We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. DS's friend Finn's family adopted us for the day. We had a great day of turkey, talking, and tummy-stuffing. Then, on Friday, we spent the evening with our neighbors who have a tradition of doing gingerbread houses on that day. I have to say that this was the most elaborate gingerbread house I have ever made. DS enjoyed eating the candy.
We also had haircuts that weekend. DH was first, then it was DS's turn. This would be DS's 4th haircut. DH was excited about the difference in their hair color, but I'm sure DS's hair will get darker as it is already darker than it once was. In any case, it was worthy of documentation.
Now look closely at the next picture. Does anyone recognize that book? That's right! It's Richard Scarry's classic, "Cars and Trucks and Things That Go." My grandparents had a copy of this book when I was little and my favorite task was to find Goldbug...he's hidden on each page, you know. DS has began noticing trucks. He rides along in the car or on the bike, announcing every truck we pass, "guck!" Of course, it still sounds a lot like "duck" and "quack"...I'm only assuming he's not point out ducks along the way.
Speaking of DS's new words, one of our favorites is, "cookie". This one didn't take long to learn. One Saturday afternnon, DH announced that he was going to make some cookies. DS whirled around and repeated, "cah-kie, cah-kie!" Then it was nap time, so he took a nap, and when he got up, DH was finished making them. DS ran into the kitchen announcing, "cah-kie, cah-kie!" Apparently that particular nap time was full of sweet dreams of anticipation!
Last weekend we headed out to DH's place of work for their annual Christmas Celebration. Some of you may remember the pics from last year's event. This year DS was old enough to enjoy it. First, we stopped by the live nativity. The most exciting part for DS was the goats and the rooster. Then, we stood in line for quite a while for the exciting horse-drawn carriage. DS naturally was pretty intrigued by the horses dressed with sleigh bells. 
Then we headed over to visit Santa, who, not surprisingly, was cause for some alarm. DS was not about to sit on his lap, but he did let Mama hold him next to Santa for a quick pic. How did parents ever torture their kids before Santa was invented? 
And, our last stop was to make some antlers, which DS refused to wear. DH convinced him the next afternoon to keep them on long enough for a picture...before he pulled them off and ripped them in two.
We also put our tree up last weekend so we are now feeling festive!
And one more picture worthy of mention: DS has grown fond of DH's slippers. I think this is a phase that all children go through...
Well, I wrote the following almost a month ago and didn't get around to adding pics and posting until now. So, keep that in mind as you read. I know, I've been slacking in my updating efforts...
feeling a little offended by the subject matter, only to realize that the reason I am offended is because these cognitive shortcuts and assumptions that people make have indeed become habitual for me, as well. These types of cognitive shortcuts are the basis of stereotypes and prejudices that cause serious hurt amongst the human race. The popular and yet despised psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is quite famous for a lot of things, much of which I do not find worthy to be mentioned here. However, one aspect I appreciate is his emphasis on balance. Something that triggers a forceful emotional response may actually suggest an area where one struggles unconsciously, thus eliciting the response. Why do I get so offended or angered over certain ideas and topics? Maybe because I've got problems, too. ;)
About 3/4 of the way through the term, I welcomed a break! DH's parents were here to visit for a few days. What a wonderful time of relaxing and spending time together it was! And, we finally got to the portrait studio to get DS's one year pictures taken! I meant to do that when he actually turned one--2 1/2 months ago. I realized that if you don't do it when it is time, you miss your chance!! Of course, Grandma and Grandpa were excited to give DS one Christmas gift a little early so they would be able to enjoy watching him have fun with it. 
DS loves his new tunnel to crawl through. Of course, I am proud to say that I was actually the first one through the tunnel. (I even took it to Friend Finn's house today and they had a blast playing with it together!) Then, the weekend came to an end and they headed back east again. I love having family and friends come visit. I hate when they leave. I suppose you can't have one without the other. We are looking forward to our next break for Thanksgiving. Which is in about two weeks, believe it or not!
DS is living large and loving life! He is communicating, not necessarily speaking clearly, but communicating nonetheless. He loves to point to something so I can tell him what it is. A few of his favorites: ball, clock, light, dog, fish, Mamma's nose, blanket. And he still loves books. When he gets a little upset, I can tell him to go get a book and he will usually go sort through the shelf, pick out a book, bring it to me, crawl up on my lap, and listen intently as I read to him...and he usually wants to turn the pages himself. He has started trying 
to feed himself lately with a spoon. He tries so hard and does pretty well. I am thankful for my LARGE bib with a pocket at the bottom to catch everything that misses his mouth. Let's just say it saves me a LOT of work!
I guess you could say we've been staying busy. It all started a couple weeks ago when I was looking to make applesauce to can. We happened upon a lovely little ranch with a really sweet man named "Farmer Stan". He had several apple trees loaded with apples. He said, in essence, "Please come pick my apples because my horses are getting fat on them." So, my friend and 
I headed over one morning to do some apple picking and about three hours later, we had about 200 pounds of apples...each. Farmer Stan was so nice! He had a tractor with a big bucket that he let us climb into, then he would raise it up so we were in the tree. Sure beats trying to use a ladder!
another full day making and canning apple butter. This was the first time I did all of that myself, so I was quite proud of myself by the end. Only problem is that I now have about 60 quarts of applesauce and I'm not sure that I want to see anything that has to do with apples for a while. I'm sure I will be glad for it during the winter.
Portland to take the GRE--that big standardized test to get into grad school--kinda like the SAT's, only much harder. There are three sections. I did pretty well on some of it. Let's just say that I will be taking them again and in the meantime I am studying lots of vocabulary words. Vocab has never been a strong point of mine, so I am seizing this opportunity to learn and grow. Of course, sometimes it takes a painful reality check to motivate certain learning and growing. Did I mention I'm going to be taking them again? :)
We had a branch on the tree that looked a bit gnarled. That and it was kinda laying on the wires. So DH took it upon himself to cut it down. He borrowed a ladder and pole saw and had great success. It looks nice now. I would like to draw your attention to his "safety helmet" in the picture...that is indeed a bike helmet. Better safe than sorry, I guess! :)
That was to be expected. He has a whole new batch of students and a lot of gained wisdom from last year's growing pains. He's even finding time to play volleyball a couple times per week!
It is hard to keep up with him. I'm glad I don't have a bigger house! He's had a few cranky days lately. I suspect there are more teeth on the way to add to the 8 that he has now. He LOVES the phone. It is not typically an approved toy since he has called people in the past. But, every time he catches a glimpse of it, we have quite a meltdown. He loves to chase the dogs. Beau usually now runs from him and hides. Ollie, on the other hand, likes to give him kisses, which DS usually thinks is hysterical.
We have a new clock. Well, it's a bit of an old new clock. DH finished his HS wood shop project! It is quite impressive sitting in our little living room with it's elegant chimes and bongs. It's been admired by everyone that comes to visit...and their even more impressed when we tell them it is home-made--from scratch.
The first is interesting as it focuses on why people do what they do. The second is fascinating as it focuses on the various mental illnesses. Last evening we had a guest speaker that came to talk about schizophrenia. She, at age 30 and after a long history of psychotic issues, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Now, being on a series of medications and with intensive cognitive therapy, she is able to have a relatively normal life and deal somewhat rationally with the irrational behaviors and experiences that come along with the condition. Talk about captivating! As I left class, 
I knew my world view had changed a bit and I will never be the same because of it. I suspect I will have many such experiences with this type of subject matter.
It has been a year. Hard to believe, but it's true. DS is a walking, babbling toddler of 12 months. My parents came for the weekend to celebrate. We had a lot of fun relaxing and celebrating. On the 29th, his actual birthday, we went out for dinner at the Mexican restaurant in town. 
Then, on Saturday, we went out to the park and ate lunch and played on the swings. DS loves to swing. When it was time to get out of the swing, he crossed his legs so we couldn't pull him out and he had a fit. 
Then, we walked over to the pet store in town...more like a petting zoo. DS had a lot of fun chasing the two dogs and the tortus' that were all running around. They also had a cute little lop-eared bunny that DS snuggled. He (and I) got to hold a snake. I do believe that is the first snake I have ever held. And there are lots of fish and birds to look at, which he found exciting. That evening we had cake. DS loved his cake. He went to bed with a happy belly full of cake that night. 
On Sunday afternoon, we went to a birthday party for DS's friend Finn. He turned one on the 27th. And, on Monday, we took my parents back to the airport. We were sad to see them go. DS still recognizes and points to their picture that sits on the bookshelf.
On Thursday, we went to the doctor for his one year checkup. She was quite pleased with all of his walking and babbling. The not-so-fun part of the visit was, of course, the shots. But, he got over that quickly.
On August 23, DH and I celebrated our fifth year anniversary. DH had a fun day planned with just the two of us. DS stayed with some friends for the day. First, we headed to the racetrack and did some go-cart racing. I am ashamed to say that DH beat me by just a split second. Only complaint I had, though, was that we had to wear helmets. I've never been to a go-cart 
place where they make you wear helmets...it smushed my new do. Anyway, from there, we caught the MAX and rode into Portland where we walked around downtown. This was the first time I actually walked around in downtown Portland. It is a beautiful city...definitely some weird people here, but a beautiful city nonetheless. We ate at a cute 
Italian restaurant before heading to the Beaver's game, which is the Portland minor leauge baseball team. It was super fun, but we lost. Not exactly a close game.
That was a big day in Portland, though, and we had to let about 4 over packed trains pass before squishing on one. One of them broke down right in front of us because the doors jammed up because it had too much weight on it. They started clearing the train out one door as people, not realizing what was happening, started cramming in another door. What a mess! Anyway, super fun day.
