The Pendrak Family

We spent Saturday at the park for our church’s Field Day event.  Lil Michael had an absolute blast and showed off some new big boy skills!

He mastered the play structure and slide in no time at all.  I spent the first half hour hovering right behind him and trying to help before I realized that he was completely up the the task.  I stepped back a bit, staying close to catch him if he fell, but letting him do his thing.  I was so proud!

Next up, Michael discovered the sandbox and dove right in.  He spent most of the time throwing sand on himself but he had so much fun doing it that it was tough to interfere.  We did jump in the tub as soon as we got home though!

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Ack!  I am once again hopelessly behind on posting.  I’m not up for doing another round of “catch up” posts so I’ll just give you the highlights and then start from here! 

We’ve had a lot of firsts since I last posted!

• Michael took his first steps…and then a bunch more!  He took his first step just before Christmas and was taking a few at a time by the time Christmas arrived.  Shortly after his first birthday, he left crawling behind and is now walking exclusively!  He’s getting faster and has even made a few attempts at running.  He still tumbles a lot, but for the most part brushes himself off and keeps on going.
• First Christmas - I’ve decided the 1st Christmas is a little overrated.  He had no idea what was going on and absolutely no interest in opening his own presents.  Still, it was fun to put him in a Santa hat and enjoy fun times with the family. 
• First Birthday - A slightly bigger deal than Christmas, but he was still pretty clueless! 
• First Haircut - Now this one was a big deal!  My baby boy turned into a big boy with quick buzz of the clippers!  Daddy did the honors at home and the result was a handsome, grown up little man!  I still sigh occasionally over cute “before” pictures, but I love his new look too…and it was definitely time. [more...]

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This pregnancy has not gotten nearly as much print as the last one did, but that doesn’t mean it’s been less eventful!  Ian has actually kept us hopping for more than half of the pregnancy so far…and recently that’s become more literal. 

Our ultrasound at 17 weeks showed placenta previa - which means that the placenta was blocking Ian’s way out.  It’s not that uncommon in early pregnancy and it usually resolves on it’s own before birth, but it needed to be monitored.  If it didn’t resolve, it would mean a c-section in the hospital rather than the natural birth we planned at the birth center.  The hospital delivery would mean a longer stay, more risk and a lot more money, so we were definitely concerned.  We began going for ultrasounds every four weeks to check for progress.  Slowly but surely, we did see some progress and finally at our 31 week ultrasound, we saw complete resolution.  (Actually, we’re still waiting on the final report, but the tech’s opinion was that all is well!) [more...]

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I just put up a ton of pictures from December & January.  Since they’re all over the place in the gallery, I’m listing all of the links here to help you find them!

December 2009

Christmas 2009

January 2010

1st Birthday

1st Haircut

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Michael is finally figuring out this walking thing…with the help of this handy push toy!  He has a blast pushing it along until he hits an obstacle.  Since this video was taken about a month ago, Michael has figured out how to turn his toy or at least push it around to where he wants to go.

Jumping on the bed!  Michael’s new love of bouncing was indulged to the fullest during this play session after a nap.  He was full of energy and having a blast!

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So we finally got around to getting some family portraits done!  I was very pleasantly surprised by how smoothly the whole process went.  We scheduled an appointment at Target for a weeknight and Michael met us there after he got off work.  In just over an hour we were in, had our pictures taken, picked out the ones we wanted, exchanged a coupon and some cash and were on our way back out the door!  Michael A. was smiley enough through most of the session and we got enough good photos that I was able to identify a couple for family and a couple more for us.  Best of all, I got to check the task off my to do list and I’ll have something for all those relatives who were sure to start guilting me soon! 

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In the last few days we have begun to enjoy a whole new level of interaction with Michael Aaron.  Like somebody flipped a switch, it is suddenly apparent that he does indeed understand what we’re saying to him and what’s more, now has the ability to respond appropriately!  This morning, while he and I were in the living room, we could hear Michael getting ready for work.  I told Michael Aaron to “go find daddy” and he immediately crawled back towards our bedroom and found his daddy!  Yesterday, I told him it was time for a diaper change and he started pulling off his diaper!!!

We have been teaching him some hand signs and he can now use “more” and “all done” in context - although he does sometimes get them confused.  “More” is definitely his favorite and he tends to use it frequently.  He is getting more verbal as well and I am getting the feeling lately that he is actually trying to say something as he jabbers away.  He kept repeating the same sounds this morning while looking at me expectantly.  I still have no idea what it is that he was saying!

It is so much fun being this kid’s mom!  I love getting to watch him grow and change and I am constantly amazed at how quickly new skills appear and develop.  I am so lucky!

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Wow.  How did this happen?  My son is 11 months old - which means he will be a whole year old in just another month!!!  My tiny baby, who weighed in at just 6 pounds 13 ounces when he was born has turned into a 20 pound almost-toddler!  It’s incredible.  He’s incredible…and awfully cute. 

At 11 months, Michael is climbing on EVERYTHING, standing unsupported while keeping his balance and taking unabashed delight in the world around him.  He is a happy, laughing baby who loves silly noises, playing peek-a-boo and wrestling with mommy or daddy.  He has started initiating the peek-a-boo games himself by crouching down behind something and popping back up or holding something in front of his face and then dropping it until we notice and start playing along.  He can give a high five and has started making the sign for “All Done” when he is finished eating (but only if his daddy isn’t looking!).  We are working on learning to wave and clap and of course all of his other baby signs.  I think I might have seen him sign “more” yesterday but he hasn’t repeated it so that sighting shall have to remain unconfirmed!  [more...]

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Yup, it’s official - I am the proud mama of TWO boys!  Our second son, Ian Scott Pendrak, was nowhere near as shy as his big brother at revealing his gender.  While I lay on the ultrasound table, the tech asked if we wanted to know the sex.  Before she even finished the sentence, Michael was celebrating in the background…which told me conclusively before I even got to see the screen that my little embryo was indeed another little boy!

We are super excited to know our new little guy’s name and to start making plans…although there actually aren’t many to be made!  With another boy on the way, we find that we already have most of what we need.  Clothes certainly aren’t a problem and we won’t need to make any changes to the nursery - except rearrange to make room for two and that won’t need to happen for awhile as Ian will stay in the pack ‘n play in our room for awhile.  [more...]

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