Go Pack Go!

So, it is a new month and if it doesn't start on a high note - The Green Bay Packers are in the Superbowl! Papa Reinhardt is a long time Green Bay fan and we have little Douglas all decked out and rooting for his team.

Three months old and looking around.

Douglas has found his thumb. Seems to favor his left hand, but at times tries to eat both fists at once.

He is also much more interested in his hanging friends - starting to try and grab at them. Piglet is definitely his favorite.

He's not looking at me so much as his mobile on the changing table. Go Pack Go!

Here are some other pictures to enjoy.

All three life group babies have been born! Ava (left) was born in August. Douglas (middle) was born in October and Wesley (right) was born in December.

We got a new-to-us snowblower in January. A co-worker of Papa Reinhardt gave it to us and it has helped Adam immensely!

Wearing the New-Generation Posse onesie.

A better shot of the onesie!

A warm and fuzzy blanket!

Here's to a great superbowl! Go Pack Go!

It is the New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I have been reminded that it is January, and time for another post. It is amazing how quickly time flies, especially when the holidays are involved.

We had a great Christmas and New Years filled with lots of family and friends. One of the big highlights of this year's Christmas was that my grandparents from South Carolina traveled to the snowy north to visit their great grandson. Little did they know that they would get three extra days here with him, due to flight cancellations from the great NYC blizzard of 2010.

My Baba and her great grandson.

Christmas morning at my parent's house.

LJ & Bennett with Douglas.

In looking back over the past year, it is amazing to consider how last year's holiday season and this year's seem to be a picture of extremes. As you saw in the earlier post we had the huge tree last year with tons of lights, while this year was the smallest tree and minimal decorations. Also, last year at this time Adam and I were gearing up for our annual trek out to sunny California to visit special friends and the Elephant Seals. This year there will be no such trip, we are staying much closer to home.

After surviving the Elephant Seal visit. If you haven't seen them, you should go. It is an experience of a life time.

This doesn't even give you any sense for how huge these animals are. The life time experience part of it all is that you basically walk among the elephant seals, which are the size of mini-submarines.

Last year at this time time walking in the Redwood Forest.

I also did a lot of skiing last winter, which will not be happening this winter. I am happy to be with Douglas, but is amazing to remember back to one year ago. The little guy wasn't even a speck on the horizon yet. And now, as I write this blog he is sleeping in his swing next to me.

In looking forward some small things that we are excited about is the new bird feeder that Adam got for Christmas. He just put it up outside our big picture window and we are excited about what birds we will see there in the coming months. We are also gearing back up for Adam to go back to classes and for me to go back to work. It will be another big change and adjustment for everyone. We will survive it, I am sure but it does seem a bit daunting.

So, we wish anyone reading this a happy new year and are excited to see what it brings.

A tale of two Christmases

Two posts in two days...Don't get used to it! This is Adam posting because he has a minute now that school is done for the semester and my beautiful family is fast asleep on this snow covered winter morning. I was reading Alicia's posts and noticed there are a lot more photos of me and Douglas then there are of Alicia and Douglas. As is the case with many new mothers, she gets more of the work and less of the glory--but is an incredible mother, more loving then I bet she ever thought she could be.

We've been talking with friends about the difference a year makes and how, looking back, it can seem like both a lifetime ago and the blink of an eye. Which reminded us of last Christmas when we had a 15 foot Christmas tree and a lot more room (even though it didn't seem it at the time). So here are some photos for comparison and others...

Christmas 2009

Giant tree and no baby

Christmas 2010

Baby tree, and baby baby

The following is the Grizwald's attempt at getting the perfect Christmas photo...

We're still working on it!

Finally, some photos from Paul's birthday, it was fun hanging out with the fam and celebrating his 58 years. Check out that lung action!

And Douglas just slept through the night from 8pm until 7am, only waking up once (at 2am)...Dare we say he's getting the hang of it?

While it is storming outside...

Here are some more pictures of the goings-on in the Reinhardt household. Douglas has been growing at an amazing rate, keeping me on my toes to keep pace with his feeding schedule. He is also becoming much more aware of his surroundings which has been very fun to watch. Things he is fixated with: ceiling fans, christmas trees, windows.

Here he is getting his first bath. This expression was between the first initial reaction which wasn't favorable, and the last conclusion which still wasn't favorable. We haven't attempted a second bath yet, doing more the spot cleaning.

I don't know if I had ever put up pictures of what the room looks like completed. Here is a view. I had my one and only sewing project of making the curtains with my mom. People who sew impress me because it isn't my cup of tea. Adam was responsible for putting up the pictures, which are pages from the book Animalia. They encircle the whole room.

This is Douglas at 5 weeks old. I am trying to get the month increments pictured, and here you can see his huge eyes. If a mom can say so - so cute :)

This is a cute picture from a christmas party we had with some close friends. Notice Adam's christmas vest!

I couldn't resist this picture. This is Adam writing one of his finals and Douglas absolutely zonked in the Baby Bjorn. Thanks posse - it has been wonderful!

Hope everyone is staying warm and dry.

We are one month in...

I have been informed that I am being derelict in my duties as blog updater. And I also realized that I should update because Douglas has reached the one month mark. We are very excited about these small things now.

Let me give you some facts:

Douglas is now 12.5 lbs (off the charts, weight wise) 22.75 inches (90th percentile for height) and his head is measuring in the 50th percentile. So, he may be tall, but he won't have a huge head!

Now let me give you some pictures to show you what we have been up to... (in no order).

Napping. (I am actually sitting up on the couch. Just flip the photo around in your head.)

Brining the turkey for Thanksgiving. (Ignore the brining bucket.)

Douglas hanging out under his blanket made by his Aunt Emmy.

Douglas showing Adam his prowess at taking a bottle.

Dad and son dressing alike. (See the old school NY License Plate over the shoulder? Courtesy of Aunt LJ.)

I can't believe that is has already been a month, but I am sure that every new mom says that. It has been wonderful so far.

Till our next update...Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.

Douglas Vladimir Reinhardt: 10.31.10

The blog has been suspiciously quiet over the past few weeks due to the arrival of our son Douglas Vladimir Reinhardt, born Sunday afternoon October 31st and weighing in at 8 lbs. 15 oz. and 22 inches long. A real sight for sore eyes!

We have some pictures we'd like to share with you, in lieu of waiting for enough free time to write about the joy of being new parents. After we catch up on our sleep we'll get back to you with more exciting details.

Smiling baby - 2 weeks old

Baby 1 and Baby 2

One of our favorites - we call it Paparazzi Baby

4 days old

10.31.10 Strong Hospital - Baby and Mother

Baby Shower

Well, as I promised here is another post.

Last weekend my mother-in-law and one of Adam's aunts and his cousins threw me a wonderful baby shower. The food was incredible and it was great to see a lot of family and friends. Now that we are in count down mode for Pidge/AJ to arrive, it was wonderful to get together with those that are special to us and share some time with them.

Here is Adam's mother as she is prepping some of the wonderful apples slices and carmel dip. Right now I am loving autumn food! Apples, cider, donuts, carmel, comfort food such as meat loaf and lasagna - so delicious.

I thought this was a cute picture of my circle of helpers. Erin (in the orange) was helping Maggie (in the purple) hand me the presents, while my sister Liz (in the gray) was a faithful list keeper. Maggie was quite energetic about handing me the gifts and making sure that I got them all opened quickly.

Here I am with one of my other pregnant friends, Mary. She is the third of our trio and will be having her baby in December. It has been wonderful to have some friends to share the experience of pregnancy with.

Now, I am not going to show every picture of every present, but there are three gifts that I want to highlight because they are wonderful examples of the crafting skills of the women in Adam's family.

The first is a quilt made by his Aunt Marianne. It has the Winnie the Pooh theme on it and was nice and fluffy. I can totally see our little son playing on this quilt.

The second is another beautiful quilt made by his Aunt Kathy (also the hostess) and is great variety of different pictures for all the letters of the alphabet. Adam and I love the Alphabet theme, so this was perfect.

The third picture is one piece of a set - a beautiful blue and white jacket that Adam's grandmother knitted. There was also a cute hat, booties and a wonderful blanket.

I am blown away by the skills of all these women!

This picture is a great moment where there are actually four generations all together. Adam's grandmother, Adam's mother, my mother, me and then Pidge/AJ. It was a special moment.

Now, this last picture is just me wanting to show you where our cat has decided she likes to sleep now. On top of my boppy pillow, which is in the basket/compartment right below the bassinet. She will spend all day there! At least she hasn't decided to sleep IN the bassinet, I guess.

Lest you think this blog is going to become all about the pregnancy and the baby - I will give you an Adam update. He has been busy with school work, but also created this whole Alphabet picture display that is currently being put up on the nursery walls. Once all the pictures are up, I will hopefully remember to take a picture to share with you.

Till then - happy Autumn!