Liam and Brendan playing together

Brendan is TRYING to do his class workbook. Liam is trying hard to convince Brendan to play with him. Let's see who wins...

Still trying...

Still trying...mom ended up rescuing Brendan. He was determined to work on the exercises!

Brendan's turn to be pushed.

Big brother giving Liam a thrill ride!

An update on our family

Marc and Brendan playing "football" yesterday. The rules they play by seem to mostly involve who can tickle the other the most.

Liam dressed up for Halloween. We took him to a few of our neighbors to say hello. Brendan decided he wanted to stay home and pass out candy, so that's all the trick or treating we did this year.

An update on the family:

The boys are both doing well. Brendan is doing fairly well in school. His academics are good and behavior-wise is doing well, too. We are seeing much improvement over last year. We are considering transferring him to another Montessori school (part of the same Charter as the one he goes to now) that's a 10 minute WALK from our house. I feel particulary silly that I didn't know about this campus. Seems like him going there is an opportunity for him to make friends in our neighborhood for a change. If this does happen, it won't be until the school year is over, though. It's a hard decision to make, as we have become very attached to the teachers at the campus he's going to now.

Liam is great...actually, that's his status quo! He's a pro with walking now, improving his skills daily and even attempting stairs standing up on occasion. He can clearly say "ball" and "dog." He's also got a small army of molars, although he still has some left to come through. He decided a little while back he wants nothing to do with baby food, so he's pretty much gone from just bottles to bottles and adult food, abeit cut up. He's startlingly quick, and seems to understand most everything we say. When asked for his shoes, he goes to get them. When asked to lie down on the changing table so I can change his diaper, he does (well, SOME of the time, anyway!). He's into EVERYTHING, which means we are in full use of various locking mechanisms and swearing under our breaths when we forget to lock up. He watches us closely and is right on us when we don't lock up. Within seconds, the contents are strewn about the floor.

We'll be spending Thanksgiving with Marc's mom and gram and then we'll be home for Christmas. I'm excited about spending Christmas at home. It'll be the first time in 15 years or so that we've planned to do that! I've already knitted personalized stockings for the boys and am planning to fill them in the usual Wilkendorf manner. :) My personal tribute to grandad! I have a zillion details buzzing about in my head on what I'd like to do and what might be fun for the boys. I feel like I'm 7 years old again!

Liam in the daycare playyard

These are hot off the presses, taken just this morning, folks!

Rolling around on the blanket.

One very happy baby!

He loves to carry objects around in his mouth.

Hmm...what to go after next?

The many faces of Liam

Puerto Vallarta

The view from our room.

The glorious pool, where we spent the bulk of our vacation.

The swim up bar. Our favorite spot!

One of our mealtimes.

The beach was Brendan's favorite place. He loved the surf.

Brendan's Kindergarten graduation in June

The entire Kindergarten class at CMP, with diplomas in hand!

Brendan receiving his diploma from the principal.

Marc and Liam, hanging out before the celebration began.

Liam and I, hanging out before the celebration.

Baby quilt for daycare

This has been my project for the past 2 months or so. It's been a lot of work, but I'm very happy with the result. I did this to donate to the silent auction next week. My fingers are crossed some of the moms and dads will want it enough to pay good $ for it!

Photos of Liam

Sitting up...kind of.

Playing with those tempting toes!

Superbowl Sunday

Liam enjoying his gym while dad gets ready for the superbowl.

Said goodbye to Toad

Toad at Halloween this year...still looking pretty good.

Toad in February 2008. Enjoying the sun.

All three kitties in Jan 2008.

Our eldest kitty, Toad, has been sick for a while now, but acutely so in the past few months. We've known he's been sick, but since he's so elderly (almost 19), had decided to make his last few months as comfortable as possible, rather than subjecting him to treatment after treatment and extended stays in the vet clinic. Today, we took him to the vets as the past two days, he had stopped eating and there was a look about his eyes that told me he was in pain. He weighed only 4lbs. We let them run some blood tests. He was extremely anemic and other problems, too, but so anemic that he would need all of his blood replaced and immediately. That would be just for starters. We couldn't stomach putting him through all of that. We made the decision that it was his time to go. He went very peacefully. He was such a good kitty, and I cannot image my life now that he is no longer in it. I've had him since I turned 18. Marc and I are both a bit in shock and hurting. I miss him very much...