Happy Heart Day!

COOKIES!

Andrew being such a good helper.

Well, we had expected that Andrew and I would both be in Nebraska visiting family over Valentine's day, but Andrew came down with RSV and ear infections on Wednesday, so Andrew and I stayed home. Since, we were all together we decided that making cookies would be a good activity for our sick little guy who needs to stay inside. We had fun and Andrew had plenty of that healing potion, sugar!

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Andrew is starting to feel and act better today, so we are relieved in that. He was pretty darn sick. We also don't have work on Monday, so we are looking forward to two more days of rest and relaxation at home together.

Munks!

So, I haven't had time to blog or take any pictures. But, I thought I would give a quick update on what we have all been up to.

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Ryan has been very busy with the legislature in town (as you can imagine). We have both attended a dinner for Dick Cheney, a legislative dinner at the Gov.'s residence and last night a dinner with forestry where Ryan was the speaker. He did a fabulous job as always. Ryan is continuing weight watchers and has lost 6 lbs.!

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I have been very busy preparing for week long trial in Cody. I wasn't able to get to my witness preparation this week because of the snow and road conditions, but it has now all been done over the phone. I have also lost 6 lbs., but after our office carry in today I'm sure I've gained it all back, darn peanut butter chocolate bars! I am hoping to visit my family in Nebraska sometime soon after the trial because my grandparents were just moved to assisted living and I'd really like to see them. Plus, I still have a lot of stuff at their house that I need to get around to cleaning out. I grew up with my grandparents and my room still looks like I never left, pink walls, posters and all.

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Andrew has been spending a lot of time with our favorite babysitter and he has discovered the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. He now wants to watch it every night. He'll yell "Munks!" and try to break down the gate to the basement to get down there and watch the video. He also had a great time last weekend at the CSU v. UW basketball game. He was completely mesmerized. His aunt Haley came with us and we all had a really nice time cheering for the Cowboys (who won)! He got a foam finger at the game and now it has to come with us in the car everywhere.

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I promise to take pictures of something (likely Andrew) soon.

Cookies and Booze

Andrew meticulously re-arranging the liquor in the pantry.

He brought some bottles out before deciding what should go where.

Andrew ate his first s'mores on Sunday, made in the microwave (pathetic I know).

He really liked it and kept saying, "more cookies, Mommy!"

The things toddlers get into! I was in the living room when I heard clanking from the kitchen. I headed immediately to the source of the noise and found Andrew taking bottles of liquour out of the pantry and re-arranging them. I'm glad he has a penchant for organization, but it was a funny choice of objects:)

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Ryan and I started Weight Watchers last Monday. I have now done the program one full week and I lost 3lb., not too shabby. It is taking some adjustment, but overall I know that the whole family is eating healthier and eating at home more which are wonderful added benefits. Thus, the s'mores from the microwave on Sunday. It was a suggested sweet treat on Weight Watchers, 3 pts. Andrew very rarely gets anything sweet beside fruit, so he was thrilled, as you can see above. Ryan's weigh in is tomorrow. I'm interested to see his progress as well.

Happy Holidays!

Andrew's first haircut, quite the debacle!

He had to have combs and tools to play with, so that she could do her work.

Andrew looking very studious, reading Horton Hears a Who!

Christmas morning in our pjs. Andrew opened the Curious George bath set and was so enthralled we had to open most of the rest of his gifts.

Merry Christmas!


It has been one busy and hectic year! We finally bought a new laptop computer, a Sony Vaio. It is fabulous, now if only the internet would stop going out every time we get on. I posted first haircut pictures from October (he needs a new haircut already). We enjoyed the fall by attending the home Cowboy football games. Andrew now says C-O....B...Y and cheers with us, who needs a W and another O? He also believes that the only purpose for a tv is "football game!" There is no doubt that Andrew is all boy. Besides football his favorite things are horses and cars. We hear lots of neighs and vrooms.

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Andrew has really begun to talk, a lot. We can't keep track of all he knows how to say anymore. He will say things each day that we haven't even taught him, they are complete sponges. Granny yelled out Yee-Haw in the car yesterday and we heard a big Yee-Haw from Andrew right back. When Ryan told him no for touching the ornaments on the tree Andrew responded by shaking his index finger at Ryan and saying "don't touch!" We found out that he learned that from his babysitter, Ms. Margaret. I am really enjoying this age so much!

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Ryan's parents joined us at our house for Christmas and we all had so much fun! We cooked a 17lb. prime rib (yes for the five of us!) and we never got out of our pjs all day. Santa was good to Andrew and he is having a good time playing with all of his new toys.

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We look forward to new adventures in 2009, and wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Meez

Pumpkin Patch

Andrew selecting his gourds.
Andrew and Daddy walk the rows looking for the perfect pumpkin.
Andrew happily filling the wagon.
Andrew immediately after the little pig bit his fingers!

Last weekend we had quite the time at Bartels' Farm pumpkin patch. I knew it had to be good place when I saw the name, my maiden name is Bartels. Andrew had a fun time running around picking up gourds and looking for pumpkins. There was also a pumpkin launcher, which shot them so far I never saw them, but Ryan thought it was pretty cool.

The petting zoo was a big hit too until Andrew, after encouragement from mom, attempted to pet the little piglet. However, this pig thought that a hand coming toward it meant food and it bit Andrew's little hand. As you can see this was VERY upsetting. He screamed for a good while. I decided because the whole thing was my fault he deserved a treat and he had his first Capri Sun which was a big hit and definitely made his hand feel better.

Overall the pumpkin patch was a success! Thanks to Stacey for the recommendation.

The Biter

So, some of you may remember my fretting about Andrew's biting and whether it would get him into trouble at daycare. Well, we have not had any problems with Andrew biting anyone (except me occasionally), but, Andrew has been getting bitten. It started with a huge bite on his arm all the teeth of the little child were imprinted on his arm and a bruise surfaced a day later. The daycare was aware and knew which child was the culprit we were sure that it wouldn't happen again. Then he was bit again and yet again! I truly do think that the daycare workers were doing their best, but seeing that this little biter was in the same age group as Andrew they usually played together and it was difficult to get the child to stay away from Andrew. So, the daycare followed their policy and held a conference with the parents. Then Andrew was bit again so, the daycare suspended the biter for two days. After day one of suspension mom of the biter comes waltzing in to daycare and begins yelling about how she'll lose her job and she can't stay home and this isn't teaching her child to not bite (which I did feel sorry for her, I mean what do you do?). Well, our daycare held firm to its policy and the mom said fine I'm finding another daycare! So, Andrew is no longer getting bit, which is a big relief, but how ironic considering I've been the one worried about getting kicked from daycare for biting!