The Universe

Emily and I have had a running joke for a long time that the Universe will take care of us. Need some new underwear? Got them! An extension for that big project at work? Done! A job? ... Well not quite. Maybe the Universe is speaking to us, and it just does not want me to work.

It has been an interesting year to say the least, but our joke has turned into more of a mantra for us. Every time we need something it will show up. Even if we don't know we need it, or just started to think about needing something we will find a cheap solution.

For example when Eli was starting to want to both stand and play the Universe sent us a play table. Well  ok, it was a Hanukkah gift from my Aunt Jane. When we needed some new books to read to Eli some Dr. Seuss books showed up at Aldi's. When our family outgrew our family bed we found a way to redesign our room. I could go on and on about the fates and our friends and family that have knowingly or unknowingly helped us this year.

I have been thinking a lot about all of this. I know its all kinda over done and end of the year reflective, but it happens. I feel very blessed. I feel very lucky. I also had one thought that I wanted to pass on to everyone. Don't believe in New Years Resolutions. Instead just be a better person. Do things that make you and others feel good. Try to relax and let the Universe take care of your needs. Everything happens for a reason. Here's to a great 2011!

Month 10

Quick update. The baby is 10 months old.

Video Friday: Moving!

Ok, who cares that its Friday and not Tuesday or that I have not posted in weeks. Here is a new video for you all. Life has just become a lot more difficult for everyone one in this house except for Eli.


On the move! from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Month 9

Just a quick photo update. Who is this big boy?

A Day in Eli's Life

This will be a two part post. Part One: A Day in Eli's Life


A Day in Eli's Life from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

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In other news- We are going to see my parents for thanksgiving in STL this week. I could not help but to think that this may be the first year that I have not used the words "going home". My home is in Chicago with my beautiful wife and baby. My Mom always told me that their home would always be my home. I understand now.

Video Tuesday: Long Distance Grandparenting

Living so far from our parents can be hard. You have to be creative to have the Grandparent lend a hand. In this case I needed to clean up lunch so Grandma Judy got some face time with Eli.


Long Distance Grandparenting from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Month 8

My boy. My big boy. You take up all my time. I love you more everyday. We have found our rhythm. I now look forward to having you all to myself. Your mama is a better writer than me, so you may want to read her month update: http://chicagoemoly.blogspot.com/2010/10/crazy-8.html

Video Tuesday: Get Leroy!

One of my trick to stop Eli from crying is to put him in the baby carrier. This always works, but sometimes he needs just a bit more. Luckily so does Leroy! So I run after Leroy (His favorite game) and Eli laughs. Sometime I play this game just because I need my Eli pick-me-up. So here it is for the world to enjoy.


LEROY! from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Video Tuesday: Jump!

Grandma Judy came for a visit and brought Eli a very fun present. She also cleaned the stove, microwave, two bathrooms, and the hallway floors! We love her very much!


Eli Jump Up from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Video Tuesday: Like a G6

What is with kids and their music? I have stared to feel old and out of touch with new music as of late. The other day I was in the car and this song came on by a band I don't know, the Far East Movement. I thought the song kinda odd, but I did kinda like it. I did not know what a G6 was and that was all they talked about. "Like a G6". Turns out a G6 is a Gulfstream jet.

It came on the radio twice when I was in the car. The song has been in my head since. Well I had do the only think I could think of. Sit Eli down and play him the video. I recorded it for your enjoyment. Eli was shocked and appalled.
 


Like a G6 from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Video Tuesday: Peas

So I know its not "Tuesday" but its not my fault. Vimeo took 12 hours to put up my video! You get what you pay for it life and its free! So here you go. Video Tuesday Wednesday!


peas from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Month 7

How did he get so big?! So I lied early this week about the writing of the long post. Maybe this weekend. For now you can get the official month photo. I will leave you with this thought from Emily, "This is the month the Shubkagel has come in".

Video Tuesday: Eli in C minor

Hi All! So I said the Video Tuesday huh? Maybe I should have said Video Fortnight! Sorry I missed a few. Two weeks ago the baby was sick. Last week everything got away from me. I will do a big post with the 7th month photo. Look for that latter this week. Enjoy!

Eli in C minor from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Year Eight

Today marks the first day of year nine for Emily and I. Eight Years ago I was lucky enough for Emily to say yes to a date. I made her dinner. I almost lost her the next day after I broke in let my self in with the hidden key to her apartment to leave her flowers and a Snickers bar. I can't believe eight years could go by so fast.

Year eight has been the biggest of our lives. We no longer consider each other the most important person in each others life. I still cook for you. We have never been happier or more tired.

After you get marred I think you have a tendency to overlook your dating anniversary. I don't think I ever will. I was already head-over-heals for Emily when she finally say yes to a date. Eight years ago we became us. Little did we know that was the first day of the rest of out lives. Worth celebrating, no?

Video Tuesday: Throwback!

Hi All! Video Tuesday again! I know it is starting to feel like all I do is post video of Eli, but it hard to find the time to do much else.

This week we will be looking back in time to when Eli was just a week or so old and comparing it to the present. Enjoy!

Throwback: Bedtime! from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Bed Time! from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Time for Solids!

We started Eli on solid food this week. We decided to go with sweet potato over rice cereal. Why? I don't know. Maybe because sweet potatoes sounded like more fun.

For someone that has only had substance that his mother provides solid food is a big deal. So we did what any self-respecting parents would do, over documented it. I don't fully expect anyone to watch all four videos. Well, I do expect the Grandma's to, but the rest of you are free to browse.






First Food: Try One from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.




First Food: Try Two from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.




First Food: Try Three. from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.




First Food: The Clean Up. from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Video Tuesday: Rise of a Hungry Boy!

A big reason that I started Video Tuesday is that I wanted to shoot more video of the small things that I am going to wish I had taped years from now. Eli is most content when eating. He is a Kodner after all.

Times to eats! from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

No more. from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

SIX MONTHS!

How did this happen? One-half of a year old!

I have gone back and added Labels to all the month photos. I know welcome to bloging. So now everyone can go back as see all the month photos on one page!

Introducing Video Tuesday!

In an effort to post more I am starting a new blog series called, Video Tuesday! Hope you enjoy.

Moving: An Update. from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Deciduous Tooth

Eli is working on sprouting his central incisors. More speculatively his mandibular centrals. The one on the right has erupted. The one on the left is working its way out and should join us soon. Apparently he developed the teeth in his embryonic stage of development. Thank you Wikipedia.

Teething is not fun. For him or us.

Rainy Day

Standing Around

Hi Everyone. Sorry I have not been posting a lot as of late. I have been kinda busy with the kid. To make up for it I give you a video.


Standing Around from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Also If you are not on the Daily Eli, you should be. You could have gotten this photo in your email today. Hope all have a good weekend.

Month 5

Five months old! How did this happen? When did he get so big? His zest for life is infectious. His glass is never half empty or full. His will to move is kicking in to high gear. He is going to be trouble. I would expect no less from my offspring.

Eli's Trip to Uptown's Underworld

I lost my earring this weekend. I have my tragus pierced and until recently I never even took it out. I wanted to find a replacement quick so that the hole would not get smaller. Conveniently our neighborhood has two options to buy a replacment, a head shop and a tattoo parlor. Eli and I went to both.

We went to the Head Shop first, but they did not have a good selection of earrings. Next we went to the tattoo parlor. I found what I was looking for but I did have to laugh at myself for bringing Eli to these very "strange" places.

As it turns out Eli LOVES tattooed men. He lit up like a light anytime the workers at the Tattoo Factory spoke to him. He had a grand old time watching me look at the earrings. In the end the piercer gave me four earrings for the price of one! He was so very nice and I would recommend him to anyone in Chicago that needs a piercer.  He also told me he was the only one in the whole state the is licensed to pierce infants over the age of two months (without a gun). Eli was a big hit. The piercer gave Eli a teddy bear. 

How are the dogs?

They are just fine. Thanks for asking!

Eli knows his name!

Eli knows his name from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Parenthood

What is parenthood like you ask? It all about thinking on your feet. You have to work out problems fast or keep guessing when you have no idea what to do next. Yesterday I had a problem that I feel perfectly exemplifies my life right now.

Dad! I need water. WATER! I will throw a fit in about 10 seconds and wake up the sleeping baby!

Leroy! Come here boy! (Give dog MY glass of water) Problem Solved.

So after I fixed that problem I realized I had a different problem. I was dehydrated and had nothing to drink and I was stuck with a sleeping baby on my lap. 

Like I said. This is my life. I give everything I have to all my boys. Unconditional love. Parenthood.

A Letter

Elias got a very exciting piece of mail this week. A Letter from the President of the United States and First Lady! They congratulated us on his birth and wished us the best.

I had sent the White House a birth announcement in the hopes that I would get a return and we did! Thanks to Whitney for the idea! You can click on the photo below to read the letter.

Reading Time!

Eli can't read yet, but he loves to be read to. This video is just to cute. Fair warning.


Reading from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

1/3 a Year Old

My boy. My very big boy. Has two emotions, very happy or very sad. Still loves to walk his puppies. Wakes up everyday at 5:30am. Weighs in at a even 13 pounds. Only 25 percent of kids his age have bigger heads. Loves to put his hands in his month. Just found his ears. Thinks bath time is rad. Loves his Daddy a whole lot. Has a wonderful mother that has provided 110% of everything his little body needs. Learns new things everyday. Is my best friend.

a person that makes cheese

This weekend we made a big list of thing that we needed for some meals that we wanted to make. The plan was for me to go to a few store to get everything. I don't know if you know this about me, but I love to go grocery shopping, go about six out of seven days and shop at around six stores. I got a meat store, I have an Asian market, we go to Aldi's,  Dominic's,  Jewel and finally a neighborhood market.

I went to the neighborhood market and Aldi's my two main ones. Neather had one of the things I was looking for, ricotta cheese. To hell with this I said, I can make some. 

If you Google "a person that makes cheese" you will find out that person is a cheesemaker. Isn't that interesting? I was thinking of a cooler title like Sommelier for a wine expert, but I don't think one exists. So I am just going to have to refer to myself as a cheesemaker now.

It all worked out well and the ricotta was yummy.

The Kodner Family

Something wonderful came in the post this week! Our good friends Sutton and John had this illustration commissioned as a birth present. The artist Nan Lawson sells her work on Etsy.
Emily and I love it! We can't wait to frame and hang it on the wall.

Cause and Effect

Eli is starting to play and learn. Enjoy the video!


Cause and Effect from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Another Year Older

So I had a birthday. It was unlike any I have every had before. Birthdays celebrate births. I don't remember mine, so the day is more just a time marker. I am one year older. I can say the same thing on the 4th of July. Maybe my birthday used to be my favorite holiday, but now it can't come close to the day that Eli was born. None the less I still had a fantastic day.

Patrick came over and watched Eli so we could go out an act like adults. I made him dinner. He did an excellent job and will be a very fine daddy come November.

Aunt Robin came a few days before my birthday. I think she fell in love.

We went to the zoo! Eli thought it was amazing!

Eli the Human Claw Vending Machine

This weekend I went back to the master bedroom to check on Eli and Emo. Or is it Emo and Eli or  Elmo? (For the record I know that is not wight eglish.)  Elmo if you will will hole up in the morning and feed and sleep for hours. I have been told that I have to go back to see if anything is needed. Often Emo will get stuck with a sleeping baby and will need to pee. Maybe she will be hungry. Often both are just sleeping away.

When I went to go see what they were doing Eli looked up at me and yanked my glass's off my face. This was a first. Eli has held a few things and likes to hold on to my collar when in the Bjorn, but he has never just reached out and grab an object before. This time it made me happy. The next I will not think its so cute.

Today I walked Eli over to the counter and let his hand fall close to his binky. He picked it up all by himself! Life is funny. My boy can pick things up and I think its one of the coolest thing I have ever seen. In the long run this has to be a small milestone, but maybe that what life is really about.

Having A Field Day

I have been wanting to get to some of the Chicago museums, but I hate to pay to for them. In St. Louis everything is free. In DC everything is free. I just don't see the reason to go and pay lots of money to look at things. I would rather donate something, but being forced to pay seems wrong.  

Apparently 52 days a year you can go to the Field Museum for free. Some of the days are free because Target donated lots of money. The others, I think are just free. In fact all of the Chicago museums have free days. Today was one of them, so off we went!

Eli, Sue, and me! Things went very well. Eli was a bit overwhelmed with all of the new things that he got to look at. 

Eli and his mummy. Get it! Mummy! We did ancient Egypt first.

The Bushman. This was just after we got a fresh diaper. I was so looking forward to changing it. Truly. I knew they would have a family bathroom with a changing table. For those of you that don't have kids, one day you will know the joy of the public bathroom changing table.

Eli got very tiered from all of the walking around. This is him lounging in a nice chair he found.

A Native American Bjorn. I met a nice volunteer that was telling me all about it. The red bar is to protect the baby from suffocation if the board would flip over when the women were working in the field.

Nap time! (Edit: We also saw Aunt Amy and Eli was very sad that he slept through it.)

After we woke up we learned about DNA.

Then it was on to evolution and simple plants. I loved this diagram. In fact, we used this time to talk about Aunt Robin.

Robin is coming to visit next week. (We think? Robin, email me. love you) Eli wanted to have something to talk to her about. She is a scientist and has done a lot of research on algae, so we learned all about it.

Here is some more algae in a completely different place.

Fossilized Algae. Robin's expertise. Did you know that algae is Latin for seaweeds?

This was the hand drier of death. This sucker scared Eli more than evolution. He did not like evolution, but this was like THE WORST THING EVER! Kinda like a jet going off.

After about 2.5 hours we were done. Could not look at anything else. Also we were very hungry. We went to Potbelly's and  Eli hung out on the table. In the middle of eating, a woman walked in wearing a t-shirt that said, " I only kiss Cardinal fans". Eli was waring his Cardinal hat so I yelled out, "Excuse me. He would like a kiss." We both had a good laugh.

All in all we had a very fun day. Maybe next week we will hit up Science and Industry. It is free after all.

I can't stand it.

Standing? Yes, Standing! from Kenton Kodner on Vimeo.

Month 3

Eli is now one quarter old. He has learned how to smile. As it turns out he is much more fussy that we initially realized. He loves long walks with his puppies. He does not like to spend time with himself. He no longer fits in newborn clothes. Everyday brings something new.

Its like Calling the Hippie Green

So way back when we invited our friends Julie and Ben over for dinner and they informed us that they were expecting! We talked and talked about preparing for a baby and had a very nice evening. Eli was weeks from being born and we all were in various mental states of readiness.

One of the conversations we had was about cleaning products. Julie had strong feeling about the toxic nature of most main stream cleaning products and they had just decided to get rid of or use up what they had left. At the time I thought it was a bit overkill, but I chocked it up to personal choice and moved on.

Fast forward to last Friday. Emily asked me to pick up some cleaning supplies if I went to the store. I told her I have been watching  alot of Planet Green tv and I had been thinking about using homemade products. We decide that I was going to do some more research and then we would make a decision.

It was surprisingly easy to find lots of information about how clean with simple things that you can find around your house and in what proportions you need to mix them. I made a list of what we did not have and off to the store we went.

We now clean with borax, vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and salt. I even made recycled dispensers out of old jars. 

On Sunday we put our new chemicals to work. Emily and I were both happy with the way that things worked out. Everything was just as clean as if when we used our old stuff. Back when Julie first just brought up this idea I thought that she was just being a hippie. Now look at us. Just a bunch of dam hippies.