Go Speed Racer!

James is really enjoying bike riding.  A couple of days ago we raised his training wheels so he could more easily get over things.  He has fallen a couple of times since then, but he has been super tough and only cried a little bit.

He went riding with Lily Dixon for the first time last night.  I think they are going to have lots of fun riding together.  Even though Lily had a much bigger bike, Jam kept up with her pretty well.  He even had to wait for her a couple of times.  They are going to be super cute doing the littlest rock together.

Today Jam rode 22 times around the block!  He rode 10 laps in the AM and 12 right before dinner.  He is getting so fast that we can't keep up on foot any more so Joel rode behind him tonight.

Jam's Big Boy Bed

Jam and Pooh are snuggled in and comfy!

It almost seems like he's really asleep!

Grandma and Grandpa Dank brought James his daddy's old bed to use as his "big boy bed."  This is actually his first nap... he didn't really sleep.  Thus far he has only fallen out once and likes it very much.  He has now decided that baby D can have the crib, which is a good thing.  He is still anxiously awaiting the arrival of his Chicago Cubs bedding.

Soon to come... Residency Graduation!

James' Accidents and Illnesses

Here is a picture of James with pink eye.  It's an old picture, but not everyone got to see it.

In this picture Jam decided that it was a good idea to try to open the door of the shed by himself in 25 mph winds.  Needless to say the wind took the door with Jam still hanging on for a "ride"  Both knees and one elbow got pretty scraped.  Although he's happy in this picture, he freaked out for like an hour (64 min) after it happened.

This is James' "Will Smith Ear."  He is apparently very allergic to some bug in our yard.  This is the second time he has had a bad reaction.  This picture is after Claritin and Benedryl.

I know that this is an odd posting, but I am doing a big update for months, so I'll be doing (hopefully) multiple postings in one day.

Mother's Day weekend in Minnesota

Our Fun Picnic and Zoo Visit on Mother's Day

James and Grandma Dank enjoying the sun and zoo

Me and my men!

James and his Godmother Annie

All of us (left to right) Annie, Emily, Tony, Me, Joel

Grandma, James, Grandpa

We had a wonderful mother's day in MN this weekend.  We went to the Como Park Zoo, had a picnic at a little park, did some shopping at the outlet and saw all the Landwehr family at Carol's house.  

Jam loved the Giraffes, penguins, and cute little orangutan baby with its mom.  We had Subway for our picnic lunch... again Jam's favorite.  Basically we had seven adults doting on one child.  I hope he can adjust well to sharing the spotlight in a few months.  

 After dinner Mary and I did a little more shopping and then she took me to Cold Stone Creamery for the first time... just the moms.  That place is perfect for pregnant women because you can put whatever crazy stuff you want in whatever ice cream you want and they don't even bat an eye!  

It was a very busy day!

Our Little Pele!

He can really only kick with his right foot!

He has to work on NOT using his hands!

On May 1st James went to his first soccer game.  We went to see Jake's girlfriend play for Kingsford.

After that he was always asking me to introduce him for the start of his own imaginary game.  "Number 3 (just like Emily), James Dank!"  Then I have to cheer for him while he runs onto the field (i.e. the living room).  

After a few days of trying to play with a nerf ball or an adult sized ball Joel suggested that Jam and I get a size 3... I didn't even know soccer balls came in sizes.  We found one at Target that is for the Chicago Fire.  Now I have to say, "Playing for the Chicago Fire, Number 3, James Dank!"  

The first time he was out with dad he was much better with the smaller ball.  The pictures above and movie below are from that first outing.  When it started raining too hard to stay out he and Joel watched soccer clips on YouTube.  

I'm sure that Gramps is thrilled!  He loves soccer sooooo much, ha ha ha!

I haven't figured out how to rotate the video so please be patient and tilt your head to the left. Thanks!

James' First Bike Ride

James got out for his first bike ride a few weeks ago.  He did really well thanks to all the practice he got on his Smart Cycle this winter (thanks to Auntie EmmaD).  He now rides to the end of the block everyday so we can get the mail.  His first bike race may be the Littlest Rock in August.  I think its like 50 yards and I'm pretty sure everyone gets a ribbon.  He's only fallen once and after freaking out for a few minutes got right back on and took off.  Joel and I are so proud!