Happy new year!

We rang in the new year in Lexington, with Joe's sister Jeri and Calla's beloved cousin Josh. My gauge these days for the success of a visit is based on Calla's sleep pattern - did she or didn't she? And, I'm pleased to say that the visit was indeed a good one. We sat around, played games, ate well, and yes, slept straight through the night (2 out of 3 isn't too bad). And enjoyed being family, which is the best part.

Calla's love for her babies and their accoutrement has not dimmed - and in fact grew, thanks to the addition of a play bottle and sippy cup given to her by Josh and Jeri. She wakes up in the morning and one of her first words to me (after she's made sure I know she has a wet diaper) is "Baby?" So much for going back to bed with mom.


Joe and I will experience a "first" tonight - a non-family evening baby sitter. We're actually going out to dinner somewhere without a child and diaper bag. It seems like an easy job for this eager teenager from church since Calla will already be in bed before we leave. Except that I told that to Carrie when we were in DC and then to Jeri during her last visit... and both times Calla woke up an hour after we left. She never does that when we're home, but she must sense we've left the ranch. So we'll see how it goes tonight. I'm hoping we make it all the way through our dinner before the phone call comes. Maybe we should start with dessert.

Here's wishing you all a happy and healthy start to the new year. We're excited to see what 2009 brings for our family - and hoping that it brings some of you to Carbondale this year!