Hip Hop Hooray!

Tonight we were fortunate enough to attend Patrick's dance recital.  He has some sweet moves.  Enjoy...

Lucy the Peanut

Nearly a year ago Kate and I agreed that there would be one more Shirley child.  Shortly thereafter, before anyone knew, Bean approached Kate and asked her when she was going to ‘make’ her a baby.

We decided that we were not going to find out the gender until the day of the baby’s birth.  Yet Bean one day rubbed Kate’s belly and declared, ‘This baby is a girl.  Her name is Lucy.’ 

On June 9, 2012 at 1:34PM, Kate delivered a 7lb, 2 oz., 19 inch baby girl.  Of course we named her Lucy.  Lucy Rebecca Shirley.  Turns out Lauren knew something all along. 

Instead of calling the baby ‘It’ while in utero, Kate took to calling her ‘Peanut’.  After Lucy was born, I announced that she was a girl and told everyone her name.  We were soon asked if the name ‘Peanut’ was an allusion to the baby’s name, Lucy, from the Peanuts comic strip.  It was not, but it seems a perfect coincidence.

Not everything went according to plan.  At 32 weeks, Kate’s OB sent her for a second ultrasound, due to a concern over the baby’s size.  During the ultrasound, the tech asked us how our other kids felt about having another sister.  Despite accidentally finding out, we decided not to tell anyone.

On the day of delivery, Kate told the providers that she delivers fast.  I guess they didn’t take her seriously.  Her OB missed the delivery, having only been called minutes before Lucy made her appearance.  I was in the waiting room with the family, and only walked in in time for Kate’s one and only push. 

Both Mom and baby are doing well.  After one night in the hospital Kate decided that she wanted to sleep in her own bed.  Being a post-partum nurse makes it easier to convince an attending that all will be well if the patients are allowed to discharge early. 

We are very excited to welcome Lucy in to our home and family.  One question remains:  If baby Lucy is a Peanuts character, which Peanuts personality is Patrick?  The answer, of course, is Pigpen…

Tickling the Ivory

Last night, to celebrate Kate's birthday, we attended a piano recital for Whitney and Samantha.  Both did a great job, I must say.

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch

Recently while cleaning out an old storage closet, we ran across the Grinch.  We don't know how long he had been there, why he was there in the first place, or what he did to bide his time while trapped there.  All we do know is that he was really grumpy.  More so than normal.  Since then he has been haunting the office.

He has popped up in the most unusual places.

I first found him in my office, sending nasty-grams to people using my e-mail address.

Then he somehow found himself hanging from the back of Dustin's office door.

Next thing you know, he was stealing Joe's favorite shirt and tie.

He then decided to spend some time picking up on the Best of State trophies.

Some time was spent spying on Joe's desk.  Until Joe was mysteriously injured.

When Joe returned, the Grinch greeted him with his own walker.

He then taught Joe how to graduate to crutches.

Shortly thereafter he was spotted in my office, showing off the new hats the valets are sporting.

Dustin caught him chilling out and raiding the fridge.

After that he disappeared for a while.  When he returned, he spent some time showing 'Scully' the ears he picked up in Disneyland.

Today he was really cooking, 'cleaning out' the microwave for us.  Where he will crop up next we never know...