I love you Moni...happy birthday!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Happy Birthday Mrs. President....
I've known Monica throught almost all of her twenties, and today, as she turns 29 (for the first time), I thought I'd offer up a little photo montage.
I love you Moni...happy birthday!
I love you Moni...happy birthday!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Peek-a-boo
Monica likes to tease and say that she's playing with an armadillo, because the blackline drawing of Piglet on Rachel's drapes somewhat resembles an armadillo. But in color...pig.
His name is Piglet, Monica, and he is a PIG, not an armadillo. Not in Texas, not anywhere. A PIG.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Cien
This post is my one hundredth here on Laleblog.
In about 10 weeks, this blog will have been up for a year.
Not exactly everyday posting, but 100 blog entries is nothing to turn your nose up at.
I don't want to reflect too much, because I'll do that when I reach my first blog-iversary in November.
Truth be told, this isn't my first blog, and I've certainly produced much more content than you see on these pages. However, in trying to find my voice, and a consistent topic to write about, I have started and abandoned a few blogs.
And so, in the spirit of keeping up with my usual topics, here's the latest updates:
Rachel is still stuffy, although not nearly as much as she was just two days ago. However, now Monica and I are both getting sick. She was feeling a little scruffy in the throat this morning, and I started feeling that way late this afternoon. I hope it goes away quickly.
Our house seems to be dead in the water. We had a call that someone was going to come look at it on Sunday, then they canceled. We haven't had anyone look at it in almost a week. Since this is the first time we're trying to sell a house, I don't know if this is typical or not. In the meantime, we're looking at houses online, but we can't really even get serious until we get an offer on our house. I can only hope that there's something on the market that we really like when it comes time for us to buy.
And now, because my mom says the blog is boring when I don't post picutres of her granddaughter, here is the Rachel picture of the day. Actually, the Rachel and Sparky picture of the day. I finally got them to pose together.
In about 10 weeks, this blog will have been up for a year.
Not exactly everyday posting, but 100 blog entries is nothing to turn your nose up at.
I don't want to reflect too much, because I'll do that when I reach my first blog-iversary in November.
Truth be told, this isn't my first blog, and I've certainly produced much more content than you see on these pages. However, in trying to find my voice, and a consistent topic to write about, I have started and abandoned a few blogs.
And so, in the spirit of keeping up with my usual topics, here's the latest updates:
Rachel is still stuffy, although not nearly as much as she was just two days ago. However, now Monica and I are both getting sick. She was feeling a little scruffy in the throat this morning, and I started feeling that way late this afternoon. I hope it goes away quickly.
Our house seems to be dead in the water. We had a call that someone was going to come look at it on Sunday, then they canceled. We haven't had anyone look at it in almost a week. Since this is the first time we're trying to sell a house, I don't know if this is typical or not. In the meantime, we're looking at houses online, but we can't really even get serious until we get an offer on our house. I can only hope that there's something on the market that we really like when it comes time for us to buy.
And now, because my mom says the blog is boring when I don't post picutres of her granddaughter, here is the Rachel picture of the day. Actually, the Rachel and Sparky picture of the day. I finally got them to pose together.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Out sick
I took the day off today.
Rachel got really stuffy over the weekend, so we decided to keep her home today and take her to the doctor. There isn't a whole lot we can do, since she's so young. So we just have to keep sucking snot out of her nose, which is quickly becoming Monica's favorite thing to do.
"Are there bats in the batcave? Oooh yeah, Mommy's gonna get those!"
Even though she's not feeling up to par, Rachel is still as smiley and happy as ever.
Rachel got really stuffy over the weekend, so we decided to keep her home today and take her to the doctor. There isn't a whole lot we can do, since she's so young. So we just have to keep sucking snot out of her nose, which is quickly becoming Monica's favorite thing to do.
"Are there bats in the batcave? Oooh yeah, Mommy's gonna get those!"
Even though she's not feeling up to par, Rachel is still as smiley and happy as ever.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Paint
It's amazing the difference a little paint can make.
I had some "oat straw" left over from the big wall project (which I also used to paint Rachel's room), but just a little. I mixed what was left with some white primer to make a lighter shade of the brown, and painted our little hallway. I also repainted the trim around the doors and the mopboard so they would be bright white instead of looking like they hadn't been cleaned in 10 years.
I couldn't believe the difference it made. I knew we needed to do something to make our house look more crisp, but had no idea it would be that easy.
Tomorrow, I'm going to put a coat of white on the kitchen to brighten it up. I'm still not sure if I want to tackle the living room, though.
Our house got shown three times in two days early last week, but we haven't had anyone come by since Wednesday. Hopefully, we'll get some bites soon, and all of this work cleaning and moving stuff, and painting won't be in vain.
In our next house, we're not waiting two years to paint.
I had some "oat straw" left over from the big wall project (which I also used to paint Rachel's room), but just a little. I mixed what was left with some white primer to make a lighter shade of the brown, and painted our little hallway. I also repainted the trim around the doors and the mopboard so they would be bright white instead of looking like they hadn't been cleaned in 10 years.
I couldn't believe the difference it made. I knew we needed to do something to make our house look more crisp, but had no idea it would be that easy.
Tomorrow, I'm going to put a coat of white on the kitchen to brighten it up. I'm still not sure if I want to tackle the living room, though.
Our house got shown three times in two days early last week, but we haven't had anyone come by since Wednesday. Hopefully, we'll get some bites soon, and all of this work cleaning and moving stuff, and painting won't be in vain.
In our next house, we're not waiting two years to paint.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Fun on the weekend
Rachel and I played around on the floor this weekend...this video isn't anything flashy, it's just some stuff I threw together so everyone could see how much she's growing.
Click here to see the video
Click here to see the video
Friday, August 18, 2006
Starting her early...
I'm not raising no girly girl. Rachel and I are watching da Bears tonight. We watch the Cubbies sweep the Astros earlier this week.
She's loving it as much as her daddy because da Bears are up 14-3 right now. She's been talking to the players too...except I had to tell her to quit smiling when the Chargers players were on the screen.
Next game, I'm going to teach her about pork chahps and sahsige. Oh yeah, and beer.
She's loving it as much as her daddy because da Bears are up 14-3 right now. She's been talking to the players too...except I had to tell her to quit smiling when the Chargers players were on the screen.
Next game, I'm going to teach her about pork chahps and sahsige. Oh yeah, and beer.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Yeah, yeah...I'm eating my words
It seems that keeping up with a blog, having a child, and a job is a little harder than I thought, and since only one of those things is neglect-able, the posting has suffered.
In addition to all of that, Monica and I have decided that because our daughter has more crap than both of us, we have to move. That's right, after two years of just us, Rachel came along and made our house significantly smaller. Namely, with her clothes.
This child has more clothes than either one of us, and we just don't have anywhere to put them anymore.
Not that we're ungrateful for everything that everyone has sent us, because we're not. We love that we don't have to buy clothes for this girl until somewhere around her first birthday, but her closet is only so big. Our garage is only so big.
You get the point.
The size of our house just isn't cutting it anymore.
That, and we now have major rednecks as neighbors. That's what happens when you live in an "investment area," meaning we have a lot of rent houses around us.
I've been working all week to remedy problems we think may detract buyers from our house, and hopefully it will go on the market this weekend or early next week.
And now, the gratuitous picture of Rachel for this week...
Jane Fonda would be so proud.
In addition to all of that, Monica and I have decided that because our daughter has more crap than both of us, we have to move. That's right, after two years of just us, Rachel came along and made our house significantly smaller. Namely, with her clothes.
This child has more clothes than either one of us, and we just don't have anywhere to put them anymore.
Not that we're ungrateful for everything that everyone has sent us, because we're not. We love that we don't have to buy clothes for this girl until somewhere around her first birthday, but her closet is only so big. Our garage is only so big.
You get the point.
The size of our house just isn't cutting it anymore.
That, and we now have major rednecks as neighbors. That's what happens when you live in an "investment area," meaning we have a lot of rent houses around us.
I've been working all week to remedy problems we think may detract buyers from our house, and hopefully it will go on the market this weekend or early next week.
And now, the gratuitous picture of Rachel for this week...
Jane Fonda would be so proud.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Month Two
Dear Rachel,
This week you turned two months old. The summer has just flown by. Your mother and I can't believe that we have to go back to work and leave you in the care of someone else.
This month, you really started to get your personality. You've started smiling and laughing at us, as well as anyone else you like. That made Grandma Connie and Grandpa Rick really happy, and probably set you up for a nice inheritance.
Now every time we get your attention, we try to get you to laugh, just because it makes us smile so much.
You took your first plane ride this month and made your first visit to Illinois. You handled the trip like a pro, although sleeping through the flight up and the drive to Grandma and Grandpa's did screw up your schedule for a couple of days. When we got back, we just left you in your car seat, since you were already asleep, to get you back on schedule faster.
You started eating a lot more this month, too, but going farther between feedings. Your face and hands have gotten pudgy, but that's a good thing because it tells us you're getting plenty of food.
The other way we can tell that you're getting plenty to eat is by how much you poop, and you've been doing it a lot lately. At the beginning of the month, we were worried because you were going 2-3 days between poops, but now you seem to be back on your schedule of 2-3 per day. I can't say that we're excited about it, but it's better than trying to clean up 3 days of poop all at once, and then worrying in between about when you're going to explode.
There have been a few times this past month where you slept for 10 hours. That makes your parents very happy. There have also been a few times this past month when you only slept a few hours, and that doesn't make us so happy. However, we know you're growing, and that can really mess things up.
You've become a very active little girl when you're awake, and even when you're asleep. When you're awake, you will kick and swing your arms around and talk to whoever or whatever is there. You smile at your Winnie-the-Pooh mobile and talk to all the characters. Your favorite seems to be Eeyore. Your neck is getting really strong, and you've started holding your head up when we put you up to our shoulder.
When you're asleep, you move around a lot too. Sometimes in the morning, I'll go into your room and find that you've turned yourself perpendicular to the way we put you in bed, and you usually have your feet hanging out of the crib.
One of the most exciting things you've done this month is to realize that your hand is actually attached to your body. I watched in disbelief last week as you slowly made a fist and deliberately moved your hand to your mouth so you could suck on it. You're becoming quite aware of yourself and your surroundings.
Now that you mom and I are both going back to work, I'm afraid we're going to miss out on some of your milestones. Miss Judy is really good about telling us what's going on with you though, and we know you're in good hands.
We love you very much and miss you every minute that we can't be with you.
Love,
Daddy
This week you turned two months old. The summer has just flown by. Your mother and I can't believe that we have to go back to work and leave you in the care of someone else.
This month, you really started to get your personality. You've started smiling and laughing at us, as well as anyone else you like. That made Grandma Connie and Grandpa Rick really happy, and probably set you up for a nice inheritance.
Now every time we get your attention, we try to get you to laugh, just because it makes us smile so much.
You took your first plane ride this month and made your first visit to Illinois. You handled the trip like a pro, although sleeping through the flight up and the drive to Grandma and Grandpa's did screw up your schedule for a couple of days. When we got back, we just left you in your car seat, since you were already asleep, to get you back on schedule faster.
You started eating a lot more this month, too, but going farther between feedings. Your face and hands have gotten pudgy, but that's a good thing because it tells us you're getting plenty of food.
The other way we can tell that you're getting plenty to eat is by how much you poop, and you've been doing it a lot lately. At the beginning of the month, we were worried because you were going 2-3 days between poops, but now you seem to be back on your schedule of 2-3 per day. I can't say that we're excited about it, but it's better than trying to clean up 3 days of poop all at once, and then worrying in between about when you're going to explode.
There have been a few times this past month where you slept for 10 hours. That makes your parents very happy. There have also been a few times this past month when you only slept a few hours, and that doesn't make us so happy. However, we know you're growing, and that can really mess things up.
You've become a very active little girl when you're awake, and even when you're asleep. When you're awake, you will kick and swing your arms around and talk to whoever or whatever is there. You smile at your Winnie-the-Pooh mobile and talk to all the characters. Your favorite seems to be Eeyore. Your neck is getting really strong, and you've started holding your head up when we put you up to our shoulder.
When you're asleep, you move around a lot too. Sometimes in the morning, I'll go into your room and find that you've turned yourself perpendicular to the way we put you in bed, and you usually have your feet hanging out of the crib.
One of the most exciting things you've done this month is to realize that your hand is actually attached to your body. I watched in disbelief last week as you slowly made a fist and deliberately moved your hand to your mouth so you could suck on it. You're becoming quite aware of yourself and your surroundings.
Now that you mom and I are both going back to work, I'm afraid we're going to miss out on some of your milestones. Miss Judy is really good about telling us what's going on with you though, and we know you're in good hands.
We love you very much and miss you every minute that we can't be with you.
Love,
Daddy
Monday, August 07, 2006
A star is born...
Not only is our child one of the most famous babies on the internet, she's also a big hit at daycare.
When I got there to pick her up today, our sitter asked if she ever cries. She told me how much fun she was to have, and how she talked and cooed and smiled at everyone.
This kid's going to be a star.
And Monica managed to go the whole day without seeing her, so all is well.
When I got there to pick her up today, our sitter asked if she ever cries. She told me how much fun she was to have, and how she talked and cooed and smiled at everyone.
This kid's going to be a star.
And Monica managed to go the whole day without seeing her, so all is well.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Holding it together...
I've almost made it throught the first week at work. Almost.
Last night, Rachel decided that a 3 AM snack sounded like a good idea, and it was my turn to get up with her.
I got back to sleep just before the alarm went off.
Next week we start her in day care, so Monica and I can get used to that schedule. The following week Monica goes back to work.
Last night, Rachel decided that a 3 AM snack sounded like a good idea, and it was my turn to get up with her.
I got back to sleep just before the alarm went off.
Next week we start her in day care, so Monica and I can get used to that schedule. The following week Monica goes back to work.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
The heat is on...
My mother sent my sister and I the following email this evening:
The only thing is that it's going to be like this in San Antonio for the next couple of months. New York and Illinois will probably get a break sometime in the next couple of weeks.
I checked weather for our 3 cities today - San Antonio was the most comfortable with a heat index of 100, dew point of 60 and humidity of 30%. NYC and Bloomington were very close with the heat index of 106, dew points of 80 and humidity in the 60s or 70s. YUCK!!!!
Hopefully we'll get a break soon - and you will too!
Have a cool evening!
Love
Mom
The only thing is that it's going to be like this in San Antonio for the next couple of months. New York and Illinois will probably get a break sometime in the next couple of weeks.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Rachel smiles
I've been trying to capture this for two weeks now, but it seems like I can't ever get my camera out fast enough. I finally just started carrying it with me 24/7, and I managed to get these pictures...
And I just couldn't resist this one...I swear this was not posed. She just ended up like this!
And I just couldn't resist this one...I swear this was not posed. She just ended up like this!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Back to the grind
I've had 7 1/2 wonderful weeks off, and they have flown by.
Monday, it's back to the j-o-b for me.
Monica still has 2 more weeks to enjoy Rachel, but I have a standing lunch date with my wife and daughter.
Hopefully Rachel will decide to continue with her peaceful slumber at night, letting her daddy go to work well rested.
Monday, it's back to the j-o-b for me.
Monica still has 2 more weeks to enjoy Rachel, but I have a standing lunch date with my wife and daughter.
Hopefully Rachel will decide to continue with her peaceful slumber at night, letting her daddy go to work well rested.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Bliss, and a final farewell to 107 Regal
Being able to open the windows to sleep at night.
Monica and I haven't felt 65 degrees for what seems like months, and it was absolutely beautiful to be chilly last night.
Today looks like it's going to be gorgeous as well.
It's been one heck of a week, with folks visiting and helping Mom and Dad move. Yesterday, we moved almost all of the furniture to the new house. I also determined yesterday that when Monica and I buy a new house (not that we are, just when we get there) that we're buying one with the laundry on the first floor.
I can't tell you how glad I am that it wasn't 90+ degrees outside yesterday. I was soaked in sweat as it was. I can't imagine added another 10 degrees into the mix.
Mom pointed out to me that the new house doesn't have any 7s in the address. I figured out a couple of years ago that every house we've lived in that I can remember (actually since Sarah was born) has had a 7 in the address, and most have had a 1 and a 0 as well. There was 701 S. Church Street in Albany, then 1007 Courtland in Saybrook, then 7 Plymouth Ct, and finally 107 Regal.
I guess it is the start of a new era for my parents...one with no kids living at home, and grandkids coming to visit.
It's weird to see this house so empty, after 20 years of seeing it so full, and yet, everywhere I look--every corner, every wall, every closet--there is a memory, so I guess it's not really all that empty, because it's full of the memories of our family.
Monica and I haven't felt 65 degrees for what seems like months, and it was absolutely beautiful to be chilly last night.
Today looks like it's going to be gorgeous as well.
It's been one heck of a week, with folks visiting and helping Mom and Dad move. Yesterday, we moved almost all of the furniture to the new house. I also determined yesterday that when Monica and I buy a new house (not that we are, just when we get there) that we're buying one with the laundry on the first floor.
I can't tell you how glad I am that it wasn't 90+ degrees outside yesterday. I was soaked in sweat as it was. I can't imagine added another 10 degrees into the mix.
Mom pointed out to me that the new house doesn't have any 7s in the address. I figured out a couple of years ago that every house we've lived in that I can remember (actually since Sarah was born) has had a 7 in the address, and most have had a 1 and a 0 as well. There was 701 S. Church Street in Albany, then 1007 Courtland in Saybrook, then 7 Plymouth Ct, and finally 107 Regal.
I guess it is the start of a new era for my parents...one with no kids living at home, and grandkids coming to visit.
It's weird to see this house so empty, after 20 years of seeing it so full, and yet, everywhere I look--every corner, every wall, every closet--there is a memory, so I guess it's not really all that empty, because it's full of the memories of our family.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Once again proving that even though we have a baby, I can still update my blog more frequently than my sister...
OK, ok...we'll see often I can do this once I start back to work, then make a comparison.
So for those of you who don't know, we're heading up to Illinois on Friday. Hopefully we'll get to see some of you who we haven't seen for a while, and introduce you to Rachel.
We'll also be helping Mom and Dad get ready to move. Yes, that's right, move. The house on Regal that my parents built 20 years ago has been sold, and they are moving to Bloomington. BLOOMINGTON.
It doesn't seem like 20 years since we moved into that house. It doesn't seem like 10 years since I moved out. It's going to be a little strange traveling to a house in Bloomington that I've never spent any time living in, but I'm looking forward to seeing the new house, and I know Mom and Dad are looking forward to moving into it.
So for those of you who don't know, we're heading up to Illinois on Friday. Hopefully we'll get to see some of you who we haven't seen for a while, and introduce you to Rachel.
We'll also be helping Mom and Dad get ready to move. Yes, that's right, move. The house on Regal that my parents built 20 years ago has been sold, and they are moving to Bloomington. BLOOMINGTON.
It doesn't seem like 20 years since we moved into that house. It doesn't seem like 10 years since I moved out. It's going to be a little strange traveling to a house in Bloomington that I've never spent any time living in, but I'm looking forward to seeing the new house, and I know Mom and Dad are looking forward to moving into it.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Month One
Dear Rachel,
Yes, your Daddy acknowledges that he's totally ripping off Heather over at dooce.com but if an idea is good, it's worth stealing. That's lesson number one.
This weekend you turned one month old. I'm still not sure quite how to "count" you...should it be in weeks or months? This first one is easy because the four week mark was just two days from the one month mark, but it's not always going to be that easy.
Your mom and I were so excited for you to get here, and there are still times that we look at you and can't believe you're actually here. You didn't really want to come...I guess you were just too cozy inside Mommy, but there just wasn't any more room for you to grow.
On the day you were born, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. That little bundle Mom had been carrying around for 9 months (or was it 10?) wasn't so little. All of the nurses in the operating room commented on how much hair you had. When they handed you to me, I couldn't stop smiling. You mom wasn't able to hold you right away, but I put you down next to her face, and you opened your eyes wide to get a good look at her.
I didn't expect to be able to hold you for as long as I did. I thought at some point they'd bring in the machine that goes ping and take you away from me. But they didn't. In fact, I got to hold you for almost 90 minutes before the nice ladies from the nursery came down to take you.
While we were in the hospital, all of the nurses kept saying how beautiful you were. I'm not sure if they say that to every new mom or not, but your doctor even came in and said that everyone in the nursery was talking about what a pretty baby you were. We certainly think so!
Since Mommy had to stay in the hospital for a couple of extra days, I stayed with her and we started getting used to getting up to feed you. For the first week or so, even after we came home from the hospital, we would wake you up in the middle of the night to feed you because that's what "they" said we should do.
Then one night, bleary eyed, your mom decided that we should see how long you would sleep for us at night. The first night we let you sleep, you slept for 6 hours, and I woke up at 3 AM sure that you had stopped breathing. I went to check on you, and after I was sure you were still alive, I went back to bed. The next night you slept 7 hours, and your mother and I started actually getting some sleep. Now we take turns getting up with you because if we didn't we'd never get anything done like paying bills and eating.
You've really become very aware of us when you're awake, staring right at us when we feed you. You also have become infatuated with ceiling fans. We've noticed you looking at us more and more, and we think that you understand who your parents are.
You've gone so many places and met so many people this first month, and you've actually helped mommy and daddy get back in touch with people and go places they should have done a long time ago.
Your Grandma Connie and Grandpa Rick were so excited to see you that they drove all the way from Illinois the day after you were born to meet you. You had a lot of visitors in the hospital, and even more when you came home. You've been to Austin and Houston, and next week you get to go to Illinois for the first time to meet your Great-Grandparents. Your aunts and uncles and cousins have all been by to see you, and your Aunt Sarah from Brooklyn flew in last weekend to meet you. Grandma Connie and Grandpa Rick came down again last weekend too. You've been to Daddy's work twice, and Mommy's school once already. You've even been to a baseball game and a wedding already! Everyone has been so excited to see you, and we've been happy to show you off.
You've been such a good baby for us, we can hardly believe it. Your mom had a pretty easy pregnancy, and you have been a relatively easy baby to care for too. We can't believe just how blessed we are to have you in our lives. We love you so much, and can't wait to see what the next months and years bring.
Love,
Daddy
Yes, your Daddy acknowledges that he's totally ripping off Heather over at dooce.com but if an idea is good, it's worth stealing. That's lesson number one.
This weekend you turned one month old. I'm still not sure quite how to "count" you...should it be in weeks or months? This first one is easy because the four week mark was just two days from the one month mark, but it's not always going to be that easy.
Your mom and I were so excited for you to get here, and there are still times that we look at you and can't believe you're actually here. You didn't really want to come...I guess you were just too cozy inside Mommy, but there just wasn't any more room for you to grow.
On the day you were born, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. That little bundle Mom had been carrying around for 9 months (or was it 10?) wasn't so little. All of the nurses in the operating room commented on how much hair you had. When they handed you to me, I couldn't stop smiling. You mom wasn't able to hold you right away, but I put you down next to her face, and you opened your eyes wide to get a good look at her.
I didn't expect to be able to hold you for as long as I did. I thought at some point they'd bring in the machine that goes ping and take you away from me. But they didn't. In fact, I got to hold you for almost 90 minutes before the nice ladies from the nursery came down to take you.
While we were in the hospital, all of the nurses kept saying how beautiful you were. I'm not sure if they say that to every new mom or not, but your doctor even came in and said that everyone in the nursery was talking about what a pretty baby you were. We certainly think so!
Since Mommy had to stay in the hospital for a couple of extra days, I stayed with her and we started getting used to getting up to feed you. For the first week or so, even after we came home from the hospital, we would wake you up in the middle of the night to feed you because that's what "they" said we should do.
Then one night, bleary eyed, your mom decided that we should see how long you would sleep for us at night. The first night we let you sleep, you slept for 6 hours, and I woke up at 3 AM sure that you had stopped breathing. I went to check on you, and after I was sure you were still alive, I went back to bed. The next night you slept 7 hours, and your mother and I started actually getting some sleep. Now we take turns getting up with you because if we didn't we'd never get anything done like paying bills and eating.
You've really become very aware of us when you're awake, staring right at us when we feed you. You also have become infatuated with ceiling fans. We've noticed you looking at us more and more, and we think that you understand who your parents are.
You've gone so many places and met so many people this first month, and you've actually helped mommy and daddy get back in touch with people and go places they should have done a long time ago.
Your Grandma Connie and Grandpa Rick were so excited to see you that they drove all the way from Illinois the day after you were born to meet you. You had a lot of visitors in the hospital, and even more when you came home. You've been to Austin and Houston, and next week you get to go to Illinois for the first time to meet your Great-Grandparents. Your aunts and uncles and cousins have all been by to see you, and your Aunt Sarah from Brooklyn flew in last weekend to meet you. Grandma Connie and Grandpa Rick came down again last weekend too. You've been to Daddy's work twice, and Mommy's school once already. You've even been to a baseball game and a wedding already! Everyone has been so excited to see you, and we've been happy to show you off.
You've been such a good baby for us, we can hardly believe it. Your mom had a pretty easy pregnancy, and you have been a relatively easy baby to care for too. We can't believe just how blessed we are to have you in our lives. We love you so much, and can't wait to see what the next months and years bring.
Love,
Daddy
Friday, July 07, 2006
One month; One year
Rachel is four weeks old today. Sunday, Monica and I will celebrate our first year of marriage.
The weeks are flying by...I can't believe it's been a year already. It seems like only yesterday that the whole family was here and we were tubing down the Comal River.
I can't believe Rachel has already been with us a month, too. Looking back at the video from her first week, I can see how much she's changed already. She's gone from random eye movement, to direct eye contact. Sometimes I'll be paying attention to something else, I'll look down, and she's staring right at me. I guess I need to start minding my P's & Q's.
Last night, Rachel attended her first baseball game. Not that she even noticed, because she slept through most of it, but it was fun just the same. It was also fun explaining the game to my niece, Rebecca. I can't wait until I can explain baseball to Rachel...
The weeks are flying by...I can't believe it's been a year already. It seems like only yesterday that the whole family was here and we were tubing down the Comal River.
I can't believe Rachel has already been with us a month, too. Looking back at the video from her first week, I can see how much she's changed already. She's gone from random eye movement, to direct eye contact. Sometimes I'll be paying attention to something else, I'll look down, and she's staring right at me. I guess I need to start minding my P's & Q's.
Last night, Rachel attended her first baseball game. Not that she even noticed, because she slept through most of it, but it was fun just the same. It was also fun explaining the game to my niece, Rebecca. I can't wait until I can explain baseball to Rachel...
"So you see, the pitcher is trying to catch the man off the base so he can get him out. You can see how many outs there are up on the scoreboard. Right now, the away team is hitting, so the runs they've scored on across from their name on the scoreboard."
"Daddy, why do they have a whole bunch of different numbers, and we only have zeros?"
"Because we're Cubs fans, sweetie, and that's how it goes."
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
In which Crazy Aunt Sarah meets the baby, and we go Mission-ing.
The entire "Normal" Laleman clan was here this weekend, and what a weekend it was. We started off attending Maria and Gregg's wedding, then Sunday we went downtown to Rivercenter Mall with the millions of other tourists who were trying to get out of the rain. Monday, we let Monica rest so Grandma Connie, Grandpa Rick, Crazy Aunt Sarah from Brooklyn, and I took Rachel on her first trip to the missions and the Witte museum. A lovely time was had by all...
Aunt Sarah meets Rachel
Family with a sleeping Rachel at Mission San Jose
Some modeling shots of Mom and Sarah from Mission San Jose....
Some gratuitous mission shots...it was a beautiful day.
Aunt Sarah meets Rachel
Family with a sleeping Rachel at Mission San Jose
Some modeling shots of Mom and Sarah from Mission San Jose....
Some gratuitous mission shots...it was a beautiful day.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Congratulations Maria and Gregg!
Yesterday, we were part of the wedding party for our good friends Maria and Gregg. For those of you who don't remember, Maria was Monica's maid of honor last year, and 357 days later, we stood in their wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a lot of fun.
Welcome to the world of being married!
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