Ian collage

I just love this collage. I did this with the collage feature in Picasa 2, the best free photo program in the world (it comes from the google folks). 

Sunday Update

A quick update before I go to bed Sunday night. Friday Marie came over and had dinner with Kara and helped take care of Ian. Saturday night she came over again, this time with Nancy Kramer and the two of them brought a ton of food (from the excellent Middle Eastern restaurant Semiramis). Ian was especially fussy that night but Kramer and Marie were great in helping calm him down. In the end Marie seemed to have the magic touch (or was it magic chest?) that got Ian to finally go to sleep.
On Sunday we went to a party at Celia's house that Kara's old Depaul co-workers (former and current) had organized. It was a great time with lots of good food (including some great cupcakes from Alliance Bakery) and drink. Most of the people hadn't seen Ian yet, or Kara since the baby was born, so it was good to all get together. We got lots of food, toys, clothes and gift cards (we even needed help carrying all the loot down to the car) and we had a great time. Ian was very well behaved and we had a chance to see what he might be like in 8 more months by watching Janice's son Roosevelt (he just turned 1 year old recently). Thank you very much to everyone who was there and a special thanks to Celia for hosting the party. And whoever made/bought that sweet pecan roll/pastry, thanks to you too, it was/is great.
Okay that's enough for now. I've got to get to sleep. Our new nanny, Monica, starts tomorrow at 9AM. She's just working a few hours, to get the hang of things around the house and to watch Ian while Kara has a business conference call in the early afternoon, but it's the start of what we hope will be a long and happy relationship. She's going to see Ian more on a day to day basis then either of us will....(at least during his waking hours)...

Grandmom Kevin with Ian

Here's a pic of my mom, Kevin, with Ian when she was visiting recently. Thanks to my Aunt Stephanie for the picture. 

Ian at the end of the day

Here's me using the macro function on the digital camera to get up close and personal. 

Kara and Holly

Here's Kara and Holly at the end of the party down by our car. Holly was kind of enough to help us carry down our bags of loot. She also gave Kara a home spa kit and a gift of a spa visit which will definitely come in handy as Kara tries to relax and unwind when she starts going back to work.

Fifi with Ian

Here's Fifi doing a great job taking care of Ian so Kara and I could have some food and coffee. That's Margaret in the background.

the party at Celia's house

Here's a candid of the party Celia and Janice threw for Kara and Ian giving her old Depaul friends (many of which are not actually at Depaul any more) a chance to see them both. That's Courtney, Heather, Sue, Arek, Fifi (with Ian) and Holly. Not pictured are Janice (and Roosevelt), Morgan, Susan, Elisa and our host Celia (sorry!). Ian got a ton of cute gifts, including some great outfits and toys. We got lots of great food (all easy to prepare--Morgan's burritos came with all the ingredients and a recipe) and lots of gift cards. Thank you very much to everyone.

Janice and Roosevelt

Here's Janice with her darling son Roosevelt. He was walking around and being cute and showing all of us what Ian might be like around age 1. Janice also gave us a big bag of Roosevelt's hand me downs (big score!). Since Kara and I both think Roosevelt always looks great this was a great gift. And completely unexpected as Janice and Dan (her husband) have already given us and Ian several presents (and lots of advice).

Kara and Ian at the party

Kara looking great chatting with Ian on her shoulder.

more at the party at Celia's house

Another candid at the party.

Ian getting ready for the party

Here's Ian just before we left for the party at Celia's.

May Update

Okay another month has just about slipped by and Ian gets bigger and older. He's now 7 weeks old and over 9 lbs (he gained 2 lbs. between his 2 week and 6 week checkups!). The doctor says he's doing great. He gets fussy at night, sometimes having alot of trouble getting to sleep (or getting back to sleep). Sometimes it seems like it's gas, sometimes he's hungry or wet, but sometimes he just seems fussy for no real reason. That's driving Kara crazy (and me as well when I try and get him to go to bed) and when she doesn't get enough sleep she gets unhappy. And by enough I mean her drastically reduced, get up in the middle of the night to feed the baby, try and nap a couple times during the day and usually fail, enough. Enough as in a bare minimum.
Earlier this month my mom, Kevin, and her sister Stephanie, my aunt, came to visit. It was great for Ian to meet his other grandmother (and vice versa) and having the two of them around during the day gave Kara a little help. Kara and I even got to go out on our own for a dinner date (our first since the baby was born) while the two of them watched Ian. Ian got along with them great spending long naps on my mom's and Steph's shoulders. It was really special to see my mom get comfortable with Ian and feel more confident taking care of him. For Stephanie it was a little easier as she's been a grandmother for awhile and has been taking care of babies far more recently than my mother. But my mom's picking up this grandmother stuff fine.
We finally got all the thank you letters mailed out. Any delays are down to me and I apologize. Kara was very organized getting them done, but I needed to look up some addresses. In any case I want to thank everyone who wished us well or sent Ian and us a card or gift. It has meant alot to us (and made me feel guilty for not sending out cards and gifts when many of you had babies--I am sorry for that too). If I don't remember to mention everyone's gift or card in the blog please know that you have our thanks and appreciation.
Now it's time to go to work (which really deserves it's own blog these days).

(exhausted & sleep deprived) Kara with her son

 

 

 

isn't he cute?

 

Ian with his great Aunt Steph

 

My mom and Aunt Stephanie with Ian

My mom, Kevin, and her sister Stephanie came to visit with us and the baby the beginning of May. It was great for Ian to meet his other grandmother and Kara was happy for a little help during the day. 

Ian Napping