Merry Christmas

Christmas was wonderful this year. We never in our wildest dreams thought Mike would have Christmas Eve and Day off. That just doesn’t happen as an intern. We felt very blessed. Once again we all made out like bandits. I’ll tell you Christmas as a Lindsey takes a lot of unwrapping! As a small girl I remember it all being over very quickly. Gretchen had so many presents she couldn’t stay on task and finish opening them all. She got some very cute clothes and books, puzzles, a nativity, a baby doll, pots and pans, blocks and a child’s set of tables and chairs. She was really cute with the table set. I think it was refreshing for her to have some furniture her size. I thought I’d post some pic’s of all of us sense you rarely see pictures of the parents. It was really great to have the child’s nativity. Christmas Eve we read the Nativity and helped Gretchen act it out with all the little characters. She kept on putting the lamb on top of the stable where the angel goes. I tried to show her that the Angel belongs up there but she wasn’t having it. It’s great to see her imagination at work.

Smells like Halloween

Halloween was a blast this year. Mike was working the night shift for the month of Oct, so we starting knocking doors at 5:00. I think we were the only trick or treaters out that early. We got some great reactions and every door we went to people were great sports. So Mike got to trick or treat for a block and then headed to work. I decided to hook up with a friend and trick or treat at night. They turned out to be serious trick or treaters. Gretchen ended up with more candy then I ever gathered in my prime years of trick or treating! It all multiplied quickly because she quickly figured out how to pick up 5 candies with one hand. Then she started double fisting it. When I tried to get her to be polite and take one everyone would say, "Oh, let her have her fun." Apparently no one can resist a skunk.

I LOVE my family and friends!

I was asked to talk to the young women about Katrina today in church. I don't think I've ever talked for such a length of time about our experiences. Needless to say I cried for most of the half hour. I just wanted my family (and friends) to know how much I appreciated your support (emotional, monetary and spiritually.) I just know that my family loves me. Mike and I felt overwhelmed with the support we were given. I which you could all experience what I did. So you could feel that kind of love and hope given to you by those you love. I really felt like I had no direction no home, well nothing! It was amazing to have to rely on the Lord and my family and see how quickly you came to our aid. I hope one day to act in such a way to show how much I love you. I treasure my family and faith beyond anything this life has to offer and that is the lesson Katrina had for me.

Allenholm Apples, apple, apple

We'll we had a great time this last Saturday picking apples. We went to a beautiful orchard on South Hero Island. They have a free tractor ride that takes you out to the different apple trees. We picked Macintosh, Vermont gold and Gala apples. Gretchen just worked on eating her first whole apple for the length of the picking time. In the end we carried back 23 lbs of apples and 27.5 lbs of Gretchen. The final treat was enjoying maple ice cream and a beautiful sunset. On the way home Gretchen sang a chorus of apple, apple, apple.

Meatloaf Surprise

Hooray, I did it. I have been having such a battle with Gretchen trying to get some veggies down her. A Lady at church suggested slipping in some veggies in meatloaf. I managed to stick a large carrot and about 2 large handfuls of broccoli. Guess what, she loved it. I am elated. You can see in this picture her sign for more and a large smile on her face. Sorry I didn't post a picture of the smile on my face!

Monkey Trap

Oh Gretchen is so fun. Everyday she figures out a new way to enjoy her toys. Today after putting a star in the shape sorter she decided she wanted it back. Normally she would take the lid off but she just stuck her hand in instead. Sure enough Gretchen pulled out the star with lid still attached. I hurriedly took this picture. She wasn't to happy about her manacle and smartly removed it.

Just find a partner and do-si-do

One of Gretchen's favorite books is Cowboy Baby. I found this Bandana Cowgirl dress and some boots on E-bay and ordered them. I was so excited when they came in the mail. To bad I didn't think about the dress having pearl snaps! I think she had the dress off 10 minutes after I put it on her. I don't know if we will dress her in this dress for church, I'm not sure everyone would appreciate my naked child!

It's Sunday and the little one is fast asleep. It's a cold and rainy day in Vermont (68 at 1:58) I thought this was great weather for correspondence. Mike just started Neurosurgery this last week. We have been pleasantly surprised that he has gotten home before 6:30 everyday (except when on call.) He is enjoying the team and feels like he's not making any big blunders. However he does have call today and he also took call Friday. For those that don't know, "call" is when they stay over night and are left in charge of all the patients staying over or being submitted. Generally he is at work by 5:30 AM and stays the night, returning home sometime before noon the next day! It's hard to sleep alone, and whenever he is gone I stay up LATE! I don't know how Denise does it! So that is Mike's update. Gretchen and I have started a "play group." We will be inviting kids over every other Thursday. It was really loud and fun. Most of the time Gretchen just sat on my lap looking concerned that everyone was playing with her things. She did eventually play with the other kids, and I think it was good for her. Gretchen has a new fear, little babies. It seems like the crawling reminds her of dogs and she cries and runs to mommy when she sees a baby. I don't know what changed in her thought process, but I think it's pretty funny! Hope you have all enjoyed the weekend!

Per Request from Grandpa Wilson

Harry Potter Mania

Okay I have a confession to make! It has been so long since I have posted and mostly this is because the internet has been down. Two and a half weeks ago the internet was fixed. So the question is, why have I not been diligently blogging? I decided to listen and read to all the Harry Potter books before reading the last one. It took me all of my extra time and over a week and a half. I loved the last book and I felt it was a good ending for the series. I actually stayed up until 5:30 the night I started Deathly Hallows. I only got 3 hours of sleep and felt like I was going to faint as I worked the next day! I know it sounds ridiculous but Mike was actually on call and therefore gone for the night. I don't sleep well when he is gone anyway so why not take advantage of the time when Gretchen is down? Well there it is. I know many of you will sympathize and not hold my absence against me.

Happy Hikers

Well I am very sorry that I have not posted for awhile. Our computer is on the fritz and we have not been able to access the internet for over a week. Thanks to all you who have commented in that time and I really do intend on posting at least every other day when we are back up. When you do make a comment it does not post right away because I have to authorize, fyi! Things have been great around here. Gretchen and I have been enjoying the great outdoors. This is something that seems to have been lacking a little in New Orleans. Saturday we hiked around Lake Champlain. Gretchen also picked up a pair of sunglasses for a buck! Isn’t she so cute she is obsessed with sunglasses.

bubble, poopey and nana

Okay so we figured we'd post the info you are all dying to know. Gretchen is coming along. She is really working on talking. I tried to compile a list of words for you all (beginning with her latest). Here it goes: bubble, poopey, nana (banana), ya-hoo!, blueberry (okay maybe I'm the only one who knows she's saying it), cheese, nose, eyes, moo, ready, ball, please, baba (binky), doggie, kitty cat, that, here you go, thank you, night night, num num, bye bye, da da, ma ma.
She really loves to point out noses, eyes, ears, and mouth on everyone (including stuffed animals).
Okay and perhaps one of our favorites is that she now wears pigtails!

Our move to Vermont

Well we have been settled for about two weeks in Burlington, Vermont and decided it was time to start a blog. We have had a difficult time with the move. We are all a little home sick for New Orleans, especially Mike; although we have nothing to complain about (now). Initially we just couldn't find a place and had to stay at a Holiday Inn. That was very frustrating, but I am glad for the wait because we now have a great little place. Mike has about a 10 min. drive to the hospital and Gretchen and I have a sweet setup at home. The apartment itself is very spacious with lots of room to kick a ball or dance. We also have a full 2 acres of property to play on. We are living in a basement apartment and the landlord lives upstairs. They are a couple close to our age with a little boy who is 11 months. Gretchen and I took a hike with Cari and Jack (Landlady and son) just yesterday. It's great to have friends upstairs. The weather is beautiful and we are so happy with our situation!