AND WE'RE BACK!!

Well, hello there. Needless to say, it's been a busy month! I wanted to share some pics and brief narrative of what we've been doing for the last month while I've taken a brief hiatus from blog updating. Amidst frequent visits from Grandpa Henderson, visits to Grandma Henderson's and visits from Grandma (Gigi) and Grandpa (Tug) Barrett Stella celebrated her first Christmas here in Kansas City. Stella was able to celebrate with all of her grandparents and also had an opportunity to meet Uncle Bo and Aunt Kim Barrett, Cousin Grey, Cousin Landry and The Gibson Clan (Donnie, Carol Lynn, Derek, Jennifer, Dylan and Brookelyn. At about that time she also celebrated her 1-month birthday. Grandma Henderson has baked a cake for every week birthday, month birthday and every significant holiday (and insignificant holiday - Happy late Santa Lucia Day by the way!).

When we first met Dr. Olson, (see Oct 20th post below) he told us that since Stella would be born during flu season that we should not take her "out" until she is 6 weeks old. At our 1-month meeting with Dr. Olson he revised that to 1 month. After 1 month cooped up in the house, Brittney and I jumped at the news and have taken advantage of that and taken Stella out to eat with us a bunch since then! She seems to love the crowd noise at the restaurants we've visited on Friday and Saturday nights and sleeps the entire time. We were out last night with a good friend from Cerner (on a Tuesday) and the restaurant was dead (and quiet)...Stella was up the entire time fidgeting and crying - go figure. Since the last post Stella also was able to celebrate New Year's Eve at Paul and Missy's. There may have been more babies at the party than grown ups...boy how the times have changed! Most recently, Stella met Uncle Chuck last weekend when he was here visiting from Los Angeles.


Stella has been lucky to have had lots of visitors come by in the last month including Brandy, Mike, Brenda, Matt, Julie, Ben, Amanda, Brian , Janice, Ernie, Christine, Erica, Jane, Ryan and I'm probably missing others. Thanks!

See the pics below for a pictoral review of the past month!

The Month in Pictures...

Thanks Uncle Mark (Morton) for taking these first 4 shots!!

The older men in Stella's life - Grandpa (Tug) Barrett and Grandpa (Ralph) Henderson

Gigi, Mom and Stella holding up one of Stella's favorite gifts (thanks Paul)

Stella's first meal out - Gert's Grille. Yes, that's a Coors Light neon sign in the picture...so, yes, we brought our baby to a bar :)
Stella and her big cousin Greyson Barrett enjoy a moment together at Christmas

Too many Egg Nogs...

"I said I was giving up sweets...you make me eat one of these cakes every week for my weekly birthday. Tell Grandma Henderson that I can't keep up with all these cakes!!!"

Grandma Henderson and Dad with Stella celebrating Christmas
Stella and Dad by the Christmas Tree.

Stella chillin' on the couch. So many appearances, clothing changes, 8 meals a day...being a baby is tough work. Sometimes you've just got to kick back...
Grandpa Henderson with Stella celebrating Christmas
Mom, Dad and Stella celebrating New Year's (and a KU Insight Bowl win)
Uncle Chuck and Matt Coday and Stella

Excited about her sign and birthday cake from Grandma Henderson for her 6 week birthday