ian – Page 47 – Out Of Their Minds Design

September 2009 Fawn Island Trip, Part III

Ian awakens on the morning of September 7th with a smile! See this image larger.

Ian and Daddy watch a nice video on the laptop while we wake up. See this image larger.

Finally time to play outside some more and be a little silly… See this image larger.

I think he might be trying for a fashion model look here. See this image larger.

*Shucks! Time to go home!* See this image larger.

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. See this image larger.

And it also means a sleep-filled ride home, which is good for everybody. See this image larger.

September 2009 Fawn Island Trip, Part II

*Hi, it’s me, Ian. When we last left our adventure, we were picking up the ladies for another boat ride!* See this image larger.

And away we go! See this image larger.

Ian borrowed my hat to protect his face from the sun… See this image larger.

Ahoy, maties, Mommy be takin’ a picture… say “ARRRRRR!” See this image larger.

Cutie off the port bow! See this image larger.

A nice shot of the island from the bridge… just thought I’d share for mood-setting purposes. See this image larger.

Grandma Marcia reads Ian a bedtime story to prepare him for his nap! See this image larger.

So that he has energy to do this! (Ferderer has nothin’ on our boy!) See this image larger.

Although another break might be in order! Here Ian and Mommy play a game on her iPhone. See this image larger.

And that’s it for the day! Part III coming soon!

September 2009 Fawn Island Trip, Part I

The journey started back on the fourth of September. If I remember correctly, we did alright getting out there, time-wise, and somehow we even managed to time it right for dinner. (Thank you Grandma Marcia!) If I recall, nothing much happened he first day/night we were there… so we’ll start the action on the fifth!

Sometimes all you need in life is an Elmo and a plastic wagon. And a blankie. And a chair facing the television. See this image larger.

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!) See this image larger.

Ian approves! See this image larger.

With a center-console, Ian could play peek-a-boo with Grampa Dave while he’s driving! See this image larger.

Plenty of room up front for more picture opportunities! See this image larger.

I liked this one so much I gave it two crops… See this image larger.

This one too, sorry! (Kinda!) See this image larger.

You only get a smile like this out of Ian if Grampa Dave opens up the throttle and Daddy screams “WOOHOO!!!” See this image larger.

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. See this image larger.

Ian turns his attention back to the cottage to wave at Mommy and Grandma Marcia! “Hi!” See this image larger.

We’ll pick them up and go for another boat ride next entry!

A Chip off the ol’ Tooth, Part II

Ian did extremely well at the dentist’s office today. He opened his mouth, and let Dr. Payne (I know, seriously? A pediatric dentist named “Dr. Payne?”) get a good look around. Didn’t bite. Cooperated fully. It was beautiful to watch.

Mostly it looks like everything’s going to be fine, as usual it is that whole “but keep an eye on it” kind of thing.

I have all kinds of photos and stuff to update the blog with shortly, hopefully soon. “Hectic” does not come close to describing things right now, I apologize.

A Chip off the ol’ Tooth

Ian had already been having a pretty lousy day. He hadn’t had much sleep, for one thing… Mommy decided to take him for a ice cream to see if that would help; he apparently misstepped while trying to be a nice boy and throw something out… he tripped, fell on his face, smooshed his lip, and chipped his tooth a little. Ian’s not eating anything tonight, he’s very upset and in a bit of pain… everybody’s nerves are a little frayed around the edges, but we’re hanging in there. At this point we’re pretty much praying that he falls asleep and wakes up tomorrow feeling good enough to be able to eat, he couldn’t really get his lips around a straw without balling. We managed to get a little milk in his tummy by letting him drink like a big boy and putting a little bit of flavor in the milk so that he would sort of get through the pain for the sake of more.

I’ve got a bowl of Cheerios soaking in milk right now in the fridge for the morning.

Crazy Awesome Phone Skills

Just a moment ago I was on the phone with Melissa when in the background I could hear:
“Daddy, I want to talk to you.”

So Melissa hands the phone over, and I proceed to have a fantastic conversation with my kid, over the phone. I can’t possibly convey how much he sounded like talking to somebody maybe three times his age… It went like this.

ian – “Daddy, I went to…”
me – “Hi kiddo!”
ian – “Hi. Hello?”
me – “Hi! Hey, can you tell Mommy something for me?”
ian – “Yes.”
me – “Tell her ‘Happy Anniversary!'”
ian – “Happy Versary!”
me – “Yup, say ‘Happy’ then…”
ian – “Happy Birthday!”
me – “‘Happy Anniversary.'”
ian – “Happy Averserary!”
me – “Awesome, perfect! What was it you wanted to tell me?”
ian – “I play with Isaac!”
me – “Oh, at the farm pickup? Great! Who else was there?”
ian – “Levi…”
me – “Oh Levi? Nice!”
ian – “…he’s a baby.”
me – “Yup, he’s a lil baby. And Isaac can play with Levi whenever he wants to because he’s his little brother.”
ian – “uh huh.”
me – “Isn’t that cool?”
ian – “Yep.”
me – “So did you have a good time?”
ian – “uh huh.” (His “uh huh” sort of dropped here like he was running out of things to talk about…)
(brief silence)
me – “Well that’s great. Hey Daddy should probably get back to work over here…”
ian – “okay.” (His tone changed toward the end here as naturally as a practiced adult, as if to say “I understand that the conversation is wrapping up.”)
me – “Alright kiddo, I love you”
ian – “bye bye!”

Here Comes Fall, I Guess?

A couple days after September 1st now, and yeah I guess fall arrived here in Michigan. Normally I wouldn’t mind an early fall, except that spring just ended August 31st. Also fall is that season that comes before the white-snowy-one-that-shall-not-be-named-until-it-is-upon-us, so as long as it stays late, it is fine to show up early.

Yet another trip to IHOP on the 28th of August, and Melissa pauses to take a picture of The Luckiest Man Alive. (Note the fall-ish shirt.) Nope, not even going to give you the option of looking at that one closer, lol!

And with every trip to IHOP comes the traditional battle royale… I think this picture speaks volumes. Can you determine the victor? See this image larger.

These are from our Monday trip with the Dads, this one on the 31st. Ian brings “flowers” again, what a nice kid! See this image larger.

I didn’t realize it, but his shoes slowly took on water through the dewy grass, until his socks were soaked right through. Didn’t keep him from smiling though, did it? See this image larger.

I officially mandate that Melissa and I need to keep a ball in our cars at all times. Too often, this is the scene that plays out… Ian finds a nice surface to play some kind of ball on, and ends up watching somebody else play. See this image larger.

And now for the good part about fall… my kid is adorable in overalls. Now that’s just my opinion, and I’m a doting parent… however I’m just going to go ahead and show you pictures and you tell me if you draw the same conclusion, ladies and gentlemen of the jury… See this image larger.

Exhibit A, the “change my diaper” pose. See this image larger.

Exhibit B, re-created for Great Grandma Betty who enjoyed a similar shot earlier. Miss you, Grandma! (This one’s worth looking at big!) See this image larger.

Exhibit C. See this image larger.

Exhibit D See this image larger.

These overall shots are from September 1st; and Melissa took Ian out to a nearby park. See ya, kiddo! See this image larger.

A beautiful shot from Melissa’s phone! Well done, Sweetie! See this image larger.

Alright we’d better get goin and let these two play. See you after your nap! See this image larger.

More Random Stuff

About two nights ago, we asked Ian what we should name his little sister when she is born sometime in January… he said “Tewiffic.”

Today Ian told me that I’m the most wonderful father in the world. I’m not kidding. It’s on a Leap Frog DVD, this little frog enters a contest wherein he has to describe his dad as the most wonderful dad in the world… so Ian obviously picked it up from there. Nice anyway though, isn’t it?

Some nights have been more difficult than others for getting Ian to sleep, lately. Tonight at around 10:00pm I looked up to see his light on, which is not a good sign… and under the door I could see 10 little toes wedged under the door from the other side. I ended up having to wiggle my fingers under the door, push his toes out, lift one foot slightly up… all so I could open the door a few inches and slide my whole arm into his room. From there I was able to bend his leg at the knee, and get his other foot out of the way. I then picked him up and put him in bed, and he didn’t wake up through any of this. Crazy kid.

Can’t wait to share some pictures from the last couple of days!!! We’ve got some good ones! Maybe tomorrow at lunch I’ll have time. Big crunchy deadlines for Daddy.

Bad Mood… And a Farewell to Zooey(?)

I’ll start this by saying that a long time ago, we looked at the two pacifiers on Ian’s shelf. These were his final two. One of them got snipped, and given to him, and he was so upset that, at the time, we gave him the other. But we knew right then, that the final zooey was truly going to be the FINAL zooey.

Fast forward to today…

I took him to a park with the Dads’ group (which I’m about ready to stop meeting with… because I don’t get to talk to the dads anyway, and they keep choosing locations that are 30 minutes from my house) and we had a great time. We headed home a little late, he fell asleep in the car (because, did I mention, the Dads’ group keeps choosing locations 30 minutes from my house?) and awoke in the driveway.

I tried to get him to sleep, but was met with a polite knock “Daddy! My not sleepy!” (possibly “sleeping” at the end there, hard to tell.) He gave me a hug and a kiss when I opened the door for him, so things were still going well.

Later he watched a video with me, it was about 4:30 or so… and he asked for a blanket. Then he was out like a light. I took him upstairs when a car muffler woke him up, and gave him his zooey/pacifier. About fifteen minutes later he cried and cried because he thought he had the “bad” zooey. Turns out, the final zooey had finally given in and produced a small crack. So then things really started going poorly. Upset and exhausted, Ian faced the evening with a frown.

I felt for Ian so much today. None of this was his fault, everything sort of conspired against him. His schedule got so screwed up.

He’s currently making moaning noises in his bed, without a good zooey. But it sounds like he’s doing his best to be brave. I give the little man much credit. When you see him next, give him a hug… and don’t mention the “z” word, please.

Good Mood

Ian woke up this morning, Saturday August 29th, in a great mood. He seems to suddenly know more when he’s feeling well, mostly because he’s just flat-out more cooperative. This is why I think kids appear to learn in bursts and leaps… if they don’t feel like talking, you don’t know that they’re progressing in little steps.

He told me he wanted to watch “the science kid” when he woke up, but “Sid, the Science Kid” is not on… instead we watched Super Why! At one point some “super letters” appeared on the screen… They are jumbled up letters that eventually spell a word. There were two letters: a “D” and an “L.” Ian pointed at the screen and said “D”… (Melissa and I shared a look of “is that new? That’s new!!!”) “and…. L.” (Melissa and I explode with praise and cheering.)

Toward the end of the show they sort of break into a happy dance while singing a “hip hip hooray” song. I mimicked the movements and Ian said “GO Daddy! GO Daddy!”

Melissa asked Ian to hand her a corner bumper so she could put it back on a sharp counter edge. Ian said “I get it.” Picked it up, walked toward the counter, looked around “Daddy, whar you go?” When he found me, he said “Here you go!” handed it to me and walked over to the right spot, pointing at it. “It go there.” Apparently I’m the only one with the magic touch to make velcro stick.

Thank you Aunt Melanie for the awesome care package! Ian grabbed the candy right before naptime, and we told him he’d have to wait until after his nap to eat it. He ran upstairs and came back a minute later “Daddy, whar my candy? I jus’ woke up!” (He also said something about it being Grandma candy.)