Dec. 25: It is with a grateful sigh that Bryan and I are now resting in a mostly darkened living room after a multitude of holiday festivities. The treelight glows, the kitty purrs, and all is quiet. A nice way to end a couple fun, festive, and somewhat frantic days of holiday celebration.
New photos are in the gallery from last week and the last couple days.
For the second year, I sent out a letter with my Christmas cards. Thought I would post it here as well.
Dec. 18: Today is my dad’s birthday, and we celebrated by getting together for dinner at our place. Mom made all the food and brought it over. I told her that I’m always happy to have a dinner party at my house when I don’t have to do a thing to get ready for it! Dessert was chocolate fondue with good dippings. mmmm See a quick video here:
Andrew has been having a lot of fun with Christmas activities. The novelty of the tree has worn off. After we decorated the tree, he completely forgot about the tree water/splash pool, and at this point, he leaves most of the ornaments alone too. Last week we had a neighborhood holiday party/cookie exchange at our house. He had fun playing, and Bryan and I really enjoyed spending a warm evening with our friends whom we don’t see much when the weather turns cold.
Dec. 10: Ahhh, it’s Sunday and the end of a lovely weekend with my little and my big family. On Friday (my day off), Mom, Dad, Andrew, and I went to Olbrich Gardens to see their model train exhibit. It was really beautiful, and Andrew had a wonderful time. He couldn’t get enough of watching the trains buzz around the tracks. I think we’ll go back with Dada soon. Photos are in the gallery.
This afternoon, Michael, Bryan, Andrew, and I helped Mom and Dad pick out a Christmas tree. Michael got one too for his house. While shopping, we ran into Herr Huxmann, our old German/history high school teacher. Then we went to Rocky’s for lunch, and Michael and I helped Mom and Dad set up the tree while we watched A Muppet’s Christmas. It struck me as pretty funny that Michael and I are the two ones home these days. A flashback to 1984.
Andrew spent the weekend reading books, playing with ornaments, and having a jolly time. He loves looking at the tree, and it’s so fun to share the celebrations of the season with him. Our outdoor lights are up now (it’s warm this weekend!), and we’re about ready for our neighborhood holiday party here on Wednesday. Happy Holidays!
Dec. 6: Andrew is thoroughly amused with our decision to bring a tree in to our living room. For the first couple days after it came home, Andrew decided that the water at the base of the tree was his own personal splash pond. Repeatedly pulling him back by his overall straps didn’t have much affect other than focusing his resolve. That was fun.
Then once we lit and decorated the tree, he’s been so fascinated with that part of the tree that he seems to have (at least temporarily) forgotten about the water. He’s very into the tree. He likes to lean in and sniff at the lights. Let me tell you, it’s a cute sight to see. He tells me about the ornaments he sees ‘tars" (stars) "beear" "meaow" "maaaa" (sheep). When we first brought it home, he was trying to figure out what kinds of things we put in the tree. He’s been trying to put all sorts of things in the tree. Throwing Bryan’s shoes into the tree was one plan. These days he likes to put his teddy bear, small books, and mail into the tree. Sometimes they even stick.
It’s also been fun to share our Christmas music box (from Aunt Kate and Uncle Greg) with Andrew. He loves it. He listens, cocks his head, and asks for "moh, MOH!"
Happy Christmas planning to you all!
Dec. 6: I am delighted to report that Ben has helped me retrieve our website from the now defunct server on which it previously lived. All of my old posts including all Andrew’s early reports and all Mom’s health updates are now back.
Our photo gallery is not yet functional, and I think it will take a few steps to get it running. Thanks to Ben for rescuing our website and for helping me to get it up again.
Nov.
25: We’ve been having a fabulous time relaxing at Granny Lu and Grandad’s
house. Andrew is having loads of fun playing with his loving relatives,
and Bryan and I are basking in the ability to play on the computer or play
cards or generally be lazy.
Bryan’s cousin Darren, his wife
Erin, and their kids, Kevin and Ryan, came over yesterday, and we spent a
really nice afternoon together. Kevin is four, and Ryan is 20
months old, so with three kids in the house, we had a lot of energy flowing!
Nov.
24: Greetings from warm and sunny Texas!
We are basking in the weather and in the company of Bryan’s
mom and dad and Melanie and Ben. Our flight down here went really well,
and Andrew has really been enjoying playing outdoors and hanging out with
family. Oh, and eating!
Yesterday we played Bocce ball, Andrew kicked a ball around the yard, he and
Grandad dug in the dirt, and we made and ate loads of yummy food. Andrew
enjoyed his first Thanksgiving meal. He even had three spoonfulls of
cranberry sauce (by the third bite, he determined that he was done with
cranberries for about a year). Photos
in the gallery show our day.
We have so many things to be thankful for this
year. First in my mind are that my mommy is well, followed closely by my
continued overwhelming gratitude for Andrew. I’m glad we are encouraged
to pause this time of year to think about our dear family and friends.
Our lives are made so rich because of you. Thanks to all of you!
Nov. 19: Andrew’s eye teeth
are coming in. He has been a very drooly boy the last week, and yesterday I saw
the peek of a new tooth on one side. Last night and the night before he
was up and very unhappy in the night. Poor boy…it’s hard to know he is
hurting. And I really would think that getting new teeth would
hurt! Bryan has been out of
town this weekend, and both Friday and Saturday, Andrew really didn’t want to
do the napping thing. Makes for some pretty long days. But about an hour
ago, he looked at his crib and said, "pAh" (pacifier). I asked
him if he wanted to nap and he said "nAh." Then he blissfully,
quietly went to sleep.
And I am now taking this moment of quiet not to progress on any of my
household needs or to-lists. I’m browsing the internet and reading about
toddlers. That and letting my brain drift quietly about without worrying
about Andrew destroying himself or durable household items.
