an update

Okay, I have to admit that January and February have not been my prime months for picture taking. Snow at this point has lost all of its appeal and so has playing indoors. That is not to say that Dane is not fun to photograph, I'm just saying I haven't whipped out the camera much.

I'm really trying to soak up and enjoy my one-on-one time with Dane...my months and weeks are now numbered and although I'm quite excited to get this baby OUT OF ME, I'm also a bit sad to have to share my attention. Even more, I know someone who will be even more sad to share attention...that's right, the Mamma's Boy himself.

Dane STILL has eyes only for me, but is much more comfortable with other people. When I stop the car, he throws all of his toys off his lap in anticipation of me coming to unbuckle him. As I make my way to open the back door he points at me and gives me a huge grin...I imagine he's thinking, "mom, you are number one!"

I'm still also indulging in naps with him... Oh, how I love a nap with my boy. Here is a little tidbit on Dane's napping traits... First of all the child did not take a nap longer than 30 minutes from the time he was 4 months old. I kid you not. All of last summer I suffered through his little catnaps. One day in August, feeling utterly exhausted, as Dane woke up from a 30 minute-er I carried him into bed with me. And guess what? He slept for another HOUR. So began the habit of naps with mommy. To this day Dane will sleep for two hours with me and only about an hour in his crib. What can I say? I have enjoyed every second of it.

Now onto my MOPS nightmare...even though Dane has become comfortable at the childcare at the YMCA, he STILL hate the childcare and my mom's group. This past week I left him in the nursery as I usually do - in hysterics. About a half hour later the woman who runs the nursery comes into our meeting saying, "we have a return." Poor Dane had been screaming the entire time. The only baby to be 'returned' since I started going to MOPS in September... This child is in for a rude awakening when his baby sister is born - I have created a Mamma's Boy Monster!

You know what though, as I left my mom's group, one of the moms said to me, "Holly, enjoy it. Enjoy that he is so attached to you and that he loves you so much." She is right. I will always look back on this time as my time with Dane, just the two of us.

the pics

Finally some pics from Chicago - Dane riding CTA and our trip to Shedd -

chicago trip

Last weekend we made the usually short trek to Chicago...that usually short trek taking us 6 hours in the blizzard of 2008. I won't go into the gory details, but it was quite an adventure.

The weekend was great though, we were able to take Dane to Shedd Aquarium - which he really enjoyed. Even at such a young age, all of the large aquariums with colorful fish and other animals were entertaining! Dane loved it - except for the tidal pool - the loud wave crashing into the glass wall scared him, poor little guy!

My sister was a total gem and drove all the way from St. Louis with her boyfriend to take care of Dane Saturday night so Kevin and I could go to Keith and Tiara's Wedding. What a wedding it was! Beautiful ceremony and over-the-top reception at the Ritz-Carlton, everyone enjoyed themselves...

side note: for some reason blogger is not letting me post pictures right now (or check my spelling), so I'll post pics later...