A First Christmas

It was the first time we admired our very own Christmas tree; the first time we hung our stockings with care. Grandma VH came in and stayed for 4 days, showering us with gifts, yummy food, and assisting Scott with his breadmaking and me with my fondue aspirations.

Colleen visited us Christmas Eve and Scott and Tracy Hochstadt joined us for dinner and Catch Phrase. Grandpa Van Howe, Barb and the kids came by on Christmas for home-made pasta, meatballs, and more. We even drove out to Lisle to see Great Grandma Van Howe, and Saralea, Lisa and Holly Holstrom swung by. It was great to see friends and family, and Ainsley was lavished with adult attention. Scott and I decided that a 3 adults to one baby is the best ratio.

Coming up on 6 months, Ainsley is pushing herself up, standing nearly unaided, jumping like Michael Jordan (assisted of course), and making new and sometimes unattractive noises. We've been visiting with Nana and Papa on Skype, and we can't wait to see the Swanson's and then the VanHowe's of Davenport on New Year's Eve. Love to all -- it truly was a glorious holiday.

Ainsley Frances Recognized as a Child of God

Emmanuel Church in Rockford remains a spiritual home for us; so lucky Jim Roberts (in his year before retirement) blessed sweet Ainsley Thanksgiving weekend. Nana in from Henderson, NV, Barb and Kelso kids, Sundstrom's, GG, Jess, Shawn and Evelyn, Aunt Saralea and Uncle Bruce, Great Grandma VanHowe, Grandma VanHowe, Grandpa Van Howe, Uncle Jim, Auntie Farah, Eloise, Amelie, Lynne and Mike Istad (and grandma), and godmother Amy all the way from Manhattan celebrated. After Ainsley commanded ooohs and aahs at the church, she baptised Scott and Jen with her first poopy blow out -- down her tights, ruining her post-baptism H&M ensemble -- LuckilyMike Istad guided us to the bathroom and guarded the door as Scott and I wiped the baby down (no wipes with us, of course) with paper towels...all had a good chuckle...and none of us worse for the wear in the end-- except perhaps the patrons of the Stockholm Inn who watched a poop soaked baby make her way past their plates of pancakes and eggs....

Magic of the Season

The my latest favorite pictures of Ainsley...

Two Nights, One Lifetime of Experience

So some of you may know that Jen had her first official overnight away from us on Monday. She went to a firm meeting in Philly. It was my first night taking care of Ainsley all by myself. Well, I wasn't completely alone as Jen's dad generously stopped by. He helped me at least go to the bathroom and get some bottles together. Thanks Bill! I knew I would have my hands full and I was right. After an evening of playing, talking, bottles and even some rice cereal, the witching hour came about 9pm when sweet Ainsley realized mommy wasn't around. She cried for about 45 minutes or so until I finally gave her a bottle and she passed out. After bottles at 1:30 and 5am, we began our day at 8:15 reasonable well in tact!
If that wasn't enough, Jen's flight got cancelled Tuesday night and rebooked for the following morning! So we had a second night and this one was all alone. It was definitely better than the first-less crying and more sleeping. In fact, Ainsley slept from 10pm until 5am! Woo hoo! Can we get that every night, baby doll?
Mommy arrived home safe and sound at 8:15 again and we were all reunited. We're thrilled to have mommy home and I think I earned my trip to the golf dome! All is right in our world.

Instant Classic

Hi all-yes we've been a little lax on postings lately. Things have been hectic but good. Ainsley is five months old now and has turned a corner. She is trying her voice out a lot more and thinks nothing of interrupting a conversation by adding "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa". She is also close to outgrowing her bouncer which has been her happy place since she got home from the hospital. We continue to enjoy her changes-even if it means bigger challenges!

Here is the instant classic-this is at Grandma's house in Rockford. That is of course Ellie pushing Ainsley around in the little car thing. It was even funnier in person than in the video. I love Ainsley's little feet kicking away under there! Enjoy.