Cake!

Thanks Aunt Laura for making this lovely creation. More Birthday posts to come.

A month of Firsts!

Rhys took his first independent step on Dec. 2, and is now toddling around on his own, celebrated his first Christmas and had his first birthday on the 27th!

Let's start with Christmas.

Santa took a beating - but still delivered a stuffed stocking for Rhys to explore. Thanks to his Nana, he now has some cars to push around and chew on, in addition to a myriad of other fun toys for a one year old.

We went to Christmas Eve services at Fourth Pres and Rhys enjoyed himself immensely. We had to sit in the balcony due to arriving right on time - and the ceiling provided minutes of pleasure. The singing and sight seeing kept him occupied for most of the hour - thanks to a friendly usher - eye patch and all!

Christmas Day was just the three of us until about 4 pm when Zhou Zhou and Joanie arrived bearing gifts and good spirits. We had a lovely feast (after the baby was in bed) and general merriment all around.

More to come about the birthday...which really was the highlight of the weekend!

Happy Birthday Jonas!

At Jonas's first birthday party...Rhys's is just around the corner! R had a great time playing with all the kids and trying Goldfish crackers for the first time. He has to wait for cake until the 27th, however.
My mom was in town to celebrate Christmas early with us. We are trying our best to fit everyone in. My dad and his wife, Joan, are due to arrive on Christmas Day and my brother and his girlfriend on Rhys's birthday on 27th. Whew!
Fun times! Maybe one of them is handy with a scissors. Someone needs a haircut, and no it isn't Daddy this time.

On My Way

Newberry Holiday Party

Last night was the Newberry holiday party, and I was on my own with this almost one year old. After driving 40 minutes to pick up Rhys early from the Forsell/Strizak's, I turned around to drive another 30 minutes back to the Newberry for what should be a fun-filled evening of conversation, good food, and maybe wine.
Well, when you are chasing after a crawler, cruiser, and now walker (he is taking a few wobbly steps on his own now), your holiday party is a bit different than it used to be. We retreated after a valiant 45 minutes.
- A side note that may be of interest to no one but Dom and me...last year's holiday party was held on my official due date. Rhys was born a week late. It was rather a full circle to have him with me this year.
(Thanks to our Newberry photographer for both the pic and Rudoloph!)

Our little love

What a goofy boy.
Rhys is almost a year old - a fact that surprises us at every moment.
He keeps getting funnier and more rambunctious. Last night we enjoyed watching him jump up and down in his crib and swing Baby Elephant around by the trunk, before settling down for his nighttime bottle and book with Dom.
I think everyone who hasn't seen him in the last five months is in for a big surprise this holiday season.

On Your Spoon

In the last six months, Rhys has gone from "Green Monster" to wanting to only feed himself. Of course that has meant more food has gone on him than in him.
Enjoy.

When the weather outside is frightful...

Over Thanksgiving we bundled up the not-so-little one and headed to the Garfield Park Conservatory on the West side of Chicago. Walking among the giant ferns, banana trees, and other tropical plants makes the Chicago weather seem not quite so harsh. At the conservatory, there is even a small toddler play area - where Rhys had a great time crawling around. Even better, there is free parking and free admission (donations requested).

The Face

Rhys has picked up quite a "no" face recently. This picture is from Thanksgiving. Please disregard the bruise from falling on his forehead, and one blood-shot eye from perhaps that same fall. Obviously, our Christmas Card photo shoot had to be postponed.

Walking tall

Rhys is enjoying this walker/riding toy that he received more than a year ago from Dom's coworkers at Lehman Bros. Wow, so much has changed in the last 14 months! I think we will need to go into business for ourselves soon.
Back to the boy wonder. I heard that Rhys took five steps (three and then two) with the nanny this week. Dom saw one display. Maybe my turn will come this weekend!

I think this face says it all.

Up on a chimney

Take an 11 month old and a big, fat man with a bushy white beard - and this is what you may see. Oh, bad mommy!
(For those of you just figuring it out, you can click on the image to zoom in, if you dare.)

Thanksgiving 2008

This Thanksgiving Dom and I had much to give thanks for: the 11 months we have had as Rhys's parents; Dom's great job at Chase (yes, we can be thankful for it even though it is ending next week); my challenging and fun position at the Newberry (which hopefully isn't ending next week); and amazing friends and family who are generous with their advice and time.

Dom's mom came in from St Louis to spend the holiday with us - even though, as a Brit, she could be forgiven if she didn't want to celebrate this very American holiday. Thankfully, I didn't have to cook this year. Instead, we brought wine and had a lovely dinner with some old family friends, the Houstons, who live out on Navy Pier. The view and the turkey were fabulous.

Dom and I agree that the highlight of this year's celebration was Rhys's attack on Teddy. See for yourself.

Winter weather is here - again. Here is Rhys in a new hat - and looking none too pleased!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Heather's family album

I have discovered our printer/scanner, obviously. So much fun to be had. I have uncovered more evidence that Rhys does in fact look a tiny bit like a Malec. Here I am at seven, and my brother is 18 months old. Sweet 1980s look - with shag carpeting.

And, here is a picture of my maternal grandmother in 1927 at the age of 18. I miss her, and think of her often. She died when I was only 10.

Ok, Dom says enough wallowing in the past - and on to the present. He also advises me that our readers are not interested in my old family photos - but rather current news. So, until I start digitizing his family photos, I will return with current news of Rhys's cruising and six teeth!

Mama's boy

My friend Sheila's blog has inspired me to look for evidence that Rhys does in fact share his mama's genes, too. And I think that I uncovered some proof from ca 1973-4. (Mom or Dad, do you know how old I am in this photo?)
What do you think?

Rhys at 18

Fun with Hair.
Enjoy.

Thank You!

Keeping a condo ready for showings with a crawling, cruising almost 11 month old is a challenge. Throw in toys with pieces strewn around a room, and lost socks, it is amazing that we can get our place into a suitable showing vehicle in under two hours. (Ok, I admit we haven't had many showings yet, but it seems like it!). In any event, we are very thankful to all our friends and family who have showered Rhys with toys, clothes, and of course attention. (R is playing with his new favorite activity center gifted to us by the Newsoms.) I am also thankful for resale shops and church rummage sales. I may never go back to paying full price again.
And, lastly, we are happy to read that our friend Patrick is home and feeling fit as a fiddle. His wife has inspired me to also count our blessings, and not our troubles. (Would this count as Living my Best Life, Oprah?)

Resting and Playing

Sweet baby Rhys.
Enjoys a quick nap, near Paddington. Such love.

Oh, Indiana...

Rhys met my good friends', the Newsoms, children for the first time last weekend. He enjoyed crawling with them, being held by them, and getting carted around in an "American Doll" wagon. And his parents enjoyed having adult conversation and good food - in the midst of four combined kids and one dog. Quite an accomplishment! (Let's hope we get another invite down the road after one teething baby's performance at midnight.)

Falling out of the chair

Rhys rediscovered the Bebe Pod and really, really wanted to sit in it tonight. I love the way his legs splay out. Remember how much smaller and balder he was in this exact same position about five months ago?

Kung Fu Fighting

More fun with Rhys. I am sure in a few years he won't like the fact we created a mini Kung Fu master - but it sure was funny. Rhys does love to play with string!

Red Dragon Vs. Monkey

Rhys and his BF Jonas have a stare off on Halloween. I think both win for cuteness.

Red Dragon vs. T-Rex

Roar!!! Says Rhys. He gave his costume a preview at Mom's work today - complete with a larger sized "dragon".

Wisconsin Get Away

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Originally uploaded by shemoney

Our friends Sheila and Patrick kindly offered us a weekend away at their family "cabin" in Mauston, Wisconsin. It was the perfect remedy for the big city blues. The trees were glorious, the food scrumptious, and the company splendid. Read more about our weekend over at Sheila's blog - shemoney.blogspot.com.

Fun in the high chair

Feeding Rhys is always an adventure. From Green Monster to Flute Player to Angry Demands now for More Peas!. This image is one of the fun loving Rhys - trying out new tricks for Mom and Dad.
On a side note - I just finished "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan last night and I enjoyed it. It has some weak bits, but overall I recommend it. It is the true tale of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney who left their spouses/children in 1907 to be together. The story centers around Oak Park, where I went to high school, so I may be partial but I thought it provided an interesting lens from which to examine the idea of motherhood and how it has changed and not changed. (I have my ideas which I would love to share with anyone who happens to read this book...)

A Dashing Young Man in the Making

Here it appears Rhys is channeling a strawberry blond James Dean or perhaps a miniature version of Ewan McGregor. Regardless of the deluded views of proud new parents, we just think he looks cute here.

Now you see me,

now you don't.

Thanks Aunt Kate for the cool T

Rhys is regaling Dom with his wild activities from the previous evening that resulted in a pair of lost pants, no sleep and a new haircut. (Dom is doing nothing to dissuade Rhys from this poor behavior, in fact it appears he is encouraging it)

Goal!

Our little English football hooligan.
Now Rhys must find an empty lager bottle and an unsuspecting rival fan. Where's that Jamie Nolan - isn't it Ireland we're playing?
Oh how I miss London.

Matching cap

I can hardly believe that the cool weather is already here. Last winter was quite tough - but we managed (with lots of Mom and Baby yoga classes and meet ups with other new moms). I remember pushing my way through ice and snow with the stroller - we had to get out for fresh air! This year, I expect we will need to use some of the indoor playgrounds that permeate the city.
Today is Dom's birthday - Rhys has already given (and then chewed) on his dad's presents. Tonight we will go for a quick bite to eat with Rhys around 5 pm, and then home. Ah, the wild life of parenthood!

Pumpkins in the City

It is fall, so it must be time for pumpkins. Dom and I took Rhys to the Lincoln Park Zoo's Harvest Festival on Saturday - and much to our surprise - we were allowed one free pumpkin - courtesy of Whole Foods and the Zoo. Rhys had fun trying to eat the straw, looking at all the other children, and checking out the huge John Deere tractor. We plan to head out to a suburban festival later this month - it was so much fun. (Ok, Dom, agree with me...)

Rhys still doesn't have a costume for his first Halloween. We were holding out hoping for a hand-me-down (it seems a silly thing to spend money on) but Old Navy is calling. We will see what is left in his size and isn't pink! I will keep all you faithful readers posted.

Rhys and Jonas - growing boys

Rhys and Jonas have been together four days a week for six months now. It is so fun to see them interacting with each other. Rhys gets really excited when Jonas comes over in the morning - "talking" and clapping his hands. First friends....

Crawling and 9 month birthday video

Rhys is now 9 months old - as of yesterday. The time has flown by. (It is true what all those parents tell you before you have kids.) Dom and I really want to try to savor the day-to-day joy of parenting....and now Dom may really have the chance in the next few months. See, there is always a silver lining.

Family

In from the rain...this was taken a few weeks ago after that terrible downpour in Chicago. We discovered our front room's french door windows leak...still. Sigh. So many things to consider when you are a home owner.

Who me?

Hand in the cookie jar? Paddington's tail to pull? Rhys looks a bit sheepish in this pic, but we all know a lovely almost 9 month old has nothing to be guilty about.

On the move

While not an official crawler yet, Rhys is getting around. He was a little faster than I had given him credit for when I took this picture. Of course he then wanted to taste Paddington's food...I don't think he needs senior blend for indoor cats. Paddington's water bowl was the target today. Poor kitty.

The Path to True Love

is often paved with thorns. Case in point.
Ah well, Rhys has a playdate with a younger and older woman today at 2 pm. Maybe better luck this time.

Grandpa Marvin

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Originally uploaded by shemoney

Everyone looks at Rhys and sees Dom...for obvious reasons: the blue eyes, reddish, blonde locks, and downturned eyes (yes, honey, it is true). But every once in awhile a bit of my side of the family comes out. Sheila and Patrick caught this lovely pic of Rhys at the Bucktown Arts Fest four weeks ago and it just reminds me so much of my Grandpa Marvin Carlson (the Swedish side of the family). He and his sisters were hardy folks: big, stocky and blue-eyed. My Great Aunt Martha had arms that could wrestle a boar - but she only used them, as far as I know, to make the best swedish pastries.
I wonder - have you seen Rhys's thighs? There might just be a little Swede in him.

Another toy bites the dust

Rhys has outgrown the Gymini, obviously. He still likes his little friends - Mrs. Elephant (Mr. Elephant is above his changing table - the two don't often meet), Mustafa the Monkey, Gerry the Giraffe, and Polly the Parrot - but he can practically carry the gymnini with him as he attempts to crawl.
So, it too is in the storage unit. Thankfully so many friends have babies right now so I am trying to send all these items out for use. Let me know if you need to borrow a Bebe Pod, door jumper, or baby bjorn!

Sock Monkey

Rhys learned a new trick this week - much to his enjoyment and ours. I am sure in a few weeks/months this will get a bit tiring as we replace socks, shoes, pants, diapers, etc. (He has also proudly learned how to take off his bib and cap.)

Bottle Baby

For our loyal readers - remember the bottle strike of March 2008? Rhys wasn't a fan until he had to be out of necessity - (his mom going back to work at 12 weeks). Now, he is great on the bottle - except for when teething (case in point last week's performance of only taking 7 ounces a day) or when a new nipple is used (sorry, again Nolidan Clan about lunch at the zoo!).
The one thing I have learned about this baby rearing thing is that once you think you have something figured out - it changes and moves ahead of you. Rhys is keeping us on our toes - that you can count on!

Picnic in the Park

Complete with a jumping spider - smashed body not shown.

8 months old

....and I still look like a truck ran over me - but boy am I happy. I do get dressed up - but not often when we start taking pictures of the little guy close to bed time. We realized that we needed to take a few to celebrate his 8 month birthday. After this, he went back to working on crawling...baby steps as they say!

Rhys enjoying a hot summer day

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Originally uploaded by shemoney

Rhys is showing off his Popeye look. We do think one eye is slightly bigger than the other. In any event, here is another look at those sweet little teeth. More seem to be on their way! (Thanks to Sheila and Patrick for taking such cute pics of Rhys at the Bucktown Arts Fest!)

Creeping forward

Dom caught a few seconds of Rhys's crawling attempts on video. I especially like the exhuastion at the end.
(I swear, we really do put clothes on him.)

Me Do

After many attempts, Rhys was able to get the bottle into position for just a few seconds. He now has a sippy cup he likes to chew on and his new favorite past time is taking sips of water from my or Dom's cup. Soon enough he will move on to finger foods. I think we are ready....right?