Life Lessons According to Papa Josh

I don't have any pictures to go along with this story but I couldn't help sharing.

We were out running errands when Abram found a penny. Josh told him to save it for later by putting it in his pocket until we got home and then he could put it in his piggy bank.   He remembered when we got home and put it in piggy right away.

Life Lesson #1:
A penny saved is a penny earned.

The next day Abram found another coin.  He happened to remember his papa's lesson from the day before, only today he only had his diaper on at the time.  Still - he wanted to do what his papa taught him so....no pants - no problem.  Coin went right down his diaper.  Papa rushed right over and helped Abram get the coin out and went and washed it off.

Life Lesson #2:
This is why we don't put money in our mouths - you never know where it has been.

Hopefully Abram will remember both lessons for his future adventures in saving.

Happy Easter

 We had a great weekend as we're waiting for baby #2 and celebrating Easter.  Saturday our church had Easter activities in the morning for all the kids.  Abram made this adorable chicken hat and he wore it all weekend until we forgot it under the pew on Sunday morning.  He was so sad on the way home. 'Chicken hat...please.'

They also had live chicks.  Abram was pretty scared of them at first but by the end of the morning he was willing to pet them with one finger.

They had an egg hunt in the front yard - he did pretty good until he got distracted throwing the eggs into a tree - once he found a stick he was all done looking for eggs.

Here is our family picture from Easter morning -  chicken hat and all.

 Nana got in on the picture action too.

 Before dinner we made a trip to the park and Abram was able to try to fly his Easter kite.  It's too bad that there was hardly any wind and Josh and Abram had to run around the park to get the kite in the air...

 which ended up being Josh holding Abram - running around the park.  Abram was not a happy camper when we had to go home for dinner.  He was finally convinced when we told him that the penguins on the kite needed to take a nap.

 We ended the day with an egg hunt in the front yard. After all his practice yesterday - he was a master hunter today.

 You can see him sorting through his eggs - he had it down to a science. 

1) shake each egg
2) ask for help opening egg
3) take a few bites of the bunny crackers inside
4) dump into his pile
5) repeat

April Showers

April showers lead to a lot of indoor play.  Abram takes out his cabin fever on poor Papa.

You can tell who the boss is in our house.

Abram has also been taking swim lessons with Nana.  He started out kind of shy in the water and didn't really enjoy the first lesson but now he loves going to the 'BIG pool', to 'swim fish.'

I think his favorite part of the lesson is playing in the giant hot tub to warm up after his lesson is done.

Catching Up

I've been really bad about posting pictures lately - usually by the time we get Abram to bed it doesn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes and I'm asleep on the couch.  Josh has been doing a ton of work to get our house ready to sell.  It's been quite busy around our house as we wait for baby #2 to make his/her appearance in the next few weeks.

Even with all the activity we've found some time for fun.  We're lucky that in Iowa City one of the local gyms opens up each morning with a full gym and all kinds of fun toddler toys.  Abram and Nana head over a couple of times a week.

One of Abram's favorite games with papa is 'up.'  This is one of my least favorite games as it scares me to death.

We also decided to head to the zoo this morning.  This was Abram's first trip to a zoo and it was so much fun.

He was pretty apprehensive at first but warmed up to the idea that we were so close to the animals once we saw the wallaby's hopping around.  Each time we walked up to a new exhibit Abram would say, "hi" to the animals - it was pretty cute.  I think his favorite animals were the giraffe's or the elephants that came out right before we left.  

We will definitely be back.

22 Months

Abram passed the 22 month mark this week.  Once he turns 2 I'll stop counting by months, but for now it makes me feel like he's still my baby.

We had a wonderful week full of spring weather.  We went out to a pond nearby and Abram had the best day.  He loved the water, leaves and just being outside.  Nana helped make sure he didn't get too close to the edge.

 He had fun inside showing off his creative 'hats' and his love for his belly.

We had a dance party on the porch.

 I made a new 'big boy' blanket for Abram since he'll be sharing all his little blankets with the new baby.  Here he is spreading out.

 This week was a milestone as he and kitty cat have come to some kind of truce.  He has almost completely stopped pulling her hair and poking her in the eye and she will stay in the same room with him for more than 10 seconds at a time.  This morning they set a record for nice behavior towards one another.

We also spent some time in the park near our house for the first time without snow covering the ground.  We've discovered it's a pretty cool park.  I don't know who I had a harder time convincing that it was time to leave - Josh or Abram.

What a great week and weekend!

Playtime

Abram had all kinds of fun this week.  We've had lots of company - which means lots of friends to play with and give wagon rides.

 

Caity is always willing to find time to play with Abram.  We call her 'the baby whisperer' because Abram will do anything for her including put his pajamas on, allow her to change his diapers and go to bed - all without crying.  She truly has a gift.

I have had requests for a belly picture - but it was hard for Josh to get a picture of Abram and I without one or both of us looking away.  So far here is the best one we could get.  33 weeks

 

We were also able to celebrate his friend baby Drew's 1st birthday a few weeks early.  Abram was pretty good about helping Drew open the presents.  It is hard to believe Abram will be turning 2 in 2 months!

 

Abram also helped 'show' baby Drew how to play with his new birthday blocks.  At least he let him take the blocks home without too much of a fight.

 

And one final goofy face to end our posting.  Have a great week!

Practice Makes Perfect

Abram has been practicing to be a good big brother and a great older cousin to Gabe.  He takes very good care of his 'baby', giving it baths.  He looks like he might have something up his sleeve in this picture.

Such serious thoughts for a little guy - he must be worried about the baby getting too cold in the tub.

Babies also need to be taught how to snuggle.

 

 Ahhhh...what do I do when the baby doesn't do what I want it to?????

 

When all else fails - do the most outrageous thing you can and hope the baby is distracted enough to stop crying.....'So get naked and bite my toes?'

 

I think I better keep practicing - this baby stuff is hard!