HAPPY

Though this was not taken exactly on Rich's 35th birthday, it was very close to it, and just shows what a wonderful relationship the two have together.  Rich watches Quinn two days a week and they have such fun together!  I can tell because when I get home both of them look tired but happy.  They play, and sing, and talk, and do household chores and tummy time, and much more.  Rich will call me during the day to get/give an update and I can hear Quinn squealing or babbling in the background.  Rich will also send me  pictures of him when they're on their daily walk together and Quinn always has a big, wide smile similar to the one in this picture.  Sometimes he will even send me pictures of Quinn's poop.  Yes, poop.  You see, Quinn had a problem with pooping in the beginning and so I get very excited about the poop .  Rich, amused by my weirdness, will send me a picture from time to time of an especially big poop so I can relish in my baby's awesome digestive abilities!!  What a good man I have.  And a productive little pooper!  Life is great.

Happy Christmas Baby

The attached picture is illustrative of how comfortable things were over Christmas.  Sometimes Quinn and I would just crash together right there on the couch.  As I recall, this nap was about 30 minutes long and felt soooo good.  I love his warm body cradled in mine.  Mmmm....motherhood.

Christmas with the Caseys

As you can see, I really was blogsausted from viewing the awesome entries of The Creeping Kid as it has taken me nearly an additional month to add this blog about Christmas with the Caseys that I have been meaning to since, well, Christmas with the Caseys!  Christien encouraged me to continue on, reminding me that it is not nearly as daunting as I might think as long as I just get it going.  Christmas with the Caseys was, in a word, wonderful.  Rich's parents Rick and Eileen Casey (hereafter known as Nana and Gramps) spent a week with us here in Denver to celebrate Quinn's first Christmas.  If you haven't met them yet, there are a few things you should know about them.  First, they are probably the kindest, most generous and loving people on the planet.  Both native Massachuseans (sp?), they deliver on those preconceived notions of New Englanders in that they are wicked smart (Nana went to law school for some time at Vanderbilt and Gramps is an MIT genius), wicked hip (staunch Democrats who are up on every current issue) and wicked charming (you should hear Nana's accent especially--all you want to do is pahk that cah with her all over the Havahd yahd!).  The one stereotype that they do not embody is the reserved, unapproachable, aloof New Englander.  No way.  These people are fun, sweet and open with great senses of humor! 

So we were really fortunate to have Nana and Gramps here to celebrate Quinn's first visit from the jolly fat man.  As you can see from the picture above, they cuddled Quinn and loved on him like only grandparents can do.  They gave Rich and me much needed naps and prepared delicious meals so we could relax and spend the days just enjoying ourselves.   Even though our place is notoriously close quarters (our Christmas tree was a 1-foot high $4.99 plastic dealio that sat atop an end table) it just felt cozy and warm with everyone gathered together.  We even have a videotape of Nana and Gramps singing The Mighty Quinn along with Phish in the background.  Good times!  It really was a wonderful time and I can't wait to introduce Quinn to summers at the beach on Cape Cod. 

Nana and Gramps:  you were so good to us in every way.  Thank you.  We love you. xo