Way to Go!!

This is a great and momentous day in the Weigel household. My brilliant husband has passed all of his quals!!! He had to pass four exams before he could move on to finding an adviser and a thesis topic--so now everyone better watch out, Peter Weigel is on the loose. Just for anyone who wants to know-Pete is interested in Differential Geometry. I am so proud of him for passing them in a one year time period-that is a great accomplishment. Go Pete!!!

On a side note-- Setting: Pete getting ready for school. Jack and I laying in the bed. Conversation: P: Yeah I kicked butt on those exams! J: Butt , Butt P: oh man it starts already.

It does.

Trip to Henderson

Jack and I went on a solo trip to Henderson. I was a bit worried about driving that far with my son and no back up, but we both did a great job! I had some family come to town that we haven't seen in 5 or 6 years, and there was a 4.5 month baby involved so of course we couldn't pass that up. (The very bottom picture is of Jack with baby Kate) We had a great time and were pretty busy all 4 days. We had pizza and cake at my uncle's house on the first night, bbq at the park on the second night, and grilled hamburgers at my aunt's on the the 3rd night- we also got to spend a little one-on-one time with my nanny. The 4th day was more of a packing and saying bye-bye day. (top picture is me, my dad, nanny, and jack)

I must say that I haven't been so tired in quite a long time. It wasn't even due to all the family togetherness-it was the fact my dad's house is not suited for a toddler. I am used to knowing Jack is pretty much safe in our little apartment so I don't have to constantly get up and down, but my dad's house was a different story, by 2pm every day I was just exhausted.

Jack had a blast! My dad has two dogs-they are both labs--Jack loves dogs. This meant he was in heaven the whole time. He learned Dixie's name on the first day. Rex was a bit harder and was pretty much just called dog or Dixie while we were there. (The second picture is Jack with Rex) Jack also loved the cat- Poojah. He ended up calling him Poojie. It was pretty cute. There was a lot of petting, ball throwing, tailing pulling, and chasing animals around the house. He also enjoyed the dog' s kennels. I think he spent more time playing with them than anything else. (The third picture is Dixie and Jack in the kennel)

Mary got him a little police car that makes noise if you touch the siren and a dinosaur shirt that lights up when you move. Jack LOVED these gifts. When he would get tired or cranky he would want the police car and he would just sit there turning the siren on and off over and over again. The shirt was also a huge hit-- he wore it to my aunt's house and showed everyone how it lit up. He would get this huge smile on his face. He usually showed people that both his shirt and his car had moving lights. Way cool!! (The fourth picture is Mary, Poojah, and Jack showing off his shirt and car)

Jack made some great strides in language while we were in Henderson. He started speaking quite a bit more and stringing two words together. He was saying- Up please-- All done-- That's funny--See baby-- and quite a few other things. He was even saying things after only hearing them a few times. It is so exciting to be able to start communicating a little more with him.

round and round we go

Jack really loves spinning around and around in the computer chair. As with most children, the faster we go the more he delights in it. When the spinning ceases he looks up and says more both verbally and with sign language. So we just keep on spinning. I don't know where that joy and thrill of being so dizzy you want to puke goes, but somewhere along the way we all seem to lose it. Today we were spinning around and around when Jack manages to fall sideways out of the chair behind the armrest. I am able to grab his foot, with the chair still spinning, and his head hanging upside down. Once in an upright position he looks at me and goes --more?

I had a birthday, and Pete made me a cheesecake. The above picture is of this wonderfully delicious treat. So thanks Pete for the yummy cake and the great steaks!

We went to Turkey Run today with some friends- it was so much fun. We had to leave before everyone else because Jack needed a nap but we still were glad to go. There were three families total with 4 kids and 1 on the way. We started by hanging out in the nature center then we went on a 1.7 mile hike. It was a great day for hiking because it wasn't very humid at all--thank goodness! Pete probably wasn't as thrilled with the hike since he has some sort of foot fracture, bruise, or something, and he had to carry Jack. So I am sorry Pete :( After the hike we were pretty hungry so it was off to grill burgers, eat fruit, and the three of us moms pretty much ate a whole bag of Ruffles. None of the kids wanted their burgers--how can you play all day and then not be hungry?! Oh well. The food, conversation, and bonding were wonderful.

Then finally, Jack likes spinning so much that I thought I would teach him Ring around the Rosies. He loves it. When I say --ashes ashes-- he starts to fall down. Then right back up, hands extended, and we do it all over again. Ashes ashes we all fall down-- and down we go with a huge smile. I am glad he loves it so much but I am sort of regretting teaching it to him because we have to do it over and over for 10 mins. Spinning and falling--oh to be a child once more.