Living Room

I decorated the living room while the boys were out of town. I didn't take 'before' pictures, but I compiled a series of pictures taken in the living room so you get an idea of what it looked like before.

(EDIT: Van was looking over my shoulder while I was creating this blog post and immediately went to put on his spider man costume. He also now wants to put the blue bouncy house back up in the living room)

Now here it is after. The first one shows the color the best, but I like the pictures below because they show the daytime light through the windows.

The stairs

Pictures of our stair master, courtesy of grandma

 

I love it!

Stuck

Andy and Van were supposed to be home yesterday but due to weather delays they are stuck in Chicago until Tuesday!

Luckily, there is this. I hope to see pictures.

"Field Museum, Chicago

Considered one of the best natural history museums in the world, this Chicago institution served as the home base for the fictional archeologist Indiana Jones. You'll find nine acres of exhibit space, and while you may not have time to see everything, don't miss the Stanley Field Hall where you'll find Sue, the largest and most complete T-Rex skeleton ever found."

Sparkly Dress

I broke out a high school classic for the Christmas party last night.

Mom: "You look great, you look just the same"

Me: "Well sort of, I look like I've had a boob job"

Mom: "Well you have in a way. Quite a job has been done to your boobs."

Me: "Ha, that's true. Even so, I don't think we should continue doing 12 year comparisons."

Mom: "Why not, at this rate the next one might be just as good!"

Me: "I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. Though one of me at 87 would be pretty funny. I'll keep the dress in my closet."

New Table

I ordered a new table.
I'm not saying it was a smart decision, but it was a beautiful one.
I didn't get chairs, and I bought a shorter version (6 ft, the one pictured below is 9 ft). It will arrive in April, so we'll go from there.

Esther 9 months

Esther and I have gotten to play a lot since we've been alone this past week and a half. Here are some new things about her.

•  She may have started off slow, waiting until almost 6 months to roll over, but now she's a crawling wiggling moving machine who loves going up the stairs. 
• She likes to crawl, adventure and explore but right before going out of sight, she always stops, turns around and checks in with me, something Van never did.  
• She has 4 teeth, two on top, two on the bottom.
•  She's a happy baby who squeals and smiles.
•  She waves her arms when she's excited. Arms straight out like sticks, waved up and down, usually while making a noise. 
•  She is a great eater, any meal you can grind up, spaghetti, fried rice, soup, chicken burrito, she will happily eat.
•  She really studies things, turning new things over in her hands carefully. 
•  She really looks at people, she's stares intently at me, I always wonder what she's thinking.
•  When I talk to her, she turns and looks at me and smiles and laughs with happiness.
•  She loves it when you sing songs to her.
•  Her cheeks are so smoochable.
•  Despite mom and my best warnings, she'll still engage grandpa in a game of smash-heads.
•  She sleeps great at night. She always sleeps in and takes great naps.
•  She'll 'talk' to me while nursing by blowing puffs of air out her nose. She'll do it once and wait to see what I do. Then if I make a noise back she'll do it again. 

The start of her 'walk crawl'. Sometimes her knees are on the ground but sometimes she likes her flat foot on the ground. Sometimes he has one leg do each motion for a half walk half crawl.

All 4 teeth!

Thanksgiving surprise

Finally I don't have to keep a secret anymore!

Andy flew to PA with Van to surprise his family for Thanksgiving. Hopefully I'll have some pictures from them soon, but for now, here is Esther on Thanksgiving in her fancy sweater. 

Mom, Esther and I ate leftovers all day.  :)