Oh, what fun it is, learning how to eat

I've been pursuing a little song-writing hobby, making up songs for Westley James. Among them, inspired in part by these adorable snack and mealtimes I photographed in June 2011:

It's crunchy, it's chewy, it's sour, it's sweet
Oh, what fun it is, learning how to eat.

Doggies want you to send some south
Mama just hopes some food lands in your mouth.
We could say the mess stays on your bib
But we both know it isn't nice to fib.

It's crunchy, it's chewy, it's sour, it's sweet
Oh, what fun it is, learning how to eat.

Fork, spoon, bowl and cup will make the job a sinch
Or we'll just use our fingers in a pinch.
Someday soon we'll teach you how to share
But for now, son, just keep it out of your hair!

It's crunchy, it's chewy, it's sour, it's sweet
Oh, what fun it is, learning how to eat.

Daddy day

On Father's Day 2011, Brian, Westley and I met his parents for brunch at Yaya's in Bradley Fair. West and I are continually blessed by what an amazing father and husband Brian continues to be. We love you!

I love this three-generation photo:

Hello, Chi Town!

In early June 2011, Brian and I flew to Chicago for a couples-only weekend away, our first since Westley's birth. It also was the first time for us both to be away from Westley at the same time, and the trip was both incredibly relaxing and slightly nerve-wracking. We'd both been there before, but not together for fun. (We were sponsors for our church's youth group mission trip there several years before.) We had some romantic and adventurous time exploring the city's sights together. We called my mother-in-law, who was watching Westley for us, often, but enjoyed our freedom and the chance to reconnect a little.



We, of course, had to dine on regional beer and Chicago's best deep-dish pizza. We tried Lou Malnati's, which quickly became a favorite. (Cool thing: They ship their pizzas on dry ice, so you can enjoy without the plane ticket if you feel so inclined. We since have!)

We waited in the very long line to get into Shedd Aquarium. I had been during a senior high school trip, but it was Brian's first visit. As predicted, he loved it. A little travel tip: We found out later that if you buy your tickets online in advance, you can walk right in and pick them up. Good to know!


We saw a dolphin show, pet starfish, watched a storm move over the city and were in awe of the jellyfish exhibit. We spent some money in the gift shop buying a stuffed penguin for Westley and talked about how excited we'd be to return with him one day when he's a little older.


With a recommendation from some Wichita friends, we dined at The Purple Pig on the Magnificent Mile. We tasted and chatted for hours. It was fantastic, especially for the still-new parents who usually opt for carry-out and quick meals.

We toured Wrigley Field, one of our favorite parts of the trip:




We took a chilly walk along North Avenue Beach, where people were sunbathing despite the cool breeze. Then we rental some bicycles and worked off some of the pizza on a 13-mile ride.



We mapped out our route so we'd see many of the downtown landmarks, including some of the famous fountains, and, in typical tourist style, Cloud Gate ("The Bean") in Millennium Park:



Next stop, Navy Pier, where we turned in our bikes, watched the sun set from atop the Ferris wheel and had another delicious meal.




The next day, we had one more deep-dish pizza lunch* before I left one love of my life in Chicago (Brian stayed for a couple days for a work conference) so I could get home to my other. The Chicago skyline was stunning, but home is where the heart (and my little boy) is.


* I was so full from that lunch -- and the trip overall -- that I didn't eat for more than 24 hours afterward. Ha! :D

More May 2011 fun

Our little water baby had his first swimming lessons in May 2011. He did well and really loved playing in the pool.

We frequented the farmer's market for pastries for breakfast, produce for cooking and for a fun environment for all of us.

During one visit, on Herb Day, Westley received his first balloon animal. It was a yellow fish inspired by his outfit. Sadly, it popped while he was playing with it in the grass after about 90 seconds. As he started to cry, a little girl walked over, patted him and said, "I know what it's like, little guy." Priceless.

During one of Uncle Eric and Valisha's visits to Wichita, we met up at pirate story time at Barnes and Noble. I tried to take Westley to those story times often. They're great! No cost for a story, craft and snack. Arrrr! Shiver me timbers.

Easter, con't.

I was deliberate in making sure that Westley's first Easter basket was adorable. I had waited so many years for that opportunity and loved doing it. It included locally made chocolates, some sweet bunny books (and, in the case of "Guess How Much I Love You," an accompanying stuffed bunny) and a knitted chocolate bunny I purchased from a colleague of mine. (I like how it looked kind of timeless and old-fashioned.)

The Easter Bunny even brought the pups special doggy carrot treats:

We had brunch with my in-laws and spent some time taking photos outside, one of the things I treasure about that day.

Brian and I laughed later at our attempts to keep Easter as non-commercial as possible for Westley. He received baskets at our house, from my sister and my mother-in-law. It was all very sweet and thoughtful. He won't remember anyway, I guess. I do imagine we'll want to try again in 2012.

He's 11 months old!

My sweet baby Westley James really isn't a baby at all these days. He turned 11 months old on Monday, and we'll be celebrating his first birthday in just a few weeks. In fact, I ordered some special invitations for his party and can't wait to get them so I can turn around and send them out to some of my little guy's biggest fans.

Two weeks ago today, Westley took his first unassisted steps. Brian and I had arrived home from the Fight for Air Climb. I was inside trying to coax some soy hot dog coins (a new favorite!) into our son. Brian went outside to mow the grass. He came in for a break and to grab a drink and was chatting with me briefly. That's when we both saw out of the corner of our eyes a blond curly head zip from the recliner to the couch in the living room. We were speechless, then immediately celebratory. Now Westley shows off his new talent all time. I must capture a video of this adorable milestone!

Westley also blew Mommy and Daddy a kiss first the first time, another little move that melted my heart. He hasn't been inclined to repeat that one as often, though.


On the food front, West can't decide whether he prefers hand-feeding himself little bites or being spoon-fed baby puree. So most meals now include both options, and we just keep our fingers crossed that our skinny little guy will chow down. Some days we have success. And that makes us very, very happy.

We've also introduced the sippy cup with marginal success. He's figured out where the liquid comes out and can hold it correctly but can't quite tip it back on his own. Bottom's up, little one! Something fun to work on in the coming weeks.


Westley is quite vocal and loves to babble, blow raspberries and make elephant sounds (Elephant kisses!). He can make "mama" and "dada" sounds, but we're not counting them as first words yet because we think it's more experimentation than recognition.

Westley is in between sizes. He wears 12-month footed jammies and some 9- and even 6-month-sized tees and onesies. That makes the morning routine a little interesting. We regularly keep a paper bag in his room just for all of the things he outgrows!

Another sign that Westley is growing up -- and one that's more difficult for me to be happy about -- is that he has begun to exhibit separation anxiety. When I drop him off at daycare and it's time for me to leave, he fusses a little and crawls toward the door. Boo. I had a dental appointment yesterday near his daycare and was tempted to stop by for a quick hug and kiss. But I decided that would disrupt his day (especially considering it was lunchtime) and inject confusion. I instead treated myself to a papaya-mango meal replacement smoothie at Smoothie King and headed back to work.

On Facebook recently, I put out a call for potential sitters and have people coming out of the woodwork to volunteer. Can you blame 'em? Being PAID to hang around this handsome little charmer?! The mother of a high school junior who came by this week to spend some time with Westley in advance of watching him for an evening later this month said her daughter had such a great time they should pay us. I think I've found the perfect college savings plan!