Home for the Holidays

It was our first Christmas as permanent Pittsburgh residents and what a great past two days we shared with family and friends. Christmas Eve was spent at Tom's Aunt Ellie and Uncle Tip's home, followed by Christmas day lunch with my family at our house, and Christmas day dinner at Tom's parent's home. Patrick was one exhausted baby after two days of over stimulation, but he does love his cousins.

(Note from Patrick: I got a red wagon from Santa. All I really wanted was a case of jarred bananas and some A&D ointment, but I guess this will be fun during our zoo trips too. Also, my parents are holding all my toys hostage in something they call "the toy box". I will free them from this toy prison...)

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Happy Birthday, Tom!

Tom turned #32 recently, but is still as sprite as a 30-year-old. Happy Birthday, honey! We celebrated with date night (glorious, uninterupted dinner) and ended the evening with cake at Tom's parent's house. I don't yet have the photo of the cake I made, but to heighten the suspense, it was golf themed complete with coconut green grass and a brown sugar sand trap.

Tis' the Season

Signs around the Pohl household that the Christmas season is upon us:

AND....


F-R-A-G-I-L-E-- I think that's French

At least SOMEONE seems to like my cooking

Patrick is NOT a picky eater- he will eat anything that is not nailed down as is apparent in these photos and video. He tried chicken for the first time lately, and shocker, he likes it.

Stranger Danger

Patrick's first visit with Santa was pretty uneventful. I knew the tears were going to come out, but the former agent in me is happy my child doesn't easily bond with strange men wearing polyester and a fake beard.

Say it, Don't Spray It

These days, a familiar sound is invading the silence: in the car, in the crib, on the changing table. It still makes me laugh even though I have heard it a million times.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Yesterday we headed out in search of our Christmas tree-the only artificial thing in our household this Christmas will be my new blond highlights. After a careful selection process, we picked a little guy that fits just right. Our only concern? The tree may not be big enough for Santa to find room for all of Patrick's presents.

I hope you are not too busy to enjoy first snows, the smell of a Christmas tree lot, the ice skating rink downtown, or a cup of coffee with a friend. Is 2009 really coming to a close?