A few more pics

They are already best buds... Holly and her boys
Our first Thanksgiving
Goodnight story after a long day christmas shopping, notice the glazed over look.

Thanksgiving in Philly

A few pictures of our turkey day trip! Carving the bird, yum, it was delicious!
Sammy's first taste of mincemeat pie. He liked it!
Nana holding the newest edition, Joe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A little poem for a day of Thanks!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of thanks,

A time of singing praise.

It’s a time of being happy

In all different sorts of ways.

A time of seeing family,

A time of seeing friends,

A time of eating turkey,

How I hope it never ends!

The stuffing’s by the turkey

And the gravy’s by the rolls.

Does everybody have a plate?

Do I need to pass out bowls?

Now everybody’s seated

Let s give a prayer to God

For all the things he gave us

And for sending down His Son.

For love and friends and family

And lots of things to do,

For peace and joy and blessings,

And time to spend with you!

I probally don't have to say it, but I am so thankful that I was givin a healthy, happy little boy. And, that all of my family is having a good year...I have been blessed with a new nephew and one on the way, niece or nephew-not sure yet. I have many friends who are joining the parent ranks with little one's of their own. I wish them all the world, because it is the best thing I've ever done. My husband is wonderful and loving, and is the bestest Daddy ever! We are getting a new brother (Welcome Mike) on the Fielden side. New babies, new marriages, new homes, new jobs, new starts....it has been a very good year for all of us! Happy Thanksgiving.

Hey Shorty!

My apologies little man, but welcome to life of step stools, booster seats, and the endless quest for a good, affordable tailor.

Ode to 2007

January

1. Who kissed you on new years?
My sweet darling hubby and a chocolate covered banana! We headed down to Charlotte, and
went out to dinner with Dennis and Holly...then indulged in some chocolate fondue while we
watched the ball drop. Onnie and Pop hung out too!

2. Did you have a New Year’s Resolution this year?
I had two. I wanted to read War and Peace and remember everyone's birthdays. I am a
little more than half way thru W&P, and I think I remembered about 90% of the birthdays of family and friends.

3. Does it snow where you live?
Supposedly, but we only saw one day of a slight wet snowy, rainy, slushy mess.

4. Do you like hot chocolate?
Not really. I prefer coffee in the mornin' and milky tea in the afternoons. Occasionally, it
tastes good...but I really have got to be in the mood.

5. Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop?
I always wanted to do it, but the one opportunity I had was when my brother and a few
friends went and I was stuck working the bar at the pub. Now, I am probally to old. By that
I mean, one would have to be sloshed to withstand the blistering cold...and I really can't
tolerate a hangover and a baby.

♥FEBRUARY♥

1. Who was your Valentine?

Silly question...Cody and my Dad.

2. When you were little did you buy Valentine’s for the whole class?

Yes. And, I would agonize for hours on which one to give to my current crush. It had to say Ilike tons, without him actually finding out. It usually said something like, "Your my #1" or"Your my top Valetine!"

3. Do you care if the groundhog sees its shadow or not?

I from PA...Puxatoney Phil was the ultimate in deciding if we were in for the long haul of winter

4. What did you get for Valentine’s Day?

Cody and I long decided that going out to eat on Valentine's Day is a huge mistake. Now, welots of yummy food for home and cook here. This year we indulged in crab legs, oysters and ataste of champagne for my very preggo self.

March

1. Are you Irish?

That is a ridiculous question...am I Irish?

2. Do you like corned beef and cabbage?

I make it every year, along with soda bread courtesy of Lisa's grandma's recipe which I havemastered.

3. What did you do for St. Patty’s Day in 2007?

Well, since I couldn't exactly go to a bar 6 months pregnant, I had to settle with a 6 pack of O'Douls. I made dinner and had Dennis and Holly up to celebrate. I still decorated and only drank 2 fake beers, because they kinda of made me nauseous. Oh well, guess this means Iam growing up.

4. Are you happy when winter is pretty much over?

I like and appreciate all seasons in moderation. Three months is the perfect amount of all four. Unfortunately, our house is not winterized and in spite of my crazy horomones I froze my tooshoff and really wanted winter to be OVER!

APRIL

1. Do you like the rain?

Love it!

2. Did you play an April fool’s joke on anyone this year?
Nah, not really my thing.

3. Do you get tons of candy for easter?
Somehow those gross Peeps always show up in my house, and I always indulge in some coconut
creme eggs.

4. Do you celebrate 4/20?
Hasn't happened since I dated a frat boy in '99.

MAY

1. What is your favorite flower?

Gerber daisies and roses.

2. Do you celebrate May 16th: National Piercing Day?

Ummm, no....the last of my piercings (excluding ears) went with the way of the pregnancy along with the rest of my care free childhood.

3. Is May anything special to you?

Heck yeah! "Da-na-na-na-Nah-NAH! They say it's your birthday!"

June

1. What year did/will you graduate from high school?

In good old 1997. I had my 10 year reunion this year, and I went post baby by 6 weeks. Brave, I know...but my curiosity over road my vanity.

2. Did you do anything fun during this Month?

I was nine months pregnant and feeling very large and in charge. I was buckled to the house by the a/c because it was the HOTTEST summer on record. The only thing that made this month endurable was my friends constantly keeping my distracted with visits to the pool, lunch dates, and movies.

3. Have a favorite baseball team?

I have really started to like the local AAA games. The Greensboro Grasshoppers are fun to go see. But, where my hearts belongs is with the Phillies, of course.

JULY

1. What did you do on the 4th of July?

I don't really remember, probally moaned and complained that I was two days overdue.

2. Did you go to the fireworks?

I was to tired to stay out for fireworks, and I don't think I felt good either.

3. Did you blast the A/C all day?

Yes! Again, hottest summer on record!

4. Did you take any good vacations this month?

To High Point Regional where I finally delievered my 6 lbs. 1 oz. baby boy, Sam. The best day of my life so far.

AUGUST

1. Did you do anything special at the end of your summer?

Nope. We just hung out with Jr.

2.Did you do anything special in the summer of '07?

Bringing home Sam was the best part of the summer. I wish it hadn't been so dang hot however. It made it really hard to get out with him.

3. Did you have a sunburn?

Big and pasty are not a good combo, but red, peely, and big are even worse.

4. Did you go to the pool a lot?

After Sam was born, we went alot at night after the sun went down.

SEPTEMBER

1. Are you attending college/school?

God no!

2. Do you like fall better than summer?

I like all the seasons. I do love the autumn for the colors and the crisp fall air. And, of course, I love Halloween.

3. Planed on anything to happening this month?

Yeah, my mother-in-law came for a nice long visit. She got to meet our Sammy and just hang out. We did lots of crafting, we made a scarecrow for my front porch.

OCTOBER

1. What was your last Halloween costume?

Red Riding Hood, I think?

2. What is your favorite candy?

Almond Joys

3. What was your favorite thing(s) about this month?

Sam was baptised, and we had tons of family visiting. I also really enjoyed taking Sam to all the Halloween events in our neighborhood.

NOVEMBER

1. Whose house do you go to for Thanksgiving?

We alternate for the holidays, this year it was my family's turn to be together. And, boy were we ever together...three families all squeezed into one house...with one bathroom.

2. What are you thankful for?

My beautiful family, and that healthy baby boy that keeps me busy!

3. Do you love stuffing?

Good stuffing is an art form

4. What is your favorite side dish?

Sweet Potatoes and Green Bean Slop

DECEMBER

1. Do you celebrate Christmas?

I keep the spirit of St. Nick in my heart year round.

2. Have you ever been kissed under the mistle toe?

Lots. I always make sure to hang it in the most conveniant spaces.

3. Get anything special this year?

Who did you spend it with?I got a kick butt camera that puts me on par with the paparrazzi...we spent Christmas with Cody's side of the family. It was lovely, Scott flew from Japan and Sarah and the girls came from Washington. We sat around all week and ate cookies, played board games and drank wine. It was the best!

4. What did you want this year?I didn't know what to ask for...other than a new Crock Pot and some cookbooks. I got both. I also recieved lots of things I didn't know I wanted and absolutely loved (ie. the camera).

5. What do you love most about December?

The change in weather...buying presents...seeing family!

4 months old

Sam the man had his 4 month check up today. The peditrician was delighted with his progress and growth! Phew! He weighed in at 11 lbs. 8 ozs. and 23 inches long. This put him, according to the doctor in the 5th percentile. Cody and I were so concerned with him being in the 5th percentile until finally the doctor told us, "Hey! Relax...someone has to be in the 5th. " In essence, she said he is gaining and growing at an appropriate rate. Okay, okay, I get it... were petite people. I am officially relaxed.

I couldn't decide between which shot to post of his "4 month" pics. So, one on the tummy. One on his back, look at those thighs...finally getting some meat on them bones.
Helping mamma out with the laundry!
Waiting for momma to finish blogging so we can play!
Kinda blurry, but cute anyways.
He is doing some really cute stuff right now, like laughing and smiling at pretty much anything you say, sing or do. He is starting to like toys now, especially his 'baby slot machine', his fabulous lion Leo, and anything hooked up to his links. He has discovered his voice and loves to make all kinds of crazy sounds from longs shrieks to short, spastic ahh-goo noises. I often awake to him calling out to me in one of these noises. It cracks us up! He is a TV junkie, so we can no longer watch it at our leisure (not that we are big TV folks anyway) but he will stop doing whatever he is doing to stare blank faced at the boob-tube. Creepy. Everything goes in the mouth that he can manipulate with those little hands, I think he will love food. The doc gave the green light to start cereal, but we have decided to wait on that... he can be fickle with the boob sometimes and I am concerned that it would effect his nursing which is more important right now than early carb addiction. To give him a few extra calories, we started a bit of formula once or twice a day... only 2-3 ounces. This just kind of satiates that late afternoon snacking he likes to do. It seems to have made him a much happier baby. Although, it makes his diaper reek.

Bedtime and night waking is still happening unfortunately, but overall it ain't all that bad. He is still swaddled at night, I guess we will need to break of that sooner or later. I am not looking foward to that at all. He is consistently sleeping in his crib for naps now, and rarely is stuck in the swing, unless he is particularly fussy at night. We can't wait to share him with everyone over the holidays! He has really changed alot... and is sooooo much fun.

Just hangin' around!

The cold weather hit today, so Sammy and I just hung around the house and tried to stay cozy. We pulled out the doorway jumper to see what he thought of it. He gave it a shot, instead of jumping, he kind of just walked himself in circles... he thought this was quite special. Movin'
Groovin'
Oh yeah, I'm the man.
He hasn't really started that jumping motion with his legs just yet, but I know it is coming because all he wants to do is bear weight on his legs when we are holding him. Once he gets moving I know that he will love this thing.

Eerie Events and other Halloween Happenings

Sambo celebrated his first Halloween, and it was just packed with costume changes and fun parties. The boy already has more of a social calender than Momma or Daddy....go figure. So as you can see, Sam went as "Super Sammy"--louder than a locomotive, tinier than a speeding bullet and able to drink tall bottles in a single minute. The boy of cuteness! My Hero! The first of many parties was the kiddie costume picture, a friend of mine hosts this every year. She invites all the kids over from the neighborhood so the mommies and daddies can see everyone all dressed up and take lots of pictures. Princesses to Pumpkins, Duckies to Dinosaurs they were all a buzz from the dozens of cookies and juice boxes that were enjoyed.
Here are Sammy's best buds- Carson and Thomas. They were all born within a few weeks of one another. Gina, Claire and I suffered through all the sobering parties, hot summers and disapearing wastlelines together (notice Sammy is on to outfit number 2).
And, here we are sacked out after a parade and handing out lots of tricks and treats to the hundreds of children and adults who line the streets of our neighborhood soliciting goodies. He never passes out like this! It was so funny, oh and notice, outfit number 3.
We love this town, over the course of a few days-- we had a block party and a pre-trick or treat wienie roast to celebrate the begining of fall. I forgot my camera for all that funess but you will have to take my word for it. Sometimes it feels like we live in another time, I love the community that we are now in... there are so few places in the world where people still care to spend time getting to know their neighbors and allow their children to just have good clean fun.