November Update

Well, we're into November already and the leaves are piling up in the yard. I'm thankful we didn't get any of the snow that other parts of southern Ontario received last week! However we did get a pretty big thunderstorm last Sunday, with enough wind to take down one of the bigger trees in our backyard. Thankfully it fell in such a way that it didn't touch any part of our newly built fence!
We are doing well... Mike is approaching report card season already and is very busy with school. I am doing well, keeping busy at home and trying to keep Peter under control! Although not walking yet, Peter is pulling himself up on everything he can grab, cruising around furniture, and crawling everywhere. He is so happy with his freedom! With his freedom, however, comes lots of opportunities for trouble... I had to do some quick research into the electrical abilities of our front-load washer to find a way to put a lock on the buttons, unless I wanted load after empty load cycling through the machine. Kind of defeats the purpose of an energy-efficient washer don't you think?
Peter loves his books, and enjoys spending time pulling all his books off the shelf and flipping through them one by one. It is so enjoyable to sit quietly with him and read to him, even if he usually wants to turn the page long before the words on that page have been read. We hope that his love for books will continue through the years! Although he hasn't started saying any recognizable words yet, it has been exciting to see that he understands some things that we say. He can clap on demand, and point out our noses and our ears. He knows to sit down when we tell him to, and he understands "no". However, understanding "no" does not necessarily translate into obeying "no" and that seems to have gotten worse over the past week or two, as he has been deliberately defiant in certain ways. Having children is a surefire way to learn a long lesson in patience, and to understand that we are by nature sinful creatures.
It's hard to believe that it's almost Peter's birthday, only another two weeks and he's officially ONE. Where did the time go? The past year has gone by so quickly, with so many changes in him. On the other hand, I look at pictures of him when he was a newborn and I can hardly remember him being so tiny. I'm sure he will look like a veritable giant compared to his little brother or sister come April!
Anyways, on to the pictures!

A few weeks ago, Mike and I left Peter with my parents for the weekend
and we drove to Chicago to visit Gary and his fiancee, Hannah, and
Simon, Jodi and Joash. We spent Saturday afternoon together, touring
downtown Chicago and going out for supper. We went for dinner to the Cheesecake Factory, where we
enjoyed a delicious meal. None of us had room for cheesecake
afterwards, though.
Ummm, I think this was the Trump Tower
Peter received a package in the mail from his Great-Grandma
in B.C. A beautiful knitted blanket! Thank-you Grandma!
What a lovely surprise!
No, Peter doesn't have glasses yet, but doesn't he look just
charming? All he needs is a tie.
Little Joshua Peter Speelman, born to Marty and Rachel on October 22.
Congratulations you guys! He is such a little sweetheart!
The happy Speelman family, finally holding their little one.
We attended the wedding of Janice Dekker and Paul Seney on
October 25 in Chatham. Congratulations to the new couple!
Hmmm..... someone's trying to start an empty load of laundry...