Out and About

Yep, school has begun, and it's going well. I like the students in my classes, especially the students in my internship class because they're so willing to talk about my favorite topic in the world - Southern Adolescent Literature! Yay them.

Michael and JD and I have transitioned fairly smoothly into school mode. I think I will have the hardest time, trying to move into and out of baby space/work space so quickly and so often. The week flew by, and this weekend we stayed busy with the Farmer's Market (almost over!), the Sweet Corn Festival, and visiting with friends.

Our Saturday morning routine this summer: walk around the Bloomington Farmer's Market, get a cinnamon bun from Medici Bakery, and get iced coffee/chai at the Coffeehound. Michael and I are hanging out at the Coffeehound in this picture.

Now we're at the Sweet Corn Festival in Uptown Normal. It was soooo hot, but we did ride our bikes there and got valet bike parking. No kidding.

Here's Michael cuddling up to his new bunny blanket from Grandma Vickie.

It's tomato-picking time! Our garden has dramatically shrunk from when we moved in, but it still produces delicious tomatoes.

Family Fun

What a great and crazy weekend we had, just the way to start the school year. We started it off on Friday afternoon by attempting to watch our neighbor's high school golfing match. But when it got rained out, we went and got a big bar'b'cue dinner instead. Saturday morning we went to a neighborhood garage sale and got to browse all kinds of exciting goods! We then visited the Farmer's Market for our weekly cinnamon bun and iced chai (or coffee for JD). Saturday afternoon, we attended the annual English Department kickoff party, where Michael met lots of people and was consequently very fussy. That evening, JD got Michael's car seat locked into our bike trailer, and we were off on biking adventures! Those adventures continued Sunday morning through campus, through Normal, and to a local park where JD practiced with his boomerag, and Michael and I relaxed on a blanket. While our neighbors watched Michael later that day, JD and I went on a dessert date to Steak 'n Shake. But our car broke down on the way home, so we are now deep in car repairs. Oh, the excitement around here.

Last Week of Summer

Goodbye, summer! We'll miss you! Our new family made a little life for itself this summer that's about to change drastically. What? No more 8-hour HGTV marathons?!

We're already looking forward to September, not only for cooler weather, but for our Labor Day trip to Michigan and our late-September vacation on Hilton Head. Baby Michael's getting out to see the world! Updates for Michael: he's now happy to sit by himself. Now, this may not sound exciting, but after almost 12 weeks of having to hold him constantly, the freedom this new development allows me is intoxicating! He can entertain himself, which he does by watching his mobiles, kicking his legs, and eating his hands. Ahhh, the simple life.

Poor Gizmo, meanwhile, has moved outside. She now spends most of her time under the back deck, although I know she's had a couple of adventures because of the burrs I've found in her fur and the directions from which she appears when we call her. This fall, she'll be moving down to the Ponds' home in Atlanta so that she doesn't have to brave the winter up here. I know she'll be so much happier then being ignored by us all the time.

Hot August Days

I can't believe that the summer is almost over. I have 2 more weeks until school begins, and although these 3 months flew by, it also seems like I've lived a lifetime during them. I honestly don't even remember who my students were last semester. Baby Michael has opened a brand new world for me, and nothing looks the same. But I am excited about school. I only have to report to campus on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, so I'll get to stay home with Michael the rest of the week. Of course, I will have to find some time to do work so that I can graduate one day... JD plans to help with Michael one day a week, and our friend Danielle has agreed to become our new nanny! I just love that JD's going to get the opportunity to get to know our son so much better through that quality time and that Michael will have a family friend to take care of him the other hours I'm unavailable.

This past weekend, the Ponds came up to visit us (or to visit Michael? :)), and we had a lot of fun as usual. We always look forward to some great meals, lots of relaxation, and enjoyment of the town when they come to stay. Now that they've left, we're already anticipating our next visit on Labor Day.

Michael has had some advancements this week, sleeping 8 1/2 hours for a few nights in a row, clasping his hands, and following his mobile with his eyes - little things that really only his parents and grandparents can get excited about! I included a riveting video of him watching his mobile. Try to stay calm.

What A Week

I survived!! As many of you know, I was sooooooooooo dreading this week, which promised 4 days and 3 nights without John David who had to travel to Minneapolis, MN for a Whirlpool meeting. My survival is thanks to...

Beth P. for going swimming, for hanging out at the house so that I could do some housework, for movie day, for watching Michael while I showered, for office moving work, for lunch in Uptown Normal.

Danielle for going swimming, for cake decorating, for movie day.

Melissa L. and Baby Miles for two mornings of walks on the Constitution Trail and in Uptown Normal, for drinks at Coffeehound, for watching Michael while I showered, for regular calls to make sure that I was doing well.

Beth Z. for having a birthday and demanding delicious orange cake.

Melissa S. for movie day, cheery spring flowers.

Gen for movie day (and movie candy), for a relaxing neck wrap, and for watching Michael even once JD got back in town.

Emily and Steve for holding Michael during Bible study to give me a break, for a delicious homemade dinner.

Troy, Lori, and Sydney for various babysitting , for going on walks with me, for cooking me steaks!

As you can see, it was actually a really busy week because our friends up here took such good care of Michael and I in John David's absence. JD, meanwhile, enjoyed great weather in Minnesota, and after getting through the business of work, he played grass bowling, bicycled, and canoed with his coworkers. I'm so glad he's home!

Check out the blog title picture. That was taken in the same spot, in the same position, in the same shirt, a month and a half ago. Michael is now so much bigger!