Visit to Great Grandma and Papa's and more!

Joel has had a couple of very busy weeks. At the beginning of September, Grandma Traci and I took Joel to Iowa to visit his Great Grandma and Great Papa Bob. They are currently working on putting an addition on their house, so there was a lot of excitement going on for Joel while we were there. During our two-day stay, Joel got to experience the sights and sounds of a lot of "working men," as we call them as well as a HUGE tractor that was there to pull a patio door off the house and haul it away. Needless to say, Joel was very excited about all of this, and he even got to get up-close-and-personal with the tractor, which was awesome!

Here's a great picture of Joel watching the tractor work. He was so excited!

Lately, Joel is very interested in "fixing" things with his play tools. He is always carrying either a hammer, screwdriver or a wrench around with him looking for something that needs fixing. He also loves to help Daddy do work whenever he can. It is very cute and quite entertaining to see him focus in on things and pretend. What an imagination!

Joel has recently also discovered the moon, and he is completely infatuated! H will sit and look at the moon for the longest time, just repeating over and over, "moooooon, mooooon." He literally looks for it night and day, which is both cute and a bit annoying. After all, how exactly do you explain to a 19-month-old that the moon isn't out during the day? Anyway, Jack taught him a funny trick the other day, and now when Joel sees the moon, he howls at it. Seriously. You really have to hear it; it's hilarious!

Last weekend, Joel got to go for the first time to the NWMO State Fair (I was too much of a germaphobe to take him last year....not that much has changed in that department). He enjoyed riding around in his stroller and sampling fair food, but I do believe his favorite was the funnel cake. He just kept saying, "Mo? Mo? (more)" and "Yum!" However, after all was said and done, I think Joel felt the aftermath of too much junk food, as many of us do at the fair. This was the face that I was able to capture on camera:

Joel's Big Boy Room (a work in progress)

Here are some quick pics of Joel's new "big boy room," which we hope to have transitioned him to by the time this baby comes in December. We still need curtains, a dresser and to put the crown molding back on the walls, but it's mostly finished. Right now, Joel enjoys playing in there, and I think he'll be excited to sleep there, too.

Playdate!

Yesterday, Joel and I went to Plattsburg to have a playdate with our friends Ryan and Evie and their mommies (Natalie and Abby). We also got to meet Natalie's new baby boy, Carter, who is one month old. Wow, did he seem little compared to the toddlers running around! Here are some pictures of the three little munchkins. The first one is current; the second was taken just about one year ago on the very same couch at Natalie's house. What a difference a year makes!

Lala la la.....Elmo's World!

So in recent days, Joel's love for Elmo has become very intense. He's had a long-lived affinity for the furry, red monster, but lately it's become a bit out of control. Almost any time we're near the living room, he asks me to put on "Melmo" for him. Of course, I don't always give in (for reasons of sanity and his own development), but when I do, the excitement is just beyond belief!

Joel also has another great love of his life--his pillow. I received this small satin pillow as part of a gift when I was still pregnant with Joel. Try as I might, the little man did not get attached to any other "lovey" (i.e. blanket, bear), but he really took to this pillow. He often carries it around with him--so much, in fact, that I bought a backup on Ebay for good measure. I would hate to see what would happen if he lost his "bubbo" (pillow). Here's a good shot of Joel doing what he does best: relaxing in his Elmo chair, watching Elmo and rubbing his little pillow. What a crazy little guy!

God is Good!

After so many prayers and a few days of waiting, we just found out that Joel's echocardiogram came back "normal," which basically means that his heart murmur is innocent and will probably go away in time. Our God is such compassionate and merciful Savior. We are so thankful for this news!

Chatty, Chatty

These days, Joel has become rather chatty. He basically talks from the time he wakes up until the time his little eyes close for the night (and sometimes even after that!). I do love to hear his little phrases and finally get a little bit of insight into what his busy brain is thinking. He is also very observant. For instance, as we drive around town, he'll point out things as we pass them. Some of his favorites include the John Deere tractor lot to which he exclaims, "Chictaaaa!" as we pass. He is also careful to point out Daddy's office and Papa's office as we drive by.

Joel is also very vocal about asking for a snack, or a "naa" as he likes to call it. He will often run into the kitchen and point up at the cabinet asking me for "mo naa" (more snack). But it doesn't end there. He is also quick to point out that he'd like his snack in a bowl, which he says very clearly. What a little personality!

On a more serious note, Joel went on August 10 to his 18-month checkup, where the doctor told us that he has a slight heart murmur. We will go for an echocardiogram tomorrow (Aug. 19) to make sure it's nothing serious. The funny thing was, though, that after his appointment, I was talking to him about his murmur, and he immediately repeated "murmur" clear as day. Then he came home and told Daddy all about it while pointing to his chest. Funny kid! Other than that, the doctor said Joel is very healthy, growing like a weed and still gaining weight steadily, which my back was already telling me! 

As for Baby Girl McCall, she's doing fine. She, like Joel, is also very active and kicks me all day long, which I love! I just can't wait to see what her little personality will be like and how she and Joel will interact. She's such a blessing to us already, and I know that Joel already loves his baby sister very much! He often kisses my belly and lays his head down on it to hug his baby. He's just the sweetest!

A side note: I must share this picture because it's just too cute. Joel loves to eat his corn on the cob like a big boy. He really does a number on it, too!

Ode to Summer Fun

I know many people would hate to hear me say this, but as usual, I am so ready for summer to end and the beautiful fall weather to begin. Joel, on the other hand, would like it to be summer forever. He absolutely loves playing outside, watering flowers, mowing, swimming and riding his bike. We sure do have a true boy on our hands. I do suppose I'll miss seeing these images on a daily basis once fall and winter are upon us.