Some things never change

We are all home and unpacked. Lucky got a shirt from my mom. Unfortunately there was not one in a big enough size for Alex ( I am sure she is very sad over this). Lucky will always be my mom's first grandbaby and will always need to be dressed. Of course Derek as the first human grandbaby is doted on and adored by my mom. Lucky has been the lucky owner of a tutu, a wedding dress (to wear on my wedding day that "matched my dress and even had a pearl necklace), and other numerous outfits made by my mom. We love to dress her up and laugh. Lucky missed coming to WI but was well cared for here.

We had a wonderful time in WI. It was great to catch up with friends. We had lots of fun with family as well. Derek was a great traveler and had lots of smiles and giggles all week. It was a wonderful time away,

More cowbell

Thursday evening we had a jam session. It started out with someone hitting the wind chime. Then Derek started to point at different wind chimes (there are several around). Then MIke started to bang pans together. Alli decided that we needed the kazoo and other instruments from our childhood. I played the cowbell that we got in Switzerland. Derek would point to each "instrument" and we would play it. We also just started playing them all. We even gave Derek his own hands toy to play. Derek was laughing very hard. It was lots of fun... that ended with Advil.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We have so much to be thankful for: a great marriage, Derek- our little blessing, fun time with family, and love all around. We have been blessed!

It was wonderful to spend time with the Richter clan for Thanksgiving. There were lots of people- around 50 I think. We played cards, Derek was ooh and ahhed over by the whole family. Derek loved being pushed around in the laundry basket by Grandpa. There was also a pinata for the great grandkids (a tradition brought back from my childhood). It was nice to be with the crazy clan. Derek enjoyed pushing around his great-grandma's walker. It was a great day with lots of laughter and fun.

Snow!

Derek saw his first snow. We woke up to a few inches of snow. We bundled up Derek and headed out to take some pictures. I think we spent more time getting him bundled up then we did outside.

Derek is not sure what to think of snow. He had a bewildered look on his face when I put his finger in it. He really was puzzled when I put some on his lips (white snow not yellow snow). All in all he was just puzzled!

Here kitty kitty

We had a great time in WI. Derek loves his new toys from Grandma. I think MIke enjoyed the toys more than Derek did. Somehow the animals from Noah's Ark took baby Jesus from the nativity set hostage. Mike then used the nerf gun to rescue baby Jesus by taking out the bad guys err animals. Only MIke would come up with a game like that. The game evolved into a sharp shooting game. We had lots of fun.

Derek loves Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Alli. He had them all wrapped around his finger. There was lots and lots of affection. Derek loved when my Dad made crazy faces at him. He laughed at my Mom and all the new toys she played with him. Auntie Alli is cool Auntie Alli. She is the aunt everyone wants: she spoils him, plays with him, and makes him laugh very hard. Derek loved the kitty as well. Every time he saw the cat he screamed and took off after it. Poor kitty!

Are we ready to go to WI yet?

Going to WI

Why the big smile? Because I am going to WI tomorrow. It is going to be cold there but I am so excited to see Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Alli, and friends. I am going to miss the doggies though. Mommy assures me that Brenda will take good care of the dogs and give them lots of walks. Mommy is also hoping I do well on the plane trips. I am an excellent traveler and don't cry much on flights but Mommy still worries. So bring the cheese and custard Grandma I am coming!

My first balloon

A very nice lady at the grocery store gave me my first balloon today. It is so much fun. I like crawling with it, cruising with it, and watching it. I even tried to walk with it without holding anything else. I took several steps then fell. Mommy took it away from me to move it to see if I would walk to it and I cried. Why mommy why? She gave it back to me and I was happy again. It is such a fun toy! I don't think the doggies like it as much as I do!

Big nap

Derek just woke up from a two hour nap. It has been a long while since he napped that long. It was just long enough for me to make all the calls I needed to make for church.

Derek loves his little ball. The holes make it easier to grab. He just took it to Lucky and said do(g). He isn't using it consistently yet, but he says dog, mama, and dada. Our favorite of his works is "ek." Sometimes when you point to him and say Derek, he responds with Ek. Mmm could be a nickname for him.

We leave in just 3 days for WI. Yippee!! It is supposed to snow when we are there. I am quite excited about this- I hope Derek will get to see it. Sorry WI people, it looks like winter started early.

Nice weekend

We took advantage of a nice weekend and worked out in the yard. With Derek in the carrier, we helped MIke clean out the gutters. It wasn't glamorous but it needed to be done. We also got the yard ready for winter. It was nice to be outside even if it was yard work.

We also relaxed this weekend, watched a bit of football, ate yummy indian food, and had a playdate with our buddy Thorin and his mommy and daddy. The boys enjoyed playing- really trying to use each other to walk around and push off each other. It was funny to watch.

Derek took a few steps by himself this weekend.. but not on purpose. He surprised himself. We'll see when he does it again! He is trying to step between things without holding on with some success.

We are excited to leave this weekend for WI. The Richter family Thanksgiving is always crazy, very loud, and so much fun. In the past we have had: several tv's for football games, several video games going, cards, lots and lots of food, tons of laughter, and flu shots. It is a great mix!

I'm ready for a walk outside

Lucky's Turn

It was Lucky's turn to destroy one of Derek's toys. It all started today when I noticed Derek chewing on something. It turned out to be a little hand. A hand? Oh yes a hand... to one of Derek's little people. Lucky stole it and chewed off the hand and dropped it on the floor which Derek then found.. and was chewing on. Nasty. What will happen next?

Help I am stuck!

I heard a thud and a cry. I found Derek trapped. He had crawled under the table and got stuck in a chair at the other end. He wasn't able to get his leg out or back up. I know I am mean, but I had to take a picture before I got him out. He wasn't hurt, he was just stuck. Derek loves to crawl into small places but still has trouble getting out. He is now happy and trying to help me type!

Mommy's little helper?

Derek is trying very hard to be my little helper. Of course it makes more work but more fun. A few of his favorites:

helping me unload the dishwasher... by climbing in it. He wants to sit on the door as I unload.


recycling.. by eating the paper

Tunnel time

Derek loves his tunnel. He loves to climb in it, roll in it, and sit just inside it and play. He tries to get Lucky to play in the tunnel but she doesn't like to go in the tunnel.

Derek is in love with Lucky. He is constantly trying to get her to play with him. She sometimes indulges him. Sometimes she hides on the couch. Now if only Derek can learn to throw the toy for Lucky...

Congrats Daddy

I have the bestest Daddy. He loves me so much. He is great at building towers for me to destroy, fun to climb on and over, great to snuggle with, and makes me laugh lots. He also works very hard for us. He goes to work so our family has food, a nice house, and toys. I am very proud of Daddy. He just received a big promotion at work which was announced on Friday. He is the SoIutions Center manager. love his new job. He is home earlier which is nice for us. Here is the announcement of Daddy's new job. I don't really understand it all- and neither does Mommy :)

Mike Christensen has accepted the position of Solution Center Manager. Mike has been with Novellus for 13 years, with 5 years of field hardware experience and over 8 years of experience in process development. He has worked on TEOS and silane based films, dielectric barriers for Cu back-end, anti reflective layers, AHM and fluorine doped films. His strong process and hardware background will be well received in the Solution Center . Mike has a BS in engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

I only need a little help to walk

Dressed like a bear

Mike thought that Derek was dressed like his bear so he grabbed a few pictures. Very cute

We had a nice and relaxing weekend. We took the dogs on several rides in the car as Alex wasn't quite ready for a walk. The rides were also afternoon nap time for Derek. He is not a fan of napping on the weekends as he doesn't want to slow down from playing with Daddy. We finished off a nice weekend by going to small group. Small group is always a great end to the weekend. Our group is a place of honesty, care, and laughter.

Derek was so tired from our weekend that he slept in this morning. We think he is in the middle of a growth spurt. He is eating a ton. Last night he had his first happy meal- hamburger and apples. I drank the chocolate milk for him :)

A boy and his remote control

Derek loves his own remote control. Mike gave him an old one that he took the batteries out of. Derek crawls around with it--and then bangs it on everything he comes to. He is quite entertained by the buttons.

This weekend, Derek also figured out how to climb up on the fireplace hearth. He began by using something else to climb up onto it but then figured out how to do it without the use of anything else. He is now trying to figure out how to climb up onto the couch on his own. The poor dogs.. this is their last place of refuge right now.

In our continuing saga of dogs and the vet, Alex had surgery this week. She had a small tumor removed. She is home resting comfortably. We think she will be recovered enough to take a walk today. Alex is 13 but still spunky and full of life and energy. We are thankful that she remains in great health. Lucky is very happy that her buddy came home safely. Unfortunately Lucky did not get the memo that Alex is to rest and was trying to get Alex to wrestle within hours of being home.

Tooth #3 is here

Derek has had two teeth for several months now. His third tooth finally appeared yesterday. Mike discovered it while getting Derek ready for bed last night.

Derek is in a funk with naps. He is resisting them each time. After being fussy for a long time he will finally fall asleep.. and sleep for 40 minutes. This is not long enough which is evident by his crabbiness as bedtime approaches. Poor little guy. He tries so hard to be happy but is just so tired. He is quite funny to watch though. He is incredibly ticklish and laughs hysterically when he is tired. The flip side is that he cries too. Hopefully he will nap better soon.

That being said, Derek is usually very happy. He loves to chatter and make noises. He is quite funny when he is ready to touch something he knows he shouldn't.. like the mouse. As he crawls closer to the object he starts laugh and squeal. Not much for stealth but easy to find! And here he comes now...

Getting closer

Derek is getting closer to walking. Last night when Mike got home he walked behind Derek's walker to show him how to do it and told him to try it out. In previous tries he (Derek hah) has only taken two steps with it. Well last night he took off and went down the hallway by himself. Go Derek. He even figured out how to guide it away from the wall when he ran into it (he must get that from me... the running into the wall bit).

Well we voted.. by mail. Oregon is voting by mail only. As much as I like filling out the ballot in the comfort of my own living room, I miss the feeling of satisfaction when the machine beeps and says it has recorded your vote. Plus I really miss the sticker. On the plus side I did get my free coffee at Starbucks for voting. Too bad there is not a Krispy Kreme very close for the free donut. I am really really bummed that Kopps is 2000 miles away... I really would like a custard!

I realized the significance of the opportunity to vote when a friend of ours was over for lunch a few weeks ago. He is from Vietnam. You are required to vote in Vietnam- it is closely regulated. Unfortunately, your vote doesn't matter as they are a communist nation. So you must vote but the decision has already been made (and everyone knows it). Nice.