Happy 6-Month Birthday!

Patrick turned 6 months old today, which means Tom and I have made it 6 months as parents. Patrick celebrated with a trip to Home Depot with Daddy. Luckily, it is looking like Patrick inherited the Pohl genes when it comes to athleticism and coordination because he has already been doing pretty well at sitting on his own. We still have lots of tip overs (as captured in the last photo), but he is learning. We cannot wait to see what this guy weighs in at during his 6 month check-up on Wednesday.

P.S. The mohawk is sadly and slowly disappearing this week.

Christmas Came Early

The day after Thanksgiving, four of my six nephews and my lone niece converged on our house for an early Christmas present exchange. My brother Dave, his wife Ally, and my nephew Chase and niece Kate all live outside of D.C. and don't make it up to Pittsburgh very often. As a result, the kids always exchange and open the Christmas gifts they got for each other the day after Thanksgiving while their family is in town. Patrick was the new novelty this year and loved all the attention, especially from his cousin Kate who helped feed him a bottle and helped change a wet diaper! Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Leyden were there, along with Aunt Karen, Uncle Damon, and cousins Nathan and Jack.

Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family and friends!

I am thankful for so much that I won't even attempt to begin to list each thing here, but I will say that I have the worldest greatest husband and I am grateful for all that he does for our family.

Now eat a lot of turkey and take a long nap.

Who Doesn't Love a Parade?

This past Saturday, Tom, Patrick and I strolled down the street to the Aspinwall Thanksgiving/Christmas parade. Tom is a volunteer firefighter for Fox Chapel and was beaming with pride as the Fox Chapel Fire Department rolled past. One might think nothing could top fireman throwing free candy to the crowd, but then behold, the "4 for $2.00" pierogie sign. As you can tell by the look on my face, it was the perfect ending to Patrick's first parade experience.

Not Everyone Can Handle Fame

Luckily, Tom and I are two pretty grounded people and have been coping well with our new found celebrity. Apparently someone had not tipped off the photographer that Tom and I were only mingling with Mississippi high society due to the generosity of my former boss who provided us with two free tickets to the Madison County Foundation Gala. It was one of our last events in Mississippi and we found out recently that we had made the society pages.

Tips for Safe Driving this Holiday Season

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, the Pohl household would like to present these brief but important driving tips:


Never drive angry (note Patrick's cheerful attitude as he approaches the wheel).




Using BOTH hands, securely grasp wheel to maintain firm control of the vehicle.





ALWAYS use a hands free device if operating a cellular phone.

SAFE TRAVELS !

Happy Birthday, Friend

On Halloween, Patrick and I were lucky enough to get to celebrate an early birthday for my dear friend Gretchen. No celebration would be complete without some PF Changs and a stop at the mall- birthdays are glorious in your thirties. Happy Birthday Gretch!
Love, Carol

Ladies and Gentlemen, the World's Cutest Lion Cub

Patrick's first Halloween was a success- he was officially, hands down, the cutest child EVER (or at least so say the lion tamers). At 5 months old, costume selection is limited to a few predictable characters, but I think Tom and I did a pretty good job accessorizing Patrick's costume. Luckily, our little cub was not too wild that night.

Blessed

On October 11th, Patrick Joseph Pohl was baptized at Saint Scholastica Catholic Church in Aspinwall, PA before family, friends, and God. It was an amazing day! As the priest anointed Patrick's head with oil, he leaned in and said with a smile, "This should help with the hair". Anyone who has seen Patrick's mohawk should understand the joke...

Thanks to our parents for all they have done for us and for their grandson in preparing for that day, and thanks to Elizabeth and Matthew Morrison for agreeing to be Patrick's godparents (and driving the whole way from North Carolina). Also thanks to all of our relatives who drove from neighboring cities and states, our friends who pitched in, and Pat Hart, for whom Patrick was named, who made the trek from Erie, PA.

Pat Hart with Patrick



Good to see old friends- Lydia, Sarah and Gretchen

Grandpa Leyden

Uncle Mike and Aunt Liz



Grampy, Pat Hart, and Baba

Grandma Jeanne

The godparents, Elizabeth and Matthew Morrison