Here We Are

My apologies to the many Ira fans out there that are missing him. It has been a very crazy month since we packed our life up once again and moved back to the great northwest. Great for the fact that I am home and get to spend time with my family, especially my handsome Dad, and we are here in time to help with the walk coming up for the Clara Jean Foundation on May 30th.
Ira has done a lot of growing in a month. He is 5 months old now with two bottom teeth, a healthy appetite and a very wonderful personality. He makes people smile no matter where we go and is never cranky with anyone. He is such a good kid. Shawn and I love every minute we spend with him. He is so funny sometimes with his little noises- he loves the sound of his voice and has fun in the morning waking me up by experimenting with what his voice can do. I have taken a few videos so i will have to post one soon. He makes me giggle. This afternoon I was working and could hear him in the other room waking up from his nap and just making noises and hanging out with himself..I had to call in Shawn from the garden to come stand outside the door with me and listen to him. So cute!!
And yes we planted a garden. My Dad lives on almost an acre and we had the whole side yard..probably 30ft x 80ft-ish..tilled we are only planting a portion this year, but it still is work, most of which Shawn does for a few hours a day. The radishes are coming up already..I am looking forward to the spinach.
Shawn has been on the hunt for the right place to work since we got into town. He has visited quite a few clinics, emailed several doctors and has many leads. He is patient and waiting for the right fit. He even went and did all the requirements for Western States so he can work at the school too. He is really looking forward to that. He has another appt tomorrow south of Portland.
We went to visit Shawn's Aunt Coleen on Sunday and his cousin Zach came over with his little baby Lucas...he is a cute kid! Ira and Lucas sat and stared at each other for a bit, it is fun to see how he responds to other babies. He really likes looking in the mirror at himself...I think he knows it is him.. but maybe he doesn't, I turned him upside down and put him in front of the mirror one time and he thought it was halarious. I can't think of anything that makes me happier than hearing Ira laugh. The other day I was pumping up my big exercise ball and Ira was laying on the floor next to me and he laughed everytime I pumped the ball because the pump squeaked-that-was funny. He makes Shawn laugh too. Shawn will lay on the bed with Ira and let him crawl on him and he make noises against Shawn's face and laughs, Shawn thinks he will be quite a teaser...just like his Dad and Grandpa.
I started him on veggies last week, he seems to like them pretty well, though his face is quite unsure when he takes his first bite, but he is a good eater. I finally called and got an appointment with a doctor for him. I am a little behind on his check ups, but he is healthy. I will be able to report on his height and weight next week, but I think he is about 18 pounds. My Ira highligt of last week was that he slept through the night TWICE! Both times he was wearling polar fleece pants and I seriously thought I was on to something, but it didn't work the next time I tried it, so I will have to figure out how that worked.
As you have read in this novel...It has been a busy, packed month for us with a lot of change, but balanced with a lot of happy. We miss Shawn's family tons and hope they all know that we love them! Thanks for taking such good care of us while we were close. We promise to visit as soon as we can. (hoping for Turkeyday and a celebration of Ira's first year.

with love,
Stina