October?!

Wow. I guess we didn't fully realize what so many parents told us. "Time flies when you've got a baby." "Babies take a lot of your 'spare' time!" and "You think you'll have a lot of free time when you're staying home, but you'll be surprised how it disappears." Ain't that the truth! So it's now OCTOBER! And fall is here with a vengeance. It's remarkable to me that although our little Iain is only four (and a bit!) months old, he's already gotten to experience three seasons, and six different months!

I have the best of intentions to blog AT LEAST weekly, but I realized today that if I wanted to start doing that...I had some serious catching up to do! I realize that if I tried to update you on all that has happened since our last post (...ahem...May 29th?) I'd be here all day. (And incidently, I think that's one of my blogging issues...I feel like I have to write about EVERYTHING, and I never have time for that, so I just don't write!) So here are just a few of the highlights. (Copmplete with pictures of course!)

We have made a couple of trips to Canada to see the Patterson crew and friends; the first trip was when Iain was a mere three weeks old, and he did beautifully on his first plane ride! I was SUPER nervous about flying with him by myself, and was especially dreading being "that mom" on the plane or in the airport with the screaming baby, but he totally proved me wrong and made not a peep. It was a WONDERFUL trip with lots of meeting and greeting, fellowshipping and fun. But alas, always too short. Here's just one of my favorite pictures from this trip. And this is what Iain did for mostly the ENTIRE trip!

Little burrito baby...

Our second trip to the motherland was in August, and it was even better, because Neil came too. This time we went for ten glorious days, complete with a LONG drive through the UP of Michigan, time at the cottage with Grandma and Grampy Patterson, Uncle Brett and Auntie Breha, Great-Aunt Catharine and Earl, and buddies Deborah and April. We relaxed a lot, fished a litle, swam hardly at all, because it was TOO COLD, and generally had a wonderful time. It was a great vacation, with a TON of driving, and including a little side-trip to Kingston for Neil's cousin's wedding. It was great to get to see all the Pitman crew, and Iain got to meet Nana and Papa Pitman for the first time, which was really special. We ended our week with a sleepover at Shane and Jenny and Gavin's house before heading back to Iowa. Here are a few pictures that give the scope of the week.

Long car rides require the company of Mr. Lion!

Iain was NOT so impressed with his first swimming experience...

Family shot at the wedding-one of FIVE weddings Iain has attended in his short life!

Meeting Great-Nana and Great-Papa Pitman

Little boy on a BIG boat!

The brave paddlers who saved our lives on our boating adventure!

A typical shot of Iain and BFF Gavin...

Other than those two trips to Canada, there have been a few hotel stays for mini-vacations, including a "Labour Day" trip to Minneapolis. We stayed at a Staybridge and had tons of fun cooking on our hotel stovetop!

Bathtime in the Staybridge "kitchen" sink, moments before he plunged UNDER the water, and came up laughing and said "Oooh!" as we were freaking out. Daredevil.

One of our favorite "get-aways" was in September, when we went to Chicago for a U2 show. Iain had his first "babysitter" other than Grandma and Grandpa, although I'm not sure Deborah counts as a babysitter either because she's his "Faunty" ("FakeAunty"). He quickly learned that her other name is "Sucker", and all he needed to do was look at her with his sad face, and she'd pick him up and play...so needless to say they had a GREAT time! We were so excited to have Deborah stay with us for a week, and had a ton of fun together. Here are a couple of pictures of our adventures.

Fun at the Doubletree with "Faunty" Deborah and new friends Sophie and Sven

At the Bean in Millenium Park, Chicago

Excuse me? Do I have a baby or a goat on my shoulders?

Enjoying the Navy Pier ferris wheel and a great sunset

We have also had LOTS of visits back to Iowa City for follow-ups, (THANKFULLY all with excellent results!) which usually include a sleepover at Aunt Becky, Uncle Su and COUSIN COURTNEY's house! Iain's little cousin Courtney was born July 3rd, and we know they're going to be best buddies some day! (They still don't take much notice of eachother, but it's already so fun to take "cousin" pictures!) This is one of the neatest things about Iain's "babyhood", as every week Becky or I will drive to the other person's house, and we spend the day together.

First (of many) cousin pictures on Courtney's second day of life

What is summer without a camping trip?? We took Iain on his first camping trip with the GAC, back in July, and he LOVED it! The Pack'N'Play fit nicely in our tent, so I think the thought we were still at home, and didn't realize he was in the great outdoors, although it was a frigid 50 degrees...yes...in July!

Little Bear goes camping...

Watching his mobile in the tent!

Also in July, we got to spend a long weekend with Auntie Breha and Uncle Brett. We had a great time celebrating their anniversary, going to a wedding, and just being together, which we don't get to do nearly enough.

At our awesome digs, Earthrider Hotel, Broadhead, Wisconsin

Neil has been coaching volleyball at Emmaus, for their inaugural inter-collegiate season, which he has really enjoyed. Iain and I enjoy going to watch the games, and Iain has an Emmaus onesie, so he's the cutest little fan! We just spent a weekend in Chicago with the team, and although it was tons of fun, lets just say that we understand why Chicago didn't win the Olympic bid. Can we say TRAFFIC ISSUES?? We've also gone to watch several Tri-State games and tournaments, which is bittersweet as we coached there for so long. Iain has some awesome "made with love" onesies from those girls that he sports at their games!

"Future Volleyball Player"

Otherwise, we've just been loving life with the best baby in the world! Iain has had no issues with his health so far, and this is a HUGE answer to prayer. He has had two MRIs, and his condition is stable, which is excellent news. He will not need a shunt, and we have been released from being "neurosurgery" patients and are being followed up with by neurology. He had a developmental follow-up done as well, and is right on the mark. He is doing all the things any other baby his age should, (rolling over, trying to sit, trying to crawl, "talking", laughing, playing, eating well, sleeping all night, noticing himself in the mirror, etc.) and each "stage" is even more fun than the last. We know we're not "in the clear" yet, because seizures, other medical issues or delays could appear at any time, even as late as his teen years, but for now, we're thanking the Lord for our little miracle, and leaving the future in His hands with confidence. We still appreciate your prayers! He is a super happy and sociable baby, and everyone who meets him loves him and his happy demeanor. He got his first two teeth over the last month, and even then we really didn't have too much trouble with fussiness, so we know that we have an easy one here, and may be in for a shocker with his subsequent brothers and sisters! Of course, he's not ALWAYS nice...he can shriek like nobody's business when he's upset, and we've already noticed that he knows how to get his way when he wants to...little sinner! Here are just a few more photos of "everyday life" with the Pitmans.

Happy Little Naked Boy!

First night in his own room!

Bathtime with Ducky!

Love that smile!

Fun at the Madison Zoo

Sad little dragon...

Coming up on the horizon, another trip to Canada in two weeks, to spend some time at the cottage with the Patterson family during the "Moose Hunt". Although neither Iain, Neil or I (or Mum or Breha for that matter!) will be hunting any moose, we expect a wonderful, cozy time with the beautiful fall foliage, family we love, and lots of naps! We are also celebrating CANADIAN Thanksgiving with the Pitmans next weekend, so if my blogging intentions pan out, this may be my next post ;) Until then, thanks for reading!