MIA

I have been MIA for quite awhile now, but for a good reason...we finally moved into our house! We received our certificate of occupancy on March 7, and moved in that Saturday. I have to say I was completely overwhelmed.

When we started to move things out of our house we did it a little at a time, so I had forgotten just how much stuff we had really accumulated. To say I was shocked was an understatement. We have a three car garage in our house and it was packed. We couldn't park either car in the garage. RIDICULOUS!

I made it a goal to unpack a few boxes a night, which I did all last week. Then this weekend Michael and I really went through the boxes, threw a ton of stuff away and then our friend Dale came over and they moved what needed to be moved to the proper places in the house today. We can even park in the garage now! I even got curtains hung in our bedroom. We still need to get the TV on the wall, hopefully this coming week, and hang up pictures and really make it home. There will be a trip to IKEA soon to get new couches and a bookshelf or two for Patrick's play area.

I can't believe we are finally in our house. It really is amazing. Grass is even growing in our lawn and I can imagine Patrick playing out back when he finally starts to walk on his own. Don't get me wrong, we still have a long way to go, but we have a lifetime for that!

I PROMISE I will post pictures this week!!

11 Months

Dear Patrick,

Only one month away from a year old. I remember this time last year I was begging my Doctor not to put me on bedrest, and now you are already 11 months old! How things change in a year. This month you started to get braver with your walking, and tried many different recipes that we made for you including a squash and apple bake! You even learned how to give Mommy and Daddy kisses! It is so cute. You open your mouth wide and slobber us, but we love it!

You weigh probably around 21 pounds and are 28 1/2 inches long. You can still fit into your 9 month clothes, but it's a tight squeeze. The 12 month clothes give you more room to move around in! You wear size 3 diapers during the day (barely) but size 4 at night. I think we are going to switch to size 4 during the day soon. Again, so you have more room to move around! You still wear size 2 to 3 shoe, but you much prefer just socks, or nothing at all!

You are still nursing (Go Mommy!). You drink anywhere from 10 to 16 ounces at Ms. Margaret's and then you nurse when we are home together at night and in the morning before you leave. You eat all kinds of finger foods! Anything we put on your plate, you love! You even tried spaghetti and grapes this month and could not get enough. We are so glad that you are not a picky eater. It makes our job much easier! Since all of your food has been homemade I think you may have a sugar rush next month with your cake! There will be no turning back after that!

You are still waking up throughout the night. We were going so good with only once a night, but then the stomach bug got you last weekend, and it has been a little rough since. We are hoping that since you are feeling better your sleeping habits go back to normal! Even though you get up at night, you sleep later than us! There are some mornings we have to wake you up to get you ready!

We realized that you absolutely the show 'Wheel of Fortune.' You get so excited and if someone stands in your way, you lean your head to the side so you can still see. It is so cute. At least you are learning your letters! You have added the word, "Ball" to your vocabulary and love playing with one. You also particularly like your remote control that Grandpop got for you! This past month we experienced your first stomach virus. You were not yourself at all and it broke our hearts. It is something we hope to not see again for a very long time, or every for that matter. You are such a lively little boy and to see you so worn out was sad. Luckily the bug only lasted for 12 hours or so, but it took you a little while to recover. Thank goodness you are a resilient little boy.

Patrick, you are the happiest, most content little boy. You constantly amaze us with what you learn. I have to say that although I can't wait to see what you learn next, my heart breaks a little because I realize how fast you are growing up. We love you very much little boy!

Love,
Mommy