We haven't been hiding!

Hi Everybody!

Sorry it has been so long since my last post!  I have been busy...Mommy and Daddy too.

Here is what we have been up to since my last update:
First, an update on the basement/house
1.  After our basement flooded (due to ~15 inches of rain in 4 days and 5 inches in 3 hours), we have been busy fixing it up.  Mommy and Daddy found out from a contractor that 2-3 feet of drywall had to be torn out out of fear of mold.  So, Grandma and Grandpa Kramer came for the weekend (August 14-15) to help take care of me and get the drywall/insulation torn out.  They got it all out in time and didn't find any mold...whew!  Since then, the contractor has put the drywall back in and got it ready to paint.

2.  Speaking of painting....Mama and Papa Walkinshaw came for a visit over Labor Day.  They were so awesome to help us put dirt around the house to help water flow away from the house (and keep the basement dry), put in fabric and rock to finish the landscaping and to paint the entire basement.  Whew!  Everything looks great!  We have had a couple heavy rains since they left and Mommy ran outside during the rain to see how the water was flowing.  She said it was all moving away from the house very well! 

3.  Also, in between the basement flood and the painting over Labor Day weekend, classes started again at Iowa State.  So Daddy was busy helping the professors get their courses ready to teach and helping the online courses as well.  Mommy also got busy with work as she has 7 new graduate students in her office.  Mommy also started class again this fall after being out of class for a few semesters (thanks to me and my arrival).  So, I get to hang with Daddy on Monday nights while Mommy is in class.  Mommy is very glad she is done with class at 8pm and since I am a night owl, I am usually still awake when she gets home.

Now, my latest antics...
1.  Mama and Papa are staying connected with me via Skype.  When they were here, we skyped with Kylie and Keira which was very fun.  I am a little more interested in the keyboard on the computer (which makes Dad nervous) but I try to smile at the screen too.  Daddy also got Grandma and Grandpa Kramer a camera for their computer so we can Skype with them too.

2.  The biggest news yet...I have 2 TEETH!!!!!!   I got my first bottom tooth on Saturday, August 28.  Mommy was playing with me and when she went to rub my gums to see if anything was there yet, I bit her and it hurt (a little).  Mommy was so excited!   Then, within a week of that one popping through, I got my 2nd bottom tooth.  I am trying to be a tough guy, but sometimes my cold teething toys help me feel better.

3.  I also attended my first Iowa State Cyclone Football Game!  Mama, Papa, Mommy and I met Daddy at our tailgating spot.  Unfortunately it was too cold (Thursday night game) and rainy for me to wear my Cyclone Jersey for the game.  We had a good time at the tailgate with hotdogs and other goodies (although not for me).  When Daddy and Mommy took me to meet our 'football family', I was a hit.  Everyone loved to meet me!   I did pretty good throughout the game, but got a little scared by the first big touchdown.  I was also so tired and couldnt sleep with all the noise.  So, we left and half time and I fell asleep before we even got a minute down the road.  Go Cyclones!

4.  I have also begin wanting to feed myself.  Miss Jo (my teacher at 'school') said I am always grabbing at the spoon when she is giving me lunch.  I told her it is Mommy's fault 'cause she lets me try to feed myself at supper.  I am working on what mommy calls my 'pincher grasp' (thumb and pointer finger).  So, mommy gives me those yummy gerber puffs to feed  myself.  It is a little hard to do, but eventually I get those puffs in my mouth...then I am not so sure about them until they dissolve...yummy banana!

5.  Splashing in the bath - I still love my bath time.  Daddy caught me on video making a mess!  My favorite thing is when Mommy is leaning over to wash my hair and face, I splash really big and get her all wet!  She laughs along with me!

That is all I have been up to.  We will try to add some video when we figure out how to do that.

Will update again soon!

Love you!
Aidan Russell