Saturday, January 31, 2009

Babysitter and Ceilidh



Duncan had his first babysitter on Friday night (thank you, Jay!). Joe and I went to a Ceilidh (don't try to sound it out, it isn't pronounced anything like its spelled!) with some friends from Oldmacher Church. A Ceilidh (pronounce it Kay-lee) is Scottish dancing that is a lot like square dancing. It was a fun time and Joe caught on to the moves quickly because of 5th through 8th grade gym class in winter time where he learned how to square dance. I did square dancing in 4th grade gym class, too, but the only thing I remember is the do-si-do. The band called Shindig played and called out the steps of the dance for those of us who had no idea what to do next. We had a a fun time dancing and hanging out with some really great people! Duncan was hanging out at home with a great person, too, but after a little nap, he woke up to discover his parents were not around - yikes! So, his first experience with a babysitter was both good and hard, but Jay said she'd like to babysit him again, so that's good!


Hugging the giraffe from Aunt Hayley


Giggles!


Duncan just started being able to reach the pole on the side of the swing, so now he likes to hang on (and sometimes try to pull himself to sit up more).


Getting ready to go out in the cold


Getting ready to go out into the colder-cold!


Playing with Daddy


Licking Daddy's nose. Yum!


Just hanging out on the floor


Playing with Mommy


The giraffe is tasty


So many fun toys to play with!


Sometimes we all just hang out on the floor

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Spring Term Begins!


Hi Everybody! Power to the Pampers! Onesies unite!

So spring term starts next week, and we've officially started getting the hang of life over here. Kind of. Sure, the odd thing still takes us off guard-like the gym randomly closing for an hour in the middle of the evening-but by and large we're settling into life. I've just finished my first writing project and my research is plugging along. Mein Deutsche wird besser und ich studiere jeden Tag seit einer Stunde. So I've got that going for me, and that's nice.

Tomorrow we're going to a Burns supper, hosted by our good frineds Mark and Julie, and we're really excited. Mark's a great cook and makes a mean haggis--we're really excited! We might even read Burns' "Address to a Haggis".



The Shifty Eyed Trina guarding her coffee


Scotland's youngest Bills fan and the newest member of Aberdeen Football Club's Red Army! And, for the record, I know I'm making a moronic face and might possibly be offending our British readers by telling all my US friends 'peace out'. Sorry UK readers....I'm really not telling you all that I've got two fingers--really!


Trina watching the Eagles lose the NFC championship.....again. We're still kinda sore about it all.


Pitchers and catchers report in two weeks! Come on Sox--sign Tek!


Smile for the camera Trin

All right, enough of the chit-chat. Here's the latest batch of Duncan pics. We hope you like them as much as we do!



Hey there, how are you? Thank you for coming by and checking out my mummy and daddy's blog


Before Duncan start munching on his fingers, he likes to make cute faces


Whereas I spend a considerable amount of time with my foot in my mouth, Duncan spends most of his time with his fist in his.


Taking minor breaks for giggling and drooling


Sometimes it's not fingers, it's his giraffe-looking thing


And he gets hold of it and doesn't really want to let go.


Sometimes I wonder what they taste like. I mean, I know where those fingers have been...


Naptime on his Red Sox quilt.


Every day starts out with his lion friends. Every once in a while, Duncan catches Mr Lion and tries to shove him in his mouth instead of his fingers.


What up Mumbles? I'm missing you! Wanna eat my neck?



Sometimes when you're chilling out on the floor, you make awesome faces.


Who doesn't like (almost) naked time?


Kinda feel like this is some kind of Olin Mills portrait here....except for the drool.


Duncan and his tummy time.


But he doesn't always like it.


Then again, sometimes he does!


Hooray for Mommy and Duncan time!


Daddy and Duncan reading together--note the "shoulder of slobber" on Daddy's right side from holding Duncan just before as he ate his fingers and drooled.......a lot.


Duncan thought the book was boring. Daddy's trying to salvage the moment to no avail.


If you click on this picture, it'll pop up in a higher resolution. You can see me taking the picture in his eyes--you'll see the flash of the camera and me silhouetted below it.



Trina was doing jumping jacks just off to my right


Duncan is *so close* to giggling


Hi Miss Angie! Tell Levi we say hi!


Bye everyone! Thanks for swinging by our little corner of the internets!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Life Just Now

So, life just now is going along fine! Joe is working on his first writing assignment and filling his days with reading and studying and then enjoying his family. Duncan is getting better and better at grabbing things and putting them into his mouth, sitting up (with support) and starting to giggle out loud! Trina is taking Duncan out for walks everyday, going to a Mums & Tots group once a week (oh, Duncan goes to that, too), and going to Bible study once a fortnight with some of the other students' wives.


Duncan is just thinking about life...eating, sleeping, pooping, smiling, grabbing things, chewing on stuff, cuddles and kisses.


Joe's adviser and his wife have given us their old crib that Duncan has just started to use. He still sleeps in his Moses basket at night, but he's getting too big for it and has plenty of room in his new crib.


Duncan spends more and more time sucking on his fingers


Just chillin during tummy-time on the blob-thing


Both Joe and Duncan are football fans - Duncan is showing his love for the Bills (American football), and Joe is showing his support for the Dons (Aberdeen's football club).


Just relaxing after our walk


Duncan loves his camo-onsie from JC!


Duncan's ready to cheer for the Bills!
Maybe next year, Duncan.


Hey, Ed, remind us how many more days until Spring Training starts!!! We're ready!



Banzai!
(getting ready to cheer when, in 2009, the Eagles win the Super Bowl, the Red Sox win the World Series, and Aberdeen football club wins the Scottish Cup!)