Off to G-Town

This past weekend we made another trip downtown to the beach for Andy to do another open water swim in the lake. After the swim and run, we walked down to Grant Park, which is right along the lake front in Chicago. It is one of the largest parks in Chicago and is usually pretty active with tons of concerts, museums and activities. There was a Professional Bycling Race (criterium) down there that Andy wanted to see as well. There were a couple of famous riders there, but most were not since it was the last day of Le Tour de France and also since many are getting ready for the Olympics. But none the less it was exciting to watch and Reid enjoyed getting out and about. He really likes to be were all the action is and watches everything around him. He might look like his Daddy, but he sure acts like is mommy. We are both peeople watchers and like to be surrounded by all the excitement. I guess Daddy is that way too, but for now, we will say Reid gets this from me.




Monday Reid had his two month check up and is now weighing 11lbs! He is doing great and sleeping through the night, (7-8 hours) and is laying down for naps A LOT easier now. Consistency and routine really pay off. I have got him on a 3 hour feeding schedule and that is helping out with the napping and sleeping through the night. Up until last week he was eating every two hours and for an hour at a time. So once I started nursing and then finished, I would have about a half hour break and then back again. He is now eating for thirty minutes, I play with him for about an hour then lay him down for an hour and half nap! This routine is a Godsend! I attribute all of this to a book called Babywise. If you are a new parent or expecting GET THIS BOOK!!!!!


Here are some of the squash and zucchini that we picked, the squash would not even fit in the drawer. This one is about 18 in long. One squash cut up makes about 10 cups! I have no idea why they are so big, but they sure are good! My neighbor brought over some bread and butter squash pickles from the squash that I gave her last week. They were very good, so I did some of my own. So far I have 8 quarts of pickled cucumbers and squash. All our neighbors LOVE US!! I think I will set up a veg stand in front of the house :) I am sure Andy would appreciate the second income!

Tomorrow, Reid and I fly back to Ohio for him to meet for the first time his 2 Aunts, 2 Uncles, 2 Great Grandmas, 2 Great Grandpas, 3 Great Aunts 3 Great Uncles, and 3 first cousins and many many many second and third cousins! Reid is going to be one busy little man! I will try to post at Reid's Great Grandma's house with lots of pictures, yes his great grandma is computer savvy! Andy is driving down the next weekend and then Reid and I will ride back with him. We will be visiting several of our friends as well and we are excited to see them and their little ones and little ones to be!
I will leave you with this picture of Reid leaving daddy a morning present before he went to work, Enjoy!

Growing like weeds.......

This past week the Wingerter Household has been very busy. Andy is training for another triathlon for the end of August here in Chicago. It is the largest triathlon in the world! There will be over 8,000 athletes that will compete. They swim in Lake Michigan downtown, bike on Lakeshore Drive and run along the lake and Michigan Ave. We met up last weekend with some of our friends at one of the beaches and the men swam and ran, while the ladies and the kids hung out at the beach. We had a really good time and we plan to do it again this weekend.

The garden is growing well, including the weeds! So far we have picked well over 15 cucumbers, 10 squash, 10 banana peppers, 5 zucchini, 2 green tomatoes (fried) and one lonely red tomato, (which wasn't ripe yet, but I needed it for burgers). I am right now in the process of pickling the cucumbers, I will let you all know how they turn out. Don't be surprised if this is your Christmas gift! I am becoming best friends with all the neighbors, (garden girl), with all the veggies I am giving away. Hopefully I will get some zucchini bread in return!

The best for last.... Reid is 2 months old, and growing like a weed as well!! I will leave you with pictures of him and his buddy.

My Review of Kelty Cabana - Large

Originally submitted at REI

Don't let sun or rain interfer with your big plans. Take this portable, freestanding shelter to the festival, the beach or the campsite.

Kelty Cabana - Large

Great for the Family at the beach

By wings2ride from Villa Park, IL on 7/21/2008

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easy to set up, Comfortable, Sturdy

Cons: It is a little big

Best Uses: Beach

Describe Yourself: Avid Adventurer

What Is Your Gear Style: Comfort Driven

Took this to the beach and had A LOT of room. Great for having some privacy with our infant or changing out of a wetsuit for the days of doing open water swims. In the intense sun, the Cabana does get a bit warm but the two windows allow for some cross ventilation. BEWARE the Medium tent does not have the windows and will get MUCH hotter, that is why I opted for this larger size. This is a great beach accessory!

(legalese)

Busy Week and Weekend

On Wednesday evening Reid's Grandma and Grandpa Wingerter arrived from Asheville, NC. Thursday evening we all went out to dinner with Craig (Our neighbor in Atlanta) that was in town for the week. Reid did pretty good in the restaurant, that was his third time going out on the town, he and I are getty pretty good at the nursing in public thing. Friday Grandma, Grandpa, Andy, Reid and I all took the train to downtown Chicago and walked around Grant Park and the lake front. We had a wonderful time, Reid was AWESOME, he slept in his stroller the whole day! I think we are going to try to get downtown at least once a month. It was so nice to walk around and see all the sights and enjoy the beautiful city and all it has to offer. It is a quick 20 min train ride with no transfers.

Saturday, Andy's sister Katherine and her husband Chris arrived from Toledo to meet the little Reid man. Reid absolutely adorded all of the company and attention he got. Boy are we in trouble, he is going to be one spoiled little baby. Thank you all so much for the love and gifts you gave Reid! Katherine also took some really cute pictures of Reid, check out the Album for more photos of the weekend.

Thanks everyone for coming up and can't wait for the next visit!

Party Crashers!

This past weekend we have been busy little bees. On the 4th we took Reid to his first 4th of July parade in our neighborhood. We walked one block behind our house on the main street where the parade went through. It was cute, very small and local feeling. While we were there we saw our neighbors and they invited us over to their place for an evening BBQ. While we were in the house doing some cleaning, our other neighbors a few doors down came by to invite us over for a BBQ and cornhole tournament at their house in the early afternoon. Since we don't know a lot of people in Chicago, we went to both parties and had a great time. Reid was pretty good and stayed up until 9:30pm!! Party animal! Can you believe that on July 4th, we were chilled so much that all the women at the party had sweatshirts and blankets wrapped around their legs! IT WAS AWESOME WEATHER!!!! I am so glad to be out of that hot, humid, Atlanta! We hope you all had a good 4th as well! This is the outfit that his Great Grandma Opal sent him to wear. We didn't get a picture of him in it before he spit up down the front, so I laid the shirt over him, you get the idea.....


Andy gave Obie a hair cut, and after he was half way done I went outside to check how Obie was cooperating and to my horror, Andy was mutilating him. I guess the guard would not stay on the razor, but instead of stopping and getting it done professionally Andy decided to trim it without a guard. The picture does not even come close to showing you how horribly embarrassing this haircut is. I do not want to even take him for a walk, I am afraid I will get turned in for animal abuse. Not that Obie would want to even go for a walk, he has lost that spring in his step. Poor thing. I think I will half shave Andy's head and see how he feels....

Happy Anniversary to Erin & Jason and Jamie & Chris!

5 Weeks Old