Scary Warm

It was so warm here today! It hit 70 degrees. While we were out walking around, Thomas was looking for the Mister Softee man, and I had to remind him that the ice cream truck probably isn't out in January - even though it felt like summer. Despite how much this weird weather freaks me out, it was a beautiful day. After running errands and doing some packing (thanks to Joo for watching Carter so that we could get some boxes packed!) we took Carter for a dusk swing. And we stopped at Tasti-d-lite for some ice cream on the way!

Lazy Morning

Just a fun picture that I took using Elizabeth's talent (for those who aren't quite sure what that is, I took it myself...of myself).

A nice morning with just the boys as mom slept in.

Self Portrait +1

Bully

You may remember that on Tuesday, Carter's teacher, Daisy, had lots to say about how happy he was at school that day, but today, she had a complaint. Apparently Carter made another baby cry by grabbing his hair and refusing to let go. I know all babies go through a grabbing stage, but Carter is known at school for his fierce grip. These are people who work with babies and children all day, every day - and yet, I rarely walk down the hall there without having someone comment on what a grip the boy has. Even teachers from other classrooms that I don't know will mention it to me.

We're so proud.

Back to School

I was a little bit worried about Carter going back to school today. He's been very fussy ever since we got back from Atlanta, and he is getting to the separation anxiety age, so I was concerned about how he'd do after 10 days off of school. I was planning to ask the teacher if he'd been fussy today, but I didn't have to. As soon as the teacher saw me, she volunteered the information: "Carter has been so HAPPY today!" He had just been delighted to see all of his teachers. He was laughing at the other babies all day. His teacher usually tells me that he had a good day and gives me some specifics - but today she was effusive about how happy and excited he'd been ALL DAY.

Apparently, being at home with boring old Mom and Dad for 6 straight days was a real drag.

Last Day of Vacation

It is back to work and school for us tomorrow. Today, we relaxed and enjoyed our last day off. Here are a few pictures that I snapped.

Happy New Year!

Joo came over for an early glass of champagne. Carter was entranced by it.

Thomas and I got ever so slightly dressed up for the adult portion of the evening. New blazer and new bangs pictured below.

Mike Kass and his friend Jackie came over tonight. Mike and Jackie both went to Rice, so even though we weren't with our usual Rice group, we were in good Rice-company. Here are Mike and Thomas looking manly in their slightly matching blazers.

Our Day

We had a very productive day. Here's what we've accomplished today:

1. I got a haircut - and I got bangs! Unfortunately, the guy cut them to go the wrong way (not the way my hair naturally parts), so my bangs will probably have grown out by the time I get my hair trained to go this way.

2. We shipped several boxes of borrowed newborn and maternity clothes back to their owners (thanks to those of you who loaned, and be on the lookout for a box coming your way!).

3. We sold a bunch of books that we purged from our bookshelves. In preparation for the move (and since we got quotes from movers), we are trying to purge as much as we can. We took a HUGE push cart full of books over to a store that buys them. While it was a difficult process deciding which books to give up, we were pleasantly surprised to get almost a hundred dollars for them!

4. That book money will offset the cost of the new couch we bought today (our Christmas present to each other)! It will be delivered to our new apartment in February. And it has a sofa bed for your visiting pleasure...

(This is a picture of our new sofa, but I'm not sure why those black lines are showing up... They aren't there in either the real picture or on the couch itself.)

5. We took yet another huge push cart full of clothes and books to the Salvation Army.

6. Thomas got two new sport coats thanks to birthday and Christmas gifts, Macy's excellent holiday sale and our friend Mike Kass' surprising sense of style and stamina in department stores.

Now, we are enjoying a bottle of sparkling Shiraz to relax and celebrate today's productivity. Who knew that they made red sparkling wine??

A Chicken Dance Christmas

Enjoy this video of Carter and one of his favorite new toys!

More Christmas Pictures

Here are some more pictures from our Christmas weekend. We are headed back to NYC early tomorrow morning!

Carter's First Christmas

Carter has had a wonderful first Christmas.

At first, he seemed to be most interested in the wrapping...


But he got into the gifts as they came unwrapped.


He could hardly CONTAIN his excitement over the chicken dance Elmo that Aunt Ashley and Uncle Park gave him (video of that forthcoming).


But the biggest excitement of all was meeting his cousins! They certainly enjoyed playing together.