Sarah Walking

While she's had a couple steps followed by a fall to the rear here and there, we finally captured her walking across the living room on video last night. Since then, she's been trying to walk more often. Watch out world, here she comes! You can hear in the video that I was just a little excited. Ha! :)

December 13

Sarah is busy playing with some of her birthday toys so I thought I'd write a quick post.

I still can't believe she's one already. I marvel at how she changes each day and is interested in every new object or sight. She has her strong opinions about food and not liking to sit still for her diaper change, but otherwise, she's a pretty agreeable child.

I love that she's patting us on the back when giving hugs and that she rubs her forehead back and forth when giving "eskimo kisses" (I know...probably not politically correct, right?). I also love that she just wants to turn the pages of the books instead of letting us read what's on the page. I love how she pats her hand on the chair to signal Sammy (our dog) to come up and sit by us as we cuddle and read. I love how she waves to everyone she sees and seems to be a "people person". I love how peaceful she looks as she sleeps in her crib. I love her giggle. Basically, I love everything about her...even when the days are long and I haven't had a break. I've also realized how I respect working moms who are balancing so many balls in the air at once. Although, I've also realized how important it is for stay-at-home moms to have something in their life that's just their own. I'm working on that. I'm lucky to have a couple of play groups, a music class, and library group to get us out of the house around other people.

Jason has kept busy getting ready for upcoming concerts. He has the Sacred Music Concert this Sunday and his regular band concert on Monday night. He's playing with the Manhattan Transfer vocal jazz group tonight at Potowotomi Casino. He continues to play in the All Star Superband big band on Thursday night's at Long Wong's in Milwaukee. Those performing opportunities keep him involved with his passion for playing his horn. His biggest playing highlight this year was playing with Josh Groban. He played a concert here in Milwaukee and one in Green Bay. He said Josh Groban is the "real deal", a true musician, and nice guy. Jason's also attending the Midwest Clinic in Chicago this year. He had to miss it last year since Sarah was a newborn. I have to say I'm a bit jealous since I love that convention, as well. It's always good to go and refuel with some top-notch performances and get ideas from fellow directors.

I'm putting my name into the Elmbrook District to teach some private lessons after the new year. It won't hurt to have some extra cash and it will keep my "foot in the door", so to speak.

Despite the snowstorm, we had a fun 1st birthday celebration for Sarah. Meghan, Bob, and Sean couldn't make it due to the weather, but they came up this past weekend for an afternoon. It was great to see them. Sean is really starting to show more personality by jabbering and making some fun facial expression. You could tell he was trying to talk to Sarah. It was the first time they really took interest in one another. It will be so much fun to watch them grow up together.

Kim and Cleo came by while we were hanging out with the Gillete side of the family last Saturday. They're busy making plans for their Jamaican wedding on May 31st. We haven't decided for sure whether or not Sarah is coming along. I did pick up a passport application for her today while I was at the post office. :)

I better go start my Christmas cards. That's enough rambling for now.

Sarah with Santa

We went to visit Santa Claus today. She looked at him very inquisitively and just wasn't too sure what to think of him as you can see.

Here's a video from Thanksgiving weekend when Sarah's Great-Grandpa Whitehead gave her the TMX Elmo for her birthday. Aunt Kim can be heard scolding our dog, Sammy, who was having "issues" with Elmo.

Sarah's 1st BirthdayCake

Sarah eating her first birthday cake

Sarah's Halloween Sing-Along

I think I just figured out how to post video on the blog. This video is from the Halloween Sing-Along at the Brookfield library. Now that I've figured out the uploading and posting steps, I'll try to post video more often.

Jason finishes the musical tonight. Woo-hoo. I'd like to say we "get him back" now, but those with band director backgrounds know that isn't the case. He's performing with the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band next week Tuesday and rehearses with them on Monday. He's playing a piece written by our high school band director, Rick Kirby,to memorialize Rick's former student, Brandon Atherton. Brandon was the student teacher killed on the Chippewa Falls H.S. Marching Band bus a couple of years ago. He was a saxophone player so Rick asked Jason to play the saxophone solo.

Parent teacher conferences and gigs follow the rest of the week. I really have respect for single parents who also have to work full-time. Our busy weeks come and go, but single parents don't get a break. We're looking forward to Thanksgiving break to head down to Iowa for some quality family time.

Sarah has had a somewhat fussy week. She's discovered a high-pitch scream/whine that she uses when she's happy, curious, mad, frustrated....almost all of the time. I'm not sure if it's teething, voice exploration, or if she was missing Jason. Whatever it was, she was quite the "little squirt". She's normally a pretty agreeable child, but the determined toddler has definitely emerged.

If you all could say a prayer for Mark and Beth (friends of friends) who found out their 20-week old son had no kidneys or bladder. They induced labor and he had already passed away before the delivery. They got to hold him and spend some time with him. Please pray that they are surrounded in comfort and peace as they grieve their loss. It seems I've already known too many people that have had this specific heartache.

It makes you want to hug your loved ones even tighter.

My sister is engaged!

We received very exciting news Wednesday evening that my sister and her boyfriend, Cleo, were engaged. His surprise, romantic proposal began by picking her up outside her office building in a limo, holding a dozen red roses. He had the limo take them to the art museum where they first met at a convention social event when he was in town from Richmond, VA. He got down on his knee and asked her to be his wife. (Awwwwwww) Champagne was waiting for them in the limo as they called to tell their friends and family. Kim thought he was coming into town on Friday, but he totally caught her off-guard by showing up on Wednesday. It was perfect since she prefers to know what's going on, and she had no idea. We were able to toast the happy couple Friday night when they came over for dinner.

They plan to have a destination wedding to Jamaica and are now starting to make those plans. We're very happy for them and look forward to being a part their lives for years to come. This does mean Kim will be moving to Richmond sometime in the near future. I haven't started dealing with that, yet, since we will all miss her terribly. Knowing that she's happy and starting her life with the man she loves will make that move bearable. Her ring is absolutely beautiful and I know she'll be a gorgeous bride. Congratulations Kim and Cleo! We love you!