Well! Here we are, in 2014, off to an interesting and snowy start. So far, January has consisted of A LOT of inside the house time, 2 rounds of upper respiratory viruses (2 rounds per child, mind you), and a lot of snow. Trips to the grocery have become about as exciting as a real vacation! While you'll have to wait until the next post to see photos of the snow, there are many others from November and December to peruse this time.
Edison was enrolled in Montessori, which we started this month because we thought it would be a nice distraction from all of said indoor time. However, by the 16th, he had already been expelled (they kindly referred to it as, 'unenrolled'), so he's now back at home. I still volunteered to give a talk to the 1-2 year olds about being a doctor though - hopefully they'll look favorably on that when we try to re-enroll him next year. (On a side note, giving a career talk to 1-2 year olds is hilarious).
Adlai had a 2 month visit at the end of December. He was 14lbs 8oz and 25 inches. He seemed to change overnight from a newborn to an interactive baby when he was 10wks old - so it's been more fun to play with him ever since. He's adept at grabbing my hair, drooling profusely, playing airplane on my legs, and smiling (with the occasional laugh thrown in). He overall seems to have a pretty relaxed and happy demeanor. Similar to his father...
On a completely different note, I don't know that we ever summarized 2013! It was an odd year, full of highs and lows. We took a couple of trips - to indoor waterparks in the winter, Arizona in the spring, and San Diego in June. The other day Edison brought up the big helicopter at the San Diego Zoo. I didn't know he remembered the zoo, much less the helicopter. Over the summer, we made several trips to Indianapolis to visit Grandpa Jim in the hospital. And then Adlai came along! We had fun with some international visitors, and then in November, Edison had the important role of firefighter ring-bearer at Aunt Lauren and Uncle Trevor's wedding. Sadly, one of our pets, Azhan, died then, but this was an interesting learning experience for both Edison and Damon and I to learn how to talk to a 2 year old about dying...
Christmas was fun, Santa brought Edison lots of toys. Lots of toys. I'm kind of glad Santa came along so at least Edison doesn't think ALL gifts come from the mailman. Who knew mailmen were so thoughtful?!
So, I think that's most of the commentary I had. Here are a few choice conversations with Edison to round out the lengthy verbage here...
Tonight's conversations with Edison. Now, let's preface this with the fact that I have not had a decent night's sleep in at least 2 weeks, and Edison chose to scream from 3am-5am straight last night. Edison is in the bath, wearing his flippers.
"Edison, I have asked you several times, please do not lift your flippers out of the water. You're getting the carpet all wet."
Edison's flippers are removed and he gets out of the bath.
"Mommy. We have gone over this several times."
"What have we gone over Edison?"
"You're mean."
Oh good. We then move to the kitchen.
"Mommy?"
"What?"
"Why are you eating candy all the time?!"
Damon snickers.
"I don't know Edison, probably because I'm tired."
"You know, candy is MY favorite...."
The other day, we had this exchange while reading the book 'What People Do':
"Edison, what do I do all day?"
"You go to work."
"Yep, and what do I do there?"
"You earn money for me. So I can buy lots of Legos."
Oh my.
Another example, Edison gets his Elmo talking computer thing (it's just a plastic case that has a keyboard and makes sounds, no real screen) out and sets it up on the bed next to me.
"Edison, what are you doing?"
"I'm just going to finish up some of my work. Like you do."
And he proceeds to look at the screen and pretend to type.
At the grocery, I'm pushing Edison in the cart and we turn down the wine aisle.
"Wow, look at all of this wine!"
"Let's buy some for daddy."
"I don't think we need any right now, Edison."
We then go past the milk and Edison sees a new product in the aisle.
"Let's get that!"
"Umm, no, that has alcohol in it. You can't drink it."
"Oh. Well, then we need to get it for daddy!"
Apparently Edison thinks of Daddy as an alcoholic.
So, there you go! Hope you're staying warm and out of the reaches of the Polar Vortices.
Bath time is fun for some.
Edison's has this "modern" self-portrait photography down.
The family freezing upon returning with their kill from the xmas tree farm.
"Behold, Aunt Lauren, I've come to bear your rings."
Great Hilary, cousin Lindsey and Rob taking care of the first partiers to pass out at the wedding.
Edison and Adam taking a nap, resting themselves before the after-party.
Daddy trying to rest himself after the wedding.
Edison has an entire conversation with Santa!
Edison draws the same tattoo Aunt Sam has on her foot, a stegosaurus.
Adlai exhausted from looking so cute in a cute hat.
Edison not at all confused about wearing a fire helmet and life preserver at the same time.
Stevie and Craig pretending they just had a baby.
Adlai's serious face.
Reb teaching Adlai a variety of drum rhythms.
Edison teaching Craig how these Playmobiles go together.
Mommy double-fisting kids.
The Wolf Brothers - 2013
Rob helps Edison slide down another fire pole.
Edison leads the charge at Normandy with Josh and Matolah.
Edison checks daddy's blood pressure (which seems to be steadily increasing day by day).
Edison and Matolah fishing at the Children's Museum.
Josh, Matolah, Edison and daddy at the St. Joseph Carousel.
Edison gets an unexpected walk-by-hugging.
Mommy and Craig waiting their turn for the swing.
Adlai finds a warm and cozy spot.
Edison reminiscing.
Adlai, the first casualty of the Phantom Firefighter.
"Daddy, why is my sled way behind me?'
Adlai and Carmen, the midwife who caught him.
Adlai prepared for the elements.
One day, Edison will have legs like these.
One day, everything relating to clowns will be banned.
Edison enjoying another test ride.
Three generations of Wolfs enjoying a test ride.
It appears Adlai will be the early bird of the two.
Adlai dubious of this new experience.
"What the hell is this, I look like a Care Bear!"
"At least I'm warm."
And the race begins! With Adlai already getting aerodynamics down, he pulls out to an early lead.
Adlai is in the lead and Edison is not happy about this.
Daddy gives Edison some snowboarding lessons.
Adlai happy that the sun is out for the first time since he's been born.
Adlai entertaining Grandpa Marshall.
Adlai's distrustful look.
And let the hand-me-down toys begin.
The firefighter gets a new mask from Santa.
Edison comes to a sudden realization that this new brother of his could be his replacement.
"Here we go again, in Care Bear style."
Edison and Adlai officially have the coolest bed in Benton Harbor.
There's a happy boy.
Hey, there he is again.
Catching snow on the tongue is not an Olympic sport, yet.
My these exercise balls hold up well.
A cute mommy holds a cute Adlai.
Adlai is humored at Edison pretending to be Al Bundy.
XMAS TIME IS HERE AGAIN!!!
Uncle Clint trying to reach Edison through his walkie-talkie hand.
A well lit Christmas morning.
Great Gary and Great Val playing with Adlai.
Edison studying his new Radio Flyer wagon and the intriguing contents Santa left in it.
Just what the nice (not naughty) boy asked Santa for.
We're all questioning Santa's nice & naughtiness standards.
Edison prepares to clean the catbox.
'Yes? This is Dr. Wolf....well, I'm pretty tied up at the moment, that consult will just have to wait'
After several anti-Chavez remarks were made during the walk, Edison had had enough and launched a pre-emptive attack on Uncle Clint.
Uncle Clint fired back with 10 times the force...
But was no match for Edison's precision drone attack.
An armed Uncle Jamie acted as Switzerland and just kept back and enjoyed the show.
A happy Adlai.
Can't remember what Edison was doing here. We would ask him but he's asleep in his pillow-case.
Edison makes it to the top of the light-house gym for the first time!
After Pamma spent a great deal talking to Santa, Edison eventually receives
the greatest xmas present he'll get in his entire life.
With driving an automatic being intimidating for a 2.5 year old,
Edison starts out doing the work himself instead.
Edison 'scuba diving'. The safe, dry and inexpensive way.
!
!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't get used to this smile, there are so many more to come.
Great Gary holds a great Adlai.
And if you haven't seen any of the recent videos:
Edison Shorts 18
Edison Freaks for Flips
Edison Plays Tag
Hide and Go Zeke
