Cohen at 13 months

The man is a full-time walker now, which I'm pretty sure increased his level of enjoyment of life considerably. It's so much easier to explore with this new mobility and speed. My job just got tougher though... yesterday as I was applying mascara (looking away for no more than 30 seconds), I realized he was missing. I quickly found him in Kraeton's room wrestling with the teddy bear. So far all his adventures have been harmless and injury-free, but this phase definitely requires more preparedness and baby proofing. It's nice though too. I've always felt that holding him close is the greatest thing in the world. Well, walking finger-in-hand is pretty darn wonderful too.

He's having a problem at daycare with a biter. One of his little classmates seems to have singled Cohen out as her favorite biting target. I stopped counting, but I think there have been at least 10 accident reports related to biting since he moved to his new room 2 months ago. The worst one was on his cheek and it looks like it's leaving a scar. What's worse, his 1-year photos were schedule the day of his face bite, so we rescheduled for October. So frustrating! They don't have a policy that offending biters are expelled, so I'm not sure what options we have. I will talk to the director (again).

Anyway, he's loads of fun, more opinionated and confident every day. He doesn't talk much, which I find kind of weird considering he said several words a few months ago. Maybe with all his newfound freedom, it's beneath him to say "woof woof" and "hot"?

Peek a boo around the bathtub door

Chicago

We went to Chicago last weekend with the Pevestorfs. We spent Saturday downtown, met up with Emily, enjoyed time on Navy Pier, went on a boat tour, and ate at a Chicago-style pizza restaurant called Gino's East. We were impressed with Emily's level of comfort with Chicago living, as well as her knowledge of getting around downtown. What a great lady she's turning out to be! Kraeton had a football game on Sunday, which he unfortunately lost. It was an enjoyable weekend.



Mitch and Kraeton in front of a crazy mirror on Navy Pier.



On the boat tour

Family pic

Odds and ends

Drumrole please.... we've finished painting the house! Enjoy the before and after pics (no we didn't start the painting project in the winter of '07, that's the only picture I can find of the old color). It was tough parting with the pukey pink, but we're happy with the end result. Thanks to Dominic for doing 99% of the work. Hey, someone has to watch the kiddo, right?

Notice anything familiar on this photo? No, not the grass, not the playground. Yes, the yard sign says Langel. Cousin Ricky (Rick) ran for Ankeny school board. Sadly, he lost by just a few hundred votes. I couldn't resist snapping a pic of the sign as I was driving by. It isn't every day you see your maiden name ablazen on billboards.

No catchy caption, just a cute kid.

Labor Day at the farm

We went to Dominic's folks over Labor Day for Joe's surprise 80th birthday party. Surprise, it was! Sort of. The first clue was when everyone in the family started showing up unannounced. Then, how do you explain tables and chairs for 150+ people set up on the lawn? And why has Celestine been cleaning so thoroughly for the past few weeks? Regardless of the level of surprise, Joe was tickled and couldn't stop talking about the party. A good time was had by all. Here are a few pictures.

The birthday boy

The hayride

Grandpa feeding Daisy, the orphan calf.

Tonni and her birthday dolly from Wendy. Hmm... separated at birth?

First time on a trike.