Aina Putelis, MD, CPM

Here's the set-up, an Ikea castle tent outfitted with three kid-sized chairs is functioning as a field office for Aina's medical practice.  I have been told to squeeze myself into one of these chairs for a check-up from the doctor.  Once I get situated, Aina says "turn towards me, I can't see your feelings".  Not sure what this means, but I face her as much as I can under the very tight circumstances.  She very gently starts patting my stomach with her hands and tells me that "I am going to have to do some things that are not appropriate".  This disclosure comes with the appropriate serious face and head nodding.  She just used that word for the first time today and I think I told her that once a while back when she was poking Mabel in the bum in the bathtub, so I am a little wary to say the least.  But then, surprise, I have a baby right there in the tent.  Aina calls out to Mabel to come to the tent and act as the new baby.  It was a nice easy birth of a healthy, walking, talking, 24 lb baby!!

Three year olds are SO much fun!

Those of you who have had a 2 year old at some point in your life, may laugh this off as standard operating procedure, but it is all still new and one-day-at-a-time to me!  Last week, Aina was being particularly stubborn and I mistakenly asked her if her ears were broken....  Well, about two days later we were back in this same situation and when I asked if she heard me, she turned away and told me that she did not because her ears were broken.  Ah, the joys of parenting a two year old!!

I knew there must be some reason that they make these maternity shirts so big!  They seem huge early on, but wow am I growing out of all of mine (all three) at this point.  It is about time for Chimi to come out for a visit.  We are 37 weeks today and counting.  That is considered term, but we are really hoping to hold out for the actual due date, somewhere between the 23rd and 28th of this month.  Janis has been gone except a few days here and there, since the beginning of September and boy are we glad he is coming home in a few days!  Aina is a handful with this big ole belly.

Chimi is still wiggling around a lot, but I am noticing less because of the constant blond whirlwind of a distraction I have at home!  Aina seems to think it is going to be a sister, but no matter what, she knows she will be a big sister soon and slaps my "baby tummy" and says "my baby" a lot!

Chimichanga at about 20 weeks.  Look at that nose!!  I think s/he is smiling!  Must be cozy in there, hope s/he is ready for the great, wide world!

23 weeks, summer SLC.

34 weeks, backyard.

37 weeks!

Chimichanga's First Blog.......

Poor second child!  We are late in the sixth month of this pregnancy and this is my first blog.  Better late than never.  Little one had a fun week.  On Tuesday afternoon, I got home from work and big sis was interested in trying to feel the baby again.  Typically this consists of Aina putting her ear to my stomach, then a gentle hand, and then slapping a few times before I can catch her hand.  This time, she actually stayed there long enough that Chimi was able to exact a little much deserved revenge on her and kick her in the head!  I would pay a lot of money to have gotten a picture of Aina's face.  She was SO surprised, it was absolutely hilarious.  We also had our first round of hiccups that I was awake for this morning.  Almost in the third trimester.  I will try to fill in some pregnancy/Aina's world gaps in coming weeks.

Aina's First Birthday Party

Hi folks, mama wants to apologize for not posting for so long.  Something about moving and work and family....blah, blah, blah.  So this post is almost three MONTHS late.  I was on the Kenai with my Aunt Becka, Uncle Cameron and Cousin Will for an entire birthday week, that is a whole other post, coming soon.  I had a party with Aunt Beck, Will and mama on my birthday and then another party when papa came back from hunting.  It was a good couple of weeks.  Been doing lots of fun stuff since then, stay tuned for more.  Here are the pictures from my third birthday party in Fairbanks once papa came back from a Dall sheep hunt near Tok, lucky devil.

What's up, I'm one!

Hats off to me!

Fire, huh.

Why's everybody looking at me??

So, what's this stuff????

Okay, yeah, that's pretty good.

Birthday cake art.

Mama, you lookin funny in that hat.

Day after, party blues......

We had our first visitor!  Aunt Louisa (Weezer) came all the way from Fort Collins, CO to see me, ma and pa too.

Our first stop with Auntie Weezer!

Got credit, will charge...

I am officially a boater.

Our buddies, Corrie and Tom who guided us on our boating adventure!  Nope, not a real palm tree.

Keeping my eyes peeled for any signs of turbulence.

Loungin' with Aunt Weezer.  I got some sunscreen in my eyes, so I am looking a little rough.

Checking out the alpine tundra vegetation, rocks, my favorite.

Hiking.....

more hiking......

Yep, those are musk oxen!

Lemme at um!

Helping mama do some weeding.

Birch bark.

10 months: Teeth and Grins

Well, it has been a great month.  I have been really enjoying hikes in the boreal forest, days at the park with papa and play group.  Summer is great here in central AK, there is plenty of sunshine to go around and it is finally warm enough to kick off the socks and go barefoot.  I got a bunch of teeth, kind of a pain coming in, but I can gnaw on just about anything and make some real progress.  I have been standing a lot and walking may not be too far off, we'll see, crawling if so fast!

Helping on laundry day.

Peasant child.

Gardening in Fairbanks, AK 

Okay you two, it's about to hale!

My sporty look.

Good mama.

Whoa, horsey!

Not sure if I care what it is mama, can I eat it? 

Lumberjack better hang on to me!

Playing with my neighbor Sofia.

This was a really fun face for about two weeks.

I'll eat you up I love you so!

Day at the park.

Swinging!