Say Cheese?

Really?  Green Bay or Steelers?

No real Chicago Bears fan can root for the Packers.  They are the oldest rival in NFL history.  

But the Steelers?  They have too many rings already.  And some of THEE most obnoxious fans out there.

So, do we go for the team that will give our Division the win?  Or the team that's Not the Packers?  

I think we'll play it just like we did on Sunday's early game.  Lose interest, enjoy good company, eat good food & take pics of our supa-ultra-adorable baby!

 

This is good. We don't want to the set the boy up with misleading expectations.  Superbowl, the year you were born? Nonsense. Plus we want it to happen when he will have memory of it. 

It wasn't good timing for us anyway. I know now that you understand this better than we did, Chicago.  
Thank you.

Shout Out

SBR is discovering his voice.  He ranges from deep deep 'Monster' voice [think Anna Faris in House Bunny]
to the worst high-pitch-ear-piercing-shrilling scream.  Obviously we prefer monster talk.
How long will this last?  seriously.


On a seperate note, this is our first official Shout Out here at STRA Headquarters.

I try to stay on topic of the baby, it is after all his blog, so how to tie in a Shout Out?  This one was easy.

To Blog World, she is known as Tru Stories.  I more than admire her mothering skills.  Her advice is always welcome and often solicated and today, is her BiRtHDaY!

To Me, besides my Friend, she is many things: 
  -Hilarious
  -Beautiful
  -Smart
  -a Superflyawesome (to quote her) Mom
  -sometimes cynical, which I love
  -has a heart of gold to those she cares about and holds dear
  -has an amazing sense of family
  -a warrior. conquering many battles. More than a lot see
   in an entire lifetime (sorry if that sounds cliche)
  -my favorite blogger* (just by a smidge Page Turner)
  -and so much more.

I'm very proud of where you've come from, where you've gone and where you are going.  I agree, the trek up I-55 was a great life changing decision!

You really are an inspiration, Oprah would've been lucky to have you in her audience today.

Here's to you, Tru Stories! Happy Birthday, we hope you have a fantastic year.

*check out her hilarious blog here.

and if my people know people, hook her up.  I would love to see this play out into a sitcom! 

Childproofing

I've been told this would take a lot time.  

So, I 'got down on his level' and checked it out... WOW!  there was so much fun stuff for SBR to explore, I didn't even know where to begin.  

With the tot on the move now, I had to get going.

20 minutes later,  including 10 for vacuuming, we can put a big fat check next that one off the list.  

Practicality and Lazy have a fine line in my world. 

What?  Don't judge. 

Coming up:  Kids & leashes. 

Friday Night

As we settle back  into our warm home, our windows cracked for fresh air to creep through the house and because it's AZ & January and we can...  We have a few things to catch up on.

SBR can now take his own bottle. 

is there anyone not in love with those chubby hands??

Plus, the poor little boy is teething.  who's idea was THAT?  sharp spikey little bones tearing & fighting their way through tough hard gums on a little defenseless baby?  that's awful!

and lastly, He's going places....

the baby can now army crawl!  he's quite good in just the 4 days he's been practicing.  currently he does the downward-facing-dog (for you yogis) & doesn't quite know where to go from there. 

 [I apologize, I cannot, for the life of me, get the video to upload, hopefully by the time he can for realz crawl we can get video on here again.]

No, I have not cried.  But we did have a talkin' to. 

Growing up Rule #17: only one progression a day.  

He said:  Mooommma, get over it, it's not even the year I was born anymore!!    

Ugh... Mr. Husband & I are about to be in TrOuBle!!

You can take the boy outta IL...

But you certainly cannot take the IL out of the Boy.

In just one week spent in IL, SBR grew & changed so much.  We kept very busy while visiting our fine home-state.  Traveling all over Central IL to meet up with family and friends.  To introduce our pride and joy to those we love so much & hold so dear.

I know some of our paths did not cross, but life is such and we hope to catch you next time!

SBR walked (figuratively) away from IL more talkative, with more attitude, a much bigger heart and I'm a sure a much greater sense of humor.  

As Mr. Husband points out- odd how he visits mainly my half & comes back with a 'tude & talkative.  Odd?  I don't think so. 

And if he can pick up on all that so quickly, I need to plan our next family trip to: God-fearing,anti-drug,manners,respect-ville.  Anyone know where we can find that city?

Auntie Lala- First love

He also got his first crush.  Coincidentally, she was my first Red-head crush... and Mr. Husband's too.  We like to keep it in the family. 

Flights were good, not only was the baby perfect, the whole experience was. 

Some very important people were missed in photos and I am so sad about that.  But here are just a few of my favs, enjoy. 

Grams, Poppy

Grandpa

Unco Jason

Grandma & Grandpa Great

Grammy and Shiloh

Grandma Great

That attitude I was talking about

Grandpa Great, Cousin Christian, Daddy, Grandma Great, Great Aunt Linda

Candy and Grammy 

 

 

Heading home

 

Illinois.  It's in our Roots.  It's in our Blood.  3 days later, the cold is still in our bones. You just can't shake the big I-L. We most certainly have ourselves a Desert baby, no doubt. 

But clearly an Illinoisan at heart.  

Thank you so much for making this one awesome trip!  

Happy New Year. 

I Got a Mall Cut

When I was really little, after my step dad would get his hair cut, my sister and I would ask.... Did you get a hair cut?  
To which he would reply... No, I got a mall cut. 
I never understood this as a child... What the heck does that have to do with anything??

It wasn't until very many years later, I realized he was saying, No, I got 'em all cut!  I mean, I was like 23.


When we planned our trip to IL for this winter and SBR was born like a hippie needing a hair cut, Mr. Husband became super excited. 

One of Papa's oldest & best friends is Mr. Ed.  He's been cutting hair for 30+ years.  He learned how to cut hair on Papa, he gave Mr. Husband his first hair cut, and now... he would give SBR his first  cut. 

Is 6 mos a little young for the first time in the chair? 
I think, maybe.  But to carry on such a great tradition, (and Mr. Husband ecstatic & gushing with pride) we were more than honored  to have Mr. Ed cut SBR's hair. 

So... Here we are.  Same complaints, with no one to blame but ourselves... my little baby is growing up too fast. 

Pre-cut

 

Thank you Mr. Ed, for being a part of yet another memorable milestone!