This morning our friend Addie came over for a little bit while her mom was at the dentist. She's four months old and absolutely adorable. At first Eli was very concerned that she was going to take his spoon (with which he was eating yogurt) or his string cheese or . . . But then he couldn't get enough of her. Although, he did think they should have equal turns in the Bumbo seat - it's a seat that helps really little ones sit up before they are able to on their own. What you see in this picture is how they spent about twenty minutes - Eli was talking to her and singing to her. It was quite fun to see how he interacted with a little one.

Jeff also built Eli his first snow slide of the year today. We got just a few inches of snow this morning so it took almost all of the snow from the back yard. Jeff wasn't sure he's ever shoveled a yard before, but the slide is great. We're making plans for a snow slide party (much) later in the winter with some friends of Eli's. There's plans already in progress to build a huge slide for it off the back of the deck.

Tomorrow marks 32 weeks for Baby Pete. At my appointment last week, I continued to measure about a week and a half ahead of schedule. They're keeping an eye on that just to see where things go, but their not concerned about it. My back pain has significantly diminished and I'm sleeping much better than I was for a few weeks. That makes the outlook for the next two months much more appealing.

30 Weeks and Counting

I'm getting uncomfortable! Two more months.

"Train Conductor Man"

Sometimes I can't even believe how cute this kid is! He had so much fun yesterday helping in the yard. He helped me take out this years garden and helped Papa rake leaves after his nap. Then, he was so excited about his costume for Halloween. The coal smudges were Jeff's idea. We practiced Trick-or-Treating at home first and then walked around the block. He got the "Trick-or-Treat" line down, but then after people gave him candy, I'd ask him, "now what do you say?" He'd hold his bag out again and say, "Trick-or-Treat!". Sneaky kid.

Baby Brother

So, we've known for about a month now that the baby I'm carrying is a boy . . . somehow we managed not to get the word out in that time. We're settling back in this week after two weeks of vacation and I realized I haven't sent out e-mails or posted this news on the blog. Sorry, to all of you who look here every once in a while to see what's happening with us. (Even if it's just my aunt, Wendy.)

So, big news - it's a boy! Everything looks good and Eli's excited to have a baby brother.

Fixin's

Last weekend was a big weekend for the Petersen's. Jeff and I officiated at a wedding on Friday evening, which was a blessing to be a part of. On Saturday evening, I attended my 10 year High School reunion - and I was actually excited about it. It was incredibly awkward and strange as I had expected, but it was also really fun and great to see people that, in many cases, I hadn't even thought about in several years.

Jeff (and Eli) really worked hard around the house as well. The stairs on the west side of the deck were caving in and the tall ornamental grass in that area always falls over the stairs, even though Jeff drastically cut it back last fall. On Friday, Jeff tore out the old staircase and put in a new wall of lattice to hold back the grass. We'll put a climbing vine of some sort or some hanging plants on the wall next spring. On Saturday, he and a friend (Jonathan) rebuilt the steps - they don't shake, sag, or shift anymore! Jeff helped Jonathan with a painting job at his rental property and then hung with Eli while I was away for the evening. On Sunday, Jeff, again with some help from Eli, replaced the sink traps in our kitchen sink that have been leaking for quite some time. Our house, and Jeff and I, are much relieved to have some new pieces.

Justice Minded

Some friends of ours recently visited some other friends of ours who are living and working in East Jerusalem. They brought back a rock (like the one David slung at Goliath) for Eli and this awesome t-shirt. You can't quite see it in the picture, but the shirt says this:
"Peace
It's abeautiful thing to see
Jerusalem"

Yes, Peace is abeautiful - and a beautiful - thing to see. Thanks for the t-shirt friends.

July has been a crazy month for the Petersen family. At the end of June, Eli turned 2! To mark the big occasion, we gathered with his grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles (although we missed Aunt Cherie terribly) and three cousins. And because he's so grown up, he has acquired his very own pets and now sleeps in a "big boy bed."

Eli is the proud owner of three guppy-like gold fish. The orange one is named "Fish" and the white with orange and black spotted ones are "Orange" and "Brown." He's very excited to feed them and watch them swim around in the aquarium in his room.

Shortly after our week at summer camp, Eli helped his Papa remove the front railing of his crib and replace it with the low railing the extends half the length of his bed. He can get in an out himself and was so excited to help with the process. The first night was a little rough - Jeff finally discovered that he was afraid that the tiger (from the zoo just a few blocks away) would get him without the front wall of his crib. It was very heartbreaking and yet very sweet that he had a conversation about it with Jeff. We've had a few issues with staying in the bed for naps, but he seems to be getting the hang of it.

Other birthday highlights were the tricycle he got from Grandma and Grandpa Petersen and the trains from Grandma and Grandpa Traxler (and Burtie the Bus from cousin Ellie and family).

Since Eli's birthday we've spent a week at Camp Geneva as chaplains, a night at the camper with Grandma and Grandpa Petersen along with a morning at the beach with Jeff's side of the family. We've spend a good deal of time at Pretty Lake and Eli's becoming a stellar swimmer. Last weekend we took in a Tiger's baseball game with Jeff's family, too. It's been a busy month. Check out all the pictures.