Happy Bathtime

Andrew came down with the Croup, which if you have never expereinced, makes your child sound like a barking sea lion. Andrew is being a trooper and despite feeling punky still smiles for us to let us know he is ok. Here is a great shot after bathtime. Bathtime is Luke's specialty and Andrew knows it!

Visit from Uncle Scott and Aunt Courtney

Last weekend Scott and Courtney came from CA to visit and to meet Andrew for the first time. We had a great time going to the pub, playing around the house, watching basketball and going to the store.

Here is Andrew happy in his swing.

Watching a Duke Basketball game with Uncle Scott and Aunt Courtney.

Getting bigger

Andrew is getting bigger and now likes to sleep with his hands over his head. He has gotten too strong to be swaddled in a blanket so we now have to employ velcro. He is sleeping great (except for when he is sick) and is getting a stright 7 hours now! Yay!

3+ Months!!!

Life has gotten busy with Susan back to work full time and Andrew in daycare. Things are going well. Andrew is growing and changing daily. He is mister smiley and is starting to get ticklish we think. And in the last week he has started sleeping about 7 hours a night giving Mom and Dad some needed rest. Here are some new pictures...
Getting ready for bathtime with Grandpa.

Brrr....it has been cold this winter.

Playing on my activity mat for the first time. I still am not really into toys but I love people, funny faces and sounds, songs and stories.

Cheering for Duke basketball with Mom. It was looking like a good season, but those loses against Wake and Clemson were rough. Look at my chubby cheeks!!

Andrew's life at 8 Weeks

8 Weeks old. There are lots of little changes in Andrew lately. We can count on regular smiles after he eats, especially in the morning. Those smiles are very rewarding.

Luke and Andrew have started getting some extra quality time as we get Andrew ready for day care and bottle feeding. He took to the bottle right away and eats very well.

Luke is also in charge of bathtime...this will change when he heads to China for two weeks in February, but I am enjoying it for now. Andrew looks especially good after a bath. We love his crazy hair and think it is only a matter of weeks before a first haircut may be in order.

But perhaps the best time is after a long day and a big feeding, sometimes Andrew will just pass out in my arms!

Stay tuned for more developments. I am sure life will change a lot with daycare starting next week.

My First Christmas

Andrew was very excited for his first Christmas, he told me so. We set up the Christmas tree and decorated the house, made and frosted Christmas cookies, shopped, and wrapped presents. Andrew did seem to like the lights on the tree, but missed out on much of the rest of the excitment.

We enjoyed the tradidional "Shipman" Christmas Eve fare of fondue and peppermint ice cream with good friends Alon, Elyse and Nathan Finkelstein. I guess you could call it Andrew's first sleepover as Nathan slept in out Pack and Play and Alon and Elyse watched Andrew while we went to Christmas Eve church. On Christmas morning Luke said, "Should we wake up Andrew?" But we figured he wouldn't quite get it all and that we should enjoy his sleeping time. He can try again in a few days when Luke's parents are here and we open the rest of our gifts. We enjoyed visiting friends Brit, Jaye, Hunter and Schulyer and had dinner with Keith, Tara, Morgan and Madison. It was a Merry Chrsitmas.

A Lot to be Thankful For

We had a great Thanksgiving. Grandma and Grandpa Shipman were here for the week to meet Andrew. Having them here was a huge help. Mom baked some Christmas cookies and helped rake leaves. Dad helped rake, trimmed the bushes, and even mowed the lawn! The week went by too fast!

Andrew is getting bigger and bigger. He is starting to smile but we haven't managed to get that on camera yet.

Thanks giving itself was delicious with both friends and family in attendance. Luke cooked the turkey and everyone else pitched in for the other dishes. It was epic.