The life and times of the stairs

We moved into a new (to us) townhouse on Sept 1st. Ardell had been walking, baby steps. The new house has two flights of stairs, both have landing 1/2 way and are carpeted. (lucky mommy)

So we started teaching him to go up the stairs, not so bad. Sometimes, he would turn around and look at one of us and topple down a stair or two. Then we started teaching him to go down the stairs. NOT so much fun. Robert and I would have to kneel on the stair below him and put our hand on his shoulder or head to get him to sit down. We had a few falls. But he doesn't "roll" yet, so they weren't usually all the way down the 1/2 flight, but they were nerve racking enough. (We do use baby gates when not with him on the stair). But finally, after 5 weeks of working on getting him to sit down, turn around and crawl backwards, HE DID IT ON HIS OWN. Unfortuantly it was while Robert and I were tring to get ready on Sunday and going up and down, so the gate was "down". I was in the bathroom when Dad started to panic that Ardell was not upstairs, (it had gotten quiet). Any way by the time he check upstairs and was almost to the main floor, Ardell "popped" his head around the wall that went to the stairs to the front door and basement.

I am very glad to have Ardell able to climb up and down stairs safely, but it is now a game, and when he doesn't want to play he cries at me. I'm not so impressed with this.

Now if we can just get him to navigate around "rolling" swivel chairs and change his own pants.

Not likely soon.

But I do enjoy the adventure, after I get over the panic attacks and can laugh a little

busy, busy, busy

I have returned to school part time. I find that this and a full time job are too much. However, Ardell keeps it all going. I think I can make it until christmas break.

However, we have had our first fever/flu incident. Ardell received shots last winter so that he would not get sick, because his lungs were not total developed when he was born. AKA. No sick baby. So, this year first thing, I get my flu shot, Robert gets the flu and the next week so does Ardell. I wasn't fond of the vomiting, but we have seen that before. The runny nose was had for Ardell to get a good night sleep, but the tempature of 100.7 degrees had mommy in an almost panick. I am very happy it was only for one night and the fever broke today.

It makes me want christmas to come faster, so that I can have more time with my family.

The up side to this week, I got my mid'term grades, 2 - A's.

See what I can do

Look at me, Look at me, I can stand (with help), scoot, get up on my knees and toes (but don't crawl yet) and I cut my first tooth. Dad and Mom only found it after Mama Sproul pointed it out, but found it they did. I went to the doctor for my shot and I am 17 lbs 4 oz now and just 8 month old last friday. I'm almost 27 inches long, too. I talk and jabber with Dad and Mama, and sometimes Mom. Mom and I are the early risers, Dad is still a little grumpy in the morning. However, they are trying to find me my own room, then maybe I will sleep better with out them snorring in my ear all night long ( Mommy says to tell you that Dad snores the worst.)

My favorite place to be is in the Bathtub, but the views from the car are not so bad. (but there will be no published bath pictures to come back and haunt me with).

Jan 29, 2008

Ardell had a big day today. Mama Sproul came down to Moscow for the day to sit, only the snow changed everything. First we took Ardell to the Doctor for his 6 month well baby check up. 25 1/4 inches long, 14 lbs 5 oz and 16" head circumference. This puts him in the 25%, 5-10% and 10% respectively. Which is a long way from 3 lbs 12 oz and 17 1/2 inches long. Then we all went to have lunch with Daddy, and back home for a quiet afternoon of Ardell and Mama, only I was called and told that due to weather issue and road closures the office would be closed this afternoon. So I stayed home. And much to my enjoyment, Ardell rolled all the way over for Mama and Me. Well he rolled twice actually, from back to belly, and then I feed him carrots for the first food since rice cereal, and he ate the whole teaspoon. Daddy was sad to have missed the excitement and spent the evening trying to get a repeat, but Ardell wouldn't preform. These milestones make up for all the work to get here.
Happy Winter Wonderland.

Jan 22, 2008

I am finally getting some of Ardell's info down on paper and realize that I haven't sent most of you anything in months. Well, He is over 13 lbs as of Jan 3, 2008 and is about 25 in long. We have an official well baby check on the 29th of the month. He has not rolled yet, but is very close.

Robert has started, what we hope, is his last semester before graduation and I am working full time at the Hospital still. Robert and I have been working on a quilt series based on a sudoku theory ( I did marry a math major) We have 4 tops done and several more in various stages of the design process. It has been a blast to work with Robert on this. We started the first quilt after Christmas. Robert wants to see how many different sudoku there are based on a specific starting point and "set theory". Or at least that is how I understand it.

We hope that you will visit and let us know how your family is doing.

Love, Robert, MiMi and Ardell