Hello again everyone. Wow has it been a busy three months! Sorry for the long wait between blog posts, but the arrival of Baby J has kept us hard at the parenting game. Not as much time for blogging with a newborn. Finally found a minute to take a breather and get a post up, so here we go!
Have to start with the biggest news first, of course! Chinch and I welcomed our third kiddo into the world. Sweet little Baby J. He came in September, just a few days after his due date. He was our heavy-weight champion child. Biggest yet! Topped 8lbs :D
The newborn phase is necessarily tough. Babies are demanding, and they only have so many ways to communicate. That said, Baby J has been pretty great. He's sleeping in his bed (some) and took to breast feeding like a champ! That was a fun change of pace. Though, it makes me fairly useless. That said I get my snuggles in, and give Chinch a break from 24/7 baby time.
Grandpa Butch stopped in to see his newest Grandkiddo. Fun for him to spend some time. He's out in California now working with a greenhouse facility there. Its a long way to Santa Barbara, so we cherish every moment we get. He was awful smitten with Letty Bean!
Thanksgiving dinner at Gigi's gave Grandma G a great chance to see Baby J.
Now that we have three kiddos we have to play Zone-Defense. That means sometimes I am taking Letty Bean out for the same kind of adventures the Kid and I used to have. He's in school now, too busy for dear old Dad. That's okay, Letty Bean and I had a good time at the Bass Pro Shop! She loves to see the "bish". While the weather held we would take walks down to the creek in our neighborhood. She loves to toss "Ocks" into the "Coll wawa".
Letty Bean couldn't resist stopping at the "Bahtsy" bench (her word for Fox). She has a few stuffed foxes that are on loan from the Kid Genius that she cherishes. This girl loves her stuffed animals.
Christmas time is here. The garland is hung with the stockings. LB is real keen on which stocking is hers.
The Kid Genius and I aren't without a few adventures. One rainy Saturday we headed up to Utica to Grizzly Jacks. We were originally intending to hike around Starved Rock but the weather was just too rainy and gloomy. Too bad, because it was the warmest November day we had. But we made the most of it. We met our friends Nate and Sarah-Eva there. Before they arrived the Kid made a new friend, Tinley (pictured above). Within minutes of meeting they were running around and having a blast. He was so sad when she had to leave.
The Kid Genius is living up to his nickname. He continues to crush academic standards for his age. He's 5years and 4 months. Already he can read almost anything, is writing well, doing basic addition and subtraction reliably - and learning Chess. He can set up the pieces correctly every time, and knows the basic rules. Strategy is still not there, but that is to be expected. He loves to do puzzles and play a game or two. Love watching his gears turn!
Here's the crew! Love these kiddos.
Celebrated a small personal milestone as well. I finished up my first "Arcannan" campaign. For those who don't know I am a huge nerd. I am the Dungeon Master for this rowdy bunch, in a homebrew world called "Arcannan". We run Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. Pictured above from left to right are "Sir Arthur Drake" Ascendant-Paladin of Helios (played by Neighbor Mark), "Danica Chase" Rogue Extraordinaire (played by Suzanna) and "Graham Aleson" *deceased* Warrior Bard (played by Wes). They defeated the villainous Fire Giant "King Zalto, Wielder of the Sword of Kings Reforged" in what was almost a 2 year campaign. It was quite the accomplishment, and a fun time!
That is about it for me. I'll try to post more regularly going forward now that we are settling into a routine. For more info/pictures you can always check out:
Stay Healthy!
"The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you.
The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26
