Busy Bees

To say we have been busy would be an understatement.  I feel like we are running in 1800 different directions, nonstop.  So where to start?!

Rudy is a little rascal and gets into EVERYTHING...like...

 the stack of plates he found...

 Rufus' bowl (he's obsessed)...

 playing tug-o-war with Rufus.  Which you might not consider this as "getting into something" but its definitely going to get him into trouble when Rufus accidentally grabs his fingers instead of the toy.  But its pretty funny.  He grabs the toy and when Rufus finally lets go, he throws it on the ground.  He pays attention to us, apparently...

 

Rufus' bowl again.  He knows "no" but we have to repeatedly say it.  He will sit there and look back and forth between us and the bowl with his hand extended, like "the second you don't tell me 'no,' I'm going in."...

 the toilet...look how fun it is!...

 our basket of magazines...caught red handed!  He likes to pull one out at a time, until he decides on one to stop and tear apart...

 He just so happened to choose "Journal of Accountancy" (while chewing on my glasses) -- taking after me and Gran, maybe???

(notice how their were hardly any actual toys in these pictures?!)

With all of this activity, he has been on a mission to hurt himself.  With every new thing he discovers, he discovers a way to make it hurt himself in some way.  He has to be followed around constantly, because its hard to see what he will see until he sees it and then I play damage control the whole time, or at least try to!  Last night he was standing on the fire place wall when he figured out how to open the door.  Trying to keep him from smashing his left hand, I accidentally smashed his right thumb in the door.  I have never felt worse.  My poor baby cried and cried and cried and it was my fault.  I was worried I broke his finger and I was without a car so I called LeeAnn.  She ran right over and of course, Rudy was fine within a few minutes of her being there.  But it's nice to know I have help whenever I need it!  By the time he went to bed, you would have never known he had hurt it earlier.  When John got home later I was telling him about the whole ordeal and couldn't help but break down into tears.  I can only imagine how much that must have hurt.

If it was acceptable, I would wrap him in bubble wrap for the rest of his life!

  

He is working very hard at standing on his own.  He pulls up on everything and is even standing up on his own without help from much else.  He gets more and more brave at letting go and keeps his balance longer and longer before falling down.  Sometimes he stands for what seems like forever and we can't help but be impressed...and look at each other like, "Are you seeing this??"

 I think he is looking more and more like John these days (he definitely has his personality!).  And how funny are his shorts?? :)

Everything still goes immediately into his mouth.  I can't wait for his teeth to stop bothering him!  Between that and all this activity, his sleep schedule has been less than desirable (or lack of schedule).  For whatever reason, he has decided to start waking up at 4 am now instead of 5.  I used to think 5 was early, but now I'd be happy to sleep in until 5!  That's right, sleep in.  Never thought I'd think of 5 am as "sleeping in."  We've tried extending bedtime until later with no luck, went back to earlier, no luck.  It will likely work itself out, it always does, but until then, John and I have been pretty tired to say the least!  He's such a happy, sweet, playful baby, especially right when he wakes up.  So at least he's in a good mood when we are up with him that early. 

Last Saturday we had a very eventful day.  John had to work so Rudy and I baked cookies and brownies to take to the fire house to visit John.

 Playing with the fire truck, getting pumped to see Daddy

 After a quick nap, of course

 Rudy had so much fun at our visit.  He was so curious and intrigued by the engines, people, cars passing.  He was a happy camper, for sure!

After the crazy afternoon (see below), we went to Gran's for Uncle Kurt the Great's birthday par-tay!  Gran made a delicious dinner and cake (decorated with weights) and Rudy had fun helping open presents.

 When John got home Sunday, this is how Rudy greeted him at the door.  He's so funny.

2042 Greenbriar is officially for sale!!

  

We put the signs up Friday.  We spent the majority of last week doing all sorts of little last minute things to get it ready.  After the fire house trip, I had planned to take Rudy over to Gran's so I could have a few hours to "relax" and do a good, thorough clean.  We had a couple coming to look at the house on Sunday, so I wanted to have it looking as best as it could.  After dropping him off there, I got back home about 1, took my time eating lunch (enjoying the quiet), and started cleaning.  I had done 1 bathroom and picked up downstairs when John called at 1:45 to say that a couple with their realtor wanted to come at 2:30.  Talk about a mad dash!  I'm weird (some might call it paranoid?) and didn't want to be at the house by myself with people coming in, so LeeAnn came right over to help finish the cleaning and hang out while the couple was there.  I'm still finding things I threw into drawers, just to have it "put away."  The couple came back on Sunday, too but we haven't heard anything since.  We took Rudy to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Cicci while we had people in the house all afternoon Sunday.  Another couple is coming tomorrow night.  I pray this house sells soon.  Trying to keep it clean and take Rudy here and there...well, it's exhausting!  (Although the day is does sell, I don't know how I will handle that.  I'm guessing there will be tears involved...) 

Yesterday John and I drove to Arthur, Il to pick out cabinets for the new house.  We dropped off Rudy at Grandpa and Grandma Cicci's at 6 am and hit the road.  We got there by 8 and spent over 4 hours trying to figure out the kitchen.  We finally got it all figured out and ended up with a great deal on the cabinets.  Well worth the trip, but what a weekend!  Rudy has been shuffled here and there and we've been busy working on this house or that house.  We got a lot of things figured out this weekend that should keep John and whoever else busy working for awhile, so the craziness of making decisions and picking things out should settle down for a bit now...but probably not! :)  I don't mean to sound like I am complaining.  The house project is a lot of fun, for sure!  We just seem to have a lot on our plates right now.  I don't have any new house pictures to share.  John is about done getting everything torn out.  Still a long ways to go, though.  I'll get over there soon to take some more pictures later this week.  

We were taking a deep breath last night before bed and John and I were talking about how much we appreciate all the help we get from our parents.  We seriously don't know what we would do without them.  We are so fortunate to have them close by and willing and able to help out with whatever we need whenever we need it.  We just can't thank them enough! 

Another picture, just to throw it in

Some other very exciting news since my last post...Uncle Tony is one step closer to being famous!  Let me back up.  Last Monday he participated in an actor showcase in Chicago with the other ISU seniors.  In attendance were several agents who all received pictures and bios of the actors.  Long story, short, by the end of the week Tony had been contacted, had an interview with an agency, and is officially "represented" by an agency in Chicago.  They will find auditions for him to go on and what not...hopefully he gets some work from it!  We'll be rooting for him no matter what, though!  :)

I apologize for waiting so long to get to writing -- it's been hectic!  Enjoy your week :)  Keep your fingers crossed for us and say a little prayer that we sell our house!