He LOVES his costume and bounces around screaming "hop, hop, hop like a kangeroo!" which in Andy-speak sounds something like "op, op, op, roo!". too cute!Check back this weekend for pictures of all our Halloween adventures..
Thursday, October 30, 2008
FFF - Happy Halloween!
Here's a preview of Andy's costume...we decided he'd be a kangeroo this year since he just learned how to jump...
He LOVES his costume and bounces around screaming "hop, hop, hop like a kangeroo!" which in Andy-speak sounds something like "op, op, op, roo!". too cute!
He LOVES his costume and bounces around screaming "hop, hop, hop like a kangeroo!" which in Andy-speak sounds something like "op, op, op, roo!". too cute!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Favorite Foto, um, Monday...
Yes, I know, I missed my weekly FFF post. I've been trying to come up w/a good excuse...truth is, I just forgot.
Okay, other than the cute picture, I know this post was late and pretty lame. I promise this week's will be better!
This week's picture is one of my all time favorite fall photos...sort of ironic that I am posting it at this moment b/c we are getting our 1st snow flurries this afternoon. Anyway, this picture is of my sister and her daughter playing in the leaves in our front yard. I tried to get a similar pic of me & Andy, but he was having none of it and is glaring at the camera or me in every single one of the two of us. Oh well - maybe next year we'll get a great fall shot!
Okay, other than the cute picture, I know this post was late and pretty lame. I promise this week's will be better!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
6 Random Things About Me...
My fellow Lifelink adoptive mom and blogger buddy Jen tagged me for the 6 Random Things Survey, so here it goes:
1. Like a lot of stay-at-home moms, from time to time I miss my job. Most other moms I know complain about the lack of mental stimulation, loss of "me" time and the boredom that envitably accompanies singing Old McDonald 20 times in a row and I nod my head in agreement. The truth is, the two things I really miss about working are wearing high heels and going out to lunch. There, I said it...shoes and food...that's what my career meant to me.
2. My absolute favorite thing to do is read. I frequently read books in just a few days and have been known to stay up all night to finish one I'm really into. Some of my all time favorites are Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (all much better than the movie versions). Lately I've been enjoying Jodi Picoult when I'm in the mood for a book that makes me think and Jen Lancaster when I want one that makes me laugh out loud.
3. If those Neislon people ever hooked one of their boxes to my tv to track viewership, I think they might suspect I suffer from multiple personality disorder. On one hand, I love watching cable news shows and debating political and economic issues w/Chris. On the other, I never miss an episode of the Bachelor and can easily get sucked into an all day marathon of The Hills on MTV.
4. Someday I really want to live in a house w/a big front porch and a weeping willow in the backyard. When I live in this house, I will be the kind of person who always has homemade ice cream and fresh squeezed lemonade on hand in the summer and hot cocoa and cookies in the winter.
5. I am addicted to listing making. The best part is crossing off an item I have completed. Even though I don't need one, I often make lists of everyday household chores b/c knowing I will get to cross it off the list gives me the motivation I need to clean the bathrooms or empty the dishwasher.
6. While I'm good at lists, I cannot follow directions. Its just too much detail and I'm a "big picture" type person. For this reason, I never know how to do things like download ringtones on my cell (really, who has the time to read those instruction manuals???).
1. Like a lot of stay-at-home moms, from time to time I miss my job. Most other moms I know complain about the lack of mental stimulation, loss of "me" time and the boredom that envitably accompanies singing Old McDonald 20 times in a row and I nod my head in agreement. The truth is, the two things I really miss about working are wearing high heels and going out to lunch. There, I said it...shoes and food...that's what my career meant to me.
2. My absolute favorite thing to do is read. I frequently read books in just a few days and have been known to stay up all night to finish one I'm really into. Some of my all time favorites are Gone With the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (all much better than the movie versions). Lately I've been enjoying Jodi Picoult when I'm in the mood for a book that makes me think and Jen Lancaster when I want one that makes me laugh out loud.
3. If those Neislon people ever hooked one of their boxes to my tv to track viewership, I think they might suspect I suffer from multiple personality disorder. On one hand, I love watching cable news shows and debating political and economic issues w/Chris. On the other, I never miss an episode of the Bachelor and can easily get sucked into an all day marathon of The Hills on MTV.
4. Someday I really want to live in a house w/a big front porch and a weeping willow in the backyard. When I live in this house, I will be the kind of person who always has homemade ice cream and fresh squeezed lemonade on hand in the summer and hot cocoa and cookies in the winter.
5. I am addicted to listing making. The best part is crossing off an item I have completed. Even though I don't need one, I often make lists of everyday household chores b/c knowing I will get to cross it off the list gives me the motivation I need to clean the bathrooms or empty the dishwasher.
6. While I'm good at lists, I cannot follow directions. Its just too much detail and I'm a "big picture" type person. For this reason, I never know how to do things like download ringtones on my cell (really, who has the time to read those instruction manuals???).
Thursday, October 16, 2008
FFF - Andy's 2nd Birthday (Including Gift from Chicago Immigration)
Last Saturday, we celebrated Andy's 2nd Birthday. Before the festivities began, we received good news about his baby brother, Aiden. We received approval from Chicago Immigration for Aidan's adoption...next stop National Visa Center!!!
I am writing this weeks post, since my wife is to modest to share her success (as a side note to our loyal followers...we have an ongoing competition to see who's posts receive more feedback, so keep 'em coming). With the big birthday coming up, Kristen worked with Andy for the entire week to get him ready for blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. Her patience, persistance & hard-work paid off as he was able to blow out all the candles on his cake! Here is a video of the moment along with some other pictures.
I am writing this weeks post, since my wife is to modest to share her success (as a side note to our loyal followers...we have an ongoing competition to see who's posts receive more feedback, so keep 'em coming). With the big birthday coming up, Kristen worked with Andy for the entire week to get him ready for blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. Her patience, persistance & hard-work paid off as he was able to blow out all the candles on his cake! Here is a video of the moment along with some other pictures.
Party Theme - Where the Wild Things Are
Andy's Cake
Blowing Out the Candles
Andy's First Car
Andy's First Speeding Ticket
Thursday, October 9, 2008
FFF - Memory Lane
Remember when you were in college and you'd see alumni on campus and they'd be doing completely idiotic things like posing w/their kids in front of their old dorm rooms and telling anyone who will listen "remember when..." stories? Well, that was us last weekend.
Seriously, it was a very surreal experience taking Andy to Notre Dame for the 1st time. Although we have been back many times since we graduated, this is the first time we actually felt like "alumni". I think because Notre Dame is where we met, where we started planning a future together, where we got engaged, having Andy there made it feel like we have gone full circle. It was especially meaningful to visit the Grotto (if you aren't an ND fan, I won't even try to explain it)...I've lit so many candles there over the years...I remember my last stop there after graduation and praying that Chris & I would have a family & a happy life together...I remember candles lit when we were dealing w/infertility and when we were waiting for Andy to come home to us...to be able to go there w/Andy and light a candle in thanksgiving of the wonderful blessing we have been given was a moment I will not forget.
Okay, enough of the sappy stuff, here's some favorite pictures from our trip.
Chris's most dreamed about Father-Son moment - wearing matching jerseys to a Notre Dame game
Seriously, it was a very surreal experience taking Andy to Notre Dame for the 1st time. Although we have been back many times since we graduated, this is the first time we actually felt like "alumni". I think because Notre Dame is where we met, where we started planning a future together, where we got engaged, having Andy there made it feel like we have gone full circle. It was especially meaningful to visit the Grotto (if you aren't an ND fan, I won't even try to explain it)...I've lit so many candles there over the years...I remember my last stop there after graduation and praying that Chris & I would have a family & a happy life together...I remember candles lit when we were dealing w/infertility and when we were waiting for Andy to come home to us...to be able to go there w/Andy and light a candle in thanksgiving of the wonderful blessing we have been given was a moment I will not forget.
Okay, enough of the sappy stuff, here's some favorite pictures from our trip.
Chris's most dreamed about Father-Son moment - wearing matching jerseys to a Notre Dame game
Walking around St. Mary's Lake, following the same path taken by Chris & I on our millions of late night walks around campus
Dancing with Papa & Grammy while watching the marching band's pre-game concert
Playing in the reflection pond, where Chris & I got engaged
Posing w/Aunt Lily & Aunt Leslie, two of my best friends, in front of the dorm where we were randomly assigned as roommates 11 years ago
Dancing with Papa & Grammy while watching the marching band's pre-game concert
Playing in the reflection pond, where Chris & I got engaged
Posing w/Aunt Lily & Aunt Leslie, two of my best friends, in front of the dorm where we were randomly assigned as roommates 11 years ago
Thursday, October 2, 2008
FFF - The Mane Event
It happens every 8 weeks, so you think by now I'd anticipate it, but it sneaks up on me every time. You may have been noticing it in pictures over the last few weeks. Its not as if it appears out of nowhere one day. I guess maybe I dread it so much I ignore it until its impossible to deny. But while reviewing the pictures I took of Andy at the pumpkin farm this week, it was time to accept the inevitable...Andy needs a haircut. Again.
Andy has had a full head of shiny, thick black hair since the day he was born. Problem is, he cannot stand getting it cut. While all the other kids sit quietly in their chairs at the children's salon, our son kicks, screams and has to be forcibly held down the entire time (not that I've seen it in person. I do doctor's appts, Chris has the "pleasure" of trips to the hair salon. I actually think I made out better in this arrangement, even on days Andy gets shots). Anyway, before subjecting him and his stylist to yet another horrifying appointment, Chris thought he'd try out the "faux-hawk" that is all the rage w/the kids these days.
Andy has had a full head of shiny, thick black hair since the day he was born. Problem is, he cannot stand getting it cut. While all the other kids sit quietly in their chairs at the children's salon, our son kicks, screams and has to be forcibly held down the entire time (not that I've seen it in person. I do doctor's appts, Chris has the "pleasure" of trips to the hair salon. I actually think I made out better in this arrangement, even on days Andy gets shots). Anyway, before subjecting him and his stylist to yet another horrifying appointment, Chris thought he'd try out the "faux-hawk" that is all the rage w/the kids these days.
Andy seemed pleased with it and while I must admit it is a stunning look for the bathtub, I'd prefer my two year old look a little less....punk rock, you know what I mean? Upon hearing the faux-hawk was out and another encounter w/the scissors was in, Andy took refuge underneath our bathroom sink. Unfortunately, in his excitement over finding a new hiding place, he forgot to close the door, so it was off to the hair salon with Daddy.
Amazingly, the haircut went surprisingly well. Chris came home to report "It was the best one yet. He didn't kick or squirm at all, just cried the whole time!" Looks like our little boy is growing up...below you can see him proudly modeling his new 'do. I think he knows its all worth it in the end :) 
Amazingly, the haircut went surprisingly well. Chris came home to report "It was the best one yet. He didn't kick or squirm at all, just cried the whole time!" Looks like our little boy is growing up...below you can see him proudly modeling his new 'do. I think he knows its all worth it in the end :) 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)