figuring out fletcher (and learning about leigh)

Fletcher's Birthday: Cali & Disneyland

2011-05-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

For Fletcher's birthday & spring break

we went to California to visit the Sythoffs.

Nathan & Fin We (Wes' brother and his son)

were there too.

Playing with the trains on the floor.

Their favorite thing to fight over.

Fletcher's party: we invited Wes' cousins

and their kids over.

Here they all are, looking like Sythoffs.

And Leigh is the only girl!!

Happy Birthday!

Can you believe it's been 5 years??!!

Cupcakes (from Sam's Club) and vanilla ice cream.

"A-keet" is how Leigh says ice-cream.

Disneyland!

We took Jamie (Wes' sister) and Fin We.

I will only complain once:

We went during spring break- bad idea.

We rode 10 rides in 12 hours. Bleh.

Trying to decide which line to stand in first.

Oops, I just complained again...

Getting ready for Autopia!

This ride was first introduced in 1955.

On the Autopia ride with daddy.

Standing in line for the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

He closed his eyes very tightly during most of the rides.

When we got off, he would say, "Let's go again!"

"Nope!" we would say.

Not waiting in that line again.

Astro Orbiter ride. The smiles are priceless.

Aboard the Mark Twain Steamboat.

The only ride we didn't have to wait

in line for! Woo-hoo!

Sitting aboard the Disneyland Railroad.

When we first arrived at the park,

we couldn't get close enough to take a picture.

So we took one on the way out.

At 9 PM. So exhausting.

Proof of exhaustion.

Fin & Fletch asleep against Jamie in the back seat.

We flew Jet Blue.

Ah, to fly without kids again.

T'would be a dream.

We did enjoy the screens on the back of each chair,

and unlimited snacks!

Videos!

2011-05-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

A long-lost post!

One of us (Wes or Sara) started this post but never completed it.

These are for Grandma and Grandpa in California, mostly.

But I suppose you can all enjoy...

These videos are from January of this year.

Posting these, now in May, it's crazy how much Leigh has grown.

We have a video of Fletch at 8 months in this chair,

spinning and making the EXACT same noises.

Watch closely: in this last video Fletcher picks his nose (and eats it) at the very end.

February and March Pictures!

2011-04-28T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hello, everyone! Sorry for our long delays.

Here's what we've done in the last three months:

- Agreed to buy a house from some dear friends

- Found someone to sub-let our apartment

- Packed and moved out of our apartment

- Moved into my dad's house with him for 6 weeks

- Finalized the contract on the house

-Vacation to California for a week

- Moved out of dad's house, and into our new house

Whew!

In the meantime, we took some photos and tried to live normally. Ha!

Snow day!

In the midst of packing, we got out our sand toys
(hey, we live in Texas!) and played for a while.
No school for Fletcher and no work for Wes.

At my dad's with cousin, Natalie.

Natalie is 8 months younger than Fletcher,

and Leigh loves to play with her.

Leigh in my dad's garage.

The weather became warm while we were

living with my dad, and I had to bring out the hat

to protect that little bald head.

"Helping" Grand-daddy trim the bushes.

Gosh...

2011-01-25T19:36:00.000-08:00

it's been a while. Lots of pictures to share. Lots of news. We're buying a house, which is cool and also very stressful. Anyone want to sublet our apartment? heh-heh.

Fletcher is really enjoying school although I don't think his teacher always shares the sentiment. The child is relentless. She, Mrs. Touchstone, does a wonderful job, though. I really can't fathom how a person can talk to a dozen 4-year-olds, all day, every day, for over 25 years. Remarkable.

Leigh has become an alternatingly sweet and ornery little monkey. Loves to read, demand food, cuddle, and demand more food. Then she decides she doesn't like to eat food. But then she says "Hi, Dada!" with a really cute smile and you forget that you were just about to start banging your head against a wall.

I'm still doing the writing thing for the workforce board, but now also proofread and edit a graduate student's (and friend's) work, and am about to have my first book published: WonderDads Austin (shameless plug; you can order it here: http://www.wonderdads.com/activityguides.asp).

Sara has been doing a lot of painting and house fixer-upping lately, as well as watching a friend's baby (little Zoe, pictures later). She also has the unenviable task of dealing with little Baby Leigh for most of the hours of most of the days of the week. The sweet lass still has time to whip up delicious soups, salads, and smoothies for everyone, if you can believe it.

The holidays were a bittersweet time for us due to Sara's mother's passing last year; thanks for the thoughts and prayers that many of you sent our way. Fletcher really got into the spirit this year, and we continue to really enjoy having Sara's family and some really close friends around. So that made the holidays sweet.

Happy New Year to all of you and please enjoy these pics from the last few months - it's going to be an exciting 2011.

No face-painting for Fletch - you can't fit a road on your face.

These two can cause some trouble.

Here's baby Zoe (Leigh says "Zho-Zho") telling Leigh what's up.

At our first parade - the day after Thanksgiving. Cold but fun.

Zho-Zho's parents, Ruben and Melissa, joined us at the parade - they're good peeps.

Sweet bald baby holding plastic bald baby.

Christmas Day with cousins (someone looks a little excited).

This photo doesn't capture the rapture Fletch was experiencing at this moment.

The man is a sucker for a Hot Wheels play set.

I couldn't choose which of these to share so I chose them all.

Then and Now: Fletcher & Leigh

2010-10-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Fletcher at 11 months.

Both love books.

Leigh says "pkssss" for "books."

Fletcher at 10 months.

Both sleep like weirdos.

"Cletus" at 13 months.

We named our second baby Cletus #2.

Fletcher at 11 months.

I wonder if we've gotten better or worse at taking pictures... :)

Fletcher at 17 months.

September & October

2010-10-10T18:32:00.000-07:00

Fletcher's First Day of School! (Pre-K)

He's really enjoying it- loves his friends, teachers, and Spanish class.

It was bittersweet to see him go off on his own-

he needs the activity, that's for sure!

Long video, but cute.

Leigh walking, and (at the end) saying "baby."

Also, Fletcher being a little bit of a bully.

Our 10th Anniversary was on October 3rd.

Here are Sara's LESS THAN A DOZEN roses

(since we haven't been married 12 years; only 10)...

Sitting on daddy during the first Packer's game this year.

Laying around, trying to get as much morning nap in as possible.

Tortilla-head!

August Pictures

2010-08-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Playing in her bouncy gym,

which we purchased at a resale shop.

She doesn't like it very much...

"Cruising" around the living room.

She lets go for a few minutes to balance,

but no independent steps taken yet!

Ummmm... that's not yours...

Fletcher took this picture.

He calls it his "rockin' legs."

Wes and Fletcher made "Apple Smiles."

Peanut butter, apple slices & tiny marshmallows.

Leigh on the recliner.

Summer Smiles

2010-07-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

We've got a lot of goofy smiles in this family.

Leigh is late for a workout video shoot. Fletcher has to pee, and is trying not to laugh.

Leigh just farted.

Sara's dad finds Leigh's "Friar Tuck" hairdo right hilarious.

Fletcher thinks he's posing for a bicycle store ad.

I'm clearly finding LeBron's playoff meltdown very intriguing. Leigh finds nothing amusing about that confounding wooden man.

Leigh learns to clap. The rest of us assuredly grin like idiots.

Sometimes I think about letting a python loose in the apartment...is that wrong?

2010-05-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hi there, cyberfriends.

Things are going reasonably well...we're about to enter the dog-days of summer. Fletcher will start school in August (!!!) and that's something to look forward to.

As fellow parents can attest, simply getting through the day without having a nervous breakdown or wringing a four-year-old neck can usually be considered a good one.

Leigh is very cute but also very, very clingy to mommy and exceedingly shy and sensitive. She can make life hell but she also makes it sweet...I guess that's about the summation of the parent experience.

Enjoy some pics.

Fletcher's train (on the magna-doodle). I can't count the number of trains Sara and I have had to draw for him over the last year...at least he's starting to chip in his fair share.

"Eating" a Ritz cracker (most of the cracker ends up in soggy chunks all over the floor).

"Can't a girl get some privacy?"

This is the closest she will get to making out with a guy until she's 30.

Happy birthday to Fletch! He deserved that cupcake after getting shots on his birthday. Poor kid. He did great though, considering. We had a full-on party along with his cousin later that week, complete with race-car cake (and toxic-dyed frosting...they actually dyed the frosting black in some places...I just don't get it).

We start drinking early in this household...Actually, I think she likes the feel of the cold glass on her gums. I had to give up holding a beer while I hold her because she can be very insistent. Really, babies are insane with the amount of trust they have for their parents..."I'm going to lunge for this hard glass bottle while suspended five feet above the ground by only my dad's weakling arm!" Silly.

The black and white ring on her arm was one of Fletcher's favorites when he was wee as well. It's now lost.

Camera full! Must blog!

2010-03-21T20:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings, friends!

The camera had almost 100 photos & films on it,

so I felt I should relieve its burden.

I write to you on the eve of Fletcher's 4th birthday.

I guess this time, 4 years ago, we were scrambling to assemble

the crib & finish the nursery.

That morning we were at the hospital and had been sent home,

so we knew he was coming soon!

With every milestone or anniversary this

year comes a bittersweet emotion.

Happy to celebrate an occasion within our growing family,

but sad that it's the first of many

without our dear mother & Grammy.

And so, on the eve of the anniversary of

my own initiation into motherhood,

I am missing my mother terribly.

I am proud to say that I wish to grow more like her.

And now, some happy pictures of kids!

Can't stay sad with these crazies!

Leigh's Lamb

Stephan, Eisley & Weston on our Dallas trip in January.

It was good to see you guys!

We'll have to come visit you in Florida. :(

An outfit that Grandma (Wes' mom) gave her.

I'm sure she'll want a copy of this one!

The two babes.

Let me just say that a 4 year-old thinks

the rules are rewritten every day.

So, today he can climb on the crib,

whereas yesterday it was not allowed.

I've taken to blaming Wes: "Daddy doesn't want you to do that."

Leeeaaaaning...

Such trust.

Fletcher & Irene.

Awwww... Irene started it...

Her first rice cereal.

Yummmm!!

Play-doh creations by Fletcher.

This is our family, from left:

Baby Leigh (wrapped in a pink blanket),

Fletcher, Daddy, Mommy.

Lauren with Leigh on our balcony.

She's started to discover her feet.

One thing about her: she discovers things, then moves on.

Fletcher would accumulate discoveries

and incorporate them into his day.

Leigh masters something, then doesn't

do it again for a week or more.

Mister Jelly-Face.

Clean girl.

Playing on the bed.

Fletcher took a picture of us.

Loves the booster chair.

She can't sit on her own, but she does well

if she's strapped in and has the tray in front of her.

Retro Fletch!

2010-02-24T19:05:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone!

I'm having panic attacks that myspace and facebook are going

to suddenly disappear off the face of the web, along with

priceless photos, videos, and materials with which to blackmail people.

Therefore, I've put some pictures onto our external hard-drive

and decided to share a few with you!

More of Leigh! (oh, and Fletcher...)

2010-01-28T18:55:00.000-08:00

Is it wrong that we're taking more pictures of Leigh

than of Fletcher these days?

Because the blog is named after him, I really need to include all the

pictures that I've taken of this little silly-head.

Today, Fletcher and I played a matching card game.

Usually I pair up half the deck and we play with it,

but today he wanted the whole deck.

He did well, although he can be a poor sport sometimes.

But he is only three...

Lots of smiles and laughter lately. Sweet girl.

Play gym that she got for Christmas.

Apparently, it's Fletcher's toy too.

She's gaining more hand control. It's a milestone.

It's like trying to accomplish something

while you're looking in the mirror.

Things seem backwards and it's hard to

make your hands do what you want them to.

Anyone else have that problem? Anyone?

Another milestone: putting hands together.

You'd think this would be so easy, but infants have no control over their

hands for the first few months.

This photo was taken this past evening.

Grrrrand-daddy!

And some silly toys that Wes bought her to go on her wrists.

She ignores them.

Okay, this is what she does when she should be sleeping,

but she wants to look around and be awake.

It's very annoying. But very cute. But very annoying.

This is her "ooooo" face.

She sounds like a quiet monkey, "Ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo."

My Mom (aka: "Grammy")

2010-01-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

Hi, friends. As some of you know, my mom (Fletcher & Leigh's "Grammy") passed away on December 12th.

She was diagnosed with stage 4, non-hodgkins lymphoma in August. The cancer was very aggressive, and it didn't help that her kidneys were functioning very poorly from the start. She was in a lot of pain throughout the entire illness.

We moved her to Hospice's Christopher House, here in Austin, on December 6th. She was very comfortable in her last days. Hospice is awesome.

The family saw her interred on new year's eve at Texas State Veteran's Cemetery in Killeen.

Grammy loved all her grandchildren so much! We are lucky that she got to meet Leigh before she passed.

"Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling into at night." Edna St. Vincent Millay

Love to you all! May 2010 be a better year!

Christmas in California!

2010-01-02T19:26:00.000-08:00

Here we are in California. Sara hasn't visited since Christmas 2007,

and it was a very nice vacation indeed!

Adam, Fletcher, Wes & Fisher setting up train tracks.

Fisher & Co.

He's so cute, everyone else in the picture is an "extra."

Gifts from Grandma.

He really loves this school bus- plays with it every day.

Dawasi is 9 this year.

I swear, these boys are getting so big and handsome.

It's hard to believe they're not teenagers yet.

Pearce is 10 this year.

Jamie & Pearce.

Eric is 8 this year.

Pictures of Leigh

2010-01-02T15:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone!

Here are some recent pictures of Leigh- growing every day.

We've been having issues with her acid reflux, and she's now taking

Prevacid twice a day. What a relief!

Where she used to fuss and cry when she wasn't eating or sleeping,

now she coos and plays.

And we were going through a burp rag every hour (lots of spitting up).

She's now 11 1/2 weeks, and almost 14 lbs!

Chubbers!!!

Eating her hand whilst wearing her "candy cane" outfit,

as Wes likes to call it.

We got to go to California for Christmas- yay!

Grandma & Grandpa with the latest grandchild.

Too bad her big head is in front of Grandma's face!

Adam, Fisher, Leigh & Yoko.

Fisher is 1 1/2 now and sooooo cute.

Baby Leigh with Auntie Sissy.

Daddy with his girl.

Wiggling whilst watching her mobile (hence the blurry foot).

Shirt by H&M, pants by Circo

(Christmas presents from Jamie & Yoko)

So it goes

2009-11-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

Hi there. We're still alive.

Leigh is healthy, very alert, and still kind of ugly.

Fletcher is riding a constant roller-coaster of emotions, sending Sara and I into alternating bouts of frustration and affection.

Here's the photographic evidence.

Leigh's first bath...

When he's finished holding her, he just kind of pushes her off his lap...

Sara and I must remain on our toes.

I took Fletch to the Austin Zoo one day to give Sara and Leigh a break. Aside from feeding various goats and llamas, the highlight for Fletcher was the property's resident tabby-cat...

we must have followed that thing around for hours...

as I asked "You know there are tigers and lions here, too, right?"

One of the sweet times.

She's lost much of her hair, and it looks like her eyes are going to be brown like mine and Fletch's. No Sorrels-blue, sadly.

One of her first little smiles -

though at this point they say all facial expressions are just reflexes in response to gas.

Our chubby little bunny.

The Meet

2009-10-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Fletcher and Leigh's first meeting..."She's so soft..."

He sniffed her a lot.

Daddy and his kiddos.

Wow, she's actually kind of cute in this one.

Fletcher enjoyed his visit with his sister...he's going to be a good big brother (positive thinking).

She's here...

2009-10-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

Leigh Abigail joined the family at 12:31am this morning. She and Sara are both doing well. Like her brother, she has a good amount of dark black hair (which according to our doctor is "linked" to Sara's frequent heartburn).

Speaking of heartburn, there was a while there where Sara was complaining more about the reflux then the labor. But that didn't last long...

I'm getting ready to go pick up Fletcher from John and Patty's (thanks guys), and will likely post some photos of their first meeting. Until then...

Random Acts of Art

2009-09-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of
Fletcher's handiworks:

Balancing robots (a gift from Amy for his birthday).
See! We told you he would play with them eventually!

This is a caterpillar. Just so ya know.
Except, Fletcher pronounces it "calepitter."

Long-lost truck.
We lose toys in the house,
then find them again much later
under the bed, stove, wherever.
Actually, sometimes I put toys away in a closet
and bring them out on "difficult" days.
It's like they're brand new all over again.

"Coin" Crop Circles:
The best description I can give for these works of art.
I don't know what inspired him to create these.
Unfortunately, our change jar was stolen
(see next blog post) so he can't
create these anymore.

End of Summer...

2009-09-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, all!
As summer comes to a close, we're looking forward to cooler weather,
lower electric bills, and OF COURSE the birth of our baby girl!
We're due around October 17th.

Here in Austin, we haven't had a summer this hot
since the 1950's. And we're in a drought.
And of course, this is the summer that Sara was pregnant.
Yay.

Some events this summer:

- Fletcher has been partially potty-trained.
We had a potty party for him in July and he now
only wears diapers at night.
Still no poop in the potty, despite our tempting
promises of new toys once he does.

- Sara's job came to an end the middle of July.
The furniture store closed, with a plan of relocating
eventually. In the meantime, it's good practice for
the stay-at-home-mom thing. Bleh.

- Our apartment was broken into the end of July.
Two laptops, an external hard-drive, some jewelry,
and our change jar will never be seen again.
Two words: RENTERS' INSURANCE!!
It came in very handy.
Once again, our pictures are gone-
because they were on the external hard-drive.

Here are a few pictures from other events of the summer:

At "Willie's Place," a truck stop in Carl's Corner, TX.
First truck stop to offer the biodiesel fuel marketed by Willie Nelson.
These bull-frogs are supposed to be dancing...
Fletcher was not a fan.
He's crying in this picture.

Cousin Amber (Mary's baby) & Fletcher.
She's the best baby ever.
Sara & Fletcher went to Dallas
for Mary's birthday in July.

One of the only pictures where they're both looking at
the camera, and Amber's not pulling Fletcher's
ears/hair/cheeks.
She likes to interact.

We recently had a visit from Wes' brother, Adam,
and family (Yoko & Fisher).
They came for a week in August.
Fletcher & Fisher pictured in their matching UT shirts.

Trying to get Fletcher to look at the camera.
We were visiting the State Capitol building.
It's air-conditioned!

The "Splash Museum" at Zilker Park.
Again- air conditioned!
They have simulated limestone caves & interactive exhibits of
how our natural aquifers are formed & maintained.

Ride on the "Zilker Zephyr" train.

The "Fountain Park" a few miles from our house-
it's the best one in Austin.
Nice shade, chlorinated water, very interactive.
Here in central Texas, we are participating in strict water rationing.
However, the rules don't apply to recreational water parks. Yay!

I realized...

2009-07-06T05:32:00.000-07:00

...that we had better start being more organized with this blog thing.

Some of you may not know that we are producing a new baby, due in October;
a sister for Fletcher.
Dilemma: do we let her share Fletcher's blog?

As for not posting more regularly, our computer crashed right after New Year's and we lost all pictures, music, files, etc. It was a blow, to say the least.

So, even though we still need to catch up, I do have pictures from
Fletcher's birthday party in March.
My friend Dawn took some of these and has them on her blog
(she's much more prompt with her blog).

Train cake! (again) This time we opted not to make it ourselves...

You think licking the candles is yummy-
try licking a Thomas toy that has icing all over the bottom of it!

Cake & ice cream on the balcony with friends., including cousin Aris.
We had four other children at his party this year, the most we've ever had.
Usually it's just our friends...

Yummma!

We're still here...

2008-12-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

though I can understand why you might think differently.

Sorry we've posted so infrequently.

Fletcher is healthy and growing like a champ, as you'll see below.

Sara is still working at Zanzibar, and at trying to stay sane.

I'm going on two years at my job, and it's okay. Fletcher and being addicted to basketball and obscure music pretty much take up all my time.

Enjoy the pictures.

Our shaggy dude, enjoying his rice milk. He calls the rice milk "blue milk" and the soy milk "red milk" due to the colors of their respective cartons.

He was pretty proud of this "train". He started playing more imaginatively around this time, having little "conversations" betwixt various vehicles that revolved mainly around crashing and/or resisting crashing.

Eating a purple gumball. Once he sucks off all the nutritious dyes and sweeteners, he hands the soggy, misshapen hunk to one of us. How nice.

Uncle Sam reading him some books. Every time anyone mentions Mary, Sam, or even their dog Daisy, Fletcher says "and Sam's truck?", referring to Sam's remote controlled monster truck. A great memory and a one-track mind.

Hair cut #2! This is Jimmy, our new barber. Jake, who performed cut #1, retired from the biz, so I had to find someone new. Luckily, Jimmy's shop is about two blocks from work and he only charges half what Jake did. He does use a "suck-and-cut" though, so it's not totally perfect.

He went from cute, precocious toddler to handsome young lad in one evening.

Ladies, get ready to be killed.

We went down to the coast a few weeks ago, and spent some time at the Texas State Aquarium, among other things. He got to see Sea Turtles, talk to a Parrot, and even touch some Stingrays. There was a Bull Shark in the tank pictured above that frightened me but Fletch didn't seem fazed at all by it.

The underwater theater was a nice spot to watch the dolphin show, especially when we got to watch them poop. Definitely the highlight of any trip.

Trips

2008-08-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

The last month has been eventful. Fletcher and I (Weston) flew to California for a week to see my family, while Sara stayed home and worked. Ideally, she would have been able to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of a house without boys, but instead she worked her little tushy off.

Then, after being back from Cali for only a few weeks, word came that my paternal grandfather, "Opa" as we called him, had passed away. So, back to Cali I went. It was a good time, considering. Necessary for closure and reconnecting with extended family - especially cousins. I spent the first night there scanning dozens of old photos onto my parents' computer for use in a slide-show during the memorial service. In the whirlwind of my trip, I forgot to get copies of them. But when I do, I'll put a couple up here.

The cool thing is, he got to see Fletcher, FinWe, and Fisher all together before he died, and that makes me smile.

Other noteworthy events in our lives: Fletcher saying "Yessir" all the time, Sara's work-mate Mark fixing our computer (thanks), new phones!!, discovery of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" series, giving up red meat (new for Sara, going on a year for me), and the addition of 12 new pets - Fishies (named Bob, Thomas, Tank, Engine, Lofty, and Betta - with no discernible pattern or logic).

Some pics:

The three "Bo-Bos" (as my Dad would say) with our three boys. Precious.

Nathan and FinWe at Fairmont Park in Riverside. This pose captures Fin's attitude perfectly - he is an independent little devil.

Fletch at the airport, checking out the airplanes - they "sly up to the sky".

Uncle Eric, Fletcher, Neighbor Rosie, Uncle Dawasi, FinWe, and Uncle Pearce.

FinWe was breakfast and Fletcher was lunch. The diner was grandpa.

Adam, Yoko, and Fisher Wataru. They cute.

Fletch didn't like the beach much. Too bright. We forgot his shades.

We even built him a fort, but he still wasn't havin' it. What a baby.

Here he is laying down the law to FinWe on our first morning. Notice Fin's rapt attention.

Fin: "Oh yeah? You give me rules, I drink yer cup. What now?"

First Salon Cut

2008-07-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

We have given Fletcher a few trims over the last couple of years,
but realized it was time for a proper cut.
These pictures were taken middle of June.

Sara has been going to Jake since she lived in Austin in high school,
and he cuts Wes' hair now too.
He also cuts Sara's mom & sister's hair.
So who would be more qualified?

A mass of curls.

He sat very quietly in Wes' lap and watched Jake out of
the corner of his eye. It was very cute. No tears!

Jake had a very amused smile on his face the whole time.

The end result. Very short!
But it's already grown out a lot since then- within a month!

Summer Time And The Livin's Easy

2008-07-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hello, Fletcher Fans!! Sorry about the laziness- we have included pictures from April to June.

Let's see... what's been going on...

Meghan Casey came to visit us the middle of May. Yay and fun.

Abby's wedding was the end of May- so much fun and so amazingly beautiful.
If any of you are on facebook or myspace you can check out Abby's pages for pictures.

I'm sure I've forgotten several noteworthy events.
That's what happens when you only blog every few months!

Abby & Fletch on the yoga ball.

Meghan & Fletch.

Not feeling well and taking a rest.

Belly and crazy hair!

Playing with an assortment of airplanes, firetrucks & ambulances.

That crazy hair was cut soon after.
We will put the pictures of the first haircut on the blog soon.
He looks very dapper now.

We have more to post from July- Fletcher & Wes' trip to California, and Sara & Fletcher's trip to Dallas.
Coming soon!

New Pictures!

2008-04-22T20:24:00.000-07:00

Lots of pictures to share, as I just
uploaded 120 from our camera onto the computer! Whew!

More potty pictures! He has yet to actually do more
than just sit & read, but we're patient.
The first picture has been edited for our discriminating audience. :)

One of many runners-up in our quest to
find the perfect "Fletcher in the Bluebonnets"
picture. For all you non-Texans, the
Bluebonnet is the Texas State flower.
It is an annual wildflower, and it is illegal to pick or mow them.

Breakfast at Fletcher's table.
Ikea purchase: $20 for the table & 2 chairs.
Took about 20 minutes to assemble.

Putting cars into cups. Photo courtesy of Jamie. :)

Peek-a-boo, Batman!

Fletcher says "It's windy in my hair!"

A couple of weekends ago we took a trip down to Houston (Cypress) to visit some friends. Allison & Michael Hawkins have 3 boys;
Allison was Sara's first "boss"-
hired her at Zanzibar in 1998 (Sara's very first job).
Pictures from our Houston trip:

Fletcher & Baby Eli (13 mos) in the bath together.

(From left) Allison, Baby Eli, Fletcher & Sara.

Griffin (almost 8, on the ground), Jake (almost 5, standing over him),
and Fletcher in the background.
Oops, no pictures of Michael- sorry! :(

Foster Care

2008-04-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, dear family & friends!

Over the last few months, the urge to apply for foster care certification has been weighing on my heart. A little background: Wes & I have always wanted to foster/adopt, even before we had Fletcher. As most of you know, Wes has four adopted siblings. Seeing as how we have witnessed the trials involved first-hand, we feel this is something that we're moderately prepared for.

Of course, it will be a process. In Texas, different foster & adoptive care agencies provide the training, home inspections, and eventually match you with a child or children. It is now up to us to choose an agency, attend 12-35 hours of classes, complete CPR/1st Aid Classes, complete background, safety, health checks, home inspections, etc. We could end up spending about $320 or so before we are even certified. It's at least a 4-month process, and we may decide it's not for us at some point.

We would need to request boys, because children of the opposite sex cannot share a room if they're older than 6. Two brothers would be awesome to have, preferably of school-age. Most kids remain in care for 6-12 months on average, and 18 months is the cut-off. About 18% of children end up being eligible for adoption after 18 months.

Just a little info. So, in the next 6 months or so, we may be changing the name of this blog... :)
If any of you have advice and/or experience please feel free to comment or e-mail us.

In other news, we would love to congratulate:
1st- Adam & Yoko (Wes' brother & wife) on the birth of their little Fisher. Middle name yet? :)
2nd- Bekah & Stephan (high school friend from Moscow) on the birth of their Eisley Rachel.

Birthday Party!

2008-03-19T21:25:00.001-07:00

Fletcher's birthday party was a couple of weeks ago. His actual birthday is the 22nd, but we had family & friends in town, and decided to have the party early.

The party was at Sara's parents' house. Wes, Nick & Sara stayed up late creating the cake. The finishing touches were attached after transportation to the party destination. It was fun & easy. If anyone wishes to recreate it, just let us know and we will provide instructions! :)

Fletcher trying to chat up Giada.
They shared bags of unhealthy Cheetos & Doritos.

Unca Nick demonstrating his rocket balloons.
Fletch loves these! The pump is easy for kids to use too.

(From left) Amy, Jamie, Christine & Bryan.
Only two are dutifully wearing their conductor hats.

Outside in Grammy's playground.
(From left) Grammy, Aunt Ellen, Aunt Mary,
Cousins Natalie & Lauren.

Unca Sam & Aunt Mary.

Remote-control dump truck from Unca Nick.

Cousins, minus one (Daniel).

"Rody" from Amy! This picture taken right after Fletch *tried*
to dismount. Gotta work on that dismount.

Enchanted Rock

2008-03-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hello, all! Here are some photos from our recent trek to
Enchanted Rock: Fredericksburg, Texas.
The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome,
rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level,
and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths
(underground rock formation uncovered by erosion)
in the United States.
(quoted from TX Parks & Wildlife website)

It is a little less than 2 hours outside Austin.
Our traveling companions: Amy, Jamie, Bryan & Christine.
(all friends from the DC area)
Our camera died just before reaching the top of the dome,
so I will eventually get more pics from everyone else.

Jamie outside the loo, right before "the climb."

Amy, Christine & Bryan getting ready.
Bryan creating satchel within which to carry his gigantic water bottles.

"The climb." They left us in the dust.
No compassion for a couple with a 2 year-old. :)

We were very proud of our little guy.
He mostly rode on Wes' shoulders,
but there were times that he refused our help.

"Reach out to me! I will pull you up!! We'll never leave you!"

Birthday Month

2008-03-05T19:11:00.001-08:00

Hard to believe its been almost two years since the little fella joined our lives. Or changed our lives. Completely and forever!

No bitterness! He continues to thrive, surprising us every day with his acute intellect. And I'm not just saying that because I'm his mother... Seriously, this kid is smart. Numbers, letters, social interaction. I think he's accelerated. You guys just wait- you'll think your kid is a genius too!

Anyway, as the title declares, it's birthday month. We are having a small family party this Sunday (March 9). I do not know how some parents have parties every year for their multiple kids. Last year wore me out. This year we're making a train cake! Yeah! Pictures soon!

Lunch at P. Terry's Burger Stand, before heading over to the Zilker Nature Center. Wes & Fletcher eat at P. Terry's once a week. EEeesh.

Fascinated at the animals in the nature center. The main reason we go to this nature center is because Fletcher is in love with the owls. Unfortunately, most, if not all of the animals are injured and cannot live on their own in the wild. Therefore, most of Fletcher's beloved owls have eyes or wings (or both) missing. Sad.

Horned owls, as featured in "Gus & Sam Light Up The Night." This is an interactive book that Fletcher adores. But he calls it "owl choo-choo book."

Barred Owls, as featured in Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin." Oh, I know ALL my owl books!

Ooh, so excited!

Undressing at 8:30 AM. I probably had JUST gotten him into that shirt...

Temp tattoo from a kids' meal. He wanted me to take it off after I put it on. Sorry, kid. Tattoos are for life!

Batman! Pajamas purchased at a children's resale shop
USED TO HAVE A CAPE... but don't anymore... wah!

First time on the potty!

2008-02-06T20:14:00.001-08:00

Hey, everyone! These are really tiny because I accidentally saved them after resizing them to send in an e-mail- grrrr!!
I'm mad at myself.

However, you get the gist- he finally sat on his potty
that I bought a few weeks ago.
We haven't been pushing it- just mentioning it here and there.

We gave him his favorite book for the occasion
so I could sneak some quick pictures.

Happy February!

2008-02-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

Has anyone seen the Colgate commercial with Brooke Shields?
She really scrubs her teeth, doesn't she? Ouch.

Anyway, enough about Brooke-y. Who wants to see fun pics of Fletchy-man??

Underneath a tower of blocks.
I will be posting an in-depth video of these fun times on myspace:
myspace.com//ssythoff

Lunges at 10 AM. 6 mile run at 10:10 AM.

Still stretching... we said we run at 10:10- we still have 9 minutes to stretch!!

Okay, take a rest.

Daddy & Fletch. White legs.

Mommy & Fletch. We look good.

Happy bath-time moment. There are many of these.
Please to ignore mildew.

More Pictures

2008-01-03T10:16:00.001-08:00

Misc. pics taken in the last couple of months.

Don't you wish you could wake up one morning
to your Christmas tree all set up and decorated. He's got it good.

Leap-frog! He's learning his letters and the sounds they make.
Great X-Mas gift from Wes' parents.

Cereal box on the head.
For those interested in paying a small fee,
there's a corresponding picture of Wes with it on his head.

Uh-oh, fell in the suitcase.

Not feeling well & vegging on the couch.
We all have bad days (some more than others).

People who have little ones, or soon-to-be parents should get these!
They're so durable, versatile and fun (for adults too).
(Sara's sister Abby built this tower)

Christmas in Cali

2008-01-02T10:36:00.001-08:00

More Christmas pictures!
We originally weren't going to Cali this winter
because we couldn't afford plane tickets.
Plus, let's face it: traveling with a small child can be trying, at best.
But Wes' parents found a way to fly us out,
and we surprised everyone with a visit.

Presents from Grandma & Grandpa & the boys.

Playing with Yoko and the new race-car ramp (whatever you call it).

Opa & Weston.

From left: Dawasi (7) & Eric (6).
In February, they will have been with the family for two years.
All three of the boys are in school now, and learning so much.

Pearce especially has made great progress in the last year.
He is on the autism spectrum, but is so much more engaging and
present this year than he was last year. He turned 8 in September.

Grandma & Yoko showing pictures to Fletch on the camera.

Love the wagon!
Love playing outside with all the toys (when it wasn't too cold).

Auntie Sissy (Wes' sister Jamie) and her bracelets.
Fletcher knows most of his colors. Some numbers & letters, too!
(Shirt on Fletcher by H&M: Jamie works there)
(head-phones are screen-printed onto the shirt) :)

From left: Eric, Fletcher & Dawasi.
For some reason, Fletcher decided to call all three boys
"Dawasi" during our visit.
You'd think he would have picked an easier name...

Christmas in Austin

2008-01-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope yours was great.

Once again, we spent Christmas in Austin, and then in California.

Cute pictures of Austin Christmas below.
Cute pictures of Cali Christmas soon to come.

Fletcher & Natalie on Christmas morning.

The 3 bros in-law. Additional bro in-law expected in May 2008.

Daniel wearing Grand-daddy's shoes.

Lauren helping Fletcher open his gift from Grammy & Grand-daddy.

Fletcher & Natalie "sharing" the "fire-car."

Wes with his precious basketball.

Sara with her precious Earl Grey.

Last present- a good one! Mini basketball goal for Fletcher (& Wes).

Autumnal Update

2007-11-25T10:50:00.001-08:00

hello and hi.

happy halloween and thanksgiving. we hope you are doing well and apologize profusely for our lack of communication. I (wes) don't write or call much because 1. I hate, hate, hate, hate talking on the phone and 2. because I am overwhelmed with writing at work and so am loathe to do any more typing than absolutely necessary.

so, those of you who feel like you are being ignored please understand that you remain in our hearts and thoughts. once a loved one, always a love one.

anyway, the reason for this blog is to detail Fletcher's life, so I should get to that.

Fletch is a remarkable small person, enamored with trains, planes, automobiles, and anything that rolls. his vocabulary is exploding, and he's recently added such gems as "for real" "cool" and "house shoes". Sara recently cut his bangs because his hair was getting in his eyes, so his mullet is really starting to shine now. I can't bear to cut off those darling curls in the back yet, so mullet-ed he will remain for the time being. he's been spending a little time in daycare, and of course has developed a cough. we're so very reluctant to introduce him to the animals that are other children, but we've no other recourse now that I've banned Sara from working nights (I require at least a daily glimpse of my loved one. I guess I'm just needy). so, hopefully he'll avoid contracting a deadly illness and developing horrible habits, but I'm not optimistic. his best hope is for me to get a huge raise or a better-paying job so Sara can continue staying at home. fingers crossed...

I've been looking forward to Fall so he can start wearing layers. Everybody looks better once the weather gets cold.

This one is included not for my exuberant gesture and expression or for Fletcher's nudity; but rather for you to see just how damned large he has become. The dude is half my size now.

This was his first time on a trampoline. He loved it. When it was time for lunch, he pitched one of the biggest of what are now becoming daily, if not hourly, hissy-fits. Ah, childhood.

"Here I go again, on my own..." Have Mickey Mouse activity car, will travel. Don't have Mickey Mouse activity car, will throw hissy-fit.

This looks like a freeze-frame from a Jennifer Lopez music video. We don't know what he was doing, but we're glad we took a picture of it.

What 90's band's singer does this remind you of?

Hint: In our house, Sara and I are the two princes to King-Little-Mister-Can't-Be-Wrong.

Our pre-meal Thanksgiving walk. The post-meal pics feature a lot less walking and a lot more lying around on the floor while Fletcher jumps all over us. Fun.

A Few New Pics

2007-10-26T14:45:00.001-07:00

Hi, guys! Hope you're all well. Sorry it's been a while.
Fletcher's 19 months now and growing every day.
We'll have pictures up (hopefully) soon of Halloween.

We borrowed the easel from my sister's kids and got some paints.
We haven't played with it in a while because it can get very messy.

Fletcher & Giada at Zilker.

Fletcher on the train at Zilker.

Niiiice.

Mismatched? Daddy doesn't do such a good job in the dark.

Get that ?&$!%# camera out of my face!!!

Giada relaxing all cool.

Dallas!

2007-08-06T11:42:00.001-07:00

Singing to Mary on her birthday at the Sondregger's.

I forget the name of this place. Mary & Sam with Fletcher.

Heart-breaker.

All of us at the Sondregger's.
I always feel sorry for the non-Moscowvites who endure our little reunions (Sam & Stephan).

Grace & Fletch.

Mary & Fletch. He loves getting cuddles from pretty ladies.

Watching Bekah ice the cake. We're easily entertained.

It's time, once again, for a themed blog

2007-08-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

First up: beer...

...more beer.

Laundry closet:

Don't worry! We never leave him unsupervised. Unless it's to go grab the camera! :)

Summertime! Pool-time! This is the one at Grammy's house.

At our house (I fill up a bucket in the tub and pour it into the pool on our balcony).

Grammy's big pool with Aunt Mary & Uncle Sam.

More pictures (Dallas trip) coming soon!!
Too tired right now to mess with this thing anymore tonight.

Just a few snap-shots...

2007-07-10T00:55:00.000-07:00

Don't have many to post right now. Maybe over the next few weeks.
We're going on our first road-trip: to Dallas to visit friends & family.
We'll share our fun times with you when we get back!! :)

Silly boys.

We had a really pretty spring here in Austin. Lots of rain.

Belly!

The promised paparazzi shot.

Succession of Dinner-Time Photos

2007-05-26T23:05:00.001-07:00

Tortellini!

Video

2007-05-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

We have video of Fletcher walking! Just visit Sara's myspace page: www.myspace.com/ssythoff to view. It's on the main page, so just scroll down a little to watch! Love to all!

the return

2007-04-29T21:19:00.000-07:00

i'm back. sara's done a bang-up job with this thing for the past few months. but i'm spending a lot of time home alone now so i have no excuse. i made a very regrettable blunder this winter and erased many of our photos from the computer. so luckily we had this blog thing for the sake of posterity. his future devoted minions will be glad there still exist those pics of his crusty umbilical cord. i should update you on some vital stats:
h~30.5 inches
w~23.25 pounds
melon size~49 centimeters

I know, it's so cliche, but there's nothing else like kids wearing their food.

winner, by way of knock-out. the spaghetti sauce was overmatched from the start.

he's not a big fan of his play-pen, but mommy and daddy are.

we should have named him cletus or something

he's got this weird phobia of grass. concrete, asphalt, linoleum, carpet, gravel...but no grass.

2007-03-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

For those of you who've checked the blog in the last couple of days, you may have noticed a problem with the pictures that I posted. Hopefully I've fixed it, but let me know if the problem persists/returns. Laters!

Fiesta!!

2007-03-24T03:28:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the birthday party! It was fun, but exhausting! I can't imagine what it's going to be like when we start having to plan games & activities for his future parties. I think I'll just take them all to see a movie, or rent a moon walk. I'll even get a clown, if that's what it takes to stay sane. Wait, no. No clowns. You must all hold me to my oath of no clowns.

Opening presents with cousins Lauren & Daniel. He got some good ones! Toy cars, bubbles, clothes. Thanks everyone!

And a Radio Flyer "trike" (even though it has four wheels). He can't get on it by himself yet. But he likes to ding the bell, and turn it on its side so he can spin the wheels!

Cake! Sam's Club makes great cakes, BTW!!!

He did NOT take his nap that afternoon!

Little Miss Natalie sat on a Grammy :)

Fletcher-Lou (as my friend Patty likes to call him)

2007-03-24T02:39:00.002-07:00

Well, it's been a while. I know I say the same stuff every time I update this blog: hope you're all well, missing those far away, etc. But it's true. And we're always excited to know that you are interested in the growth and progress of our little guy.

His birthday was this month. I'll put a separate post up with pictures from his party. We are sad that we couldn't share his special day with Wes' parents & family. But they were thought of, and missed!!

Anyway, here are some random pictures for now. Stay tuned for pictures from the party!!

Little feet (probably watching Baby Einstein)

Loves his books! We read them all at least twice a day. I had to get new ones for him, and also borrowed some from the library. He makes his librarian grandfather proud!

Uh-oh, toilet paper!

Preparing for his fiesta!!

There's a paparazzi shot in every batch of pictures downloaded from the camera. I may feature a new one every time I update the blog! Look for them in the future! :)

Little man in his button-down shirt!

Okay, I can explain. He crawled under the chair and couldn't get back out, so he started screaming! I thought it was amusing, and quickly shot a picture. Then urgently rescued him from the bad chair-monster. I know, I'm a mean mom. But it was funny. It was!

New Pictures!

2007-02-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's well. We're great. Fletcher's still cute, crazy and annoying as ever. Hopefully he'll be walking by his birthday in a month. We'll see! Love to everyone!

Banging things on the coffee table is the main source of entertainment around these parts lately

Also banging things on the window-sill

Where's Fletcher?

I didn't even notice this pose until I down-loaded the pics off the camera!

Sippy cup AND table food- my little boy's growing up!

Had to put this one in of baby Natalie. She's wearing Fletcher's old 'Horns onesie.

Almost February!

2007-01-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

Can't believe we're already turning a page in our new 2007 calendar.

There are a few videos on myspace that you all can check out. If you go to www.myspace.com/ssythoff, you will be on Sara's myspace. Under the picture of her, you'll see a section to view "Pics" and "Videos." You are welcome to check out both!

Here are some Fletcher updates:

Likes his new shoes (brand new, $3.99 at Children's Orchard, what!)

Sleeps like a weirdo...

Pulling up on the coffee table: uh-oh...

Brushes his hair :)

What have we here? Toys in the toilet?

(We've been keeping the lid closed ever since this incident)

California!!

2007-01-02T18:14:00.000-08:00

Fletch's first trip out to Cali to meet Wes' family!

Fletch & cousin Fin, who was born a month and a half after Fletcher.

Fin's family: Mommy Kirsten & Daddy Nathan (Wes' brother)

The 3 little bros with Wes: (from left) Eric, Pearce & Dawasi

Eric (5) & Dawasi (6) have been part of the family for a year in February. They are from Liberia. Pearce is seven now. The same judge that oversaw his adoption also took care of Eric & Dawasi's.

Uncle Daw

Auntie Sissy (Jamie is Wes' sister and the 3 little guys call her "Sissy")

Fin & Fletch with Grandma & Grandpa

Auntie Yoko

Adam (Wes' brother) and Yoko (married a year in February)

1st Christmas!

2007-01-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends! We love you so much and are so glad to have you in our lives. We appreciate the support and love we've had over the last year, and are so grateful to have people in our lives who care so much for us and our little Fletch.

Fletch had two Christmases this year: one in Texas and one in California!

Observe:

Texas! Christmas with all of Sara's family.

Stuffed puppy and Packers pillow from Grammy & Grandaddy.

Xylophone from his cousin Lauren (it can also go in the tub!)

California!!

Everyone got involved in helping cousins Fin & Fletcher open their gifts from Grandma & Grandpa. Stuffed lions for all!

And a sweet book (includes a user guide for parents).

You know the most fun part is the packaging!!

MMmmkay

2006-12-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

Just a clarification: in the last entry, we mentioned that one of our sisters is having a baby. I, Sara, was writing that entry about my elder sister, Ellen. She had her baby Nov. 20.

Please to look at pictures:

No, this does not make us want another one. But she is a sweetie.

Lauren & her new little sister. Lauren will be ten in 2 weeks.

Okay, now back to the star of the show: Fletch!

Lovin' the swing.

Lovin' playing with daddy in bed.

He's just so cute!

Sweet bear.

Fletchi G!

Ready to move to Wisconsin?

More pictures!

2006-11-07T19:45:00.000-08:00

New bathtub! We gave my sister his old one, as he has outgrown it and she is expecting a new little one at the end of this month.

He's very curious about this new tub- he scratches the sides to see what its made of. He loves it when the water runs out the little plug, but then cries when the water's all gone!

We can't keep these sneakers on for 10 minutes! He unties them and pulls them off!

Messy shirt after eating.

But he doesn't care!

lucky?

2006-10-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

as many of you know, i'm a huge fan of the game of basketball. more specifically, the los angeles lakers brand of basketball. as silly as it seems, i tend to feel like i know the lakers' players; i read about and watch them so much, i feel a certain connection. and when they are about my age, experiencing some of the same things i am (except for the million dollar homes and tricked out rides), i tend to relate to them. which is probably why i find lamar odom's situation is so sad.

odom, who plays forward for the lakers and is a terrific, unselfish, all-around basketball player, lost his infant son last summer. for some reason, and i think it's pretty obvious, his situation simply wrenches my proverbial guts. his son, jayden, was six and a half months old, when he succumbed to SIDS.

i feel almost guilty that sara and i are so blessed as to have a seven month old, wonderfully healthy boy. i almost wish there were some way i could do something for the man. i guess my fervent and loyal support throughout the season will have to suffice. and of course enjoying every tantrum, pile of vomit, and stray turd fletch can throw my way.

too bad there's no audio with this pic. the noise that accompanies that face is too much. and try not to focus on my very un-basketball-ready physique.

fletch likes his high chair. he's learned to bang his hand on the tray. it's fun. we have decibel level contests. i usually win. the ridiculous amount of cd's on the left are in serious need of baby-proofing.

chillin'.

jamison's hat.

he's watching 'baby mozart.' part of me feels guilty for letting him zone out to a video. but sometimes daddy needs a breather. and by the time he graduates high school (2025), his entire life will be mediated anyway.

Tennessee

2006-10-07T20:28:00.000-07:00

Fletch & Sara took a trip to Tennessee. His first airplane ride(s). Grammy & Grandaddy let us borrow their stroller for the trip and it served us well.

In the Detroit airport. It has a cool tunnel with moving sidewalks and walls that light up.

Also in Detroit. Very cool fountain. Sara was more interested in it than he was.

In Nashville with Ellen. She flew Southwest, we flew Northwest & met in Nashville. We're waiting for my mom & dad to pick us up & drive to Crossville.

Cousin Sam

Cousin Elizabeth

Amber (my aunt's Great Dane)

First time in a booster chair

Left to right: Uncle Noah, Grandaddy (holding Fletch) & Papa (Fletch's great-grandfather)

Bob Loblaw

2006-09-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

there is a new video up on google. it's called 'Fletch as Bob Loblaw'.

wish me luck tomorrow. i have to hold fletcher while they stick needles in him. never fun.

HaffaYear

2006-09-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

the boy is six-months old now. sara and i are are six years older. is it possible to feel guilty about neglecting ones and zeroes? i'm a foreigner on my own blog. there's a punk band across the street at a party, patriot games on the television, and many loved sleeping beings scattered about the house. well, "scattered" really only applies to the cats. fletcher and mother are both snuggly ensconced within their own respective beds. fletcher is wearing his UT sleeper, of which below you will find pictures. sara is wearing...umm, that's none of your business.

Fletcher's first Longhorns game, with grandaddy.

taken just this past evening: for the very latest on exactly what the little tyke looks like, tune into figuringoutfletcher.com, up to the minute (month) info!!

hee-hee. some days the boy cannot abide being NOT held. thank jeebus, and the swedes, for this invention. although this target knock-off is actually much less bewildering than the actual baby bjorn.

Food and Feet!

2006-09-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

Feet!

Food!

Cerrots...

...cireal...

...corne!

Oh, and we must all make fun of Wes for misspelling raspberries!!

Razzz-Berries!!!

2006-09-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

new video on google. search for "fletcher's rasberries." it's a good one.

what's the verdict on sara's posts? shall we keep her?

Favorite Things...

2006-09-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hello! It's Sara again. This blog thing is fun, but time-consuming. I can see why Wes doesn't like to update it very often. However, I noticed a plethora of videos taken of Fletch in the last couple of weeks, so I'm going to try my hand at either google video or you tube. Wish me luck! Look for a new post soon directing you to the whereabouts of the video.

Favorite pose with Aunt Abby:

(at just a few weeks old)

(at 5 months old)

Favorite bouncy-thingy:

(check it out, Grandma Julie!)

Favotie accessory (glasses or goggles):

(with cousin Lauren)

(with Jamie)

Favorite chair:

2006-08-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

AAaaahhhh! Sara has taken control of the blog. Now it's my turn to put pictures of Wes with his son. Fletch is cute and somehow Wes always manages to look like a hot daddy. Hey, I'm just telling it like it is.

phone

2006-08-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

hey all. in case you have tried to call but can't get through, i have a new phone now. so give me a call.

fletcher and mommy

2006-08-08T10:17:00.001-07:00

i'm dedicating this entry to sara and her son. they're a good looking pair...

actually, this one isn't with sara, but it's just too darn cute. immediately after this he lost his balance and scared himself. he's even cute when he's scared.

the rest are all of mommy and son:

new video

2006-07-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

hey all. there should be a new video up on google pretty soon. it's called fletcher speaks. it's the first time he really made any sustained attempt at vocalizing. it's pretty cute. you can tell sara thinks it's pretty amazing cuz you can here her laughing while she films it.

i'm back at the in-laws today. i had left the laptop over here on saturday so me and fletch came over to get it. a two and a half hour nap later and here we are. he's sitting in his swing. it's kind of amazing that he will just sit there quietly. i need to get one of those things for our house.

i guess i never really wrote about it, but we've had a pretty trying last two months or so. fletch has developed pretty bad exzema on his legs. at one point, he had it all over his body, but luckily it's much better now. the doctor thinks it's a food allergy, although we've got him on this hypoallergenic muck right now that smells like burnt popcorn, and it's still not going away. i think i'm going to try some probiotics. it's been pretty bad though, you can tell that it's really bothering him. we have to put little mittens on him to keep him from scratching himself bloody.

but other than that, he's doing fine. he's over 15 pounds now. i'm not sure of the height or anything. we'll find out tomorrow. he goes in for his four month checkup, which includes the second round of shots. i "get" to take him this time, and i am not looking forward to it. i feel like he's going to blame me forever for letting the doctor stick needles in him.

4 months...

2006-07-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Weeboks!

Look at those big ol' mitts.

Tongue-ye (from Kung Pow)

Uncle Newty

What a cutie!

he's four months old today. and it's also aunt mary's birthday. we're all at grammy and grandaddy's. fun. i'm busy as ever, no time to even call my mom or update this blog thing. so here you go. enjoy the pics. and i promise i'll write more in a few weeks.

4th of July

2006-07-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

we're all full on homemade peach ice cream. and ribs. yum. i've finally got an internet connection over at ben and jean's, so i'm going to finally put some pictures up. finally.

these first three show fletch and lucky's first real encounter where fletch was aware:

grandaddy's hat...

sitting in his swing at grammy's house. i like the lighting. good job, sara.

he's trying to make himself decent...he looks like tarzan in those old black and white movies.

awww...

2006-06-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

after a bath in his dog-eared towel. i apologize for the quality. it was washed out from the flash and i did my best to save it. you get the picture. hardy-har.

whattaweek

2006-06-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

this has been the best week of the summer so far. fletcher is my best pal. monday we went to meet with my internship supervisor, maria, and he was very well-behaved. he didn't fuss or cry or anything while we were there. another of maria's assistants, lauren, sang to him once while maria and i were out of the room and apparently he laughed at her.

we inadvertently switched to soy formula, and although sara is skeptical i think it agrees with him much better. sara mistakenly bought the wrong can of formula and it took us a few days to figure out that since it looked, smelled, and tasted different it might actually be different. ever since the switch he's been sleeping like a champ, easily 12 hours a night and a few during the day. my biggest challenge up to this week had been getting him to take a nap when he was tired...i usually ended up frustrated with a crabby baby. but now he just goes down and quietly snoozes for at least an hour every time. even without a pacifier.

and the verdict is in: fletcher hates tom cruise. we decided to try baby day again at alamo when sara took the day off on tuesday and he was the picture of mellow. maybe it's the soy but maybe it was the absence of that short scientologist freak.

i've posted a of fletch freaking out over his toys on google videos. just search for "fletcher's dance." it may not be up for a few days.

pics, or the only reason you're here

2006-05-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

he has some sort of camera shyness, as this is the only successful capture of his smile we've acheived in dozens of attempts. he'll be clowning it up like a little comedian and then he clams up the moment he sees the camera. how does a person who doesn't know how to use his fingers know what a camera is? it's weird. we've taken like 30 minutes of video with nary a smirk. so enjoy this one. download it and zoom in.

he's vain.

another alien picture. look at those big ol' puppy dog eyes.

his favorite place to be is on the changing table. it's his stage, and also where he kicks it old school.

mr. mom

2006-05-18T09:12:00.000-07:00

you'd think that i would be posting every other day, seeing as how i've been home for almost two weeks straight now. but somehow that little turtle just takes up all my time. i've never experienced anything quite like this anticipatory boredom, or maybe it's bored anticipation, that is being a stay-at-home parent. even when he sleeps i have an ear constantly straining. it's hard to do anything but just relax and watch tv (yes, even daytime tv) while he's sleeping, as i'm so worn out from entertaining him. that's the real challenge. it's easy to feed, change, and clothe him. it's keeping him entertained and stimulated that becomes the burden. it's hard having a completely one-sided conversation for an entire day. well, maybe not completely one-sided, as he does return my words and expressions with smiles and squeaks. and it's very rewarding, don't get me wrong. it's just tiring and a little lonely.

and now school has started again. it snuck up on me somehow, as i thought we had two weeks off. how foolish of me. so now i have to start my internship, which is working on a research/book project with one of my professors, and write a 30 page paper for my capstone requirement. another wonderful peculiarity of st. edward's, of which i'm sure i'll be glad of eventually, is that everyone must write an in-depth research/position paper on a current social problem. no sweat if i didn't find it difficult just to dress and shower each day, but quite the challenge when i've got a cute little turtle to keep occupied.

so, i'll quit complaining now. thank you internet audience for being there to listen to my gripes. please don't get the idea that i am unhappy. fletcher is amazing and cute and so different everyday that i'm usually overwhelmed with wonder and affection. but it's the unique ability of a parent to feel those things over a backdrop of exhaustion and frustration, i guess. if prayer is your thing than please offer up some for sara and me, for avoidance of depression and frustration and for energy and enthusiasm to be readily available.

***

the above was written last week. a little bleak, i know. i was having a bad day. i'm leaving it in because i think it's an accurate description of how it feels some days. other days, things are much better.

like yesterday. yesterday was fletcher's two-month birthday. we celebrated again with john, gio, and giada. we went to their house and ate pizza and watched game 7 of the mavs/spurs. it was fun. giada is a darling.

so, fletcher had his first round of shots today. i couldn't go because i had class, but sara said he did pretty well. he's asleep now and i'm nervously waiting for him to wake up and start screaming. but tylenol and lovin' will hopefully ease his discomfort.

he's actually been quite a peach lately. content and at ease expect when hungry. and who isn't an ornery bastard when hungry? i know i am. he also dislikes tom cruise. or at least MI-3, because he would not sit through it. he liked V for Vendetta alright, though. so i don't know what to do about X-Men 3 next week. do i risk it?

laughing is still just out of reach, but he's getting closer. he's starting to vocalize a little bit, although it usually just sounds like a squeak or a modified sob. it must be hard to manipulate those delicate vocal chords. especially for someone who can't even control their fingers or hold their own head steady. although he's getting close in that regard too.

here are his two-month stats:

length (height when i hold him upright): 23 in
weight: 12 lb 8 oz
head: 40 cm

i was hoping he would be in the upper percentiles, like freakishly tall for his age or something, but he's average so far. except in weight. apparently he's in the 75th in weight.

***

i've been trying to post the above for about a week now. i can't get the pictures to upload, for some reason. so i'm going to go ahead and post this and try to do the pictures separately.

finally!

2006-05-07T22:26:00.001-07:00

school is over. actually, i still have to make up one final due to my unfortunate and very untimely bout with kidney stones. apparently, i had not been drinking enough water over the last few months or so...i found out the very, very painful way.

but for the most part, school is done and summer is here; it's time for dancing in the streets. actually, it's time for days spent with fletcher and nights working. i've been recently driving for eatoutin and let me tell you it is not what i expected. i drive over 100 miles a night (tonight 150) and make only about $60. i used to do that at austin's pizza in 50 miles plus $5 an hour. so naturally i'll be looking for work this week. it'll be fun, theoretically, to drive around with the little mugwort (my mom's new nickname for fletcher).

so, my mom was here. it was heaven having her insight and experience and patient arms. thanks, ma, we love you.

other highlights of the last few weeks: inception into Pi Lamda Eta, which is the National Communications Honor Society; new, terrific albums by my morning jacket, built to spill, and neko case (pearl jam's is a little disappointing); fletcher smiling on a regular basis and even occasionally making valiant attempts at laughter; the passing of the sixth week; and the impending approach of Baby Day at Alamo Drafthouse, where fletcher may have his first date with giada, and where daddy will get to watch a movie in the theater. woo-hoo, y'all.

now for the pictures:

i think he's starting to get my eyes a little bit

obi-wan fletcher after his bath. his acne is beginning to clear.

she's just too young to be a grandma. when we first moved to moscow, they thought she was our sister.

if you don't find this little boy remarkably cute then there's just no excuse for you.

pictures, yo!!

2006-04-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

mr. magoo himself.

awww...

let's go longhorns

birthday!!

2006-04-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

well, fletcher's one month old today. in some ways, it feels like an eternity. in others, if feels like he just showed up.

he's grown an amazing amount. he's already growing out of a few things, and hopefully growing into all the cool clothes that we've gotten from people. there are some little converse shoes and a slick looking track suit that i'm excited about. also esther's "l'enfant terrible" onesies are going to look very cute. but tough. but definitely cute.

i'm writing this at work. i'll only be here at the blood center for another week. i'm actually much sadder about leaving than i thought i would be. it's not everyday you can find a laid-back job where you get to drive someone else's car and not have to do any cleaning or making food. it looks like i'll be delivering food for "eat out in," which is a company that picks up food from area restaurants and delivers it to you. it's better than pizza delivery because there are no dishes to clean, but it sucks to put all those miles on your own car. and buy gas. it's gotten up to $2.90 here, and that's insane for texas. it's probably well over $3 in some places by now.

i'll probably keep looking for other night work options. tending bar sounds good but i have no experience and i wonder what the chances are of making any real money without any. i have to work at night, though, so sara can go back to work. if anyone feels generous and wants to subsidize fletcher's daycare for about eight months...

gosh, it must be nice to have plenty of money. it's hard sometimes going to school at St. Edward's when most of the students there come from money. they drive lexi and hummers and live off of daddy's credit card. it's annoying, but mostly i'm just jealous.

so, anyway, i guess i should go look busy. saturdays are hard because i wish i could be home with fletch. that little dude is so endearing, even when he just cries and sleeps.

oh, and he's losing his hair. he looks like mr. magoo.

sorry no pictures today; i'll put up some one-month-old pics tomorrow. sara's going to work and i'm going to hang out with him. we'll probably take the stroller over to campus and use the wireless. too bad i'm not single, as i'm sure he'll be quite the lady-magnet...

boxer-fletchy

2006-04-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

put 'em up.

babysitter

2006-04-16T13:16:00.000-07:00

as fletcher lays on peanut, the cat, goodnight fletcher and peanut. (by lauren)

cousins

2006-04-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

lauren and fletcher.

easter

2006-04-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

happy easter.

fletcher is sitting here in his cousin Lauren's arms. he's cute. we're all full on ribs and pie. yum.

the lakers are on tv. lauren is asking me what i'm doing. i told her "writing on my blog." she said "what's a blog?" so i explained it to her. it's weird writing while a 9 year old girl reads aloud as you type.

noodles. huh? poodles. birgaflickle.

overlong.

2006-04-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

that's how reviewers have described new songs on new albums by built to spill and flaming lips. it's also apt for the amount of time since my last post. sorry.

seeing as how i am a new father and don't have an internet connection at mi casa, i haven't heard either of the new albums. i didn't even know they were forthcoming. but i can't see how long songs could be a bad thing.

anyway, we're still here. hopefully i've somehow atoned for my overlong absence with the plethora of pictures. plenty. (i love alliteration.)

i've had to write two papers from scratch (what, me draft?) in the last few days, and what with trying to give sara a breather every now and then...there just hasn't been time. i think we've actually been somewhat fortunate though, as the little squirmy frog has actually slept a bit more these last few nights.

it's practically impossible to keep him awake during the day. he's slept through a bath, countless diaper changes, even a rude father clapping in his ears.

i feel like we've been flirting with disaster, though, because we've taken him all over town already. we were at central market today and twice were asked how old he was. the reactions were the same..."oh, he's so young (with pity and a bit of disapproval)..." but, hey, if he's anything like his parents he's got an immune system like wolverine.

sara was worried pre-delivery that he would be boring. i of course disagreed. but i have to admit that i can see what she was talking about. what a dull existence. sleep, poop, eat, cry, eat, poop, sleep, smile at gastro-intestinal movements, cry, make weird faces, eat, sleep, poop...but we love him anyway.

for now.

alien, Dude.

2006-04-10T18:14:00.000-07:00

alien.

not yetti??

2006-04-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

as in bigfoot? ha?

well, if he's not at least 6'5" i will be disappointed. i mean, he eats as much as a grown-ass man as it is.

mouth breather...

2006-04-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

did mommy eat onions??

betrothed??

2006-04-10T18:07:00.000-07:00

giada and flether, sitting in carseats, s-l-e-e-p-i-n-g. first comes teeth, then comes walking...then who knows??

with mary

2006-04-10T18:06:00.000-07:00

he's meeting his auntie mary for the first time. he's excited.

boppy-love

2006-04-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

his favorite place to sleep. he looks like an alien sometimes. extraterrestrial, not illegal.

it's a little dark,

2006-04-10T17:59:00.000-07:00

but you get the idea...

fletcher and mommy

2006-03-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

pay close attention to those little monkey feet.

the two most wonderful people in the world. brett favre excluded.

fletcher's room

2006-03-28T15:28:00.000-08:00

these little critters hang over the crib to watch over the little one. of course, his vision currently only extends about 12 inches, so he hasn't even seen them yet.

a close-up view of the border. it runs about waist-high around the entire room. we couldn't get them to stick following the instructions so we used three bottles of white glue, elmer's style.

the room does not afford a side shot (or maybe it's the camera), but this gives you an idea as to the general feel.

ineptitude

2006-03-28T15:24:00.000-08:00

We were at CVS the other day with Fletcher. It was his first outing in the baby sling. He liked it apparently, as he slept contentedly the whole time. We were attempting to have some prints made of a particularly cute picture that we would send out as a birth announcement/thank you card.

Well, the manager at CVS that day was absolutely clueless. He couldn't figure out how to print our order. He kept asking us to wait until his photo lab guy got there. Ridiculous. It just seems obvious to me that the manager of a store should know how to work every aspect of the store. Hence the name "manager."

So, he finally gave us a cd with all of our pictures on it (which we didn't need or want), but the prints were not usable. I brought the cd with me today so that I could share some photos with you. But when I stuck the thing in the computer, I got 7 rolls of some couple and their kids. Half of them family shots and the other half of the wife parading around nude. What a nice surprise. So, unless you want pictures of a naked mom or someone else's kids, I think you will have to settle for some pictures of what Fletcher's room looks like.

So, unless Fletcher has urinated on my laptop (he's already successfully targeted both my shirt and his own face), you will have new pictures tomorrow.

sorry...

2006-03-27T14:16:00.000-08:00

no new pictures today.

I escaped to school to try to get my bearings on where I'm at as far as school work. I have to start back tomorrow. The last five days have been ridiculous. But in a good way. Except I forgot to bring my memory disk with the pictures. I promise I'll put some new ones up tomorrow.

We took Fletcher to the doctor today. The doctor's name is Durdana Malik. I predicted Scandinavian heritage, but it turns out she's Indian. He had to get a blood test in a freezing cold room to test his bili levels (toxins in blood that create jaundice). He of course screamed like an infant but I'm proud of him. He's been really sleepy all day since and won't even eat. He's had a rough day. We're trying to keep him up during the day so he won't be quite so difficult at night, but it's not easy. He must have learned from Giada (friends have a 3 month old who slept through an ambulance blaring sirens not twenty feet away).

For those of you who are keeping track, here are some stats:

birth weight/current weight: 7 #, 9 oz/7#, 3.5 oz (this is normal, they lose 10% in first week)length: 20 inches
foot size: 3.5 inches
hair color: dark brown/black
eye color: dark brown/black
skin color: yellow (un-dangerously and kind of cutely jaundiced.) we call him mellow yellow. quite rightly.

Sara's doing okay. Tired. But what's new? Send out your prayers and good vibes for her tomorrow, as it will be her first day home alone with the little man (I'll be busy from 9 am - 10 pm, ugh.)

OK, must depart. Need to go buy vaseline. More soon, I promise, with pictures.

long day

2006-03-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

but totally worth it. at the end of it, i got to pose for this picture with my new new son. i'll share details later, but just let me tell you that sara, and women in general, are tough. sara endured things i wouldn't wish upon jack bauer's most insidious foes. words and pictures enough to annoy the hell out of everyone will follow, but right now i'm going back to the hospital (they don't have wireless, so i'm sitting at freebirds eating a beautiful burrito).

introducing...

2006-03-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

fletcher weston sythoff.

anti-climactica

2006-03-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

Well, we spent about 6 hours at the hospital this morning. Fun. To avoid any of the icky details, we were advised to proceed to the hospital by our doctor at about 6 o'clock this morning due to an alarming symptom that turned out to be routine. They kept us there till about 12:00, monitoring Fletcher's heart-beat and Sara's contractions. Since after a quarter of a revolution around the sun there was no significant progression on the part of our mother and baby, they have sent us home.

So now we get to sit around and wait. Forever thinking that at any moment we could be on our way back to hospital, never being able to relax or commit to anything time consuming. I have a test tonight that I am going to try to take, though I'm sure my mind won't really be the sharpest. We're hoping that we'll be back tonight, because we really liked our nurse Luann, and she's not back on shift until Friday. So it's either today or Friday, Fletcher, and no talk-back. Already I am a good father.

the grind

2006-03-20T08:25:00.000-08:00

spring break is over. i spent the week trying to take care of a laundry list of things in preparationg for f-day (fletcher's arrival), while also trying to relax. we got the car seat installed, finished the border in fletcher's room, bought a diaper pail (the only essential item not received as a gift - to those of you who gave us stuff, thank you), did some house cleaning, and stocked the cupboards and freezer. and i even managed to read a book. john le carre's 'the night manager.' it was good. and the longhorns made it to the sweet 16. also good.

so now it's back to the ol' grind while dealing with the knowledge that fletcher could be upon us at any moment.

sara has an epic headache that will not quit. she's been dealing with some braxton-hicks contractions, which are basically warm-up cramps. the frustrating thing about this is that it kind of signals that labor is near, but doesn't give any kind of time-table. we could still be two weeks out.

oh, we also bought a digital camera with some gift-card money (thanks again), so pictures will be swift and ample. stay tuned.

rice

2006-03-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

he was a grain of rice at this point. sara was only 5 weeks along. i suppose right now i'm supposed to wax romantic about how a little speck of goo could grow into the chubby face below, but i'll spare you. i've got another picture that shows the little guy's manhood, but i'll save that for the time being. unless the response in protest is ovewhelming.

fletcher's face

2006-03-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

isn't it great how you can see his chubby cheeks?

ignorance?

2006-03-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

We just finished our last child-birth class. A family friend named Alice was gracious enough to give us some private lessons. Sara and her mom had attended some free, perfunctory classes at a local pregnancy services agency. There were so many attendees that they didn't have room to lay down and actually practice anyting of use. And the classes were held on Monday nights, which is when I have a class. So Alice's visits gave me the chance to actually participate a little, and also provided Sara with some real practice and useful knowledge. We're very grateful.

Sara is due in about two weeks. 16 days to be exact, though Sara insists she is actually not due until the first week of April. A woman's intuition, I suppose...

I don't doubt her, though. I've learned that much. She can predict a sports match with uncanny accuracy, especially given her relative lack of interest and knowledge. She predicted the Longhorns' loss to Kansas today even though we could barely see the TV at Doc's and the score was tied. She's just got some sort of insight. The worst is when she predicts a Packers' loss when it's barely the second quarter. I might as well just turn off and do some dishes.

So, with Sara's mental accuity, a couple in-depth lessons, and plenty of hearty reading of books and magazines, we feel like maybe we're approaching the proximity of the outskirts of ready. But I'm sure this is what most new parents are feeling. We've learned new words and techniques with strange and exocit names: braxton-hicks, sitz, back labor (this does not involve heavy lifting, apparently), meconium, and hep-lock. Even if we're not necessarily mentally, physically or emotionally ready for this new, pink, squirrely young man to enter our lives in less than a month, we're certainly not ignorant.