Greetings, and Happy Holidays!!

Hi everyone --

It's been quite some time since we've written, but with finally getting settled back home, and preparing for the holidays, things have been a bit crazy. Darese returned to work (part time) last Monday, and I'm home with Hannah during the day, enjoying the time off!!

For those of you who are new to this site, Welcome!! Please feel free to read everything and anything, but if you're specifically looking for our journey to China, you may want to follow the links to the right to 'August 2005,' (under the 'Archives' heading) and start reading from the beginning. This blog posts the most recent posts top-to-bottom, so remember to start reading from the bottom of each page. The majority of our trip journal is under 'November 2005.'

Since we've written last (over a month ago now....sorry!!), we've had another baby shower, Darese's birthday, Thanksgiving, decorated our house, and had many visitors.

The baby shower was great!! My friends from my office at Cornell decided that they really wanted to wait until we returned from China with Hannah so that everyone could see her during the party (I guess they see me everyday, so really just didn't care about seeing me!!). Since they knew we really didn't need more toys or clothes, they decided to throw us a 'Diaper Shower.' Ever been to one of these?? Well, needless to say, we are set for diapers and wipes for a while!! My colleagues really went all out this time! There were games (i.e. 'Who got the dirty diaper?' 'Guess that smell!' etc. etc.). They even wrote a Christmas poem for us:

The Night Before Christmas

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the Chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in the beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And Darese in her Kerchief and Joe in his cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When from within the house there arose such a clatter,
Joe sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away down the hall, it was hard to tell,
He opened Hannah’s door and yes, there was a smell.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But a smile on Hannah and a dirty diaper, Oh dear!
He knew it was a big job, a task for two
It wasn’t just number one but it was doo-doo.
More rapid than eagles Joe called to Darese;
Now come here, come here, please make this cease!
So with a giggle, Darese came to the door
And said “Joe, we just changed her, there can’t be any more!”
So who will change her—it’s hard to say
But St Nick expected this dilemma to stay;
As Darese drew in her hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
2 bags of hope he flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
He had one for Darese and one for Joe too
He said this will solve your dilemma: gifts for you.
Joe opened his bag to find all sorts of help
Now he can be on diaper-duty, all by himself!


[at this point, they presented me with a tool belt, complete with rubber gloves, safety glasses, air freshner, tongs, diapers, etc. It
was quite funny!]


But St Nick hasn’t forgot Darese did it first
So he gave her a bag, while Joe started to curse.
[Darese's bag consisted of chocolate cookies, and a remote control]
As she opened her bag a smile she did make
For St. Nick knew she deserved a diaper break.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave Darese hope she had nothing to dread;
And laying his finger aside his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Holidays, Hannah, May HUGGIES hold you tight.”

It was quite fun!! And, I got to keep the tool belt, too!! They decorated very nice, complete with a six-layered diaper cake (that Darese and I really thought was an actual cake!!). They had a beautiful sheet cake made with Hannah's picture on it. We're really fortunate to have such great friends and colleagues, and I truly hope they know how much this meant to us!!

Last Tuesday (12/13) was Darese's birthday -- we had a quiet dinner here at home with nice just the four of us (and two unlucky lobsters). Alex sang Happy Birthday, and did a great job, considering he was flying solo!! He and Hannah really liked the cake!! One of the presents we got for her was a Chocolate Fountain. So, to break it in, we invited over our neighbors last Friday for a chocolate party (I'm sure moms and dads were quite pleased at me for that idea!!). It was really fun, and I highly recommend the fountain for any chocolate lovers. We dipped pretzels, pineapple, bananas, oranges, marshmellows, graham crackers, and even Oreos!! It was quite messy, but worth every sticky face!!

We had a nice Thanksgiving at my parents' house. Most of my family met Hannah for the first time. She did really well, and is doing much better adjusting to people. I think she's really starting to recognize some folks, and takes to people much easier. She's also doing better in our car seat, which is a really nice break!! Originally, she wouldn't sit still in the car seat (of course, she had never been in one until she came here). Alex really helps out by sitting in the back seat with her and entertains her. Now, if we go in the car without Alex, she gets in and turns to his seat and hits it with her hand as if to say "Hey, where's my in flight entertainment??"

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we went out to a local farm with our neighbors to cut down our Christmas tree. The place was great, as they provided a hay ride to the woods, and then brought the tree back and tied it for us. They even had a lodge with a fire, hot chocolate, and cookies to rest in.

Alex and Hannah are both doing great together. They enjoy playing with each other, although Alex does need some time by himself every now and then. He still enjoys 'checking in' on her while she's sleeping, and likes helping out with her bath and changing time.

We're all gearing up for the holidays, and looking forward to Santa coming. Alex got to sit on his lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Hannah wanted absolutely nothing to do with the old man!! We'll be spending Christmas Eve with my family in Syracuse, and then staying home Christmas day.

I'll try to be better about posting here throughout the holidays. Until then, enjoy the season, and be sure to stay in touch!!

Joe, Darese, Alex, & Hannah