As you can see above, the big news from us this month is that Andy is finally walking. It was almost 3 months ago that he took his first couple of steps, but he just wasn’t enamored with walking; he was quite content to keep doing his cute crab-crawl. Now, if you turn your attention for a second, he can be off to another room and out of sight. It is becoming clear that he and “Ninna” (his improved name for our dog, Virginia) will be best friends someday, and up to all sorts of mischief. Andy loves to share stuff. Besides offering every bit of his food and most of his toys to Virginia, he’ll also offer you his half-chewed bagel and his slimy binky, most of the time shoving it into your mouth before you can object. He doesn’t speak much still, though you can tell that sometimes what he has to say is very very important. His favorite time of the day—and ours, consequently—is late evening after he puts on his PJ’s. Andy supercharges his cuteness and puts on big smiles as he scurries around making sounds like a chimpanzee. It is great fun for all of us.
The month was another bitter cold one, though we didn’t have much snow. Marshall was fortunate to escape to southern California for his Journey retreat with the Leadership Institute. Aimee was not so lucky this time, but she plans to join Marshall on the next one, in April. Hopefully the trails will be free of snow then (see photos on sidebar), as we hope to do some hiking. Incidentally, Marshall’s reconstructed foot is holding up very well—praise God!
-Marshall and Aimee
Happy New Year!
The month of December was eventful and exhausting as expected. Andy enjoyed the hub-bub of an Andersen family Christmas, as all of Aimee’s family descended on KC for the week. We did manage to capture a few moments alone as a family simply to be together in peace and quiet and thank God for our many blessings.
It was one of the coldest months we’ve ever known, and in fact we went to Arrowhead to see the Chiefs lose another on what was the 2nd coldest day in Chiefs history. Surviving the cold was more of an achievement than the Chiefs could claim this year.
Andy turned one on December 29 and benefited from not one but two birthday cakes: one with Aimee’s family just before Christmas and one with just mom and dad on his actual day. He still doesn’t think he can walk on his own (we think he can if he would just try!). And it appears that his first word besides momma, dada, and “inna” (Virginia) is “eye”. He likes to touch momma’s eyes when she’s giving him a bottle and we’ve been talking all about facial features. Other than that, grunting and pointing seems to work for most things.
We pray that 2009 has greeted you with happiness and joy.
Blessings to you,
Marshall and Aimee
It was one of the coldest months we’ve ever known, and in fact we went to Arrowhead to see the Chiefs lose another on what was the 2nd coldest day in Chiefs history. Surviving the cold was more of an achievement than the Chiefs could claim this year.
Andy turned one on December 29 and benefited from not one but two birthday cakes: one with Aimee’s family just before Christmas and one with just mom and dad on his actual day. He still doesn’t think he can walk on his own (we think he can if he would just try!). And it appears that his first word besides momma, dada, and “inna” (Virginia) is “eye”. He likes to touch momma’s eyes when she’s giving him a bottle and we’ve been talking all about facial features. Other than that, grunting and pointing seems to work for most things.
We pray that 2009 has greeted you with happiness and joy.
Blessings to you,
Marshall and Aimee
Merry Christmas!
The month of November was a busy one. Early in the month, the three of us went to Chicago so Aimee could attend a conference there. We played with the Kinney’s for a few days beforehand. Then Marshall had babysitting duties while Aimee learned about the basics of health law. Each day was very exciting for Andy as there was so much to see and do, but he was well tired of Dad and very excited to see Mom by the end of each day (see video below if you haven't already; it is very cute.) The day before this video, Andy and Dad were in the hotel room when Mom came ‘home’. Andy was so excited; he took his first couple of steps. And hardly a step since—yep, he still is mostly content to just move along furniture or do his crab crawl.
Not long after Chicago came perhaps the highlight of the month—a visit by Andy’s Mommom (Marshall’s mom, Carol). Mommom came in from Pennsylvania and brought Andy’s first Christmas and birthday gifts. Mommom and Andy had a blast playing and going on walks together.
Then of course came Thanksgiving, and we had much for which to give thanks this year. It has been a tough year in a lot of respects, but 2008 will forever be precious in our memory as the year we began learning how to be parents. Andy has brought so much joy to us.
During this Advent season, we are reminded of a year ago when we lived in anticipation of Andy’s arrival into the world. We were excited, yes, but we had no idea how much this child would change our lives for the better and how much joy he would bring. May you experience the same joy this season as you anticipate the celebration of Jesus coming into the world.
Blessings to you,
Marshall and Aimee
Not long after Chicago came perhaps the highlight of the month—a visit by Andy’s Mommom (Marshall’s mom, Carol). Mommom came in from Pennsylvania and brought Andy’s first Christmas and birthday gifts. Mommom and Andy had a blast playing and going on walks together.
Then of course came Thanksgiving, and we had much for which to give thanks this year. It has been a tough year in a lot of respects, but 2008 will forever be precious in our memory as the year we began learning how to be parents. Andy has brought so much joy to us.
During this Advent season, we are reminded of a year ago when we lived in anticipation of Andy’s arrival into the world. We were excited, yes, but we had no idea how much this child would change our lives for the better and how much joy he would bring. May you experience the same joy this season as you anticipate the celebration of Jesus coming into the world.
Blessings to you,
Marshall and Aimee
BIG KISS FOR MOM!
Marshall and Aimee and Andy went to Chicago so Aimee could attend a conference, and at the end of a long day with Dad, Andy was REALLY happy to see Mom. That noise is the sound of Andy blowing zerberts on Mom's face.
October 2008
October began with the long-awaited chaos of asbestos removal from our basement. Our contractor was delayed until now by the surge of work created for him by buildings flooded earlier this year throughout the upper Midwest.
In the midst of that, Aimee and Marshall celebrated their 5th anniversary (already!). Marshall then flew to California for the beginning of his two-year Journey program with the Leadership Institute. It is a program that teaches the integration of personal spiritual formation and ministry leadership skills. The setting is a beautiful spot across the ridge from Palm Springs and very near the Pacific Crest Trail. During some free time, Marshall scrambled up to the PCT and enjoyed long vistas both east and west from the ridge. (One photo can be seen in this month’s pics on the sidebar.) Praise God that he can even do this one year after the foot surgery.
October also marked the beginning of a fast for Marshall. It became clear to him that he was not the only one experiencing stress and angst from the supercharged political atmosphere that exists right now. He felt the call to fast from political news and spend time instead fixed in prayer for others similarly affected and for our country.
Thoughts from Aimee about being a mom...
People often ask, “So how’s work.” And I respond something like, “It’s fine. But let me tell you about Andy.” It’s not that I don’t like work; I have a great job that I find interesting. It’s just that Andy is so much more fun. Nobody really wants to hear about the complicated estate plan I drafted or how I completed the due diligence for the sale of business (you’re already half-asleep, aren’t you?). It’s so much more fun to talk about the cute things Andy is doing. I really do love being a mom. It’s totally different than I expected and way more fun. It’s changed the whole way I see things. Now I cry at cheesy email forwards about babies. I can’t watch news stories about lost children. And I’ve become aware of a strong sense that if anything or anyone threatened my baby, I’d have to take them out. (It’s the same thing that makes mama bears so dangerous.)
Which brings me to a prayer request: my good friend and work companion is pregnant and her baby may be very sick. Please pray for Sarah, Brian and baby Boston if you think of it. You can check out their story at their blog: http://www.babybostonsmarathon.blogspot.com/.
Fun stuff about Andy
- He’s become attached to his blankie and keeps it tucked under his arm while sleeping.
- He’s become friends with Henry, another baby at Suzanne’s house, and enjoys making Henry laugh.
- Repeats sounds. Mom even thinks he said “brush” after she pointed it out.
- Very talkative and curious. Loves to play in the cereal drawer.
- Giggles and laughs a lot (as you can see in this month’s videos).
- 7th tooth came in on the bottom. Number 8 is close behind.
- He loves to put his binkie in mom’s mouth at bedtime, and he’s good at sharing his toys and food. It’s very funny to hold his toys to dad’s mouth and watch dad pretend to eat them.
- Andy and dad have lots of fun together on Mondays. They visit mom at the office for lunch, go to the grocery store and play with Virginia in the back yard.
- Anytime he hears music—or any repetitive sound with a beat—he starts to dance by shaking his torso and moving one arm. He apparently got his dance moves from his dad.
- He’s figured out how to put his toy frog in its tube and push the button to get it back again. We tried to get this on video to demonstrate, but were not successful.
Enjoy the new giggling video posted below!
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