Happy one-month anniversary!

Happy one-month anniversary (1/22/08) Ray and Lea! Lea is my beautiful little sister, and Ray is the luckiest guy in the world, and affectionately known as the "new guy." Yep, the Menning clan grew by two in the month of December, and although we're partial to Romey, Ray's not so bad either. Congratulations again Ray and Lea! We're so happy for you!

Ray and Lea


















A tired and foggy Nelson family.

















Dan walking Avery down the aisle. Fast forward 20+ years and this will be a pretty sentimental picture---except, of course, Dan won't be smiling.


















Susan, her gorgeous sister, and some new guy.












Our lifesaver--Dan's mom (Romey's primary caregiver during the wedding weekend)

Beautiful Romey

Check out our six-week old beauty!

Stilettos

This picture seems to characterize my relationship with Avery lately. If she could verbalize it, I’m imagining she’d say: “Kiss my tushie mommy! Put that baby in the crib or get a red stiletto up your tushie!” [The stilettos are my sister's. Just seeing them makes my feet hurt!]

Yes, Avery is pushing it lately, and nearly about to push us (particularly me) over the edge. She’s vying for attention—and even a negative reaction from Dan or me counts as a successful attention-getting attempt (a throwback to Parenting 101). Gosh, we love this kid, but her response to Romey’s arrival has left us a little breathless. A newborn is easy; a toddler adjusting to becoming a sibling is not easy. Solution: Avery is going to grandma’s.

While dodging her sister’s attempt to tickle her or bat her head, Romey has managed to put on a little more weight. She’s 9 pounds, 13 ounces, and extending another half-inch. And, equally thrilling, Romey’s been sleeping well, including a five-hour stretch at night.

I will admit this has gotten easier—I do feel more rested, which helps immensely. I’m still craving some sort of routine, and wishing that getting out of the house didn’t feel so impossible. I guess in time both of these wish list items will resolve themselves. In the meantime it is hard to not feel so stuck. You’d think that would give me plenty of time to work on our thank-you notes, right? We’re a little behind in that department so forgive us for temporarily leaving so many of you un-thanked.

Happy belated New Year!