Merry Christmas

Grandparents

There is something magical about the love of grandparents.

Maybe it is the extra cookies, and candy they give us. Maybe it is how we can do no wrong in their eyes.

I still remember the smell of my grandmother's house...as well as the taste of her snickerdoodle cookies.

Also, I remember the time that I scared my poor grandmother by hiding in her clothes hamper and popping out while she was trying to relax while taking a bath. That was the only time I can remember that I got in trouble...

Well now my parent's have added to their grandchildren. Last year, they had Mei Li...now there is Allison, Lu Li, and Roark to join Mei Li in experience the magical love of grandparents...

Celebrities All Around

I'm not sure how I will be able to cope with our Holiday celebrations this year as I will be surrounded by celebrities.

First of all, Mei Li was featured in a calendar out in Colorado.

Secondly, my other niece was featured in the Sunny Ridge brochure. Sunny Ridge is the adoption agency my sister and brother-in-law used to adopt both Mei Li and Lu Li.
Sunny Ridge

Finally, my husband was in a video that is on the US Cellular website (scroll down until you see the videos)...Erik. As a matter of fact, Erik mentioned that he might be in another video next month.


 None of them have given me their autograph...maybe that is what I will be getting for Christmas. :)

Lessons Learned From Roark

One of the things I'm looking forward to teaching Roark is how to hang a spoon off of his nose. It is a little trick that I have taught my nieces already. I can't wait until I can get a photo of all three of them hanging spoons on their noses...my pride and joy.

There are already a few lessons this little man has taught me:

Patience...since he is still so young - 7 weeks - he is calling the shots. When I sleep, when I eat...and it is awesome I don't have to plan these things anymore.

Crying when you want something...the squeaky wheel does get the grease.

Walking around gets the gas out...I really don't need to explain this one.

Human touch...Roark has this down. He will cry and once he is in either Erik's arms for the token "Dar Dar" chair and tummy time; or in my arms he stops crying and nestles in for some quality bonding.

Amazement...now that Roark can focus on somethings...he is amazed by it all. It really has opened my eyes to be amazed by the little things in life.

I'm sure there will be more lessons, for those, I cannot wait.

Photos...

As mentioned, my wonderful cousin did a photoshoot last weekend...Grandkids

Cute

So how can something so cute and tiny produce such loud and stinky foofies?

Our peditrician warned us that babies get really bad gas pains when they are newborns but the pains tend to go away somewhere around 6-8 weeks. Today marks his 7th week and he now has figured out ways to get the gas out (oh yes, we have made up a song that can be sung to "Who Let The Dogs Out," but we obviously have changed the words to "Who Let The Gas Out.").

Anywho...early last week, Roark had a bit of a bad night because he was a little gassy. I was telling my Dad about it and he said, "Well Anastasia, it isn't his fault he's gassy, you're the one that fed him, right?" It was at that point I realized my Dad will always defend Roark...which was a wonderful feeling (fyi - I wasn't complaining about Roark -- I was just telling my Dad I felt bad for the poor little fellow).

Not sure if I posted this picture but it is of my Dad looking at Roark. You can't really see my Dad's face but it is a look I will never forget. It was a nurturing look - plus a combination of pride, admiration, and love. My Dad hasn't held Roark yet, maybe because he is afraid he might drop him - but hopefully one day soon he will hold him.

To My Cousin Therese...

Thank you so very much for taking the time to do a photoshoot for our family. I'm sorry I was a brat when we were children and I'm so grateful you didn't hold a grudge.

Thank you for the beautiful picture - I can't wait to see the rest.

Can't get enough

Truth be told, I can't get enough of this little guy. I feel guilty when I write in the blog and he is awake - or even when he is asleep because I love to hold him. One of the best feelings is Roark's head on my chest. 

He is staying up for most of the day and sleeping for the most part through the night... (I'm going to miss the mid-night feedings because it is our special John Denver time...) It is really a great feeling when he makes eye contact with me and smiles...then farts. I know he loves me.

Tomorrow he will be 7 weeks old - where does the time go? From a developmental standpoint he is making eye contact, following you around with his eyes, has great facial expressions and then his grip. He has a killer grip - just about ripped my lips off the other day - and when I do hold him on my chest and he wraps his little arm on me (I call it warm snuggies)- it is one of the best hugs after (his dad also gives AWESOME hugs - I hate to get sappy but in all honesty Erik's hugs cure everything...kinda like Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer  Chuck Norris).

This past weekend, my Aunt T.C. and cousin Therese came in to town to celebrate my aunt's birthday. Also, Therese is a professional photographer so she did a photoshoot with Roark, and my nieces. I dressed him in the outfit below...he was ready to party - then he had a mighty blowout.

I'm here to party...

On Sunday, Allie, Roark, Erik, and I all went to the Museum of Science and Industry...my favorite museum in Chicago. Granted, as a child I was not a fan of museums...As you can see from the photo below - Roark likes it too:

I love museums...just like my mom.

Yes, I dress my kid up in costumes. He will not be happy with me when he gets older...but he is so cute - I can't help by dress him up. The pets seem to be relieved as they are no longer my target to dress up...although I am thinking of dressing them up as reindeer...

Oh Christmas Tree

Give Thanks...Everyday

Why is it that we only "Give Thanks" on Thanksgiving?

Yes, I'm fully aware that Thanksgiving was several weeks ago but my time at home with Roark has allowed me to reflect on all things I am thankful for. Like the UPS driver from yesterday that helped me bring in heavy boxes into the house, and the employees at Duncan Donuts on Lawrence Ave. in Chicago, where Roark is a mascot.

It used to bother me quite a bit when my sister would give me advice...maybe it was her tone, but lately - I enjoy her life lessons. Most recently, she sent me an article about how to juggle being a mom as well as a professional. I'm so grateful to have a caring sister. Secrets of Working Mom

My Dad...the other week he called me and while we were talking he told me how proud he was of me and what a great job I'm doing as a mother. I nearly fainted. I love my Dad...he is a true inspiration to me and to have him compliment me on my most difficult job I've ever had...but yet my absolute most favorite, left me truly speechless. Then to add to it, my Mom yesterday mentioned how impressed she was with my ability to haul Roark with me on all of my errands. Truth be told my dear friend Nikki is my inspiration...

Nikki is awesome. Everyone should have a Nikki in their life. She is an excellent listener, intelligent, a wonderful new Mom, funny, and the bestest friend a person can have. Nikki had her son in June...she didn't sugarcoat pregnancy or labor - so yes, she scared the shit out of me...but she was honest (another trait I love about her). Matthew became her sidekick...just like Roark has become mine. It was with Nikki that I went shopping with Roark for the first time. I was a nervous wreck...but having Nikki with me soothed my nerves considerably.

I'm also very thankful for the additions to my family...of course there is Roark, Allison, Erik and I can't forget Archie, but there is also my new niece Lu Li and all of my in-laws. I'm so looking forward to Christmas this year. Not only do I get to spend it with my family but also, this will be my first to celebrate it with Erik's family. I'm so very fortunate to be surrounded by such great people. My heart is about to burst when I think about how lucky I am!!!

And of course...there is Santa's Little Helper...Roark. He is a wonderful baby. He will probably be really ticked off with all of these costumes I dress him in, but he's so cute in them - I can't resist.

I'm also thankful for those of you who read this blog and give me crap for not updating it more regularly...

Remember to be thankful not just one day a year, but everyday.

Holy Cow

Oh my...

Here is Roark - 12.2.11

Roark 11.2.11

Need to Laugh???

Yes, this was my outfit when I went to the store this morning.

One would think that I am colorblind...but no - I am not. I have no excuse for this outfit other than it is warm and comfortable...

This is a video I took last night of Roark with one of his toys...as you can see - he inherited my sweet dance moves.