ian – Page 24 – Out Of Their Minds Design

Grandma Sue’s April 2011 Visit, Part I

Between April 12th, when this pic was taken, and the current date (May 20th) Ian slowly developed into a more loving brother and son, at times. Part of it feels like learning, and part of it feels like a return to a bit of his innocence — you sort of have to see the look on his face to get it. See this image larger.

Video
Click here to see this video, wherein Ian recognizes Grandma Sue at the airport terminal on April 15th. Very quick video — turn up your speakers, it is his hysterical laugh that makes this “gold.”

April 16th, Grandma Sue takes a pic of night-night rituals. See this image larger.

April 17th, Ian and Nina play around in a Ian’s new car seat. See this image larger.

I’m glad Grandma Sue pulled off a shot, because mine mostly look like this! See this image larger.

This one didn’t turn out too bad. See this image larger.

Video
Click here to see this video, taken on April 17th, of Nina taking a nice long walk.

Video
Click here to see this video, also taken on April 17th, of Nina pulling off a very nice walk-to-squat-to-walk… If you look carefully, right after she’s done, she appears to do what’s called a “fist pump,” a traditional celebratory gesture used in bowling and golf.

More of April 17th next entry!

April Continues S’more…

April 11th, Ian peeks over my video game chair in the office. See this image larger.

Video
Click here to see this video, wherein Nina raises her arms during Little Einsteins.

Video
Click here to see this video, wherein Nina again raises her arms during Little Einsteins.

Video
Click here to see this video, to see the kids showing off some teamwork!

April Continues, Finally!

Sorry about the delays, big deadlines and lots of videos to review to get to this point. We’re now ready for a good number of entries!

Video
Click here to see this video, which is of Nina and I reading the “What’s Up Duck?” book. There’s lots of opposites therein, and Nina and I go through them together in this one, on April 7th, 2011. You’ll see her head tilt as soon as we get to the “asleep” page.

April 10th, 2011, Melissa grabs the camera as Nina and Ian sit together watching TV. Pretty cute, right? See this image larger.

Then Nina stands up… See this image larger.

Turns out we were watching a TV program called Little Einsteins that asks the children to pat their laps along with a beat, and then raise their hands in the air and say “Blast Off!!!” (See Ian protecting Nina from falling? Good boy!) See this image larger.

Nina was apparently paying attention to the show, because there she went! (I’ve got video of this coming up next entry, I think.) See this image larger.

In the sunroom, our little girl relaxes with a book. See this image larger.

That’s a good smile! Can you give us a little bit of teeth with that? See this image larger.

Nice! A little more next time, but you got the right idea little girl! See this image larger.

She loves a good book! See this image larger.

Same day, Ian gives us a grin too. See this image larger.

Presently: Stories

A couple of quick stories while they’re fresh on my mind.

Ian completely strapped himself into his own car seat today, after opening the car door and climbing inside.

I asked Ian if he’d like to get dressed first or go potty this morning. “Go potty, I suppose,” he responded. Who taught him “I suppose?”

Nina is much more talkative these days… up, down, kitty, baby, mama, daddy, ready-set-go, sorry. Funny I said that “much more talkative.” She’s extremely talkative, all of the time, it is just a matter of understanding what she’s saying.

Ian – “Where is the other book like this one?”
Melissa – “I don’t know honey, we’re going to have to look for it.”
Ian – “Well we know we have this one because it is right here in my hand.”

Me to Melissa – “Any preference on which of the kids I take to go to the other end of Meijer?”
Melissa – “Doesn’t really matter.”
Ian – “Pick ME! Pick ME, Daddy! Because you’re my daddy, and I love you and… you’re my best friend.”
Melissa and I – (Gush, melt, etc.)

Nina’s so very interesting at this age, because she’s saying a few things, but can understand so much more than she can say. For example Melissa said to Nina “No honey, you need to put that back in the cupboard.” And you might find yourself thinking “Ok, there’s like a seven step process there, and at least two key concepts she would have to grasp to do this. Which parts will she actually understand?” And then, without saying a word, she does it all, perfectly. Turns around, opens the door, places the item face out, closes the door, and smiles big.

Ian said that two things looked “similar” the other night. Mommy and Ian had a big discussion about similarities and differences.

More soon, I promise. Huge deadlines early this week, but then things return to normal.

Embarrassing Photos That I Will Show To My Children’s Prom Dates

Bath-time again! April 7th, 2011… here we go!

Nina wears her shampoo deflector! See this image larger.

Nina blushes for Ian, who is unaware that he should be blushing. See this image larger.

*This doesn’t come from a salon!!!* See this image larger.

*I love you, green cup thingy.* See this image larger.

She wears it in a very stylish fashion, doesn’t she? See this image larger.

Uh oh! Is Ian getting too old for this? I promise to stop this soon, kiddo. See this image larger.

Ian’s turn! See this image larger.

Drenched! See this image larger.

Nina giggles while Ian gets water dumped on his head! See this image larger.

April 5th Continues

So now we’re inside, on that same day… enjoy!

Nina settles down after her outside excursion and plays quietly. See this image larger.

She’s so very sweet! See this image larger.

*Time for tea?* See this image larger.

*Time for zooey!* See this image larger.

But where was Ian during this time? Well… See this image larger.

He was told that when he got dressed he could come play with the rest of us. Apparently that was a deal he could live without! See this image larger.

Outside At Last!

April 5th, and here comes some slightly warmer weather, finally!

Ah, able to breathe in that fresh air! Still need a coat though.
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*Help me Obi-Wan, you’re my only hope…*
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Hard to choose a picture when they’re so alike, but so different.
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At this point she was doing something a little more like a step-step-step-stop and stumble- step-step-step.
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Peek-a-boo?
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Ian got to go outside too!
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You can tell, as a parent, that your kid needs to burn up some energy, and the attitude difference is measurable.
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I can tell this is going to be a great summer, hopefully full of times like this.
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And hopefully full of big smiles like this.
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Or this…
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He was rotating around in a circle on the swing, I had to try to capture these at each turn.
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My favorite boy in the whole wide world.
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Nina tries out the Grampa Dave-built swing and enjoys it!
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Nina starts figuring out how it works.
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An awesome playtime was had by all… let’s go inside!
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Random

April 4th, and here’s some randomness for you…

Melissa looked over to see Nina scribble on this pad. This was part of what I talked about the other day. She was holding the pen correctly as she scribbled on it! See this image larger.

Conspiring minds! See this image larger.

Musical chairs? See this image larger.

Same to you, buddy. See this image larger.

Wishing for warmer weather to use the swingset. (You can see their faces in the window reflection if you squint.) See this image larger.

Loaf #4 might be the best loaf I’ve ever made, who knows… (Alright I’m done taking pictures of bread unless it comes out looking like Abraham Lincoln or something.) See this image larger.