Christmas Carnage

With the addition of Paul to our family this year, Christmas was particularly meaningful and joyful for us. After all, Christmas is the season for giving, reflection, remembering the sacrafices that have been made for us.

Christmas is also the season for presents. Serious, frenzied gift-opening.

The highlights of this Christmas were being with our family and our nephews' uncontained enthusiasm for their gifts. Even our little guy got into the action.

Joe escaped unscathed with this video footage. Enjoy and Happy New Year!

One more video before we hit the road

I am obsessed with this camera.

Silent Night

For Christmas, Joe and I went on our first "date" since Paul was born last night. We indulged in a great bottle of wine and French food at Bistro Campagne, a restaurant in Lincoln Square that we have frequented since we started dating. Paul gave me the gift of rest, sleeping for over six hours last night.

Joe surprised me at dinner last night with a gift I've wanted since Paul was born - a Flip video camera. It's smaller than my iPod, and takes high-quality video.

Paul has been sleeping this morning and we are on our way to celebrate Christmas in Wisconsin, but I couldn't wait to use the camera. I promise more exciting videos in the future.

Peace and Merry Christmas to all!

The Yeti

When we go outside in the Chicago winter, I bundle Paul up in this snowsuit, a gift from Aunt Betsy in Denver. This thing is so warm that he sweats in 20 degree weather. This outfit has been a lifesaver, because I can be outside even when it's cold. Paul perks up as soon as I spread the outfit on the floor, because he knows that we're going for an adventure in the car. He loves getting out and about. He also loves eating the soft fleece.

Consolidation

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week with both sides of the family. My mom took this picture of Paul kicking back in his dino jammies, a gift from Grandma Helga. Joe and I call this "poo position" because sitting in our laps in this position keeps everything moving through our little guy.



At almost 8 weeks, Paul's feedings, sleep cycle and, well, diapers are starting to cluster. He eats more but less often, sleeps ever so slightly longer at night, and the diapers are quite impressive, yet less frequent. As many friends and family have promised, it's getting easier - or we're getting used to running on empty.

Pooh Bear

Joe and I soothe Paul with this binky when we know he has had enough to eat, but still wants to suck on something. He falls asleep, but doesn't stay that way with the binky in his mouth. Any progress getting Paul closer to sleep at night takes steep dive when Winnie falls out, but the small break from inconsolable fussiness is so refreshing.

Paul Goes Business Casual

Paul prefers wearing khakis to the office. They are so much more versatile than suits, and he saves big bucks on dry cleaning.

Paul at One Month

It's hard to believe it's been a month since Paul entered the world. He looks like a completely different baby than he did when he made his debut, his face changing every day. The clothes that he wore home from the hospital don't fit anymore.

Everyone tells Joe and I that Paul's schedule will become more regular, and our lives will get a little easier in the next month. I'm torn between wanting to sleep more than three hours in a row and wanting to prevent another day from passing, so I can keep Paul a baby forever.