Rules of the road

This Thanksgiving brought our first long-haul car trip. A whopping 9 hours of driving (2.5 hours of stopping/eating/playing). To say we were nervous as we pushed off is an understatement. Here is what we learned this weekend:

1. Leaving at 4 am just means the children will wake up earlier. And want to color in the dark.
2. If you fail to bring a roll of paper towels and a plastic bag, one of the children will throw up.
3. Old magazines are the best toy - especially if you're cool with the ripping and folding that will ensue.
4. Upstate New York has no place decent to eat. No - it doesn't.
5. You will go hoarse after the 78th round of Jingle Bells.
6. You will not tire of your daughter taking pretend pictures of all the Christmas decorations (and she will take quite a few).
7. And in the end, you will have a grand Thanksgiving, complete will all the trimmings. You will also learn just how hard it is to photograph 8 children.
   

A world traveler

Or at least, traveling to Minnesota. Indeed, last Monday's post depicts Toddler Jeneric pretending to travel to Minnesota. Here, we show the Trunki in-use, carrying toys and books a-plenty.


Leading Trunki into the party room.


Spilling his guts (and delighting Baby Wily in the process).

By the numbers

Alas and alack, it's been far too long! We've had a 2-year check-up for Toddler Jeneric (30 lb (~85th percentile) and 3 feet tall (~95th percentile)) - she's on target for all major developmental milestones (speech, gross and fine motor skills) and took her Hep A vaccine like a champ.

No babies were harmed in the making of this photo.

Baby Wily cruised through her 1-month check up with nary a peep (11 lb, 7 oz (~90th percentile); 20 7/8 inches (~65th percentile)). She continues to have a weepy eye (due to a blocked tear duct) but is otherwise strong, healthy and happy.


Baby Wily oversees the playing of Carcassonne, the Castle. We don't let her play anymore, since she always wins.

Somewhere in November, Toddler Jeneric had a birthday where the best part seemed to be the cards (many contained stickers!).

Stickers on the tummy? Can a tattoo be far behind?!


Toddler Jeneric picked out the vest (she favored the purple over the pink, floral or gecko print - who knew??) The bright object in the foreground is her first computer - which she uses to send e-mail.


This is what Mama came home to one day - can you see the stickers on her belly - again?

Stay tuned for next time (who knows when that will be!) when we present the Wily Jeneric train escapades!

I can't wait to take the A train!

Milwaukee

Did we mention we went to Milwaukee? Yes, the Wily Jeneric family headed north (past Chicago, a traffic nightmare) for the Ecological Society of America's annual meeting. While Jenni played the scholar, Eric and Toddler Jeneric explored the sights of Milwaukee (an Art Museum with wings, a Children's museum with Mr. Potato head, the river, cheese shops and more) and learned to have fun in a hotel room.

Grandma and Grandpa Come for a Visit

Summer vacation continues - another guest blog:


They let me out of my cage.


A day at the beach on Lake Michigan.


A day without Applesauce is like a day without ....


A day at the park.


Lookin' pretty.


A day at the pool.


A day at the zoo - yum! Ice Cream!


A day at the library.


Out geocaching with Grandma and Grandpa.

We all had a good time!

Grammy and Grampy Visit

It has been so long since Jenni & Eric have blogged that Grammy and Grampy decided to hijack the blog!



Grammy and Grampy have come to visit toddler Jeneric and are going to Mackinac Island.




It was a windy boat ride!




Mommy and Daddy came too!




Grammy and Grampy have managed to take a photo of them with toddler Jeneric. Aren't we good!!!!




Grammy and Grampy got brave and rode a zip line! Wow!




Rock climbing 101.




It was a long day but lots of fun.

New wheels

Spring has reared her timid head here in Michigan. With warmer temperatures and sunny skies come outdoor activities. On Saturday, the Wily Jeneric family dusted off the bikes (Eric built Toddler Jeneric's chariot - while Mom and Toddler napped!) and headed downtown for dinner and a quick geocache.


How long will she be this happy to wear a helmet?


Daddy and Toddler Jeneric, ready to take off.


You mean we're done?

In case it wasn't obvious, Toddler Jeneric loves bike riding. She will eagerly put her helmet on, climb into the trailer and happily amuse herself for the length of the ride. We have to work on geocaching. So far, she's not feeling the love.

And I did it my way

Going down stairs using the butt scoot method used to try Toddler Jeneric's patience. Too slow, too much work and, truth be told, a little unnerving. In an effort to expand her mobility, Eric taught her a new, improved, super-duper method for descending stairs. Witness: the belly flop!

Step 1: Flip to belly


Step 2: Hesitantly slide one or two steps and get reassurance from Dad.


Step 3: Let go and riiiide!

(note: no rug burn was inflicted in the making of this blog post, and diapers are an excellent guard against wedgies!)