A week of beginnings...and torture for Mom

So Monday (Jan. 4th)was Andrew's first day at daycare! I held it together pretty well, I think, I only cried a little that morning....Andrew, naturally, slept & seemed completely unconcerned that he wouldn't be seeing his mother for hours and hours and hours! We stopped by at lunch-hoping to visit-but our little monster was so deeply upset with his situation that he was sound asleep in the swing. Being the incredibly strong woman that I am, I refrained from waking him up-I knew he was crying for me on the inside;)

On Tuesday, I took Andrew in for his first round of vaccinations. I have never been more impressed with technique in my life! Andrew got 3 shots (2 in one thigh, 1 in the opposite thigh)...the nurse was so quick that in the time it took Andrew to realize what was happening (and that he was totally not happy about it) she was finished. It was comical to see Andrew's face-the 'what in the world' look after the 1st shot morphing into 'I think I don't like this' at the 2nd...and finally yelling after the final shot! He was just like the puppies & kittens after 1st vaccinations-cried for literally 10 seconds and then realized that there wasn't anything to cry about! Andrew's grown so much-he's 24" long now & 11 pounds. He's in the 85th percentile for height and 50th for weight. The doctor was happy w/his growth-I know I'm kind of happy that he's still a 'skinny' baby! His big belly is just too cute with his monkey arms (thanks Dad!) and long legs.

It feels like Andrew's been in our lives forever...really have to pinch myself, knowing that he's actually only 8 weeks old.

Christmas revisited....

Since the blizzard prevented our parents from traveling, we had our Christmas on New Year's weekend. My parents were able to come up early & go with us to Sara & Connie's house for a NY party-lots of good food & time with friends...and Danny & I actually were awake at midnight (1st time in 3 years I think!). The next day, Bob & Mary Ellen came up & we had a great meal before opening presents. Andrew was completely wired (as pictures show) about his gifts....Danny got his speaker & coat, while I got terrific pj's & a digital picture frame (I figure the 3,200 picture limit will last until next year!)...

Christmas weekend randoms....

So, for one thing, boppies aren't just for babies (see illustration). And a girl should know that two guys aren't going to have the endurance for a movie marathon, so sad really, that I'm the only one that's able to stay awake!

Rub mai belleh!!!

So these are the pj's Aunt J-me got Andrew. He felt very relaxed in them & it was awesome that the shirt kept riding up-his belly's the size of a barn these days! He was totally adorable....until he peed all over them. Oh well, that's a boy for you!

No JOY for you!

So now Andrew says 'phhttt' to Christmas. This is his interpretation of 'JOY'...

Our first family Christmas!

So Andrew got us a present-thoughtful little guy slept from 3:00 to 7:45 this morning! Once we all got up and fed, we opened presents-we're lucky Aunt J-me sent something (totally rad doggie pj's!!), because (as far as I knew) that was Andrew's only gift. I didn't count the outfit I got for him, but Daddy came through with some super cute bear pj's! Even though I already got my gift from Danny, he still got me a little something-lots of movie watching candy! yippee! And Danny got to open & finally see all the clothes I bought in Tulsa last week (he paid for them, but I still thought he deserved to get a 'present'). So, now we're getting ready to watch our movies, eat a little bacon bread and hang out...Now that we've taken pictures with Andrew outside (how cool is it that he gets a White Christmas?!) and driven the truck around town-seemed a little apocalyptic not seeing any other drivers, but really cool to see the unblemished snow and how everything drifted! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Such a biology nerd.....

So it's Christmas Eve and Andrew & I braved the sleet to go to Hobby Lobby (essentials you know). I had an older lady give me the stink eye...I know she was wondering if she should call DHS b/c I had Andrew out 'in such weather'. I felt like pointing out that he had more layers on than an Eskimo during a blizzard...and he was probably fine! Once we got back home & the snow starting pouring in, I got to see the coolest thing! (I know you've been wondering when the biology nerd would come in ;)..Outside, on top of the cat pen, was a Cooper's hawk-I got a picture from the backdoor before he flew off and perched on the fence. I've never been that close to one, even during field zoology when we were bird watching. Too cool!

bah humbug!

What a weekend! I thought our Christmas shopping was finished last week, but not really! I managed to find the last items & a few things for the future by visiting just about every store in Stillwater. Unfortunately, our Christmas cards will take too long to print, so I'm scrapping them for this year & just focusing on getting Andrew's baptism and birth announcements ordered & printed. Andrine & I went to see 'Avatar' on saturday while Danny watched Andrew (terrific husband!). The movie was exceptional-my first foray into 3D & I loved it! Now I can't wait for 'Alice in Wonderland' & 'Shrek' 3D to come out next spring! This morning I made the (please, please, please!) last trip to Wal-mart until after Christmas-let's just say the spirit of the season is not alive & well when it comes to blocking the aisles! Well, I'm off to wrap Christmas presents!

Work Christmas Party...and a lazy Sunday

Saturday was our work Christmas/Anniversary party at a local spot, El Vacquero. We had the 'Ghost Town Gypsies' for live music (one of our analyst does guitar/vocals). Andrew was completely oblivious to all the 'racket' as you can see. He slept pretty much the entire time-I finally took him out of the car seat & had Ron (confirmed bachelor!) hold him for a picture so that I could show off his Christmas duds (sans shoes), albeit momentarily. Sunday we all spent the day being lazy & enjoying a break before going back to work on Monday & the start of the holiday rush.

Lolcats are the best....

My name is Catherine, and I'm addicted.....to lolcats! I save the best ones just to cheer myself up when it's 'one of those days'. Since I tend to 'humanize' my animals (according to the less animal-loving crowd), it's always amusing to see cats thoughts brought to life. Like how I'm trying to type this while Romeo sleeps on my right arm....just thinking 'get on with it & quit moving, you're interrupting my nap!'