Well, I'll be dipped.

Somebody bought me a six month paid account.

What is this, I don't even.

I'm wiping away one single tear of stunned, gratified disbelief.

Thank you so, so much.

30 things: #2

2) If you could live anywhere at all, where would you live?

I love where I live now, but if money/geography/reality were not an issue I'd love to live:

1) In a sweet huge apartment in Edgewater close to where we lived just before this place. It was super conveniently located to public transit, grocery stores, drug stores, and a beach. And a really nice playground. Parking was a butt, though. But, the beach! And an express bus to Lincoln Park Zoo!

2) Downtown Chicago (things will be great! When you're DOWN! TOWN!), possibly near some friends of ours who live on Printer's Row. That's so, so expensive, though. Just as a comparison: They pay more for a one bedroom no dining room than my in-laws charge for a 3 bedroom 2 bath with dining room and sunroom out here in Albany Park. Realestate! Location location location!

3) In Melbourne, Australia. My mom and I visited some friends there the summer after I graduated 8th grade and I felt instantly at home and felt homesick after we returned to the States. It was so, so beautiful. We went there in July, I'd probably feel different about Australia in the summer. But dang, I loved it. I still want to return.

4) Montenegro. Nesko's family owns property (including a house) out there, and every so often we talk about moving overseas, possibly forever. I've seen photos and it's a beautiful country.

I could have had 2 more babies by now…

Today is Niko’s 18 month natal anniversary. How exciting is that? I could totally, theoretically, have had two more babies by now. Christ, am I glad I didn’t.

Anyway, let’s check on 18 month milestones, shall we?

Mastered Skills (most kids can do)

Will “read” board books on his own

Oh yeah. Also science fiction novels, cookbooks, and Toys R Us flyers. He says “da da DA DA da da DA” to the cadence I read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, which is super cute.

Scribbles well

Yes, yes he does. He loves grabbing pens out of people’s hands and running off/going to town on their paper. Also: crayons.

Emerging Skills (half of kids can do)

Strings two words together in phrases

Yes, but usually it’s a word plus “no.” Or “nenene” as he puts it.

Brushes teeth with help

He used to just chew on the brush; he does much better now.

Stacks four blocks

I’ve seen him stack up to six, not counting megabloks which go much higher (because they have pegs).

Advanced Skills (a few kids can do)

Throws a ball overhand

He’s been doing this for months and, further, can throw balls into things (buckets, bins) and then applaud for himself. I have never seen him throw underhand.

Takes toys apart and puts them back together

Yes. He also takes lids off of things and puts the lids back on (or tries to).

Shows signs of toilet training readiness

No.

Mirrored from Now Showing!.

Great Old Spice Body Wash

Mirrored from brigidkeely.com/wordpress.

Friday Five

The Friday Five courtesy of thefridayfive:

1) What is your favorite mode of travel? (Car, train, plane, etc).

Oh man, I love trains so much. I have a serious THING for trains. My current temp job involves riding around Metra (long distance commuter) trains and counting passengers who get on/off at stations and it is SO EFFING COOL.

2) Where is the northernmost place you've traveled? The southernmost?

Northernmost is Toronto, southernmost is Florida Melbourne, Australia.

3) What is the last place you visited for the first time?

Nesko (my husband) and I drove to Dallas/Fort Worth during January about five years ago. Other than that I've been to some distant suburbs of Chicago (where I live) recently, but haven't had very long stopovers.

4) Of all the places you've traveled, which is your favorite?

Melbourne, Australia. Absolutely and definitely. I would love to go back. Maine was really nice, too.

5) Where would you most like to travel to next?

I have several places, actually! Within the US I'd like to visit friends in Boston,MA; Philly,PA; San Diego,CA; Seattle,WA; and Eugene, OR. Oh, and Fort Wayne,IN. Other than that, I'd love to return to Oz, visit New Zealand again, and travel through Montenegro which is the country my husband's family is from.