Snow Day Pleasures

We're stuck inside for a snow day, so no stroll this afternoon.

Instead, we're enjoying a nap, here and there.

And some perfect little tootsies.

"Really, mom, are all these pictures necessary?"

More Smiles and More Visitors!

We've been so fortunate to have visits from several friends over the last couple of weeks. An old friend from home, Miller, who now works just down the street from our building came over for lunch with Andrew and me last week. It was great to get to catch up with her! I forgot to get a picture of Miller and Andrew, so she'll have to come back soon!

Then 3 friends from my old job came for a lunchtime visit! Grace, Luisa, and Trevor were so sweet during my pregnancy, eagerly awaiting Baby Andrew's arrival, so it was such fun to intrduce them to him.

My friend from law school, Katie, who fortunately turned out also to be my next door neighbor at the firm for the last several months I was there came to visit us Friday! We had a great time!

And then we had a visit from another dear friend from law school, Amanda, on Sunday!

What a bounty of sweet friends!

We've been enjoying more smiles from our sweet baby boy, too!

Things are fun at the Family Snodgrass residence!

March for Life

Another day in DC, another political event for Andrew to attend. :) Today we went to the March for Life, held each year in response to the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. I've heard about it for years and am so glad to have been able to go this year.

Our little demonstrator, all set to go!

The kickoff rally for the March was held on the Mall, so I expected to walk a few blocks before seeing any indication of the event, but evidently I completely underestimated how many people would attend. As soon as I left our building, I was swept up in a group marching to the Mall. The sidewalks were full of people carrying signs and chanting and there we were, in the thick of it. It was definitely a new experience for me! The group below was calling out, "Yo Mama? Chose life! Obama: Choose life!"

This was one time in the city that nobody minded my pushing a stroller down the busy streets. In fact, Andrew was a bit of an attraction--everybody wanted a peek inside the carriage!

Jacob was even able to meet us over lunch.

The Mall was chock full of people, listening to various pro-life members of Congress speak. Several speakers made the point that advances in ultrasound technology are perhaps the greatest asset the pro-life movement currently has. As we have been able to see more clearly how babies develop in the womb, more people have come to realize that life begins at conception.

It was so inspirational to see all these people assembled in support of the cause about which I care most deeply. The signs that some people carried saying "I mourn my abortion" or "I regret lost fatherhood" were heartbreaking.

A woman after my own heart...

We were only able to stay for the rally, since Andrew needed to get home to eat, but we saw the beginnings of the March as we left the Mall. All the red and white you can see up the street in the picture below are marchers' signs. We were amazed--people as far as we could see!

I pray that President Obama and all members of Congress will hear the message these people tried to bring them today--the message of life.

Happy Birthday, Kimberly!

Jacob, Andrew, and I send all our happiest birthday wishes to you, Kimberly! You are a loving wife to Charles, a wonderful mother to Lily, and a fabulous sister-in-law to Jacob and me. Andrew is so lucky to have you as his aunt! Hope the coming year is full of further blessings and abundant happiness! Much love!

Andrew at One Month

Andrew turned one month old yesterday! Borrowing an idea from some blogging friends, I'm going to take a picture of Andrew each month on the same blanket and with the same stuffed elephant to see how he grows! Here's his official one month picture:

And here are a few cute faces I caught in the process!

My favorite...

This month, Andrew has spent his days doing lots of eating and sleeping, punctuated by a few hour-long awake times. He eats 9-10 times a day and makes 12-14 diapers, so he keeps Mommy and Daddy very busy! Speaking of diapers, he moved yesterday from the newborn diapers to Size 1's, and his silly mother got a bit emotional at the thought. He had his one-month checkup today. All that good eating has brought him to a weight of 9 pounds, 6 ounces and a length of 22 inches. The pediatrician says those measurements are in the 25th perecentile (which is where he was at birth too), but that he is thriving and growing right on schedule. He has learned to follow people and objects with his eyes and to *smile*, which made for the most rewarding parenting moment yet. As you can see from the blurred limbs in the pictures above, Andrew is quite the wiggle worm. And all his activity in the womb must have built up his muscles because he has very strong arms and legs and does a remarkable job holding up his head. He enjoys being swaddled up for bed, and loves to suck on his passy and do a karate-style exercise routine after he nurses. Andrew is a delightfully unfussy baby, usually only crying when he needs to communicate something to us. For those rare fussy moments, his Daddy has perfected a deep knee bend movement that instantly quiets and calms him--Jacob says it must create a feeling of weightlessness for the little one. Whatever the reason, it sure works well! We are so blessed to have our healthy, beautiful baby boy with us and cannot wait to see how he grows!

Andrew's Trip to the Inauguration

Jacob, Andrew, and I waited until the parade began and then scuttled outside to see President Obama go by. We couldn't get inside the gates anymore, since they were closed this morning when the crowds got too large, but our view from a block away sure beat waiting in the cold all night and day!

The Obamas got out of their car and walked the stretch where we were standing. We couldn't actually see them (just the news trucks and Secret Service), but there was no doubting when they were passing by. Lots of folks screaming and running down Pennsylvania Avenue! Andrew was snuggled in the sling and was happy as could be until about the time that the loud speakers blared, "Ladies and gentlemen, President Barack Obama!" He must have gotten a bit chilly, but he was just fine again, once I took my coat off and wrapped it around the sling. Good thing it was time to go anyway!

Reporting Live from the Inauguration...

...or at least, the surrounding area! Things started getting pretty crazy around here last night. People were just flooding the sidewalks. Then, the police blocked the streets off in the late evening and people poured in all night. I looked out the windows each time I got up to feed the baby and there was a very steady stream of people all bundled up for the cold and ready to stake out a place in line for admittance to the parade. This morning, the streets are very crowded in front of the Secret Service parade entrance checkpoints.

Here's the security checkpoint crowd right outside our building. All those little dots you can see through the braches on the left are people's hats. Lots and lots of folks.

And here's a look down our street, in the other direction. You can see the next Secret Service checkpoint in the distance. Standing in the crosswalk is a man selling Obama scarves who, for the last couple of hours has been yelling, "One dollar! One dollar! Everybody's got a dollar!"

I took the above picture before I started this blog post, but had to take an updated one before I could finish the post because the crowds had gotten even bigger!

It's getting louder by the minute, too. This is going to be a very strange kind of day!

Smileyface

Look who's learned to smile!!! He's been working on it for a week or so, but last night he broke out the big guns!




And this morning he was back at it, full force.

Sweet, happy baby!

This is so much fun!!!

The Baby in the Bathwater

Due to an everlasting umbilical cord stump, Andrew has been limited to sponge baths only. As we all know, those are a bit chilly and not very luxurious. Well, that stump finally let go this week and the little guy's life improved with the introduction of the real, honest to goodness bath!

He was a bit dubious at first.

But quickly warmed up to the idea!

And learned to lounge.

He loved being all towelled off and lotioned up afterward!

That's one clean, fuzzy-headed baby.

Who's all tuckered out!

Happy Anniversary, Jacob!

At just about this time, two years ago today, Jacob and I had just been married! What a very happy day!

Thank you, Jacob, for a wonderful two years of marriage. You are an amazing husband. You make me a better person and I am so thankful that God brought us together. You are a fabulous father already. Seeing the way you love Andrew makes me fall in love with you all over again. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together and see what else is in store! With you, every day is better.

Sew Excited!

My parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas this year and I am so anxious to learn how to sew and embroider with it! I finally had a chance to open up all the goodies yesterday and I can tell I'm in for a lengthy learning experience. That's a lot of buttons and gizmos, don't you think?Jacob's and my second anniversary is this Tuesday and, coincidentally, the second anniversary traditional gift is one of cotton. So...when Jacob asked what I might like for our anniversary, I suggested a fabric shopping trip. I think he thought this was a little strange, but he very sweetly took Andrew and me to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts yesterday afternoon. And look what I found!

Since I am as beginner as one can be in the world of sewing, I've decided my first project will be to sew two receiving blankets (made of *cotton* flannel, of course). Yes, I am going to sew nice, big squares. And I think that will be challenge enough for now!

The first will be baby blue stripes on one side and checks on the other, with blue satin binding.

The second will be yellow and blue dots on one side and yellow stripes on the other, with yellow satin binding.

I'll be getting started soon, but don't hold your breath for the "after" pictures--this may take a while!

Shark Attack

Look behind you, Andrew!!!

Stay-at-home Mommyhood

Today is the first day I really feel like a stay-at-home mommy. Part of it has to do with the fact that my Mama just left on Friday and Jacob returned to his regular work schedule today, so it's the first time I've been home alone with the baby all day long. But an even greater part of it has to do with the fact that I just found a glob of spit-up in my hair. And based on the matted-ness of the affected hair and the time at which I last burped the baby...it's been there a while.

It's a glamorous world--and I LOVE it. :)

Baby Likes To...

Baby likes to bounce in his play seat...


Sing Christmas carols...


Cuddle with Daddy at lunchtime...

And snuggle with Mommy at nighttime...

Look veeeeeerrrrrry serious...

Or a little bit mysterious...
Suck on his passy...
And be swaddled on the Snoogle.

But most of all, Baby likes to DANCE!