Trying to find a house: a rant.

UGH.

So I have been browsing real estate websites for months and months and months.  My requirements (other than I have to, like, find it aesthetically pleasing, at least somewhat) are: at least 3 bedrooms (because I'm hoping on a second baby here at some point), at least 2 bathrooms, driveway/garage, and a GOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Unfortunately, this type of house does not seem to exist in our price range.

Really we want to live around Blue Ash.  Rob works there and has worked there for years (though not at the same job).  Blue Ash has a good school district.  Other areas I've branched out to because they have good school districts are Mason, Anderson, and even Milford.

But ugh. UGH UGH UGH.

And then I just-for-fun look at houses listed in Walnut Hills and stuff and they are freaking GORGEOUS (breaking my heart.) (literally breaking my heart.).  But Cincinnati Public is a noooo go for me.

Also, no, I don't want to homeschool.

Sooo.

The hunt continues.

End rant.

Yesterday my Grandma turned 89.

We went to visit her in the rehab center.  She had quite a few gifts people had dropped by, mostly fuzzy socks and pajamas to keep her comfortable.  There were also two boxes of Girl Scout Samoa cookies.  Mom made her cupcakes and brought a candle so she could blow it out after we sang happy birthday.

She shares a room with another woman.  It was a different woman than last time.  This one was older and sleeping, and she mumbled a lot in her sleep.  Grandma says she sleeps a lot because she's on pain medication.

After the birthday "celebration" Grandma wanted Eli to ride on her lap in the wheelchair out to the lobby.  We sat in front of the bay window while Eli pointed out all the "buhhhhh!" (bugs, in the form of those ladybug-esque beetles that like to hang out in windows).

I like that Eli can see people he doesn't see that often and always be friendly.  After I came home and uploaded this photo I decided to look through "old" photos of Eli and found the first picture of Grandma holding Eli.

This is just an 18 month difference.  ONLY EIGHTEEN months.  It is unbelievable how fast babies grow up, how situations change.  I know I take a lot of pictures of my kid.  I mean, a lot.  I get it.  But I'm afraid to forget.

Because it's stupid cold outside and Christmas is over so all I can think about is spring.

And how I'm just daydreaming about how I would dress my toddler.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Also, I'm definitely going to be investing in some toddler Hunter's.  I MEAN.

WORDS.

Just wanted to start an inventory of things Eli says so I will be less freaked out at his next well visit when his pediatrician asks about it:

So, in no particular order, Eli's words at 16 months are...

1. "Ba" for ball
2. "Ba" for block

3. Mama

4. Dada

5. "No" for nose (this is always accompanied by a finger up the nostril)

6. "Ho ho ho" whenever he sees a picture of a Santa

7. "Geh-tuh" for "gentle", whenever he wants to touch something he probably shouldn't (he hears that word a lot)

8. "I-yin" for Simon

9. "Meh" for milk, he uses this from time to time
10. "Hi!"
11. "Buh-buh" or "Bye!" 

The next are all going to be animal sounds.

12. "Nehhh" for a horse

13. "Oof Oof" for a dog

14. "Owww" for a cat

15. "Rahhhrr" for any wild cat or bear

16. "Hoo Hoo" for an owl

17. "Oooooh" for a cow

Other things he is doing:

+ Says, "MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!" very, very dramatically when he sees food that he wants, or pictures of food in books or magazines or various signs/ads when we're out and about.

+ Turns his hand in a [somewhat of a] circle when he hears the record player (mimicking the record)

+ Holds his hand out and says, "Ahhhh!" at the Christmas tree after a couple times of me holding my hand out and singing, "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Treeeeeee!" when I plug it in

+ Uses a sing-song voice if you ask him to sing, "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

+ Brushes his hair if he gets ahold of a brush or comb

+ Pretends he's talking on our cell phones

+ Opening doors...

I may remember some other things and add them later...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

How could I forget?!

18. "Ba-Ba-Ba" for a chicken!  This was his first animal sound.
19. "Muh" for mouth.  This is new!  He will now point out his mouth and ears, along with his nose (if he's in the mood)

Thanksgiving, a 15 month check up, and a flat tire.

Here is a photo of Eli on Thanksgiving day in my grandparents' dilapidated courtyard.  It was a good day despite the rushing around!  He thoroughly enjoyed all the foods traditionally served at family Thanksgiving, as we figured he would.

Thankfully I could borrow my parents' d40 to capture some photos via DSLR but I am anxiously awaiting my new lens to arrive for use on Christmas.  It should come tomorrow!  

Eli also had his 15 month check up on Monday.  It was delayed due to rescheduling because Rob has a new job, again, and so the insurance didn't go into effect until December 1.  Naturally, though, the insurance cards didn't arrive in time (still don't have them...grr) but luckily his pediatrician's office was understanding and I can just call in the information when I get them.  Anyway, Eli is 33 inches tall and 24 lbs 5 oz.  When I entered this information in the WHO calculator that puts him in the 97th percentile for height and the 81st percentile for weight.  Little boy is moving his way back to the top of the charts!

On this same day, I got a flat tire.  Like, completely flat and from driving on it I had to get a new tire entirely.  I have performance tires so I was severely dreading paying for a new tire (expecting anywhere from $100-$200) on top of all the camera stuff I just dropped hundreds of dollars on and the new Xbox that Rob just had to have and then, obviously, Christmas shopping for everyone.

My dad came and put on my spare and I drove to my mechanic, who dropped me off at my parents' house (he's right down the street from them).  He dropped off my car several hours later after the tire shipment had come in and left no bill but called and said he'd let me know what the charge was when he knew what he would be charged.

Well I will tell you yesterday evening he called and said the bill would be $32.56!!!  When I went in to pay it today I found he only charged me from labor and a $10 part I needed for the tire.  So, I do actually think my mechanic is the best.

NEW CAMERA

I need an outlet to express how excited/anxious I am that I just ordered a Nikon D90 body!  Excited because well, new camera, obviously.  Anxious because crap is expensive.  I am waiting to order the telephoto lens I want until Black Friday/Cyber Monday-ish to see if the one I have my eye on goes down in price at all since it is about $300 more than the body...

But I can promise you I am going to be photographing the crap out of the entire world, soon.  I am seriously so, so excited to use a "real" camera again.

!!!

Halloween

Here are some photos of my tiny tiger this Halloween season.  The top photo is from actual Halloween night at our house.  It was rainy and gross and he got totally soaked.  The bottom two are from postponed trick-or-treating at Grandpa Bob and Grandma Lois' on November 1.  I'm sure it will be more fun when he can actually go around the neighborhood :)