Sage's First Flip

As with any new parents, Jo and I are enthralled by simple things - especially Sage's FIRST things. We understand our watchers will have to endure a lot of these throughout the year (and more), but we think you will forgive us our indulgences...

So while Sage was on his stomach (since Gramma has officially labeled herself Sage's personal training assistant and has berated Jo and I for being too lazy with him...) she encouraged him to try to roll over or start to do sit ups (50 was enough).

Much to Sage's surprise, he did flip over and at first he had no idea what he did, but since everyone was there laughing, cooing and clapping, he figured he must have done SOMETHING good and proceeded to do it a few more times. Such a show off....

Gramma insisted on warming up, so Grampa took it upon himself to help out.....

Grampa insisted on more warm up exercises...

And then, much to his surprise.....his first flip!

Well, he needed more encouragement, it seems...

He is getting revved up...

There ya go!

Ok, enough already! Where's the trophies?

A Very Merry Xmas Day

Merry Xmas, all!

Here in Gettysburg, we had a great Xmas with all the usual fanfare. Plus, a baby really livens things up, so we all had a good, relaxing day. Hope there are many more to come!

Here are some pics as the day unfolded...

This is the first view of Santa's stash for our Angelovich group this Xmas. Contrary to popular belief, Jeff did NOT want to wake up early, but having jet lag and all, he still got up early - at around 4 am and proceded to write the previous blog entry (to wait for all the slow risers).

Finally, at around 9, all but Sage had gotten up, so we made some great blueberry pancakes and scoffed them down. And NO, I was not pacing, waiting for Sage to wake up....

But finally, he did wake up around 10 and we proceeded to introduce him to our Xmas festivities.

First up was the 'appetizer' of presents - the stockings.

Sage and Jo each had their own one and mine was the one I have used since I was about 10 years old...

Here we are getting ready to jump in...

Sage was remarkably proficient at pulling out his stocking stuffers - and trying each one with his tongue..

He tried the candies (the paper wrapping),

...the stuffed reindeer,

...and more candied things,

I offered moral support on the oranges...

An astute Gramma noticed that Sage had a reindeer on his butt, specifically placed there by mom.

And then onto the main course - Tree presents!

Yes, there was much smiling, drool, and tongue examinations, let alone all the overstimulation, but hell, that is what Xmas is all about, eh?

Course, Sage decided quickly enough that he could do more by being on Dad's lap, than on his stomach...

And, as usual with most young kids, the wrapping paper and boxes were as enthralling as what was in side them.

Sage is our present!

Since I am a big Pooh fan, I hope indeed that Sage will be too. Here Auntie Wendy gave him some cool pooh characters for bathtime and I let him choose which one he wanted to play....er...drool on.

Hmmmmm

Heck yeah! Good ol Pooh himself! Even though Pooh's head is now all wet and slimy...

Yes, Sage, that is a Jack-in-the-box. You can eat it if you want...

He was eager to drool on both the elf that came out and the box...

Here, Sage is making sure the ribbon is edible...

And finally, as if answering his prayers, Auntie Wendy and Uncle J.E.B. gave Sage an actual chew toy (like for a dog) witih Pooh in it, no less! This has become one of his favorite toys (besides the ribbon).

Here is Sage's stash of righteous gifts, with me reading a book that I loved to read when I was young - Thanx Auntie Jen and Uncle Steve!

Here is our little happy family with the best present we could ask for - Sage.

Gramma and Sage seem happy too!

In fact they all seem happy (Sage is just content to chew and drool)

Merry Xmas!

Merry Xmas Grampa!

Everyone is happy

Merry Xmas Pooh!

Nom Nom Nom...

After a nice lunch, we redressed Sage in his official "First Xmas" onesie and just hung out.

Sage is still peppy with smiles.

Next on the adgenda was home movie time and we got out the old movies of dad as baby himself so Sage and mom can laugh at him. Thaz ok! Baby Dad was pretty funny...

During a break in the festivies, I let him try my root beer, which he seemed to like

as well as the weird sounds that came out of it...

Pretty soon he was buzzed...

...and like a wino asking for more, kept wanting either the booze or the song...

Pretty soon it was evident we were not going to finish the movies.

Since he was toasted....


Man, what a great way to end and relax after a hard day of opening (and drooling on) presents!

Merry Xmas Everyone!

Getting back to see Gramma and Grampa

Our trip over the great ocean was much better than we thought and the feeling of stepping into my parent's house in Gettysburg was as happy and relaxing as we had wished.

Here are some shots leading up to Xmas day.

Enjoy and Merry Xmas!

Here we are in Taoyuan, Taiwan waiting for our airplane to head over the great blue ocean.

He doesn't know what he is in for....or does he?

We stayed a night in Japan, so we got a hotel near the Tokyo airport and had a nice sleep and great bath in their nice deep tubs. Here we are the next morning getting ready to make the long trek over (12 hours in the air).

Here is the lil' trooper in his own seat.

Uh, no, sorry Sage, you are in the bassinette....that is MY seat.

AND THEN......

We are home!

We had a great flight - Sage was a dream. He slept most of the way and rarely made a peep. Some people near us were amazed (and thankful, I am sure) that he was so quiet. Course, I did not mention the duct tape covering his mouth....

Course, mom and dad were beat and exhausted (mentally and physically) so we crashed when we got back home after about an hour in the car from the Washington airport.

Of course, Gramma and Grampa were all smiles at seeing Sage (who cares about their son and daughter in law...) and took turns holding the poor guy. But we got back safe and sound and tried to acclimate to the new surroundings.

I got my wish for a white Xmas (very white), since Gettysburg has gotten the most smow in about 10 years this past weekend and is still here (over 1.5 feet). It is getting warmer and nice, so the weather is perfect - clear, cold and fresh. Finally, I can breath and say "ah!"

Sage and Grampa

Who is this woman? Oh, it is Gramma! Hi Gramma!

Should I take the red or green one?

Yeah! I'll take both!

Gramma, Grampa and Gramsage...uh, I mean Sage

Before we could rest, we had some duties we needed to complete. One was to finish the tree, which Gramma and Grampa saved for us to do together.

Looks pretty good!

Sage is still wondering what the heck is going on...

Here is my Gramma's collection of houses that she has collected for awhile and has made into a little village. Jo likes this and is enthralled by it. I told her that this is similar to my geek passion of fantasy dioramas but she just scoffed...

Here is the same village all lit up at night. Beautiful!

Ah, we also needed to see the Fat Man, Santa and make sure we were all on the 'Good' list. Seems that Sage is on it for sure...

So he was happy...

And even Jo seemed to be on it.

Hey, wait a minute, what about me?

Ah well, that's ok....here we are outside in the main square in Gettysburg.

Here Sage is sitting in Grampa's own highchair - the chair he used as a boy.

Hi Gramma!

Hey, so when's the food coming?

Here Gramma and Grampa trying to get Sage used to some of their Xmas things.

Yeah! Sage has no idea what it is, but it seems interesting!

Yup, thanx Gramma and Grampa! What do we have next?

Don't worry Sage, there is A LOT more....