Life at the Ponds'

Ahhh, life. Things have settled down a bit for fall, at least until the holidays get here. We've had a strangely warm, dry October; I'm wearing short-sleeves today! The family is doing really well as Michael has started trying some vegetables, and JD is still recording everything within reach on our DVR and then forgetting what he recorded! I'm working on my second comprehensive exam, which I hope to finish before Thanksgiving, and Gizmo is frolicking in the yard, even inviting herself into neighbors' homes! Life is good.

ISU Homecoming

Go Redbirds! This weekend was ISU's homecoming, and our friends and alumni Melissa and Ben convinced us to attend the homecoming parade. It was so much fun! It was more than just a school parade; the whole town got involved too. Michael got in the spirit with a redbird tatoo.

We also biked down to the game later that day and checked out the festivities, but we didn't go to the game. And, I got lucky and never saw even one of my students in a compromising position!

But that's not the only fun we had this weekend. I also got to go to Champaign with some friends for dinner and shopping at the Gap. Michael got some cute clothes out of the trip. We took lots of walks this weekend because fall in the Midwest is the most beautiful weather I've ever experienced.

As for the rest of the week, Michael had his 4-month checkup (even those he's almost 5 months!). He's 14.5 lbs. and almost 25 inches long. A long, skinny baby, even though he feels like he weighs 100 lbs to me! But he's healthy and happy and has started eating rice cereal this week. We've noticed a slight improvement in fussy times and sleeping since then. He doesn't quite get the spoon yet, but we're working on it!

For my Atlanta folk, I bought my Thanksgiving and Christmas plane tickets. Michael and I will be coming to Atlanta on November 21, with JD joining us on the 24, and December 18, with JD joining us on the 22 or 23. Let's make some plans!

Fall Fun

Ahhh, it sure is nice to stay in state for a weekend! And what a beautiful weekend it was. We had a bit of an Indian summer (what does that mean, anyway?) with highs in the 80's. It was beautiful, warm, and sunny - what better weather to go pumpkin shopping?! We met up with our friends Melissa, Ben, and Baby Miles (who is 4 weeks younger than Michael) for some fall fun.

Look how tall our baby is! Two feet and counting...

Michael was more interested in his feet than in the pumpkins.

He couldn't figure out why we were all excited about these vegetables!

He tried to rope a steer and didn't do too badly.

Next year will be a whole new experience! As for the rest of the weekend, we saw The Social Network, thanks to Emily babysitting for us. We both highly recommend the movie. Today we went to church, had icecream with Beth, and actually got some yard-work accomplished. Meanwhile, I've been finishing the grading of 60 student papers, and JD is trying to fight some bad allergies. Still, we'll take this great weather for as long as it lasts!

4 Months

Happy birthday to Michael who has now reached 4 months (or 4 months and a week, actually)! It was crazy how he hit several big milestones all at once in the past 2 weeks. He has stopped sleeping in his swing (I never thought it would happen), he has begun grasping objects, and he rolled over! I never thought I would make it to 3 months, so everything else is icing on the cake. We had some fun last weekend on a fall picnic; it is getting cold up here, so we had a big bonfire complete with s'mores.

But this weekend we mourned the loss of JD's paternal grandmother. We drove down to Birmingham, Alamaba Thursday afternoon to be present at her funeral on Friday morning. Michael was very accommodating to the long trip and its somber purpose. We just wish he could have met his great-grandmother who would have loved him dearly.