Video?!! and Happy Mother's Day!

I am taking another shot at uploading some video. We started to wonder if using our video camera made the video too big due to the quality of the picture so we decided to try using the video feature on our regular point and shoot camera to see if that would yield a smaller file and provide us with the opportunity to get video on the blog. If this works it should be video of Quentin cruising around in his borrowed walker up in Iowa. He got a pretty big kick out of it and as you can or should be able to see he was moving pretty good in it.

Last night was Quentin's eating solid food debut and as he took a shot at being at the table with the adults. He is there nearly every day anyway wanting to be in on the action but last night for dinner he was a true participant. We don't own a high chair so we employed the ghetto method and put his pint size people chair on top of some place mats on the dining room table. Not ideal, but it got the job done. We would say he did moderately well. He kept wanting to grab the spoon with the malt-o-meal like substance, which was rice cereal mixed with some milk. He was half eating, half spitting out the food but getting some of it down. He didn't make any "this is horrible" faces so I think he liked it or at least found the experience to be some what interesting and he was pretty capitivated by the whole thing. After the first few spoonfuls, though, he began sticking his tongue out. First, this kid has the potential to be the next Gene Simmons. He's never really stuck his tongue out that far before so we didn't realize how long it was but that tongue has got some length to it. That big old tongue was clogging the middle so we couldn't get the spoon in after while. I would say he ate a good 5-8 spoonfuls before deciding that was enough. We'll take another crack at it today as we slowly move him into his solid food phase. He did do a nice job of cleaning himself up. We just finished up and we were about to wipe him down when he took his bib and cleaned his face right up. We may have an independent child on our hands. We'll see.

And of course today is our first Mother's Day. We would like to say happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there that have raised us, grandmothered us and provided some advice as we partake on our own parenting adventure. It's never easy but always rewarding. When I got up with Quentin at a way too early 4:15 am this morning he whispered in his still sleepy tone to write how much he loves his mommy and appreciates all that she does. He especially wanted to cover how nice it is that she constantly gets up with him when he is sad or needs something in the middle of the night without complaining. He ended by making sure I told her how much he loved her. On his last day of school Quentin also made her a card that says Happy Mother's Day and on the inside there is a heart cut out and pasted on the card with his hand print inside. It's pretty cute. We're looking forward to more arts and crafts coming our way but to date this was our first one and I know it will be special for Carrie to have.

I have just received confirmation that the video worked! Shazaam! I have video talent again. Enjoy and have a great Mother's Day!!

We're baaaack...

We survived the trip home and once again Quentin was a fantastic traveler. He has now completed 8 flights and hasn't cried through a single one of them. Our suitcase count triples when we bring him (3 checked bags, 4 carry on's) for four days this past week but all in all it was very successful. Carrie reminded me on the way home that we were in the car for 2 plus hours, on 2 planes, a bus and 2 trains yesterday so he's been around the travel block so to speak. The whole family was exhausted upon arrival to our Florida home - the dog was not. So we open the door and a sprinting 97 pound dog comes flying through the kitchen to meet us in the garage whining, jumping, tail wagging a million miles an hour and I don't believe the tail has stopped yet. He's a great little puppy. We walked in the door by 7, ordered chinese by 7:30 and were all tucked into bed by 8:30 sleeping soundly. Oh, how times have changed. By the time this morning arrived Quentin had some how joined us in bed and when the very much needed alarm went off we were all deep into our dreams. Coffee was brewing within 10 seconds of waking.

The week was nice for everyone. I was on a retreat with department heads in Galena where I was awarded the "worst golfer" award. Still got it! I was afforded an opportunity to learn from some of our more experienced company personnel and it was a great experience for me (not golf, work). I will get a chance to do something similar in September. I walked away with a ton of great ideas. Carrie got to see her family and friends and was afforded enough time to make the rounds and even snuck a massage in there. Quentin showed off for all his relatives with his smiling, "talking" and rolling over. We went out on Wednesday for Carrie's birthday and fortunately a large number of family were able to attend her birthday celebration, which was significantly different from the previous year held in the same location. The addition of Quentin makes for a much tamer and shorter evening but we were grateful so many people fit it into their schedules.

Quentin is still not feeling well and as the days go by we grow more concerned. Carrie and I are hypothesizing maybe this isn't a cold and it's allergies or something in our home like his mattress, which is doused with chemicals ironically to make it safer. We are going to consult with our doctor and see what we can do. He's a little snot machine and you just feel so bad that he can't breathe and we are making zero progress. The meds didn't have an effect on him so I don't think we should do another round. We'll do some research and see what the doc has to say now. It's been several weeks and counting. His disposition hasn't changed so he's still happy and enjoying himself. When you have a cold you are dragging and he is energetic as ever. For example Carrie borrowed a walker for Q and he was cruising up and down her parent's wood floored kitchen. He's not short on energy we can assure everyone of that! He's going to be a mover when he gets going and it's not too far away.

We have tons of pictures and I will post them this weekend. In the mean time Quentin is enjoying his 100 pound pillow. See attached.

Still Sick and Still traveling

Quentin is still not feeling well, although, he is doing much better than when I left last week. We are all getting on a plane tomorrow. Carrie and Quentin are coming and will hit some cities before ending up in Gilbertville, IA, her home town. I am heading to Galena, IL for company meetings for the week. I hope with Quentin's never ending stuffiness he survives the plane ride. His previous four trips have been direct and we are throwing in a 2 hour layover this time around. We're trying to get Quentin's frequent flier status up to platinum preferred before he turns one so he can immediately start reaping the benefits of getting bumped to first class. They throw in free formula up there you know. He had a fever, which he has beat now and is on medication and will be through the middle of next week. He is really stuffy and has some coughing bouts. We really feel terrible because the little guy just can't breathe. We have some stuff to shoot up his nose that allows for draining but he loves that about as much as you would having someone probe your nostrils over and over with a bulb syringe. (If you remember we practiced this technique in birthing class). Those hospitals are so smart today getting you prepared for child rearing.

With this swine flu going around and his immune system on tilt coupled with us spending quality time in the busiest airport in the US hopefully will equal him getting better. I don't want him picking up the oinking side effects that we've heard go along with this contagious flu. Don't worry we picked up designer masks for our faces so not only will we be in style but we will match as only a Spiegelhoff family can. Quentin and Carrie are joining me because Carrie is celebrating a birthday this week and I have meetings through her birthday on Wednesday so she's coming along so we can all celebrate together. It should be a nice time and she'll get to see her family and Q always enjoys visiting with his grandparents, Nanna and Big Poppy.

Quentin has been sleeping better the last few nights, which has been a relief to Carrie who has been parenting solo the last few weeks. She took some time this afternoon to get her hair done and Q and I got to spend some quality time together. We decided to use it productively and took a nap together. It was refreshing and necessary for both of us. I miss that. I keep dreaming he's walking. I think I'm worried I'll be on a trip or something when he takes his first steps so I have all these dreams of him walking and talking. He's not there yet so I think I have a bit of time yet. Quentin has discovered his toes. I was holding him today and looked down to see what he was doing. Are you sucking on your toe dude? Yes, he was. So I am leaving you with a picture of him eyeballing that sweet big toe.