Filth

We knew that the Roomba wasn't going to cut it when Dexter started getting more mobile and scooching all over the floor. My parents were kind enough to purchase us a brand new, high-powered vacuum cleaner that has practically sucked the carpet off the floor. Imagine my disgust when, at the end of the day, the belly and front of the legs on Dexter's white onesie had turned grey. I don't think there will ever be enough suction to get rid of the filth embedded in our carpets.

Box Seats

Is there anything cuter than a baby in a box?

Champion Fit Thrower

How's That Ass?

Scrub A Dub Dub

Rubber ducky, you're the one...

The Grandparents Fowler

Dexter and I picked my parents up from the airport Wednesday night (they flew in during the tornadoes) and dropped them back off at the airport yesterday evening (they flew back to Boston into Hurricaine Bill). Luckily, they made it with only minor delays in both directions. While they were here, Dexter had a great time with his Grandma and Grampy - playing with toys, getting lots of kisses and cuddles, and hearing his Grandma sing many rousing rounds of "The Wheels on the Bus".

Considering Crawling

Nothing Special

While in Quincy, Ben and I had breakfast at a restaurant named, "Nothing Special". The establishment was so appropriately named that we felt compelled to create a new category on their comment card between "Okay" and "Poor" called "Nothing Special".

How Could I Forget?

Ben reminded me that I should make note of how My Bologna, at our first stop at Grandma and Grandpa Lansing's farm, went outside, chased a cat, and enthusiastically rolled around in fresh green/brown cow poop. He came back to the house with the shit clumped from the top of his head all down the length of his back. He seemed so happy despite (because of?) the stench. He was not so happy when Ben and Gunker had to hose him down.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Memphis Friends

By the time Ben and I went to Memphis to see friends, the camera card had run out of memory. We had a BBQ and some laughs with Billy and his wife Sheila and Kristi and her husband Trent. Later that night, we went to visit Ben's first guitar teacher, Brad Webb, to talk "tube amps" and trade gig tricks and road stories. Brad is a real-deal Memphis blues man with plenty of road behind him. His stories were all the better for his southern drawl and unique way of pacing his speech to emphasize all the right words and phrases. It was fitting that we would make that visit on Ben's 23rd guitar anniversary.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Screaming Lullaby

It works every time (thank God!).

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Baby Driver

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: What's the Special?

We went the Windy City Restaurant with Grandma and Gunker and now that he can eat "people food", Dexter took a look at the menu. He ended up sharing some of Gunker's pasta and Grandma's meatball sandwich. We all also went to the Blue and White Diner where there is nothing on the menu that is not deep fried. We had my favorite, fried pickles, and I also had catfish and fried green tomatoes. YUMMY! Everywhere we took Dexter, people fell in love with him. He charmed every waitress in Mississippi. Man, are we in trouble!

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Licker

Drake, the black lab that Grandma and Gunker "adopted", got along great with both Dexter and My Bologna. Drake was very patient and gentle, letting Dexter grab his face and paws. Drake is also a big licker - giving kisses to everyone. Dexter got plenty - I wish I had caught an episode on video. Here's one of Dexter giving Drake kisses.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Jumper

Dexter quickly mastered the skill of bouncing - it looks like he's moved on to some sort of tap dancing. Thanks Grandma and Gunker - Dexter will enjoy this jumper for a long time to come.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Playtime!

Grandma and Gunker made sure Dexter had lots of exciting new toys to play with!

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Mary and Maria in Memphis

We visited a friend of Ben's and her daughter in Memphis. Maria (7 years old) loved Dexter - the two of them played in Mary's guitar case while Ben and Mary reminisced about the old Sevenfour Slide days.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Altoff Motel

The Altoff Motel in Quincy, IL is a throwback to the 1950's. Nestled among farms and a "Jesus Saves" 25' cross, it provided us with a comfy and clean place to sleep for a couple of days. Just don't steal a towel or your name will be posted in the office along with other "offenders" who are no longer welcome.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Maid Rites

Ben's dad was thrilled to hear that Dexter could now eat people food and fed him his first Maid Rite (My Bologna got some too)! For those of you who don't live in Quincy, Maid Rites are a type of loose meat sandwich, kind of like a dry sloppy joe, sold at the Maid Rite restaurant on 12th Street.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Greats

Quincy, IL. Dexter met his greatgrandparents: Greatgrandma and Greatgrandpa Lansing, and Greatgrandma Wolf. It was a love-fest. Dexter also met his Daddy's Uncle Mike, Aunt Bonnie, cousin Heather, Aunt Joanie (Hi Joanie!), Uncle Eugene, and cousin Tabitha (who is due with her first baby anyday and was really gracious with us when we popped in - unannounced - with Dexter and My Bologna to her cat-filled house for a surprise visit).

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: On the Road

Dexter and My Bologna in the back seat followed by shots of Dexter crossing state lines Illinois - Missouri, Missouri to Arkansas, Arkansas to Tennessee, Tennessee to Mississippi. Ben thought I was nuts for wanting these - maybe I am but I'm sharing them anyway.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09

We are all exhausted after our 10 hour drive home from Mississippi yesterday - Ben is at work, Dexter and My Bologna are napping, and I am reflecting on our journey criss-crossing the Mississippi River practically the length of the country in 100+ degree heat. Everyone traveled very well, easily replacing eating and sleeping schedules with lots of love and visits with family and friends. Somehow we still all managed to get enough food and rest.

Victory Never Tasted So Sweet

Wrestling with Veggies

Dexter enjoyed wrestling with a zuccini from our garden today. Despite a valiant effort, the vegetable won round one!

First Trip

We are packing for our first trip with Dexter and My Bologna. We will be visiting Dexter's great grandparents in Quincy, IL and then his grandparents in Mississippi and friends in Memphis. I am going nuts trying to figure out what to pack. I have a 3 page list of things we need and that's just for Dexter! Wish our little family luck as we all pile into the Toyota and drive, drive, drive. I am beginning to have a greater appreciation for the SUV and all it's roomy, gas-guzzling glory.

No Eggs, Nuts, or Shellfish

We just got back from the doctor - 21 pounds, 6 ounces and just about 28 inches long. Dexter is doing great. The doctor said we could start him on table scraps (I think "people food" is actually what she said) as long as it was soft and in small bits so he couldn't choke. No eggs, nuts, or shellfish until 1 year. So we stopped for burritos on our way home and Dexy had Mexican rice and beans with his mashed mango for lunch. We might pay the price in poops but he loved it!

The Zoo

On Wednesday, Ben took Dexter on his first trip to the Brookfield Zoo. Dexter totally loved seeing the large, furry animals - especially the brown bears, polar bears, gorillas, giraffes, and antelopes. Anything that was large and active was entertaining to Dexter. Ben reports that he was the happiest monkey at the zoo.

Up and Down

Ben prefers this version. My Bologna is a perfect "straight man" to Dexter's goofball. I can't believe how calm My Bologna is with those little hands so close!

Ooopsie Daisy

In my opinion, learning to fall is one of life's important lessons. I want to make sure Dexter doesn't let fear of falling prevent him from reaching for what he wants.

Big Sloppy Wet Ones and Other New Means of Expression

Dexter loves to give big, open mouthed, drolly kisses on the face, especially after a bottle. He also loves to have a little face to face verbal "conversation" at these times. Sounds with consonants include ma, da, ba, ga, and pa. He's also continuing to explore his range of squeals, grunts, hums, and clicks. This week he has begun to clap his hands and, on occassion, will do it in response to someone else doing it and saying, "clap hands". When it comes to mobility, he wants to stand more than anything else and is getting pretty good at balancing on his feet. On the ground he continues to roll everywhere and, in the past couple of days, has shown promising signs of actually crawling - he can get his knees under him and stay on all fours but hasn't figured out that he can coordinate his arms and legs to move around. He either propels himself forward onto his face or straightens one leg putting weight on his foot and then ends up toppling over sideways. He still can't get himself to a sitting position when he's lying on the floor. He does some serious abdominal crunches but usually ends up raising his arms and squawking to be helped up.

Festival of Cherry Puffs

Increasing the Odds

The more puffs Dexter gets onto his face, the higher the odds that one will eventually get into his mouth.

Aunt Katie

Aunt Katie came to visit this weekend and Dexter fell in love with her. They had a great time together. I also had a wonderful time visiting with my sister. I learned a lot about parenting techniques just by watching her interact with Dexter (I'm sure Dexy will appreciate that I now give him more than 3 puffs at a sitting!!). I missed her the minute I dropped her off at the airport.

Senor Sweet Potato

Even before he has facial hair, Dexter is experimenting with potential mustache styles.