We have colds

Life is stuffy right now. Malachi, Gabe and I all have colds with stuffy, runny noses. The boys look like they have been punching each other because their eyes have such dark circles. Niether is sleeping well. Hopefully this will pass soon.

Matt turned in his dissertation yesterday -- finally! He still may have to make corrections after his defense, but basically he's done. He is now working on his talk for the defense, but by Dec. 2 we should all by calling him Dr. Vannette.

We had a good time at my sister's wedding. The boys did a good job and every one thought they were wonderful. Gabe had his first milkshake and thinks that drinkable ice cream is a great idea.

We are back in Des Moines for the week and then it's off to my parents for Thanksgiving. I hope they get over their colds before we leave, but oh well, I guess. After that we are back here again, Matt defends. Gabe's preschool session wraps up and we head off to Ft. Wayne. We are looking for apartments so that we have someplace by Jan. 1 in Ames. Matt will stay for the next 6 months while job hunting. Things are moving fast.

Stuff and lists

Well, I don't write as often as I like anymore -- I hope you haven't all given up on me completely! We are doing fine. Gabe is loving preschool and would go every single day if he could. Malachi is walking, sort of more tottering, but he can get about half way across the room before he falls. Still no teeth...grr. Matt is still high stress, but in one sense doing better because he now has an official date for his dissertation defense, Dec. 2 and he has the paperwork signed for his job as a postdoc at ISU starting in Jan. Me, well, I guess I am just trying to hold everything and everyone together.

So, I have already had several conversations with people about Christmas gifts so here are a few ideas:
Gabe
Geotrax (he has Grand Central and would love extension packs or the airplane)
Imanginext Batcave (by Fisher Price)
Shake and Go cars
Soccer ball
Aqua doodle
Play dough
Hullabaloo game
He wears 4T

Chi
Any toys that have things to manipulate, things to fit together
Parents brand Cell phone and Car keys (this brand is more realistic which is fun)
Little Tykes Handle Haulers
Really, just anything that looks cool...
He wears 12 month right now, but I would probably just buy 18 month clothes and he really needs 12-18 month size socks