While We Wait

Hamilton and I have been having some fun while we wait for #2's debut. Chicago in the winter with a toddler presents some challenges, for sure...but we've been trying to find ways to get those little legs tired without freezing. The Children's Museum has helped (and it's a few blocks from the doctor's office and a single bus ride from our house--bonus!).

Here he is at the building station. He takes the hard hat requirement very seriously (you can't see this, but he insisted that I wear one as well).

This is currently his favorite station (and I love that it minimizes my cleanup effort). He could seriously paint the entire time and be completely content. He also doesn't seem to mind the paint on his head or clothing. Shortly after these pictures were taken, he leaned forward to reload his brush and added a little color to his forehead as he leaned against the glass.

The museum has an indoor "ice" rink (linoleum with pledge). Hamilton was quite impressed with the speed of these kindergartners, and was happy to be spinning in place amongst them.


We didn't make it out Monday of this week, but Hamilton found plenty to do anyway. He discovered the joy of stirring. Here he is stirring some pancake batter.


...and here I am in the only "belly picture" I've taken this pregnancy (only took one during Hamilton's, as well...so no first-born preference there). This was right as I hit 8 months. Notice little dude in the background in his chair at the table. He really loves being a big boy. We are excited to see him as a big brother!

Getting ready for Baby #2

Things have been noticeably quiet for the Team Whitney blog, not that life has been quiet. The main news, as I suspect anyone looking at this blog knows, is that we're now just weeks away from the expected arrival of Baby #2. The due date is March 1, so the time is coming close. Please pray for the health of the new baby and Jenny.

In the mean time, our Baby #1 still continues to delight his parents. Jenny and I never know what to expect from our little man Hamilton. Jenny caught this picture the other day of our little guy having fallen asleep during nap time . . . in our bed.

Why that was preferable to his own bed? Got us.

In any case, he does sometimes sleep where he's supposed to be. He's actually taken to his big boy bed very well . . . having gotten the boot from the crib to make room for his new brother or sister. He's done an admirable job of adapting to the change--and there's more to come.
His other new passion is opening and closing doors, particularly when he can knock on the door and then respond with "come in." Here he is trying to work on the front door. Of course, the very stool he uses to reach the handle is the same one that prevents him from actually opening the door. He hasn't figured out a way around that one yet.

A Little Under the Weather

We are super thankful for being healthy so far this winter...and after a really good stretch, we've all come down with a little cold. Thankfully, staying home when the temperatures are below 10 degrees isn't too hard to do.

Today was a pretty lazy Saturday...and although Hamilton fought his nap during naptime (he read the entire time, instead), he decided to doze off while chilling with his daddy.

Dinner at the Whitneys

We've moved Hamilton to the big boy table to eat right in between Freeman and me (he previously sat in his booster seat on top of a stainless steel bar chair since his eating and the feet on the seat really messed with our wooden chairs). He loves it and gets really excited to climb into his chair at dinner time.

Of course, as with many toddlers, his eating habits can be...inconsistent (but, Hamilton, you loved [insert food name here] the last 10 times we had it!). Plus, dinner tends to be his lightest meal, but tonight he surprised us both by really taking a liking to his daddy's hot wing sauce.

He had already taken a couple of bites before I got the camera going--and I obviously didn't stop to adjust the lighting (sorry).

Oh, and see that bowl of oranges. That's what he wanted for dessert.

Last Night's Performance

Usually right after dinner, it's "Shower Time" in the Whitney household. Last night, however, Hamilton wanted to provide a little post supper entertainment. Hope you enjoy...

...and the encore...

Driving My Tractor

We recently received an email from our friend Veronica from Turvey Abbey (you may recall we visited her in May for her Final Profession). Sr. Goedele, who had so kindly set up a play area for Hamilton during our visit, came across a video that she thought our little animal-lover would enjoy.

She was right on! Thank you, Sr. Goedele!

Here's little dude clucking like a chicken (actually, that was a first and you can tell he was pleased with himself). Then he finds the "moo" and exclaims "oh no" when all of the animals fall out of the tractor trailer. He can't really pretend to be sad like the farmer, though, because he knows all of the animals make it safely back to the farm.

If you'd like to watch the video without the Hamilton commentary (or our dishwasher in the background), check it out here:

Our Little Zebra

Hamilton was invited to his first birthday party on Saturday--a costume party for his friend Mira. Hamilton absolutely loves it when he gets to see Mira. They can chase each other and down our hallway for a VERY long time.

Our little dude got all decked out for the party as a...

...zebra with a mohawk.

Hamilton quickly found his friend from the savannah.

Here are a couple of Hamilton's other friends: Megan and Ella. They were decorating and enjoying cookies. Maybe it was because this activity left all of the toys free...Hamilton decided to forgo this activity.


Later that afternoon, we met up with John and Carolyn and went to (where else?) the Farm at the Zoo. Although a zebra doesn't quite fit in, Hamilton was excited to be back at his favorite place.



Did you know zebras hatch from eggs? I didn't, either.



Finally, we stopped by church to check out the Fall Festival. Our ever practical son went to a game station where the prize was candy, but decided to skip the "game" step.


We got home with a tired little boy who stopped next door for one piece of candy, then dinner, bath and bed. Whew!