Grandma Cathy and Aunt Christina

Saturday was an AWESOME one... WVU beat UNC in the bowl game and Jon's mom and sis came to town. So far, we've had a lot of fun playing trains in Andrew's room, mastering songs on Guitar Hero, enjoying a beautiful Sunday at the zoo, and helping Cathy celebrate her rapidly impending 60th birthday with manis/pedis this afternoon.

Score So Far: Santa 2, Andrew 0

Last Year
This EveningOh, well. We tried.

Christmas Eve Laughs

Our friend Max sent the best Christmas gift: an ElfYourself video featuring Christina, us, and himself. This site has teamed up with JibJab for even more hilarious videos this year. Someone definitely has too much time on his hands, right? Click here for the video link.

sssiiiccckkk of traveling

here's another one of those posts where i haven't the energy to use caps.

the entire burbank clan is sick. it's one of those month-long, lingering colds that concludes (hopefully) with a very loud, painful hacking cough. we're our own troupe of extremely weary, infectious disease-ridden travelers. yeah... lucky you if we have darkened your doorstep this week. we were honestly not at all sick when we set out on friday, but things have most definitely gone downhill in the past few days. we got back from the four-day wv tour (columbia to morgantown to harrisville to charleston to charlotte to columbia) this afternoon and i took the munchman to the doctor as soon as we hit columbia. he's got an ear infection (in both), was up all night last night whimpering and coughing his head off, and is now on ten days of bubble-gum-flavored amoxicillin.

now, some positive thoughts. it was wonderful to see so many friends and family members these past few days, and being able to drive to see them was key. we had an amazing time and will post pictures when the cough medicine has kicked in. also, for some reason, amoxicillin is free for all at publix. score. we do know we'll probably all feel a little better tomorrow, too. i am thoroughly looking forward to lounging around the house with the nuclear family for the next few days. cozy. simple. relaxing.

here's wishing you and yours a happy, germ-free christmas.

Yeah, WV!

Ah, Morgantown.....

Just a couple of shots from our WV journey thus far... Andrew awoke to see his first ever snow this morning, then it was hanging out at Aunt Phyl and Uncle Jack's and later off to the Connoleys' for some dinner and fun with our best friends. We are all so happy to be here.

Andy Warhol

Oh, you thought I meant the 60's pop art icon? Nope.... OUR Andy Warhol. :O)

Coast-to-Coast Cousins

Last night, Andrew met his only cousin for the first time....via webcam! It was really neat. Lucas lives in Washington state and he and Andrew were able to have a snack "together" for a little bit. We used Skype, which is FREE (although I doubt they'll keep it that way for long) and very user-friendly. Gotta love technology!

Proud Moment in Parenting....NOT.

Sometimes when Andrew's done, he's DONE. Tonight, unfortunately, spaghetti was involved. Please note noodles on Maddie's back.

Andrew Fed a Giraffe Today!

(He was allowed.)

Tonight's BHS Band/Percussion Concert from a Toddler's Perspective....

Hey Mom! Put that camera away and sit yourself down already! The concert is about to begin! Whazzup? OMG you guys, you have GOT to get over here and see my daddy conduct.

Yeah, they are STILL going! I can't believe it!
Why does Uncle Jack feel the need to restrain me? BTW, Mom, I need some more of those cookies in here right about now. And just WHERE is Elmo, dangit?!?
Can! Not! Stay! Quiet! Any! Longer!

Uncle Jack, let's go home.

Do WE know it's Christmas?

Aunt Phyl and Uncle Jack are in town and we enjoyed the 70 DEGREE afternoon today. Yes, I'm gloating.

Better

Andrew's almost back to 100%, so we went out to get the tree yesterday and he built a "tower of power" with his dad when we got home. I, however, have come down with his cold - the "munchy funk." He's 18 months today, by the way. Can't believe it.

First Fever

Our boy made it to 18 months old (well, Sunday) before getting his first fever, tonight - 101.5. He's a miserable little fella. We all went to the after-hours clinic this evening, where they tested for strep and thankfully it was negative. He does have another crappy cold, though - his second in three weeks. We're maxing out on the Motrin and Tylenol. There was NO sleep for any of the Burbanks last night (pitiful whimpering all night long) so we are hoping for better times tonight. After recalling a couple of majorly runny-nosed kids at Wednesday's playdate and finding this cold's timing to be all-too-coincidental, we're rethinking the whole playdate thing.... time to buy a bubble.

Gorgeous

The weather, I mean. It was mid-sixties today. Unreal. Don't get me wrong, I love WV snowflakes and the balmy December breezes of South Texas as much as the next girl, but playing comfortably outside on the sunny 4th of December was pretty sweet.

Andrew the Host

This morning, it was Andrew's turn to host a play date. So, his friends Sani, Hadley, Campbell, Ben, Sarah, and Nicholas came over to our house. You counted right: 7 toddlers + 7 mommas = fun! It was a great 3 hours, except for Maddie and Dora who, much to their chagrin, spent the time sequestered in our bedroom. To me, one of the morning's most incredible moments happened when the millions of toys scattered throughout the house were magically all put away before everyone left. Good, thoughtful ladies, and very nice kiddos.

Here's Andrew after everyone left - POOPED!

Wesley

That's his name. He left this morning. After a couple of calls to the 800 number on his AVID tag, we finally got hooked up with the vet who implanted the chip. They contacted his owners this morning and I immediately got a teary call from his momma. He is 8 years old, strictly an inside dog, and her dad accidentally let him out Friday morning when she was visiting for Thanksgiving. She was so overjoyed he was okay; we would feel exactly the same way if one of our hounds went missing. Her dad lives .5 miles down the road from us, and came to retrieve the little guy a short while ago.

So, that's the story of Wesley the Westie. He was a nice house guest, but we are all (Maddie and Dora, especially) happy he is reunited with his family again.

Little White Dog...

...in our kitchen. shhhhhhh.....

Dog Number THREE?!?

Yeah, you read it right, NOT that we're keeping him. Jon pulled in yesterday afternoon and this little guy was very pleasantly sitting in our driveway. We're calling him "Little White Dog" for now. Original, I know. Anyway, it appears he has an implanted microchip so we called the number on his tag, but his owners haven't registered him yet. He's the sweetest little thing. I whisked him inside yesterday and gave him a bath, then he quite handily and deliberately ran over and peed on one of Jon's drums. Needless to say, that was the end of his short-lived indoor time. He's living on our slightly damp, slightly cold porch for the time being. We've called the local shelters and posted an ad on Petfinder, so hopefully his obviously sad owners will do the right searching soon and will be led to our doorstep. Maddie and Dora are NOT in love with him. Keeping him is not an option, SO, I'll keep you posted Little White Dog's status...

Many Thanks

Auntie Christina (Jon's sis) came to town!!! We are all very happy to be hanging out with her during these very relaxing days. We all have many things to be extremely thankful for.