Ian's First Joke

Friday, as you know, Ian started saying the word "no." Hooray for word #2. It has been pointed out that I will probably regret teaching him that one. Monday night he made a game out of that new word and his other word- shaking his head "no" and saying "da-da." Then he'd laugh. He could have been telling me what I already knew, which is that Daddy was not at home, but I have decided to pronounce this Ian's First Joke. As in, "I know these don't go together, so this is funny!" I consider this his most important milestone to date. It's a hard, cruel world without humor.

Word # 3: This morning he said "Mama." Just as though he suddenly realized, after all this time, who the heck this woman is who is always around. Then, this afternoon, he celebrated by biting a small piece of skin off of my cheek.

I realize that I do not normally discuss my own accomplishments in personal growth, but I want to share with those of you who know me well and are perhaps thinking, lovingly, that you are sure I was less than polite at the moment I realized my child was actually eating my face, that I did NOT yell at my son. I calmly informed the little cannibal that it was time for his nap, kissed him, and put him to bed. However, he Did Not Nap.

Other than that, I have nothing to share except that the magnolias are out. It rained today, and tonight it is very windy, so they might be gone by morning, but they were very pretty this afternoon.

Ian's New Word

is "no, no, no!" Not even 9 months old, and already oppositional. He shakes his head and says "no, no, no!" It's cute now, but wait...

I created a knitted shamrock doorknob hanger based on Mary Thomas's picot flowers, but with one thing and another didn't get the pattern written in time for St. Pat's. Oh, well, it will come around again next year, I suppose!

Spring has definitely sprung around here... We've got crocuses, forsythia, periwinkle, and I'm sure soon there will be azaleas. The wildlife is active, too. We heard a fox shrieking in the night last night. If you've never heard this, it sounds like a human in unearthly distress... we checked on the baby just to be sure it was the local fauna and not a new kind of baby illness and then went back to bed.

Here's Ian enjoying the sunshine with that faraway look in his eye. Our march for babies team has raised more that $500 so far! We had another team training walk on Monday, and then all the babies got to play in the sun. Look for photos soon. Thank you so much to all our sponsors!

The latest fundraising development for the March is that 10% of each purchase from our Zazzle Shop will be donated to the March for Babies until 4/20/08.

Marching for Babies

First of all, I know everyone, everywhere has a favorite cause, and there is no reason why the one I'm currently supporting should be more important to you than any other good cause. I normally would not write to friends and family seeking support of a charitable cause, but I am really asking for your emotional support, so even if you do not care to make a financial donation, please keep reading.

Ian and I will be walking in the March of Dimes March for Babies at the end of April. Some of our friends are coming too, so we have a team of babies participating in the March for Babies. I was thinking about what the word "sponsorship" means, and I realized that NASCAR kept coming to mind, so here is the plan.

Ian's sponsors will get a spot on the "car," just like NASCAR sponsors. Obviously, in this case, the "car" is the stroller. I will put an image or phrase (of your choice, you so creative people) from each sponsor on the stroller while we train and during the March, and after the March, I will combine these images and any words of encouragement from friends and family into a keepsake for Ian. So please send whatever you have to offer in support of this project, whether it is a note, a rhyming couplet, a donation via the website, or two pennies and a nickel, and we will think of you while this blessedly healthy baby marches to help other babies who are no less loved. I will, of course, send photos as we deck out the "car," so you can see what we're up to. Your "GO IAN" is the most meaningful support we could have, and this way we can let the world know it.

Sponsorship donations can be as little or as much as you want- they accept donations as little as $5 via the website, and you could, of course, give me a dollar (or, as I say, two pennies and a nickel) to turn in. It all counts. If you want more information about the March for Babies or would like to donate money in support of Ian's March, go here: http://www.marchforbabies.org/5feline5

And now, so this is not a mere crass, commercial appeal, here is the first photo I've managed to get featuring Ian's brandy-new top teeth.

Heh

So, I know what you are thinking. "Hooray, another blog! I was worried we would run out! We're SAVED!" Well, time will tell whether you enjoy my adventures in yarn and babies.

Today, Ian and I saw our first daffodils of the year. His first ever. I was far more impressed than he. I tried to show him crocuses and periwinkles yesterday, and he wasn't impressed with those, either.

Our current "big" project is that Ian and I are training for a 3 mile walk in support of the March of Dimes, which is called March for Babies. So far this week, we have logged five training miles, aided and abetted by our beautiful weather.


That covers the baby, and as far as the yarn is concerned, I'm currently exploring the hopsac stitch and some cotton/acrylic yarn. More on this later. I'm also working on a knitted burp cloth, experimenting in no-slip bootie bottoms, and designing cats for color pattern knitting. For some reason I've been very unfocused this week, so hopefully I can pull myself together and see these documents through to the posting stage. Join my yahoo group to be notified when new patterns are available.

Holy Cow

So, are you all "newsed out" on these Ian updates? They've been fast and furious lately. Well, too bad, because today he took a step. One small step for Ian, one giant leap for mommy-needs-to-be-prepared-because-I-want-to-RUN. I had no idea one teeny, little, unsupported step could be so terrifying and exciting.

He also stood unsupported for the first time, but that seems just a TOUCH anti-climactic now, doesn't it?

you can view photos and video from today here: http://picasaweb.google.com/meghanegray/BalmyWeatherInMarch

Unfortunately, the videos are identified by the tiniest little icon you have ever seen inside the picture. It's easier to see if you click on the button that shows you bigger previews. Click on the video files and they will play. Let me know if you have trouble and I'll send you the photobucket links.

Love to you all,

Meghan (and Michael, and Ian.)