a name. Yellow Dinkies. I’m pretty sure they were Yellow Dinkies. 
Couldn’t get him to look at the camera because an airplane was flying overhead. Still cute, no? 
We got home and Ian decided it was time to bang the drum. 
He makes some funny faces when he’s drumming, particularly if he’s drumming AND singing the alphabet. 
DOOMP DOOMP DOOMP DOOMP 
I think what set me off was looking down at his feet and realizing that I couldn’t remember them at too many different sizes between now and when he was born… 
His hands have always been so hilarious to me… those little nails… I admit that I happily avoid cutting his nails and let my better half take care of it. They’re too tiny, and if I hurt him I’d probably be more upset than he would be. 
Of course the only way to take any shot of him sitting this still is to put the television on… his new favorite video (sometimes pronounced “bideo”) is from They Might Be Giants, called Here Comes Science. 
There are parts of said video/bideo that go over such complicated matters as the periodic table of elements, so if Ian looks stunned, it is understandably so. 
On the other hand… (that was some kind of pun-joke-thing, if you don’t get it, try to relax a little — it’s been a long day.) 
Had to animate this one… I believe I might have had to scream “FREE ICE CREAM” in order to get him to look my way for a second.
Winner of Cutest Nose on Earth, second year running. 
Forever our boy. 
Just scrambling to catch up at this point… here’s a few shots of us eating out on September 11th, 2009… Ian still sits in a high chair, but he barely seems to fit. (And those booster seats aren’t much good with our little squirmer… we might as well skip that and go right to sitting on the real chair.) 
*That was a big bite… better count my fingers… yep, still there.* 
*No pictures, Daddy…* 
*I said NO PICTURES, HEEEYA!* 
Ian awakens on the morning of September 7th with a smile! 
Ian and Daddy watch a nice video on the laptop while we wake up. 
Finally time to play outside some more and be a little silly… 
I think he might be trying for a fashion model look here. 
*Shucks! Time to go home!* 
It is always sad to have to leave the cottage, but a little ice cream on the way home helps us feel a bit better. 
And it also means a sleep-filled ride home, which is good for everybody. 
*Hi, it’s me, Ian. When we last left our adventure, we were picking up the ladies for another boat ride!* 
And away we go! 
Ian borrowed my hat to protect his face from the sun… 
Ahoy, maties, Mommy be takin’ a picture… say “ARRRRRR!” 
Cutie off the port bow! 
A nice shot of the island from the bridge… just thought I’d share for mood-setting purposes. 
Grandma Marcia reads Ian a bedtime story to prepare him for his nap! 
So that he has energy to do this! (Ferderer has nothin’ on our boy!) 
Although another break might be in order! Here Ian and Mommy play a game on her iPhone. 
Sometimes all you need in life is an Elmo and a plastic wagon. And a blankie. And a chair facing the television. 
After the necessary wake-up time, it was clearly time for the first boat ride of the trip! (Congrats Grampa Dave on the new boat… we’ll miss the “Recycle” she’s served us well!) 
Ian approves! 
With a center-console, Ian could play peek-a-boo with Grampa Dave while he’s driving! 
Plenty of room up front for more picture opportunities! 
I liked this one so much I gave it two crops… 
This one too, sorry! (Kinda!) 
You only get a smile like this out of Ian if Grampa Dave opens up the throttle and Daddy screams “WOOHOO!!!” 
I’d like to take this beautiful moment to say that I wouldn’t trade Ian for any kid on Earth. Shine on you crazy kiddo. 
Ian turns his attention back to the cottage to wave at Mommy and Grandma Marcia! “Hi!” 