March 2009

Mom and Dad are busy, so they let me write this month's report. March was exciting. Pawpaw came in from Pennsylvania and we had a great time playing. He's a good cook, too. Thanks, Pawpaw. While he was here the water utility sent a backhoe to dig up our front yard. Wow, a real live backhoe! Then, the weather turned warm and Mom and Dad let me pick up sticks while we went for a hike at the Overland Park Arboretum. Last weekend, we got hit with 6 inches of heavy, wet snow, so I helped shovel the driveway. Dad is worried that the snow will ruin the many blooming plants we usually see in our yard, but I don't think so.

I just turned 15 months old and am already starting to look just like my daddy--short. I'm glad Mom and Dad are finally starting to understand some of the things I say. I've been talking to them for months, but sometimes they just don't listen. I love to say hi to all of the customers when Momma takes me to the bagel shop. And now that I've learned how to say Dad's name, sometimes I wander around the house calling him. I love to give hugs--even to Virginia, but sometimes she runs away before I can catch her.

Enjoy the new photos and videos posted on the sidebar.

-Andersen (and Marshall and Aimee, too)

February 2009

Not much to report this month. We told you that Andy began walking in January, and so February contained many new discoveries for him. We ended the month with a 6 inch snowfall, which Andy enjoyed immensely. Be sure to check out the videos of Andy dancing the mambo, along with many other pics and videos on the sidebar.

-Marshall and Aimee

Finally Walking!

January 2009

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

Yes, that's a potty ring. And yes, it's clean.

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

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