Grutz says, "Rain? Yeah, a little." or "Wet fun is like regular fun, but it's just wet. And kinda cold, too."

Demanding son.

Nolan insisted I take his picture this morning.  Ok, he didn't insist he asked.  He even said and signed 'please'.

Happy, happy, happy boy.

West of the Mississippi.  Barely.

We traveled back to Iowa over the weekend.  A graduation party for my cousin Jamie on Friday in Solon.  There was NO rain on that day.

On Saturday it rained.  On Sunday it rained.  We got to go to one of our favorite bookstores, River Lights 2nd Ed., and managed to NOT break the bank.  We also had a party for Mom and Jere at Eagle Point Park in Dubuque (Eagle Point Park is one of my favorite places in the whole world).  It was wonderful.  And, did I mention, a little on the wet side?  Many, many friends and family were in attendance and a good time was had by all AND we had the place cleaned up by 10 pm!  Thanks to everyone who helped!  And for everyone we missed (Jon, 'Stube, and super thanks Paula!) we'll see you when we see you......

Oh, and the best part was the sculpture my Uncle Tim made for Mom and Jere.  It's stunning, and of course, I don't have any pics of it.  Will post when I get some.

"The Mississippi IS mighty, Dad!" 

"Whad'ya mean 'Mom has reservations about living in Iowa'?  What is she thinking?  Look at this place!"*

Cousins Nolan, Avanlee, and Waylon.

*This is NOT a factual statement and has been included because I, Nick, think it's funny and I'm always promoting/plugging Iowa and Dubuque.  No, as of now, we are NOT moving to Iowa or anywhere for that matter.  And Carleen DOES NOT have any issues with Iowa.  Just living there, kinda, sorta, maybe.

So whenever I've been absent from this blog for a while (and this one is the longest absentia ever), (no apologies), suffice it to say things are hectic.  And while life feels crazy now, it would probably be smart to describe this time as the calm before the storm.

Yes, you are looking at a weirdo 3-D video of our baby smiling.  Coming in early August.  Or, mid August, if it's a 2 week late baby like Nolan.  I had a ton to say when I started this post, and now this seems like enough.  I think it's bed time, growing a baby is hard work. 

Grutz says, "DESTINATION:IOWA!" or "Nolan likes bins and good books."

Homeward bound!

We'll be traveling to Iowa tomorrow for a visit.  Nolan and I are very, very excited.  Nolan's been reading up on Iowa lately, because, well, what 15 month old doesn't like reading about Iowa?!

"Dad, I had no idea.......Iowa......it's, it's....wonderful, words fail me.  But I can say, without hesitation, that I am stoked!"

Toys?  We don't need no stinkin' toys.  We have bins.

Grutz says, "Why yes, Nolan's always up early for the vernal equinox, because he's got the SPIRIT!" or "Yes, you have to wear Iowa Hawkeye gear. Why? Because I said so. Go Hawkeyes."

Saint............Nolan?
I'm not saying my boy's sacred or holy.  But a halo is a halo.  And preforming miracles.

"So let me get this straight, Dad.  You want me to turn water into to beer?  I can't see any harm in that...Ummm wait, what would Mom say?  Oh, 'our little secret', riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight (wink)."

"SHAZAM!!!!!!!!!" (Poof/flash/smoke) "OK, Dad, there's the beer, what's next?  Make you a world-class guitar player AND put us on a 50 acre farm/retreat on the banks of Mississippi?  On the Iowa side, of course.  Hmmmmmm, gonna have to stretch for this one....."

"Seeeeeeeeeeeeee?  My teeth are clean.  Can I get down now?  Yes, Dad.  I know, I know.  You don't have any cavities and blah blah blah blah blah blah. I mean, bless you, Dad." 

Grutz says, "What's better than St. Patrick's Day on the 17th? Carleen's birthday on the 14th!!!!" or "Life is good."

Mornings are good.

Nolan loves his homemade berry waffles.

"It's quite simple, Father.  By using this device called a 'fork', one can eat without dirtying one's fingers.  Even you can do it."

Visits are good.

Carleen's Aunt Mary Jo visited this weekend and it was a blast.

Fun times with Mary Jo!!!

Project with Dad are, well, enjoyable.

I try to get some projects accomplished.  Completion is often elusive.  But hey, it's the trip, not the destination, right?

"Wow Dad!  These shavings are awesome!  But you know what's NOT awesome?  Turtlenecks.  Veeeeery fattering, I mean, flattering.  Ahem."

Lastly, tomorrow is my wonderful wife's birthday.

Let Carleen know how special she is on her 33rd birthday.  Yep, life is pretty good.  When the worst part of my day is putting up with Public Radio* fundraisers, my life is pretty damn good.

* We've given, have you?  Iowa Public Radio and Chicago Public Radio.

February little moments

My renegade post, long overdue.  No promises on length or content or anything, just know that I've been missing writing, am still alive and well, and have been capital B busy.

It's a renegade post because I am squeezing this mini blog into my grading papers at a coffee shop time, and have been thinking about it for a few days now.

Because we haven't made any baby keepsake journals or scrap books or really anything aside from me putting a few of my favorite baby outfits into a box, this blog serves sort of as a chronicle for Nolan.  I imagine printing it one day into book form for our children, and giving it to them like we would a scrapbook.  Maybe at first they will just look at the pictures, and then later, when they actually become curious about their boring parents words and thoughts, they might read it.  Anyhow, Nolan has done some amazing things this week, and I want the future him to know about it.

I came home from work one day this week to a boy who gives kisses.  Open mouth, closed, pursed lips sometimes, but he is smiling and kissing.  He knows when to dole them out, and he can also be coy.  Heart is melting.

Though nursing is much less frequent than it once was, lately when we're nursing before bed, he's been staring into my eyes and ever so gently touching my eyelashes.  He's discovered them, and is fascinated by them, but only when we are so quiet that they're noticeable, and so calm that his hands can find them.

Twice this week, our 14 month old boy has peed in his potty.  Maybe because Dad was going at the same time, and probably purely because he had to pee too, but definitely a moment that tells me he is growing and changing, and to take nothing for granted because soon he will be putting a "do not come in sign" on his bedroom door,

These are the things I want to remember about February, 2013.

Grutz sings, "The boys are back in town!" or "Let's hear it for the boys, awwwwwwwww let's give the boys a haaaaa-aaaaand!"

Glutton for punishment or a sucker for a good time?

The latter, my friends, the latter.  Today I'm not just watching 1 little boy, I'm watching two!  And as of 1:00 CST, all is well.  Hawk is spending this snowy day with Nolan and me.  Quick photo montage...

Nolan:  "Hawk did it!"

Hawk:  "Hi Mom and Dad!  Uncle Nick said that safety belts are for sissies.  Oh wait, he also said not to tell you  that.  Ooops."

Nolan:  "You see, this monitor is your ticket to get what you want.  Trust me."

Nolan:  "Dad, that joke was TERRIBLE."