This is our May post a day late. In late April and early May, William took guppie swim classes with his Dad. After a tentative first week, he really got into kicking and splashing. We know it was a success because the first trip to the neighborhood baby pool with Mom was spent walking around in circles chasing his floating duckies, and the occasional tumble under water produced nothing more than a couple coughs to get the water out.
We finally got a trailer for the bike so Mike pulled William to his swim classes a couple miles away in that. They’ve also taken several short trips around our neighborhood. William seems to enjoy riding back there, just being outside checking out the scenery. Mike can’t wait to get him up Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins or the foothills around Boulder, but Mom’s not so sure.
Will gets harnessed in for the ride.
I’m ready to roll Dad.
Will’s first swim lesson.
The little man getting his sea legs for a trip to the ocean this summer.
April 4, 2009 at 2:50 pm
by Julie · Filed under Family, News
We shot some short videos on our new camera of William’s first two weeks of walking. He toddles around a lot more now, and recently stopped resorting to the crawl/crab walk. He can stand up on his own too.
I love how he turns back toward the camera at the end!
William had a great first birthday bash recently, but first the BIG news: Will has taken his first steps! He was pushing along one of his trucks on Friday, March 13, stopped, turned and took a couple steps back toward it. Every day he’s standing longer and taking a few more steps. William’s been cruising for almost 6 months and must have decided as a 1-year-old it’s time to step up his game :-).
He’s also working on his 5th tooth now, his last two top teeth have popped within days of each other causing some discomfort, but frozen pineapple, applesauce and ice chips have helped.
Other developments in this busy boy’s world: signing “more” as well as “cereal”;
drinking milk from a sippy cup;
flipping through books on his own to see the pictures;
beating and scratching the drums and shaking his eggs to the beat in music class;
clapping for himself whenever he does or sees something he likes;
and growling - yes, growling like a bear. (The grandmas have encouraged this!)
One of his favorite games is taking the lead on peek-a-boo by hiding behind the couch arm, the kitchen island, a restaurant menu, even mommy’s hand and then popping out with a smile and laughing hysterically. He also enjoys crawling up the stairs and waiting for us to chase him.
On to the party, William celebrated turning 1 with his family and several friends, big and small. With Julie’s broken elbow, the grandparents were a huge help and pulling this off.
Will sat and “rode” on the Wonder Horse that was given to his mom as a first birthday present from her great-grandmother in 1971.
The grandmothers dressed alike once again on Will’s big day.
Will was the perfect host to the little girls in attendance.
Will enjoyed spreading the love with his various Valentine’s Day outfits at music class and The Goddard School, which he attended for 4 weeks while Mom’s arm was in a cast. He also made a bit of Landry history by sitting in the red high chair passed down from generations of Landrys.
Here he is in the infamous red high chair, all decked out in his V-Day gear.
West-siiide!
Growwwl…
He busted out the serious garb for the sitter on Valentine’s night. (Jammies courtesy of great-uncle Dana.)
February 15, 2009 at 4:22 pm
by Julie · Filed under Family, News
William had a private Unitarian Universalist Naming and Dedication ceremony at our home on Dec. 27. Water is involved, but mainly the ceremony is a way of introducing him into our liberal religious church community and the wider world.
Rev. Marc Salkin presided in a ceremony we co-wrote. We had several poignant readings and family members offered their blessings and hopes for Wiliam’s life.
It was meaningful to have both sets of grandparents and his aunt and uncle there.
Of course he looked handsome in his special outfit.
January 25, 2009 at 5:50 pm
by Mike · Filed under News
Yup, that’s the whole title of the event I participated in yesterday. MBS CrossFit put on the event. It was intended for CrossFitters who did not have any experience at weightlifting competitions. I think the event was a success: everything was on time, the judges were helpful, the crowd was cheering, and all the lifters learned something.
My coach Chris Brown from EmerFit also lifted in the event. Another client, Aaron, came along to cheer us on.
There are two lifts in a weightlifting competition, the snatch and the clean and jerk. You get three attempts at each lift and the weight can never go down. Your score is the sum of your best in each lift.
I weighed in at exactly 80kg. I was very nervous for my first lift and failed at a 55kg snatch. I’ve done that weight for 3 reps before. I tried 55kg again and it was easy the second time. I set a new personal record with 61kg for my third attempt.
I got 75kg and 80kg for my first two clean and jerks. The 80kg tied my old PR. I failed at 82kg on my third lift. I got the 82kg clean, caught the jerk fine, and then collapsed. I know I’ll make that weight the next time I try. I was really tired and hungry by that point, next time I’ll be less nervous and bring more to eat.
My total score was 141kg. I had a ton of fun and I’m really happy with my results. I set or tied my PR’s in front of a crowd and three judges.
I’m really happy with this snatch. It’s a PR and I think my form looks pretty good.
I should have my elbows higher during the clean, I started to lean forward a bit. I think the push jerk looks good. Next time I’ll split jerk, I need a little more practice and confidence first.
My goal for next year is to get a body weight snatch. I’m pretty sure I can get from 60kg to 80kg in a year. Chris is starting an olympic weightlifting class in February.
Here are some shots from Will’s first Christmas, celebrated at our house in Fort Collins. He had fun with all the relatives that visited and got many great gifts. At 10 months, he didn’t really know what was going on, but he’s a laid back guy and indulged the cameras.
Christmas eve after Santa came.
Christmas day is here!
Following in mommy’s footsteps.
Estlick family.
Behaving for Grandma Estlick.
Christmas #2 with Kaster family.
Yah, Grandma Kaster, soft blocks! I can stack them and eat em’!
Next, more presents for William.
Making some music like daddy.
The cats love Xmas too.
