Another One

Hanging Out

Aidan Smiling

Aidan loves to smile.

 

Getting Big

Aidan is getting big. He's 2.5 months old now!

Little Stinker....

This morning Ryan and I were talking and playing with little Aidan in our bed, when we saw a flash of pink trot by our bedroom door. We called out, "Ashley???" and she came running in to our room and said, "I want to get down." She then quickly ran away again. Needless to say, SHE JUMPED OUT HER CRIB and was having a free for all in the basement. For those of you that don't know, we are STILL living in my parent's basement. Say a prayer that she stays in her crib... I can't handle anymore sleep disturbances.

Sick

Everyone in the house is sick. Ashley has a fever. Couldn't tell by this picture.

Bouldering Trip

Kelly was gracious enough to allow me to go bouldering this past weekend with some friends. Good times.

House Updates

Kitchen cabinet installation started today. Laundry room remodel finished this weekend. Good stuff.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081208STLHouseUpdates

Picasa Add Name Tag Feature

I was playing around w/ the online Picasa add name tag functionality and was amazed at how it works. Somehow it is able to pickup and group facial characteristics and organize them into people and its remarkably accurate. Unbelievable.

My dad:


My mom:


Me:


Kelly:


Katie:


Tom:

Cookies

Kelly just made cookies and while she was in another room, Ashley pulled a chair up to the counter, climbed up and had herself a feast. I can't really fault her because it was pretty smart!

Small Car

Think we need a bigger car? Oye.

Driving Back Home

Less then an hour into a 9 hour drive. Going well so far!

Ice Skating and Carousel

TheStrausses.com enjoyed some fun activities with my family yesterday.

Ashley attempted ice skating for the first time. Here's a lesson for other dad's, watch your back. I'm hurting today after spending the entire time bending over trying to keep her on her feet. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of those walkers.

Ashley and Brennan rode a carousel w/ Uncle Mark and Popeye (Ashley's nickname for my dad).

Finally, we took some pictures of Ashley and Aidan sitting together on a couch. We caught a silly picture of Ashley almost 2 knuckles deep into poor little Aidan's ear. Pretty funny.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081129PhotoShootCarouselAndIceSkating

Aidan

 

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday. We had a good time in Ohio w/ a bunch of cousins. My parents house was basically a nursery with all of the kids!

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081127Thanksgiving

Playing

Katie and Aidan

51 Days Old

Changed

Silly

Dressing up with sissy.

Life with 2 kids

Seriously... what did I possibly do with my time before I had two kids? I used to at least be able to go to the bathroom by myself. It is a constant juggling act now. I am not lying when I say that the second I put Ashley down for her nap Aidan wakes up. I would not trade this time for the world. But, I am exhausted and just wonder if I will catch my breath any time soon.

Toothless Grin

One of these days I am going to capture my sweet little Aidan's toothless grin. It melts my heart. I believe that he has dimples!! Hopefully I will have a picture to post soon.

Fall Walk

Ashley and Caroline are heading out for a walk this evening. They look like twins!

 

Ashley and Aidan Strauss

I got back into STL late last night from CHI and was greeted on the fridge with this fantastic picture. So dang cute.

 

Playing in the Leaves

Here are some pics from a few days ago and then today out in the chilly fall day. Is this weather amazing or what? Love it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081108PlayingInLeaves

Voting + kids = difficult

How is a mother supposed to stand in an hour or so voting line with a newborn baby and toddler. I went to the DMV today to get a new liscence printed today and I was there for only 25 minutes and both kids were about to lose it. At about 2:00 I am going to attempt to vote. Should be interesting... very interesting..... I am somewhat scared.

Aidan Almost a Month Old

Our little boy is a day short of a month old. He's doing great. Weighs 9.5lbs (I think) and eats a bunch.

 

Hiking at Castlewood State Park

The temps this past weekend were ridiculous. It was 77 degrees w/ blue skies. How is this November?

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081101HikingAtCastlewoodStatePark

Halloween in St Louis

Halloween in St Louis is a great time. Everyone sits outside on their lawns w/ a fire going in those portable fire pits. The kids get candy and the adults get offered beers. I can get used to that.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081031HalloweenInSTL

Rams

At the game.

Penguins

At the game.

New Hardwood Floors

The second coat of polyurethane was applied today. We're going to be able to play basketball on this sucker.

 

Waking Up

Video Chat w/ Sissy

Sling

Aidan in the sling.

Weekend w/ My Parents

My parents (who Ashley call's Nani and Popeye) came into town this past weekend to help with the house and kids. We sanded, painted and spent some time w/ Ashley and Aidan. Good times!

http://picasaweb.google.com/mommastrauss/20081025StLouis

Morning

Aidan is actually always happy and barely cries but when he sleeps he looks angry.

Painting

Sue and Tom in STL

Aidan Napping

Ashley Sleeping

This is how little bear sleeps. So cute. (had to wake her up to pick up my mom and dad from airport)

New Babies In The Air

I'm not sure what is in the water but this past week my network of friends/family has seen 3 new babies enter the world.

One of my clients at work had a little baby girl this past Saturday. Ashleigh Grace Tate was born at 2:20am and weighed 5lbs, 10oz.

My boy Walker had a son this past Sunday. Jack Thomas Walker was born at 5:11am and weighed 7lbs, 11oz.

My cousin Chaz had a daughter just a few hours ago! Anna Louise Strauss was born at 11:17 AM and weighed 6lbs, 1oz. Here is a link to his site: http://letsgostrauss.blogspot.com.

Congratulations everyone! These are great times.

Garage Columns

Pre paint.

Jura

Oh my Jura. What would I do without you?

Hands down the best appliance in my house.

 

Night

Aidan is heading to bed. Night everyone!

House Remodel Update

Hot off the presses: pictures of our house remodel project. Pushing this bad boy forward, slowly but surely.

http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081017HouseUpdates

Start of new garage columns

Another pic from my phone.

Outside of house

Here is a pic from my phone of the outside of the house. We put up shutters and flower boxes this weekend in addition to starting on the new garage columns.

St Louis Pumpkin Patch

What better way to spend a sweltering 85 degree fall day? Why pretend like it's crisp and cool and visit the local pumpkin patch!

Here are some pictures from the day: http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20081012StLouisPumpkinPatch.

Zoo

Small Person

Crazy.

Lunch

Ashley and daddy are having lunch together.

Finally Home

We are all safe and sound and back from hospital.