Six Weeks

Meeting Maddox

Our friends, Matt and April, had a baby boy in February. As soon as we found out that we were having a girl, the "my son is going to date your daughter" jokes began. Well, on Sunday Katie finally got to meet Maddox. It was great to see both kids together. Maddox is always welcome in my house, until he gets hair on his legs.

-Greg

Freedom!

Greg and I tasted a little bit of freedom this weekend. While my parents watched Katie, we were able to attend the wedding of a high school friend of mine. We went to the reception around 4 o'clock and left around 7 or so. The three hours we were there flew by - it was so much fun to talk, laugh, and drink with friends! I refrained from calling my mom and dad's house too many times (only three times!) while they were in charge of baby-sitting. However, my dad got a little indignant during one of my phone calls; I think his words were something like, "You are going to have to put a little more faith in us than this, Steph!" The indignation may have come from my phone call to the house just five minutes after we left Katie in T-town. After he had assured me that he and my mom successfully raised two children - twins, no less! - I hung up with my dad. Greg and I missed Katie for most of the evening though, so we headed home and made it an early night. I was proud of us for lasting so long. On the way out, one of my girlfriends remarked that she and her husband took two months before they left their daughter, and even then, it was for a lot shorter period of time than the wedding reception. It is pretty funny to me how the definition of a wild and crazy night out with friends has changed for the two of us in the last several months!

I also went back to work today for the last full school day of the year. The students are all done, so the teachers just had meetings, finalized grades, and took down our rooms. Since I was going to have to accomplish all of these tasks anyway, I called my doctor for permission to return to work earlier than I expected. I received the okay, and I showed up today at Effingham High School ready to work. It was wonderful to return to school! I knew Katie was in capable hands because Terri came up to watch her, and it helped me to know that I was only returning to school for a full day today and a partial day tomorrow. Terri reported that Katie had a meltdown-free day, and she hardly knew I was gone! I know that I will eventually not think twice about future excursions that might be Katie-free, but with these baby steps, I know we are headed in the right direction. Obviously, it's harder on me than it is on her!

- Steph

Bath Time

It is a well-known fact that we don't cook. We have, however, finally found a use for our kitchen sink: bathing our child. Since Katie's cord fell off, she enjoys using her new bath tub. Coincidentally, we now enjoy using our kitchen.

-Greg

Wordless Wednesday

Party at Ruffy's House

Well, the English department of EHS decided that we needed a party to celebrate the end of the school year. I think this was just an excuse to see me -they must have missed my sparkling personality since I have been gone on maternity leave! I don't understand why the rest of my department doesn't do what I did - just have babies in April, and then take the rest of the school year off for an extended summer vacation!

Anyway, Dave Ruff, the head of the department, and his wife, Kate, who works with Greg at the hospital, were kind enough to open their home to us yesterday for a great little get-together. The thing about the English department that everyone has to remember is that we are fun. F-U-N! We tend to all be talkative loudmouths - imagine that! - and when you throw our spouses into the mix, look out! You definitely have yourself a party! We had a great time talking, catching up, and showing off new babies. There were three new babies this year in our department - all were born from January to April! Needless to say, we were a little bit of a rowdy bunch. Thanks so much to Dave and Kate, and to everyone else in the department - Greg and I had a ton of fun with you guys. We wouldn't expect anything else. It is wonderful for me to call my co-workers some of my closest friends. Well, except for you, Ruffy! :)

-Steph

The department with kids and spouses - we are a pretty good-looking group!

Dave with all the little ones - he looks like he is enjoying himself!

My wonderful English friends - minus a couple.

Dave and Kate had Mitch 19 years ago, then there was a drought. Suddenly, we have a ton of kids who belong to English department members. Poor Mitch was a willing participant in the picture I am sure we will all laugh about for years to come! By the way, 50% of the kids in this picture belong to Nathan and Steph Gannaway!

Out and About

Katie and I have had some time on our hands now that we have settled into a little bit of a routine. I am now used to carrying her wherever I go, as well as about 17 tons of her stuff. I have braved trips only to the other side of Effingham by myself, but it helps my sanity to be a little more mobile than we have been lately. So far, we have made it to Weber's Jewelry in T-town, Over the Moon, a children's store in downtown Effingham, the bank, the post office, St. Anthony Parish Center and yesterday we had lunch at the Effingham Country Club. Katie is always so well-behaved in public, and she has not had any meltdowns outside of the house. Usually, she looks like this:

Or this:

Or this:

Her good behavior, however, has not stopped me from being nervous that a meltdown is going to happen from the moment I leave the house until we pull back into the driveway! I guess I will have to wait until one of our later trips for her to start wailing in public - and, Katie, just so you know, you can wait as long as you want for that to happen. Mom is content with you being the charming, cute baby you are to everyone you meet!

- Steph

Happy one-month birthday to my little girl; you are exactly four weeks old today!

Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day

Today we celebrated our first Mother's Day as a family. We started the morning by attending 9:15 mass. Well, that's what time mass started; we arrived a few minutes after that. Apparently, it takes three people exponentially longer to get ready than just two. We lucked out and found a seat in the last pew, giving us a great escape route in case of meltdowns. Luckily, I only had to leave with Katie once. Besides that incident, she was great.

After mass ended, we decided we would attempt another family first: eating in a restaurant. Steph and I felt like we were pressing our luck, but we gave it a shot. Brunch at the Hilton was great and Katie was a hit there.

I just want to say thank you to Stephanie. She has caught on very quickly and is a wonderful mom. Katie and I are very lucky to have her. Also, thanks Terri and Becky. You both have been very helpful during these first three weeks of parenthood.

Happy Mother's Day

-Greg

Wordless Wednesday

When we first brought Katie home, Greg started calling her Woodstock. As in, Woodstock from the Peanuts comic strip. She was yellow from the jaundice, she didn't say much, and she always had crazy hair. Now, we call her Woodstock as much as we call her Katie. I hope she doesn't mind the nickname once she is older, because I have a feeling that it is going to stick!

- Steph

Getting Settled

After eighteen days of parenthood, we believe that we are getting into a routine. This process was aided by my return to work last Thursday. It was immensely difficult to leave her that morning, but I knew she was in good hands.

The visits from friends and family have continued this week.

Mom and Dad brought dinner on Wednesday. Regrettably, we were too tired to play cards.

Andrew, Priya, and Woogie had dinner with us on Thursday. Woogie, their new dog, ate his dinner on the porch. They were on their way to Danville for their wedding shower.

Katie took her first trip to her grandparent's house on Monday. Becky had to cut Leon's pork chop because he could not put her down.

Ryan, Julie, Hannah and Wade visited yesterday. Wade was fascinated by his newest cousin. Julie referred to us as "old pros," which made us feel more experienced than we probably are.

Steph was going to post tonight, but she is busy preparing for an English final. Next time, the posting is up to her.

-Greg