Widsom Teeth and a Bouncy House

Three milkshakes, a dozen avocados, one pureed angel food cake with strawberries, and loads of oatmeal later I have finally healed, well sort of. I got my wisdom teeth out two weeks ago and still can't chew meat or bread, but things are looking up. I got dry socket a few days after getting my wisdom teeth out and it was all downhill from there. Doctor visits every other day consumed my life. I was lucky enough to have my sister Emily come and watch Ian while I was drugged up following the surgery. She was amazing!

Ian and I did get to go to my brother's sweet 16 a few weekends ago. My parent's rented what we called a bouncy house for the party and we had a blast playing in the house. Ian loved it!

Green Thumb

There is no doubt that Ian is a boy. He loves to play in the mud and get dirty. The only time he cries is when I try to clean him off. He lets out this loud pitch scream when I attempt to pick the mud out of his gums and brush off his knees. Ian is really most happy outside playing in the leaves and dirt. Although we have not seen much sun this spring, we have had a few days that allowed us to get the front yard "patio party" ready. Ian loves to help out with the yard work and especially loves to peer through the gate at passersby.

Still Teething...Wild Hair and Grunting

Ian is STILL teething, and there are still NO TEETH. I can feel one coming but it is taking a REALLY long time for it to push through. Unfortunately, Ian does not seem to like the normal teething devices such as frozen bagels/waffles, teething rings, etc. Orajel and tylenol seem to have no effect so I stopped using them. Ian is very frugal and practical like me, he just uses his fingers or my shoulder.



Ian's hair however seems to be growing at a much faster rate than his teeth. He has developed somewhat of a mohawk which fits Ian's new hobbie: grunting.

I am not quite sure how our parents survived six kids. I had the pleasure of watching my sisters two kids a few weeks ago and I barely survived two days. Just kidding Sally! It was actually really fun having Cate and Will around all day, just a little interesting come nap time. Ian absolutely loved having his cousins in town. I think he just sat and stared at them the entire time, thoroughly enjoying having more kids around the house.

Ian is still teething and there is little to no sign of teeth. My sister Sally found a little white mark on his lower gums, but it has yet to produce anything. Therefore, Tim and I are still getting little sleep. Ian is also developing new sleeping habits. He refuses to let me put him in the crib and will only fall asleep for Tim. This is not good, especially when it comes to naps while Tim is away. It seems that Ian just wants to be by my side ALL the time. Last night it got so bad that I just finally broke down and brought Ian into the bed with us (don't hate me Seth). Ian finally fell asleep with his face touching mine and his feet on Tim's back.

Below are pictures of Ian at Easter. We had a wonderful time with Tim's family in Sewickley, Pa. despite the teething and sleepless nights. Ian got a loaded Easter basket with tons of toys and books. His favorite new toy is the beach wagon. He spends hours (ok, maybe just minutes) pushing it back and forth.

I am too tired to even type. Ian is teething.

We took turns over the weekend trying to console him. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.

Aching gums, runny nose, drool, loss of appetite, slow quiet whimper: you name it Ian has it. I am not sure whose idea it was, but Ian finally cracked a smile when we wrapped him in a towel and let him suck on an ice cube.

Cherry Blossoms and Sunshine

Ian, Pippin, and I were flying solo last week while Tim traveled to California to play golf and attend a work retreat. We are still very jealous that he got to see Grandmamma and Grandpappa, the pacific ocean, and the gorgeous cypress trees. The Cherry Blossoms just so happened to bloom while Tim was away which he was very bummed about but I am sure got over quickly. My mom came down to help out for a few days while I attended a FEC conference (incredibly stimulating :) It was wonderful! She cleaned all of my floors and even my microwave (something I have been putting off for awhile)!!!

One evening we hiked all the way from the Capitol to the Tidal Basin to see the Cherry Blossoms. It took us 3 hours and by the end Ian and Pippin had had enough but it was well worth it for me and my mom.

We then headed up to PA to spend some time with family and celebrate Abigail's 24th birthday. The weekend was gorgeous and we spent most of the time outside.

Ian turns 9 months this week. He inches his way around, pulls himself up, and has learned how to sit back down again (only after many bruises on the back of his head though). Still no teeth but he sure does love to chew on everything and anything.

Bump in a Hot Pink Dress

Kristen's baby shower was last weekend. It was perfect! let me set the mood for you...

bright orange and hot pink....two dining room tables end to end....ikea table linens...gorgeous flowers...sit down luncheon...cream of asparagus soup...salmon nicoise salad...pelegrino....sparkling grapefruit juice...champagne...girls, baby, and gifts....oh, and cupcakes that I made!!!!

Ian and his veggies

Ian loves his veggies. Every week we wait anxiously for our box of organic produce to come. The green grocer drops off the box on Thursday mornings. Ian, Pippin, and I approach the box rubbing our hands together.,"I wonder what the green grocer has brought us this week." I like finding new veggies to cook with and for baby food. Pippin likes sniffing the box after the veggies have been transfered to other storage. Ian likes climbing on the box and gnawing on the cabbage. We all have our fixes.

We are back! Playa del Carmen was amazing. The beaches, the water, the town...EVERYTHING was just what we needed. According to my Mom Ian did great without us- although I suspect we will never know the real story.

The day we returned our tenant moved out of our basement. We have decided to make it into a gym, office, and guest quarters so this last week was full of cleaning, painting, and furnishing the basement. It is almost ready for all of you to come and visit! The carpet is going in next weekend and then it will all be ready!

We are so excited to be back with Ian and Pippin, and to have the extra space in our house. We took A LOT of pictures over the last couple of days. It seems like every day Ian does something new. He is now inching his way all around the house. He loves to climb into his activity play center. He loves cords and plugs- go figure! He has started pulling himself up on the stairs, but only made it to stair number one. I walked into his nursery the other night for his nightly feeding and he was standing up in his crib!!! I was stunned. I guess it is time for the baby proofing to begin.