Arnold - 4 Months

Hard to believe it has been 4 months! Arnold is growing quickly. He is such a sweet little guy. He has found his voice and enjoys using it. Lots of squeals and cooing. He likes to talk back to you. Many, many smiles with two sweet dimples. Found his feet and loves them - even managed to get one in his mouth yesterday.

Loves his daddy. Brad was in the den working on the TV this weekend and Arnold was on his play mat. Every time Brad would go out of Arnold's view, he would fuss. When Brad came back in his view, he would smile and talk to him.

No more rolling from back to front lately, but Arnold will tolerate being on his tummy and even pushes up some on his hands and elbows. He will roll from tummy to back.

Any time Arnold does something new, Emma Claire likes to run over to him, get in his face, and praise him profusely "we're so proud of you, Arnold", "that's so good, Arnold", "good job, buddy", "Brad, look at Arnold"!

Still sleeping in our room and not through the night. Thinking we will make the move to his crib as a New Year's Resolution, although the transition will be harder on me than him - he continues to grow and time moves forward all too quickly.

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Happy Turkey Day 2010

We had Thanksgiving Day this year at Elissa and Adrian's, since we did it at our place last year.

The tradition has become that everyone bring a "traditional" dish or two. I made mom's cheese grits (that never turn out as good as when she makes them), mom's broccoli casserole (same as the grits - just doesn't taste the same), green bean casserole and turkey. This was my first attempt at a turkey. I found a Southern Living recipe that I could follow, studied it for a few days, to make sure I wasn't missing anything and dove in on Thursday morning. All said and done - it turned out really well, much to my relief!

We went over to Elissa's early afternoon (after the big parade was over, of course) to help cook and for the kids to play. Emma Claire and Quinn are peas in a pod. They started playing before lunch at our house and moved the party over to Quinn's. They spent most of the day in dress up mode and didn't stop until it was time to leave after dinner.

Rick, Diane and Marjorie (with candied sweet potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pies in tow) joined us. We had a very happy Thanksgiving.

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Grandparents Day - Teensy Tots

Grandma Marjorie and "GranDee" joined us for Grandparents' Day at Arnold's Teensy Tots class at Calvary (Brad and Rick were both in New Orleans/Baton Rouge for Ole Miss/LSU). They were with us for this event for Emma Claire, too, a couple of years ago. How lucky Arnold and Emma Claire are to know Marjorie.

The topic was "Holiday Traditions". We talked about what traditions we had growing up and about how traditions are important. We also made a "memory box" for Arnold.

As a family, we are still establishing traditions of our own. One, thus far, has been making the annual drive South for Christmas. We celebrate Thanksgiving with the Kadues'. My happiest traditions growing up were: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, picking out the tree the day after Thanksgiving and decorating it the following Sunday, opening a "few" presents on Christmas Eve, moving the kitchen table to make room for Santa presents (3 chairs on my side and 3 on Greta's). It will be fun to see what develops for our family over the years.

The Bickersons: Concert tonight

The Bickersons: Concert tonight

This was my favorite choir piece... beautiful.

The Bickersons: Throw yourself into the spirit of Thanksgiving

The Bickersons: Throw yourself into the spirit of Thanksgiving

Very pregnant Amber and I (due on 12/22 with baby boy!) went to the concert. It was outstanding. I have to say, I am definitely a fan of Jeralyn Steele. Her voice sends chills all over. My personal favorite was her rendition of "This Little Light of Mine".

It was fun to see Whitney perform. When I pointed her out to Amber, she said that she was in her "top 3 guesses". Said she was looking at faces that could be runners :-).

A side note - Amber called me after we parted ways to our cars and said that there was this car that nearly hit her as she was leaving the parking ramp - she got a look at who it was. Garrison Keillor himself. Wouldn't that have been something.

Welcome Winter

It has been a few weeks now since we got our first big snow, but I have to post some pictures. Emma Claire was super excited. When she woke up to the snow, she told Brad she was "all done sleeping now" and that she wanted to "go ice skating in the snow". She was too excited to eat breakfast. We put on the snow gear over the PJs and out she and Brad went! Our first snowman of the year was born before 8am. I am quite sure we had the first snowman in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, he toppled over after a few hours (before I could get a picture of him). He sported a Master's baseball cap, a celery nose and grape eyes.

To see winter through a child's eyes... I was again reminded that my children are growing up Minnesotans. Winter and snow will be a way of life for them and are sure to produce lots of fun memories.

Snow Photos...

My Friend Bean

"Bean" came into the picture yesterday. She is Emma Claire and Tuna's friend/sister. Our dilemma this morning was how we were going to get the barrette to stay in Tuna's hair. (she is going to sunday school with us).

Arnold is Doing More Now

Emma Claire: "Arnold can doos more now!"

My Friend Tuna

I have waited for the day that Emma Claire has an imaginary friend. Well, I have been introduced to her in the past couple of days. Her imaginary friend is her "sister". Her name is "Tuna". They have been playing together all morning. They went on a boat ride earlier. "You should come along, Mama", says Emma Claire.

More to come on this, topic, no doubt.

Backwards Day

Emma Claire and Arnold had a Daddy weekend while I worked. Brad was a super dad. Took them to Grandma Marjorie's for breakfast Saturday morning, Emma Claire to a birthday party Saturday afternoon and a brunch for Gigi Grodnick on Sunday morning.
For the brunch, I laid out the clothes and Brad dressed them in their cute matching sailor suits. What is wrong with this picture (mind you, this is how they looked when I got home - still pretty darn cute, if I say so myself).

Arnold's First Week at Calvary

Hard to believe, but this was Arnold's first week at Calvary. It was great. Everyone there loves him and I leave knowing he is in good, caring hands. Emma Claire is excited to have Arnold go to school with her.

His teachers are Kathy (who was also Emma Claire's infant teacher) and Nicole. Paige (high school helper) and Grandma June (Tuesdays) are there in the afternoons. We are blessed with a wonderful daycare situation.

We drop Arnold off in his room (the "Friendly Froggies" room) first and Emma Claire puts the bottles in the fridge and helps me get him situated.

Arnold has been going to sleep early and sleeping well this week. Worn out from the new routine. He is even sleeping in his crib at school. He is trying out some

new toys and making new friends. He is changing and growing so quickly.

More Friendly Froggie photos.

Jesus Lives at School

Emma Claire discovered a little silver cross necklace in her room last night. It had not been worn yet, so we took it out of the package and she has hardly taken it off since. We talked about how the cross stands for Jesus and she seemed to get it.
Today, on the way to school (she was insisted on wearing the necklace this morning) she says "Mommy, I will show Jesus my necklace when I get to school".

Roley Poley!

Arnold rolled over this morning! I was in the kitchen before work and heard him fussing on his playmat in the den. I thought he needed a diaper change and went to check in him. Sure enough he was on his belly - and not happy about it! I couldn't get him to repeat it before I left for work, but hope to catch him in the act soon.

Back to Work (the kind that I get paid for)

Maternity leave came to an end and I just finished my first week back to work. Have to say it went better than I expected. I am genuinely happy to be back. I work this weekend and just returned home to a silent - and I mean silent house. Brad took Emma Claire (and Arnold) to a birthday party for Emma Claire's friend, Ava, and the dogs are over at Peggy's. This is the first time that I have been ALONE in this house since Arnold was born. Ahhhh... what to do for my next half hour or so of peace and quiet.

Halloween

Emma Claire, despite being terrified of EVERYTHING Halloween, really got into the spirit this year. Her ability to cope with the fear improved over the weekend. Friday afternoon, she trick-or-treated at school. They go over to the seniors co-op next door to the church and visit the "grandmas and grandpas".

Friday night, we went to a Halloween party at GVCC with the Grodnicks'. As soon as we walked through the door, Emma Claire saw a guy in a warewolf mask and - no joke - dove off her skateboard (the stand up platform behind Arnold's stroller), hit the floor face down and started screaming. A grand entrance by the Kadues'. As the night went on, she clung to either Brad or myself for dear life. She spent most of the night with a hand over one eye, fingers spread just slightly to see what was going on.

Saturday, I took Arnold and Emma Claire to this huge Halloween parade in Anoka. We were invited by Ms. Becky, the director at Calvary. She lives on the parade route. Emma Claire's teachers and a few of her friends were there. She sat in Margaret's lap most of the time and they came up with the "strategy" that every time Emma Claire saw something scary, she would turn her head. This seemed to work and she applied this the rest of the weekend.

Emma Claire, again this year, went trick-or-treating with Addie. The daddies took the girls in the red wagon. Sounds like they had fun. Addie was a butterfly and Emma Claire, a purple Tinkerbell (purple, because we already had the leotard, compliments Rowie and Opa). Arnold, a pumpkin, and I stayed home and handed out candy.

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We Voted.

The family walked to Meadowbrook after supper last night to vote. Emma Claire was super excited to go to the "polls". Even ate all her broccoli in order to be able to go. On the walk over, Brad asked Emma Claire who she would vote for...

Brad: Who are you voting for, Emma Claire?

Emma Claire: Addie

Brad: What is Addie running for?

Emma Claire: House.

After we voted, we asked Emma Claire who she voted for. Again, she replied "Addie".

We were at Meadowbrook again today for ECFE and Emma Claire said "that's the polls". That's right, Emma Claire. And who did you vote for? "Addie".

At least she stands by her candidate.