Outings with Jackson

Before they moved back to their home state of Wyoming, our friends Lexie and Jackson ("Jacksie and Lexon" in Jonah's parlance) were superb at shuttling us around during the dead of winter, making sure that the three of us made it out of the house every once in a while. It was great getting to know their family. Jacksie and Auntie Lex lived in our neighborhood, and we dearly miss seeing their faces at our favorite park.

The blondie on the left is Jackson. That's my monkey in the middle and the Pig on the right, waiting for his chance to dive into the pond.


The boys face the jungle at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
The fearless Auntie Lex helps waiting lads ford the stream.


In the kids' area, Manny scales the tree, but can't manage to get himself down. Cat-like, that one is.






At the Notebaert Nature Museum, which we hit up twice in the space of a couple months, Manny finds a bear! Raaaahhhhrrrr!






The locks and dam system on this great water exhibit is a bit over the heads of toddlers, but the splashing isn't.

More water. More stopping Manny from diving in. The child has no fear.

Jack and the Moo.

I know, I know, these are winter pictures posted in May. This is what happens when one's computer sorta-breaks, then one is pregnant and sick, etc. These pictures are too cute not to post, though.
Manny fell down. I probably should've helped him up quickly, BUT, what's a mom to do when the pictures would be just so cute? Sorry, Moo.

Everywhere Jonah goes, people comment on how great this hat is. This was my best Hyde Park laundry room finds. Yes, just like my dad, I scavenge.

If Manny were as brown as Jonah, I'd say that he looks like a ketchup-and-mustard-covered hot dog. Maybe he's a chicken-dog.

Newsy news

In true procrastinators' form, neither my husband nor I have managed to fix our computer yet. Thus, still no photos. Let me mitigate your disappointment, dear reader, by offering you some excitng news: Our family is expecting Baby #3 this November. The precise due date is November 15, which, despite my history of birthing before the due date, is still far enough away from dear Manny's (a.k.a. "Middle Bear's") 2nd birthday that we shouldn't have a double birthday. Whichever other day this child will be born, I'm just praying (no joke) that Manny's birthday will be spared.

The pregnancy is proceeding fine. Per usual, I am currently sick, though now that I've turned the corner on 12 weeks, I'm hoping for relief in the next week or so. My diet is truly appalling: quesadillas; egg-cheese-and-bread sandwiches; the occasional strawberry; toast with butter; and Snickers bars. Somehow I've actually lost weight on this diet, though the trend will undoubtedly reverse before too long. I had my first appointment with the midwifery practice just shy of 10 weeks, at which point we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat.

The boys continue to be a barrel of fun, when, that is, they're not being naughty. (Almost never! Ha ha.) We recently moved (a couple blocks), which they took in stride. Though we're now a few blocks away from our beloved park, we gained a wonderful backyard, with a patio, nice grass, lots of "bioleds" ("violets," in Jonah-speak), flowers and at least three visiting bunnies. Manny, at 18 months, and Jonah at almost 3 years are really starting to love each other, which is no less than heart-melting. Of course, Jonah alternates between careening around and knocking Manny over and calling him "Little Sweetie," but the love is there. Besides, Manny is no push-over; in fact, sometimes he pushes back. Both are indeed my little treasures.