Hi! We are in Michigan on Dex's first road trip. He has been such a good boy. He was so silent the whole ride except for the last two minutes before we got to Grandpa Barr's house. Nice work kid. We head home tomorrow and on New Year's Eve I will have my first night home alone with the baby (Daddy's got a paying music gig. Woo hoo!). I am so nervous that he'll have a bad night and I will not get any sleep at all, but I am sure everything we'll be fine.

I just finished reading a sweet little book ('cause little is all I can swing right now) for the southside book club (yes, that brings my book club total up to 3!). It's called Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp. I enjoyed it, and think you would if you are in to nature conservancy/ alternative living arrangements/ or all things cajun. We've also been watching a lot of DVDs. If you haven't already rented Invincible or Little Miss Sunshine, they are worth checking out.

My heart is full...

I am really enjoying being the mother to a boy. It is really fun to hang out with my two guys. Aren't they sweet all curled up and sleepy? I have everything my heart desires this Christmas.

Another bonus of living with two guys? Well, ever since I was a little girl, I have found nothing to be funnier than a good fart joke. (Ask my mom about her nickname for me.) With my house full of men there is no end to the gastric hilarity. We aren't a classy bunch here, but we're always laughing. (Does that make me a bad mom if I laugh when Dex toots? I don't want to give him a complex. Well, at least more of a complex than I probably am already giving him by keeping this blog.)

Merry Christmas!

Not much new here. Dex & I just are hanging out getting ready for Christmas. We're finally putting up the tree tonight. Joel went back to work today, but only for two days so we can handle it.

I probably won't be posting much but pictures for the next few days, so Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope your holidays will be spent with family and friends.

Sleep deprived but happy...

Little Man is 12 days old today, and I have only left the house once since we've been home. Do you think it is probably time? Joel does. I am just so tired it is the last thing I feel like doing. I know, I know, the "tired" is what I signed up for. I am not complaining...I am just dreaming of a nap in the near future. But it is all worth it. Look at this beautiful boy. His dad and I are convinced that he smiled at each of us yesterday. The book says it is gas but that we can go ahead and believe it is a smile. I am choosing to. Here is a picture ofLittle Man in Cousin Girl's lifesaving swing. He totally looks like his daddy.

Another hormone induced meander...

WARNING: I still haven't gotten my sarcasm back. This post is cheesey, gushy, and devoid of all irony. I'm sure I'll return to my old self soon...

but I couldn't have gotten through this week so well without the help of our wonderful family and friends. From bringing us meals, to babysitting so I could nap, to breast feeding class and massages, my family and friends have really pitched in to make this first week home beautiful and memorable. I've felt wrapped in a cocoon where I can focus on taking care of Little Man and figuring out this whole mom thing. It's even better because it is right before Christmas. For those of you who read this, I can't thank you enough for the company and support this week.

I loved watching my sister Liza, Little Man's godmother, with the baby yesterday. She tries to put up a tough exterior, but to those who know her, or those who watch her with a baby, it is clear what a softie she is. I feel so overwhelmed and fortunate to watch Martha, my mom, dad, Jen, Liza, my aunties, etc. and to know that they love this little guy too and that Joel and I are not in this alone. Now if only I can sleep.

She REALLY Meanders...

So Little Man has been home for three nights. He slept horribly night one. He slept like a sweet little angel in night two. He hardly slept a wink last night. Yikes!

He had a great visit to the Dr. yesterday though and has actually gained weight and gotten longer since birth.

Some disappointing news...I didn't achieve the National Board Certification that I attempted last spring. I kind of knew in advance because my portfolio had a very large error in it that I didn't find out about until after submission. I am surprisingly not too disappointed. I really know that I did the best that I could and then made a stupid mistake and mixed up some papers during final submission. This is probably a good lesson for me. Also, I feel so blessed right now with my little boy that it is hard to let other things bring me down. I have never cried so much in a short period of time. They are all tears of joy. (Probably brought on by hormones, admittedly.)

I am amazed at how I am surviving on this little sleep so far. Grandmama McGavic returns home today and Grandma Jane is moving in for a few nights. Joel and I are so spoiled by all of this help. But I'll take it because I am such a rookie when it comes to changing newborn diapers. I totally got peed on yesterday. I swear it was on purpose because Little Man was mad at me for undressing him. I seriously think the kid took aim. It was like an old slapstick movie where someone sniffs the joke flowers and gets squirted by a steady stream in the face. I got him back though. Several of our newborn clothes are hand-me-downs because I think he'll only be wearing them for a few weeks. Unfortunately they are hand-me-downs from Little Man's cousin, Girl. He slept in a pink sleep sack last night. I hope I am not giving him gender confusion. I prefer to look at it as helping him get in touch with his baby feminine side.

Daily dose of Little Man...

I promise this website won't be only a shrine to Little Man. But I'm a new mom; give me a break. Expect lots of pictures in the next few weeks...humor me for a little longer.

They grow up before you know it... :)

Little Man at about eight hours old and then again at about fifty hours old.



I'm not sure who he looks like now.

Feeling Christmassy...

So here are some of 2006's favorite Carols. (Some are the same from last year.)

"River" by Joni Mitchell: a very sad Christmas song, but so beautiful.

"What are you Doing New Years?" by Diana Krall: A very sultry song that makes you want to slow dance under Misteltoe.

"Silver Bells" by Stevie Wonder: There are a lot of great versions of this song, but this one just kicks up that Christmas feeling a notch for me.

"Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues: A fun, Irish Christmas song.

"Sleigh Ride" by the Ronettes: Another really fun song that a lot of people do, but their version is my favorite.

"All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey: OK, she can be a bit cheesey, but this song reminds me of a favorite chick flick, Love Actually. Then it makes me feel happy that I have a great family and I'm in love.

P.S. Still no appearance by Thelonius...

Late Arrival...

Well, it's December 3rd and little Thelonius has not deigned to make an appearance yet. Nor do I think s/he will anytime too soon. (But who knows? I've never done this before.)

I do know this...the latest it will be is December 12th. (Though I guess it could be the 13th if I have a dreadfully long labor?) So you can really place your bets now.

I am trying to be very chipper and upbeat about this delay because this is truly one of those things in life that you just can't control. (And for a control freak like me, what a hard lesson to learn!)

So I am nesting to keep myself occupied. I have reorganized most of the cabinets in my house. Joel and I cleaned the basement as much as possible...but there is a lot of stuff down there. As of this morning, the Christmas shopping is finished! Woo hoo! The giant pile of crap that usually litters my desk is almost completely gone. Next week, I guess the cooking and freezing will start.

I will have to say that by not coming this weekend, Thelonius is missing one breathtaking view out of the nursery window. The sun is shining and there is still snow on the trees and the backyard looks like the best kind of winter wonderland. But I am certainly enjoying the view.