Big Boy Room!

This week we put the finishing touches on Creighton's new room. He LOVES it- but has not yet spent the night in his new bed. Creighton had a lot of fun jumping on his new bed and helping put the sheets, blankets and pillows on it. As soon as it was all done, he covered himself up and said "Night Night!" and started to fake snore and sleep!

Spring around the corner?

As the holidays flew by and the last weeks of winter (being optimistic here) are now upon us, it is time once again to update.
Creighton is becoming quite the big boy! He continues to amaze us each and everyday with new words and talents. He still loves cows and tractors, but has been somewhat obsessed as of late with fish, music/dancing, and "choo-choos." It is funny how having a little boy changes things...once upon a time I was an annoyed and impatient person when the dreaded train track crossings would go down- who doesn't hate waiting for trains- and now Creighton and I cheer and clap and point and count and say "choo-choo" over and over again when we are lucky enough to get to wait for a train!
Creighton loves playing music on my ipod dock and has a sweet little spin/clap/stomp/hug routine that he will repeat more times than you care to know about. He can count orally to 10 and at times 14 and (out comes the K teacher in me) has a good understanding of number sense for a little guy... he seems to understand what it means to count objects and one to one correspondence when counting. I know what you are probably thinking... why 14?? We have 14 stairs in our house and since before I can remember have always just counted stairs when going up and down with Creighton out of habit. :)
Creighton also has learned to "appreciate" the time out chair as he has also been doing some experimenting with emotions (read: throwing fits), right and wrong, and how far he can get with his parents. As soon as C hears the words "time out" his bottom lip comes out and starts quivering like crazy. He always seems so remorseful and seems to be so grateful and thankful for the hug and the "I love you" that comes after his one minute time out.
Chad and I have been busy working on Creighton's new "big boy" bedroom. We would like to move C out of the nursery and into his new bedroom soon. We have painted the room a rust/orange color and on my snow day this Monday, Creighton and I went and bought a new full size mattress set for his room that should be in next week. He loves playing in his "new" room and thinks his transportation themed bedding is great! Before we started painting this week, we had a different bed/mattress set in the room that he loved playing on. He will look like such a little squirt in that big bed but I am so looking forward to changing regular bed sheets. Who knew crib sheets and bumper pads were such a hassle! ugh!
Creighton still enjoys going to his babysitter Amanda's house and his eyes light up in the morning when I talk to him about going to "Levi's" (Amanda's 3 year old son) to play that day. Creighton has learned so much socially this year and we are so thankful for an awesome childcare experience again this year. Amanda has been having weekly themes at her house; cars, dinosaurs, winter, etc... which of course I love! Creighton wore his dinosaur shirt and took his favorite dino book to her house this week. :) How cute!
School has been going very fast this year and I am still really enjoying my class. We do not have an official spring break but we have a nice Wed-Mon. Easter break that Chad, Creighton and I will be enjoying in Cancun, Mexico. We are very excited for this trip and can't wait to take Creighton on his first beach vacation! Creighton and I have been spending our Saturday mornings at Parent/Child Water Class at the Fulton Co. Rehab center and it turns out that C is quite the little fish. He was very hesitant at first but is now loving every minute of swim class. He loves playing "Humpty Dumpty" (sitting on the pool wall and falling in) and "Duck Duck Goose" which is played by dunking the little one who is picked "goose." Creighton went under last week and came up clapping and sneezing. :) He is also a big fan of the kick board and the noodle, but has a hard time making a noodle color choice each week.
Chad was gone last weekend on an Ice Fishing trip in Northern Michigan and had a great time. We are also planning a trip to Columbus this weekend to catch a OSU/Mich BB game, go shopping, and spend time with Chad's cousin Matt and friends to celebrate Chad's b-day. Creighton will be spending the weekend with his Grandma and Grandpa Rutter. I like to think he will miss me a little, but I can't be sure when he is with his grandparents. :)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Creighton was such a great "helper" this year! I was plugging in/checking the lights when C rolled up in his fire truck and decided to decorate his ride. It was so cute-although he was very close to running over/crushing many of the lights. So far, he has left the tree alone and doesn't seem too interested in it besides his "oooo'ing" at the lights.

Time for an Update...

While in Virginia this weekend, my loving sister-in-law Rachel let me know that my blog was WAY outdated...and did I realize I had not been doing any blogging lately...yes, and yes, I did know that...but thanks Rachel the subtle reminder! I also want to apologize to my poor grandpa Zook, who now thanks to my sister has my (outdated) blog now bookmarked on his computer and has probably been thinking that his computer/bookmark is not working since nothing has changed on here since, oh... July. A few things we have been up to:

* I have started selling Premier Designs Jewelry...mainly because I really like the jewelry and wanted to buy it at a discounted price. I never would have imagined it would keep me this busy and it really has been a blessing in many ways. I have gotten to know many new people through this "business" and it has been lots of fun too!

*School has been going absolutely wonderful this year...of course there are the typical problems, and this year a few not so typical problems but I really do feel blessed to have the class I do and I have really enjoyed my job this year and my class.

*Creighton has a new babysitter this year and loves her! No offense Amanda...(if you read this!) but part of the reason Creighton loves going to the sitter is her 3 year old son Levi. To say Creighton loves to play with Levi would be a huge understatement! It is so fun to watch Creighton grow and change and make friends. Each morning in the car on the way to Amanda's house we talk about the day and Creighton will often say "Evi! Evi!

*Over Thanksgiving we went out to Virginia to visit Rachel and also got to spend a little time with Chad's aunt and uncle, Keith and Linda Gnagey. Creighton LOVES his aunt Rachel and was very heartbroken when we left. A few trip highlights would be: Creighton running from window to window in Rachel's house looking at and talking about the cows, playing Ticket to Ride and Settlers of Catan with Rachel, visiting Rachel's new property and looking through house/idea books with her, seeing a poor bear smooshed on the interstate, Chad placing his ipod on his lap and then getting out of the car to switch drivers on the PA turnpike...the ipod is no longer with us, giving Rachel's little neighbor kids their Thanksgiving presents from Ohio and watching/hearing about their excitement, and renewed hope and faith that can only come from spending time with Rachel.
Each time we are in VA, Chad and I both find ourselves reflecting on David's life...the reality and the weight of what happened. It would be impossible to not think about the what could have been/should have been when are visiting and see Creighton playing with his aunt....what games would he have played with his uncle David?? What would we have all been doing together??

Where Everybody Knows Your Name....

A little bit of useless news now from Creighton's parents :)

Soon after Creighton was born, I decided to subscribe to Netflix. I thought that it would be worth it, since I would be staying home and spending a lot of inside time w/ little Creighton. In an effort to get Chad "on board," one of the first movies I got was a disc from Cheers, season 6. Chad always talked about how much he loved Cheers, and I thought that I would give it a try. We both loved it and decided we needed to start back at the beginning....Each of the 11 seasons have 4 discs/season. So, over the course of 1 year, Chad and I have watched all 11 seasons, 270 episodes worth of Cheers. (We have also listened to the 'theme' song 270 times, as Chad refused to fast forward that part.) I did find an unopened/never used trivia game on amazon.com that we love too :) So, if anyone wants to borrow the dvds/buff up on your Cheers trivia, just let us know!

Ok...here is a trivia ? for you:

What 3 characters appear in all 270 episodes of Cheers?

Mr. Copycat

Creighton has become quite the little copycat lately. He has started repeating a lot of words that he hears. He doesn't say them on his own yet, but can repeat: cat, night-night, whoa!, fish, out, cheese, and many more. He also can give a mean high five now. :) Last night my mom and I met my sister and her daughter Amelia at the outlets in Angola. While I was having fun shopping, Chad and Creighton headed over to my parents house. Creighton got to hang out with his grandpa Rutter and go on a long lawn mower ride while Chad left to do an estimate on a neighbors house. Creighton loves riding on anything with a motor that goes "vroommmm."

A few weeks ago, Chad's Gnagey Grandparents came over for a visit. Chad had gotten the tractor out to take Creighton for a ride so we got a few really good pictures of Creighton with his dad and his great grandpa. The tractor is actually Grandpa Gnagey's first tractor. Creighton also talked his great uncle Neil into taking him for a spin as well.

Here are a few pictures of Creighton's latest art project...finger painting! He loved it and really got excited about it. After I got him all cleaned up, he dug through his "art" box and found the tubes of paint and really wanted to paint again...maybe later!

Pooping in the tub...and a little clap

Tonight Chad met Chad Grieser in Ft. Wayne to watch a baseball game leaving Creighton and I to entertain each other. I called my mom to see what she was up to and Creighton and I ended up tagging along with her to Defiance to Lowes and then to the mall for a little shopping. Creighton is a pretty big bedtime routine junkie and loves nothing more than to have a bath at 7, pjs and books and then upstairs for a sippy full of milk by 7:30. I was a little concerned that he might crash and burn while shopping until 8, but he did great and loved every minute of it- flirting with the workers at each store.

Typically I give C his bath, get his pajamas on, and then Chad and I both read books with him until Chad takes him upstairs to put him to bed. Knowing that I was going to need to do all of that tonight, and that it was already an hour past his bedtime, I wanted to give him a quick bath and get on with the process. Creighton, still invigorated from his shopping trip was having none of it and was playing in the bathtub...even after I had drained all the water out. I was getting his toothbrush ready at the sink when I heard the dreaded "i'm pooping" grunt. By the time I walked the three steps to the bathtub the damage had already been done. Laying there, in the drained tub was a nice long turd staring back at me. I knew this milestone would come sooner or later- what parent doesn't have a pooping in the bathtub story...but I thought- of all nights!

Eventually, we made it upstairs to the rocking chair in his room for his sippy cup of milk. He was still acting a little on the wound up side, so I started to sing to him his favorite song "Jesus Loves Me" (Neil and Faith got him a book for his birthday that plays the song when you open it) Thankfully he calmed down right away and started drinking his milk. Each time I got done singing the song, Creighton would look up at me, put his cup down and clap for me. This continued until his milk was all done.

Funny how two sweet little hands clapping for a less then perfect rendition of Jesus loves me can melt your heart and put all the stress and craziness of the day to ease.

I have been doing some 'limited' posting to our blog this summer and doing a bit of cheating thanks to Smilebox. I am a list maker so perhaps I would do better making lists of what we have been up to this summer!

Places we have been:

Iowa- visiting friends Dustin and Mindy Hadley and their 3 year old Kaden

Branson MO- spent time with my parents and my dad's side of the family for a Rutter get together on Lake Taneycomo. We put about 2000 miles on during this trip-and once again, Creighton probably complained the least amount of all of us :) We went to Iowa first "on the way" to Branson....which after I finally looked at the atlas, was NOT a direct route as Chad had earlier convinced me...but it was great to see where D&M live. Here is a picture of Creighton eating crab in MO. He loved it!

The Toledo Zoo- I try to take Creighton to the zoo about every other week. He loves riding around in his stroller and checking out the animals. His favorites include: the aquarium, the primates, and also the new Nature's Neighborhood kids area. Here is a picture of both Creighton and the Orangutan eating.

We are also thinking about planning another quick trip before the summer ends...possibly out to VA to see family and friends.

Creighton's Favorite Things and New "Tricks":

words: "dada", "hi", "what's that?","tractor", "mama", "nana" for banana, and he is starting to say a mumbled "outside"

Creighton loves playing outside. He loves his lambs and will dutifully carry do his chores when he goes out to visit them. As soon as he walks into the barn, he heads for the hay pile, grabs and handful and carries it over to their pen, shoves his hand through the gate and feeds them. This continues on until he is bribed or carried out of the barn. Creighton also loves going for rides on the 4 wheeler. The term "out of site, out of mind" does not apply to him when it comes to the atv. If we are outside, Creighton will walk over to the shop and whine at the door until you either distract him with something equally exciting or take him on a ride. He has always loved the 4 wheeler- even when he was very little.

Chad just recently finished Creighton's sandbox- which turned out to be a very large sand area! Chad and Corey Roth worked on digging it w/ a tractor and then when Chad went to buy the sand his wife wanted, it was going to be $300 to fill it! :) Chad put some dirt back into the sandbox before adding forty 50lb bags of the sand I wanted. Needless to say, it was a bit of an adventure, but Creighton LOVES it and loves to play "knock over the sandcastle" with me.

Other Items:

Creighton, having 4 ear infections in 3 months is going to be getting tubes put in his ears July 29. We are hoping that it goes as smoothly as it should and that they work their magic! We feel very blessed that Chad has continued to be very busy with his eavespouting business and he has 2 great guys working for him. I can happily report that I have not thought about school for the past several weeks, but will need to start devoting a little time to school things as the summer continues to fly by! We are also looking forward to this August when our new pastor Steve and his wife Bonnie Heatwole will be coming to Lockport.

I hope all of you have been having a great summer filled with all the things you love.

Iowa/Missouri Vacation

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Sandbox Time

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Creighton Playing

Creighton loves to quickly make everything on his table disappear...today he did that, and then made himself disappear as well. The video is about 1 1/2 minutes long...wait it out and you will be laughing out loud at the end! Enjoy!