The Marathon Holiday Extravaganza!!!!

We're Back! We have been up north visiting relatives for a total of 27 days out of the last 2 months, so I thought I'd try to catch you up. It's been a wondeful whirlwind of holidays and visits. Jed has learned the joy of having his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins around to play with and mentions them often -- even though his pronunciation hasn't yet caught up with this memory of all these people. Uncle Jeff is 'Uncah Jess', Aunt Caroline is 'An Cayna', Naomi is 'Omia' and Joshua is 'Jahsha' among others. There is nothing quite like watching Jed love the people we have loved so long. I apologize that I have less pictures to share with you than I used to. I am learning that chasing a child and growing another one doesn't exactly lend itself to carrying around my camera constantly like I used to do. Thankfully, Chris usually has his camera on him and he has been gracious to me with all my requests to 'get a picture of that!!!' Without further ado, here we go!

Airplanes!!!! Please!!!!! Every time Jed and I drop Dada off at work, this is what we hear. For a while we knew we would have what Chris calls a 'high-speed come-apart' if Jed didn't get to go out to the planes and sit with Dada every time we visited the airport. At first he was scared of the planes, but now he's getting used to them. Maybe before we move, he will be able to get a ride in one with Dada . . .
In November we spent Thanksgiving week with Chris' parents and the weekend with mine. Our friend Andy, who moved from Carbondale to Chicago a few years ago, stopped by to visit us one evening. We still miss having him close by, but it was great to catch up.
Here Jed is at Aunt Donna's house. He was quick to find the Rock Band guitars in the corner. He still sings and plays through several hours of the day. As soon as his hands get stronger, we're going to start teaching him to put some notes to those songs. He's already started to add some words here and there to his original songs. Our favorite one was during this visit to Chris' parents. Chris put him on the potty early in the morning and he started in on his song: "oh, ah, oh, ah go POTTY! Oh, ah oh a go POO POO! Oh, ah oh ah get COOKIE!!!!!" Yep. He's going to be the next Bob Dylan.

Even more surprising was that on our next visit to Aunt Donna's house (a month later) Jed went right to the corner where the guitars were and couldn't find them. Then he went around asking everyone 'gui-gah? gui-gah?' and pointing.
No More Mullet Head: Jed was a brave soul to go 18+ months of his life without ever getting a haircut. He really was rooting for the 80s to come back in a big way -- and not just in teenage fashion. Still, there comes a time in every man's life where he has to bite the bullet and go under the knife -- or scissors. Right after our Thanksgiving visit, we took him to the salon where our friend Amber works and she turned our little baby into a little boy. He does look cute, but some days I still miss his curly locks back there.
Baydee, baydee. Heart. Jed has been with us on almost every doctors visit we have had for the new kid -- which is an outrageous and in my opinion unnecessary number for a normal pregnancy. Still, Jed loves it. He snuggled me when they checked the ultra-sound and sits on Dada's lap while they listen to the baby's heart beat. Jed loves this part and often -- maybe once a day -- climbs up on my lap like this and wants to try to hear the baby through my stomach. It seems that he is excited about it, but I'm not sure how much he realizes that the bump of Mama's tummy isn't the baby and that soon it will come out and rock his world. . .
And now for Christmas. Realizing that we have a limited number of Christmases left before we spend some Christmases in Asia, this Christmas was extra-special for our family. First, we spent the week before Christmas through Christmas Day with Chris' family. Jed had a great time playing with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Amy, Uncle Jeff, Great-Grandpa Adamow, Great-Grandma and Grandpa Boryla and a pretty steady stream of visitors.

Here is a picture of Chris' lovely Aunts Candy and Donna. Jed is already learning that he can get great treats from them -- especially if Mama and Dada don't have a visual on him.
And here is Grandpa Adamow with an inventive solution to his dress-pant hem dragging on the ground. Chris was especially proud of his Dad's inventiveness.
With the guitars put away, Jed had to reach deep into his musical repertoire to keep us all entertained.
Here are a few family pictures: Left-to-right from the back
Uncle Jeff, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Amy, Chris' Great Aunt Angie, Me, Great-Grandpa Adamow, Jed, and Chris
And here we have Chris' immediate family. Jed did a great job with the pictures -- especially since it was after 11pm!
And here is Chris with his brother and sister -- I love this picture.
Here's the other side of Chris' family Christmas party. Chris with his cousin, Justin.
And with his cousin Tracy.
Our boy was very tired that day -- especially after being kept up until midnight the night before. He fell asleep in Grandpa's arms and Grandpa didn't want to let him go, so they took a nap together. (maybe Grandpa was tired, too . . .)
And then we moved on to my parents house for a week. Jed loved playing with his cousins -- I don't know if I've ever seen cousins hug as much as he and Naomi -- they both love hugs so it works out well for both of them. This was at the Christmas party for my Mom's side of the family.
And here are some family pictures from that party. Left to Right from top
Uncle Azeem, Aunt Emmely, Me, Grandma, Papa, Uncle Paul, Chris, Jed, Naomi, Aunt Caroline, Joshua, and Aunt Valerie.
And here we have a picture of Papa Bill (my 93-yr-old Grandpa). He is a big hit with all his Great-Grandchildren. This picture has Jed, Naomi, Ty, and Joshua in it. Rocco was missing that day.
And here you can see how comfortable Jed is with Papa -- he just stood there holding his hand after all the pictures were done.
We had 'Christmas Morning' on the Monday after Christmas so that the whole immediate family -- now 12 1/2 of us -- could be there. This was the year of homemade presents and Jed and Papa Jim got somewhat matching ones. They look pretty handsome, don't they?
Grandma Lee and Papa Jim got all their grandkids Cowboy attire. They all love the new horse, Ginger, but some like riding the horse better than others. Jed is a rider!! Unfortunately, it was too cold and snowy for a good ride this trip -- maybe next spring when we bring the new baby!
And here I am with my sisters. We don't all three get together very often anymore, but when we do, we jump right back into it. I sure love seeing them and miss them when we're away.
Naomi got a sled from Joey -- a family friend that was living with my parents for a few months. The kids had to try it out right away -- even though we didn't have time to go outside just yet. They sure look ready, don't they?
That evening, after Valerie and Paul had already left, we bundled up Jed and Naomi to test out the sled. Jed loves the snow, but freaks out a little bit when he falls with his hands in the snow. He doesn't know quite what to do then. He never likes anything on his hands. Even when he gets a little food on them, he'll hold them up and say in a panicky voice, "Hands! Hands!" I don't think he's going to turn into a gardener or a potter.
Well, that is all for now! Jed wants you all to know that you make it into his conversations and songs often and that he loves you very much and misses all of you when we are away. He can't wait to come back in a few months and show of his baby brother or sister! Chris and I love you all, too!