No Swine In '09...

And Other Things For Which We Are Grateful.

While 2009 has brought some disappointments and a grievous loss, it has also given us many wonderful gifts. With some assistance from our family we were able to purchase our first home, Baba continues to have a good job, Collin has enjoyed almost super-naturally perfect health, we have a little baby on the way, and live in house full of laughter and love. We are, in a word, blessed.

We wish everyone a Happy 2010!

Merry Christmas!

Aftermath

Wow, that's a lot of leftover cake to go with the leftover bagels, muffins, cookies, and juice boxes--guess we went a little overboard!

Back at home we opened all of the wonderful presents from friends and family:

Later we got to see Janey again. She was celebrating her own birthday with her family and we were invited too. Her Yia Yia served us delicious spanikopita. Janey and Collin gave each other the cutest birthday kiss and here they are later watching something obviously fascinating on tv:
Back home once again, Collin shares his bedtime snack with his new Sid the Science Kid.

Choo Choo! Collin is 2!

Collin celebrated his 2nd birthday on Saturday morning with his best-ies at the Ridgeland Commons indoor playground! Thanks to Miss Lynda for being our photographer.

XX or XY?

See little knees, shins, and feet on left side of picture:

See clasped hands:

We had a sonogram last week with Collin in attendance. He got to see first hand what will be rocking his whole existence in a couple of months. We tried to see the sex of the baby, but as you can see his/her legs were crossed at the ankles and hands were clasped together. Mommy thinks it's a boy but Daddy thinks it's a girl because it "had its legs crossed like a lady". Doctor says baby looks super healthy but threatened to put Mommy on a milkshake diet because she has not gained one pound since her first appointment.

S'ghetti

Dude News:

• Likes to help his Baba rake the yard.
• Good at putting library books on the return belt by himself (whether they've been checked out or not).
• Recognizes, points, and gives little things he finds to "Dree".
• Started his My Gym class early when he sat down for circle time and the other kids joined him (leadership!)
• Just bought a new house today
• Likes spaghetti (obviously).

Dude 2

Coming May 20th Collin will be generously sharing this blog with his new sibling. This picture is from about 3 weeks ago. The sonogram Mommy had last week shows he/she has fingers and toes. Mommy swears she can already feel the baby flutter around when she lies still. Very exciting!

Halloweening

Collin didn't quite get trick or treating at first, but by the time we finished the block he was picking out candy and then dropping it into his kitty treat bag like a pro.

Pumpkins and Lederhosen

Today we tried on Collin's halloween costume. He is channeling his German ancestors as well as representing the Lollipop Guild:

We also took a trip to a pumpkin patch. Baba thought the farm didn't smell very good, but it Mommy liked it because it reminded her of growing up in PA.

Train ride:

Hay ride:

Farmer Dude:

Will there ever be a decent picture of Mommy with Collin? Not yet...
Watching the chicken show:

In a Galaxy Far Far Away...

Using his jedi mind tricks: