And ... Two months go by...

"What?"

Here's the deal... I AM SO FREAKING-FRACKING CRAZY OVERWHELMED! GAH. Okay... now that I got that off my chest, with a serious case of CAPSLOCK FEVER. I feel much better.

I'm teaching nearly a full course load this semester (not quite), have the running around to do for a three and a half year old (seriously ... he's that big), the trying to walk and eating EVERYTHING off the floor 9 month old, and just struggling.

But -- next semester, I'm teaching just one class, and it's online. Nathan will be in preschool for two days a week. And, my fussy baby will hopefully be a much better adjusted 1 year old. I can't even freaking believe that either.

So, that makes me thing and hope that I can get back on the blogging bandwagon. I'm fairly certain that I'm going to start something new, for this new phase of life, or something. And, I've got a couple ideas in the works. I miss you and all hope to get up and running soon. I miss blogging and I would so love a reason to go to BlogHer next year. :)

And Another Month

Okay, for those of you who are still hanging around this silent part of the interwebs, my baby will be seven months old tomorrow. Seven. WTH?

We've been a little bit insane around here. Nathan has had a cold every three weeks this summer. Since it takes him 10-14 days to get through his system, he's only healthy one week per month. It sorta sucks. But, he's okay.

Daniel learned to crawl in late June. Shortly after that, he started pulling himself up. There is a great deal of head trauma at our house. It's okay though.

I start teaching again next week. This semester I will have two classes. I'm excited, but stressed, because they're both new classes. I have four days left, and several weeks' worth of work to complete. Meanwhile, I still have those little boys.

Joe has been really swamped at work lately, so he decided to take a long weekend this weekend. We're enjoying the staycation. We spent today in Millennium Park. Nathan loved it. Daniel loved the mirrors at the little cafe we ate at. Good times had by all.

Can you see his runny nose in this picture? Poor kid.

It was all entirely too exciting for Daniel.

Cloud Gate ---- aka The Bean

Splashing in the awesome fountains!

Adorable baby making friends with the adorable baby in the mirror!

A Whole Month

Yeah ... It's been a whole month since I've written an amazing, scintillating, thrilling, whatever-will-come-next?? blog post. Hah...

I've been trying to figure out what we've been doing. It looks sorta like this: playing in the city, hanging with dada, the zoo with friends, learning to crawl (at 5 months, SWEAR TO GOD!), and splashing around. It's been a little busy.

Little Boys

As crazy as things are, these little people still make it easy to get up in the morning.

This little one's hair is SO DARNED crazy. I just let it go. I think it's part of who he is. Also, do I have room to talk?

I'm so amazing 1) that five months has passed already, and 2) how different Daniel is than Nathan was at this age. Mostly, he sleeps and he's way fussier. But also, he's still pretty fussy. Also, you guys, I swear this is true: The kid is crawling. He's going backward, but he's up on all fours! He just turned five months on Sunday. I'm posting a video later this week. Nathan walked fairly early - around 10 months. So, I feel like we're sort of prepared.

Anyway, we're madly in love over here.

A Father's Day

I keep thinking how lax I am ... just in general, but blogging specifically. I used to write glowing, flowery love letter to Joe on my blog on both his birthday and father's day... I totally dropped the ball this year. Except...

This year we were celebrating Father's Day being parents together. We had brunch with his parents on Saturday and spent yesterday at home being a family. Our kids are at the ages where it sucks to take them in public where Nathan can't run around. Or, anywhere Daniel can't readily nurse. (I'm totally that unapologetic public breastfeeder. I use a nursing cover, but still... UNAPOLOGETIC!)

I'm ridiculously crazy about my husband, and watching him with our kids makes me appreciate him more every day. I can't believe how well he's adapted to the crazy that is our life. As insane as his life has been, he's always able to stop and change a diaper, run Nathan around the block, or read a bedtime story.

I don't have much lovely prose to write - I don't have the brainpower to think it - but I'm just really happy and really blessed with this guy.

I hope the rest of you had a lovely day with the fathers in your life.

Baby Myles

I won't be able to post a picture, but our nephew arrived safely yesterday at 10:38 am. He weighed in at 7 lbs/14 oz and is 20.5 inches long. Almost exactly the same size as his big cousin, Nathan (he was 8 lbs/1 oz, but 7-9 days overdue!).

We haven't gotten to talk to the new mom and dad yet, nor have we seen pictures. We're just grateful for a safe delivery!

Baby Nephew

Joe's brother's wife is in labor! Our little nephew will be here soon!!!

Both of our families are so boy-heavy. Joe's one of two boys. I have three older brothers. Of the grandkids on my side of the family, including my two boys, there are five boys and one girl. The girl is the oldest and she's 29. Now, Joe's family will have three boys! I'm loving it, but it would be nice to buy something pink at some point. ;-)