February 2014

February has been a continuation of a brutal winter here in Indianapolis.  With one of the snowiest and coldest winters in my lifetime, this family is ready to get outside.  One Saturday it cracked 45 degrees and we had Allison outside playing with sidewalk chalk and Deb and I were having beers sitting in our driveway.  Did I mention there were piles of snow all around us?   But it was melting and we were able to enjoy some fresh air before the next wave of cold air and snow. 

 

Allison’s had her second eye surgery in mid-February and it went pretty much exactly as the previous one did.  The best part was that we were just more relaxed about the entire thing because we knew a little bit more what to expect.  Her eyesight is improving and we are supposed to be working on using glasses, but trying to get her to wear those can be difficult.  We should be getting some “kid-size” glasses in the next month.   

 

We don’t usually comment too much here about work, but I had some developments this month.  The CFO at Hurco resigned at the end of the month and I don’t know that may mean for me, but it should mean there are opportunities for more responsibility for some individuals in the company.  Combine that news with one of my co-workers being on maternity leave, I’ve been working a little bit some evenings and weekends to keep up with the assignments. 

 

Allison enjoyed a cookie decorating party for Valentine’s Day at her school and I was able to make it.  We had a great time, especially eating the icing.  There is nothing better for a kid than to get a cookie before dinner!  Allison also had a short stomach bug toward the end of the month which had Deb and I splitting a day at home until her stomach calmed down and she was able to go back to school. 

 

Sarah is very close to crawling.  We have our phones on our hips trying to catch the moment as we did with Allison.  She will pivot around and be on her hands and knees and then just fall to her stomach and laugh.  She is a pretty happy kid from what we can see and we hope she and Allison can enjoy playing together as Sarah becomes more mobile. 

 

Sarah’s Thing of the Month

                She can mimic a few sounds and actions.  I forgot how much fun this part can be.  She can say “da da” and “uh oh” when someone else says it.  Also, she can wave and clap when prompted.

 

Allison’s Thing of the Month

                Allison has reached that phase where we just look at her sometimes and think, “Where did you learn that?”  She will play “night-night” with her stuffed animals.  This is where she goes through her bedtime routine with the stuffed animal and then puts them to bed.  After the animal is “asleep” for about 10 seconds, it is time for the animal to wake up! 

 

A few more items from this month:

• The Vandervaarts came to visit in early February.  We were able to head over to my mom’s and play with them for a little bit. 
• We went to a Superbowl party at the Dodsons.  Allison enjoyed running around with Aunt Beth.
• We had some plans for several college friends to come visit for a Pacer game, but the weather forced everyone to cancel but Jason Depp.  Jason, Anderson, Watkins and I enjoyed the Pacer game and a few beers in Broad Ripple.
• Debbie had dinner with Amy Gellert.
• We went over to the Anderson’s for the Purdue vs IU basketball game (Purdue won).  Their house was destroyed by all the kids and it was obvious that everyone was ready to be able to go outside once the weather warmed up. 
• Mom and Beth came over while Deb worked on Saturdays to play with the girls. 
• We had Tom and Tracy over to hang out one Saturday night after the girls had gone to bed.
• We attended the Timmy Global Health fundraiser.  It was a fun night with friends and we were happy to support Beth.

 

I wanted to introduce a new segment to the blog, called “Keith’s Random Thoughts.”  People don’t have to care about what I’m saying, but if you are reading this far into the blog, you might as well get a little more, right? 

 

Keith’s Random Thoughts

                People have asked me for years why I’m not on Facebook.  I’ve got my weak reasons.  One, I’m a little OCD so I’m worried I’ll be on it too often.  Two, I honestly thought it would fade away, like myspace or other social websites.  Anyway, I’ve missed updates on family and friends for years.  I’ve missed babies being born.  I’ve missed parties that I didn’t hear about.  Then, this month, I heard about someone I knew from high school had passed away.  OK, now I’m missing people passing away?!?  That was my wake up call to probably join soon.  So, I think I will be joining soon and will still be posting this blog on a monthly basis but at least I will know what is going on in my small world of family and friends.