New Favorite Author

Daniel and I have been going to a Baby and Me class at the local library for the past several months. It's been a good way to get him around other babies his age, and we do fun things like read stories and sing songs. (Anyone who has seen him lately know of his love for "Itsy Bitsy Spider!")

After one of the first classes, we explored the children's section of the library. We discovered our new favorite book, Yummy Yucky. It's one of several books by Leslie Patricelli (and we've loved every one so far!). The pictures are so cute and the text is great for both kiddos and parents.

The overall theme of the series is opposites, as well as teaching behavior. Daniel loves them so much, I think we will soon be investing in our own copies.

Picture of the Week: Week 50

We spent this week in Arizona with Gramma Chi and Gramma Ann. More pictures to follow!

AZ Trip: Day 1

(Note: I'm actually writing this post on November 30)

Today was an exciting day. We took Daniel on his first flight. Our destination is sunny Arizona and Gramma Chi's house. We left from the Akron-Canton airport, flew to Detroit, and after a short layover, flew on to Phoenix. Gramma Ann's early Christmas gift to us was a private shuttle from the airport to Mom's door in Wickenburg.

We had been a little nervous about flying with a child, especially transporting my frozen breastmilk. It turned out to not be a problem. We did end up checking a bag, so I put my milk in there and alerted the bag checker. (Fortunately, the bag arrived with us!). We also brought 2 bottles of milk with Daniel's diaper bag. They checked both the milk and Benedryl (which we were also able to bring in over the regular 3 oz limit) by waving a little stick over the open containers. Glad to know my milk doesn't give off any toxic fumes. We were also happy that Delta allowed us to gate check Daniel's umbrella stroller and car seat for free.

First trip in the airport shuttle

These beads made by Zach Kennedy several years ago provided the best toy for the trip.

Getting ready to board.

Daniel did really well on both flights. The first was just 26 minutes in air. It was at his normal dinner time, so we fed him veggies, cheese and crackers during the flight. We also gave him a bottle to help his ears popped, and learned a valuable lesson: Don't give him the bottle until after we take off. He drinks too fast! Fortunately, we had two bottles, one of milk (which he guzzle) and one of water, which served the intended purpose of popping his ears. After the flight, we got several compliments from the flight crew and other passengers about how good he was. (Insert beaming parent face here!). And he got a little certificate signed by the pilot and crew.

Daddy and Daniel check out the window view.

I don't know who enjoyed himself more...

We had dinner at Max & Erma's for dinner. Daniel was all about the menu.

We changed Daniel into his PJ's before the second flight. We also walked him around the gate before we boarded as we talked about tuckering him out before the flight. No one wants to sit by a crabby baby on a 4 hour flight! Daniel worked his charm on the other passengers, of course.

Just before we took off, we gave Daniel a little Benedryl. The flight was at 8, his normal bedtime. The Benedryl worked like a charm, and Daniel slept the whole flight in Daddy's lap. Good boy!

We had no problems getting our luggage, and fortunately, we had just enough arms and hands to lug a car seat, stroller, baby, duffel bag, diaper bag and extra bag for Daniel. Our ride arrived within minutes of our call and we were off to Wickenburg. Daniel was pretty gracious about being woken up, and quickly settled into his new car seat. (We bought a cheaper seat for travel. It went in Niels' car when we got back home).

We made it!

Gramma Chi was waiting up for us when we arrived around midnight--2 am to us Easterners. Daniel charmed Gramma for a little while before falling asleep in the pack 'n' play she had waiting for him. (Thanks, Mom, for letting us have your room!) As soon as Daniel was asleep, the rest of us quickly followed.

Picture of the Week: Week 49

another beautiful day in Ohio...

bonus pictures...

Mommy's new haircut

Inspired by Daniel, I got my hair cut this week, too.

Daniel's first haircut

We thought we were going to be able to make it a full year before getting Daniel's hair cut, but since we want him to look his best for his upcoming visits to Gramma Chi and all the Dutchies, we caved. I found a place a few weeks ago that caters to little kids, and since we didn't want Daniel's first experience with the barber to be a traumatic one, we decided to splurge.

The place is set up with little animals for kids to sit on, and there's a video playing on a nice screen. There's also a nice play area with toys in the waiting area. Daniel was quite interested in checking everything out. He doesn't have quite the control to sit on the special chairs yet, so he sat on Daddy's lap. The stylist was very quick. She wet his hair done and trimmed his bangs, the hair that was starting to cover his ears, and the longer hair in the back. Honestly, you really can't see much of a difference from the front, it's just a little neater. Daniel did so well, only squirmed a little bit, but no fussing or crying.

checking out the big boy seats

putting on the drape

the first cuts

the stylist was really fast!

Extra hugs from Daddy

checking out the joint...this isn't so bad

then again...

all done!

Daniel got this fun certificate for his baby book:

and then we went to Red Robin to celebrate!

Beautiful Blue Day

Today when Daniel and I were taking our walk, I noticed the absolutely beautiful blue sky. I tried to take some pictures, but my favorite model was more interested that napping than posing. And apparently, the word zipper isn't as hilarious as it once was. I need to learn some new tricks. Anyway, here are a few that I like:

A Bench in Time

We've had some beautiful weather here in Ohio these last few weeks. I don't remember a lot of sixty (even seventy!) degree days in Minnesota growing up. Daniel and I have been taking advantage by going for walks in Boettler Park. There's a nice one-mile walking path that we like to enjoy. There's lots of trees, a marsh, and occasional wildlife. Yesterday, we veered off the regular trail to go around a pond where I took some pictures of Daniel in May. Kinda fun to see the difference six months makes...

Picture of the Week: Week 48

Niels took this adorable picture of Daniel. He's sporting a sweatshirt from Auntie Liz's alma mater, Bethel University. Unfortunately, this will be the first and only time Daniel gets to wear it because it's already getting too small. Guess we'll have to save it for when Auntie Liz has a baby!

Niels says Dutch Dad needs a picture with a closeup of Daniel's face for his big project. So here are two bonus pictures...

+/- 25 Things About Being 11 Months Old

by Daniel, with help from Mommy

1. I'm still a chunker. I'm now just under 25 pounds!
2. I am about 31" long.
3. I'm wearing 12 month and even some 18 month onesies and shirts!
4. I'm wearing 12 month pants.
5. I'm wear size 4 diapers.
6. Mommy was having a hard time getting shoes on my feet. She was sure I was a size 4. We went to Stride Rite to get my feet measured--I'm a size 5 1/2 extra wide!
7. Mommy found a pair of Robeez for me on Craigslist for a lot less than they cost new. Good thing. Shoes for big-footed boys like me are expensive!
8. I've been sleeping all through the night most nights. Although I don't sleep as well when new teeth are coming through...ouch!
9. I know have six teeth, with number seven just about to just through. I have 3 on the bottom and 3 on the top.
10. I took my first few steps this month! One night, I decided to walk between mommy and daddy a few times. We even called Gramma Chi on Skpe and she saw me walk too.
11. The next day, I was over it. I much prefer to walk while holding someone's hand.
12. The jumperoo has been retired. My favorite activity is cruising around the living room.
13. My current favorite toy is the Alphabet Pal. I especially like the yellow cord.
14. I also love my books. My favorites are: I Love You Through and Through and My First Truck Book. I've pretty much destroyed I Love You Through and Through.
15. Mommy has a new favorite children's book author, Leslie Patricelli. We have checked out some of her books from the library. Mommy's favorite book is Yummy, Yucky. Mommy says we need to get a copy for ourselves because I think the book is yummy!
16. On Wednesdays, Mommy takes me to the library for baby time. We listened to stories, sing songs and then play with balls.
17. Last week, it SNOWED during my class. I found the falling snow to be more interesting than the stories so I crawled over to the window and stared outside.
18. Mommy has also been taking me on lots of walks at a local park. We usually take the one mile loop. She can't believe it's still 60 degrees out in November!
19. One of my favorite things to do is to shake my head back and forth. Mommy thinks I do it because I can make myself dizzy. She also thinks I'm showing off because she can't do it without getting sick!
20. I like to eat with my left hand and play with my right.
21. My favorite foods continue to be cheese and yogurt.
22. Mommy hung up the pump this month. She did a good job and made lots of yummy milk for me. My little chest freezer is overflowing and I have lots of milk...enough to last me past my first birthday. Thanks, Mommy!
23. I'm down to 4 bottles a day. Four ounces each in the first three, and six ounces in my bedtime bottle.
24. I've started to have a little whole milk with no problems. That will make things a lot easier when we travel next month (to Arizona to see Gramma Chi and the Netherlands to see my Dutch family!)
25. I've tried lots of new foods this month: cabbage, kiwi, water chestnut, beef stew, green beans, beets. I like it all!
26. As a special treat, Daddy shared a stroopwafel with me. YUM!
27. The stroopwafel came from Auntie Jen VV, who came to visit us this month, alone with her kids, Aleena and Sienna, and Auntie Rachael, and her kids, Bethany and Hannah.
28. I kinda have a crush on Hannah. We made eyes at each other all day and held hands.
29. We went from a walk in the woods by our house. The leaves were so pretty. I love fall!
30. Grampa Elmer and Carole also visited this month. Grampa Elmer helped Daddy landscape the yard and plant tulips!
31. We traveled to Virginia this month to see my namesake, Dan Kennedy and his family. We had a lot of fun and my cousins gave me lots of love.
32. There was a harvest party, so I got to wear my bumblebee outfit again. But it was naptime, so I didn't stay long.
33. I also wore my bumblebee outfits at our church's harvest party and at the annual Haeufgloeckner party.
34. I'm a cute bumblebee!

New Blog Header picture and goodbye to friends

Jason and Andria with Daniel

Last night we had dinner with the Statens at IHOP in North Canton. They are moving to California. In the middle of a pregnancy... I'm amazed how well they are doing with all of that. The stress of selling a house, finding a new apartment over the internet, new doctors... wow.

We had a great time and Daniel loved some of the extra attention he was getting (or maybe it was the buttermilk pancake he devoured). Anyway, since we were all in a good mood and we had some friends at hand, Andria was kind enough to take a picture of us that we in turn used as an updated blog picture.

Jason, Andria, Jason Jr.: Godspeed in California and thanks for the Ohio memories! Ultimate will not be the same... ;-)

Picture of the Week: Week 47

In honor of this week's historic game where Brett Farve - this time with the visiting Vikes - entered onto the pitch at Lambeau Field and threw 4 TDs, no INTs all leading to a 38-26 victory over the Pack. Therefore, here it is, this week's Picture of the Week ...

- plus a bonus picture -

Clothing courtesy of the Rossings... Go Vikes !

And thanks to Verizon Wireless, our awesome new Blackberry's and ESPN mobile 's Play-by-Play we were able to follow almost all the game - in all but the remotest parts of the West Virginia Turnpike - on our way home from visiting the Kennedy's in Richmond, VA. The wonders of technology !!