Hello! Welcome to the Gonzalez Blog: October 2008

Well, the first week back at work was not bad. It is really nice to get reconnected with everyone and know that not too much has changed. :)

JJ had a good time with Grandma Kennedy and Natalie. I did miss the little bugger, but it was very good to know that he was in good and familiar hands. I do miss our routine of listening to Mozart in the morning and dancing with Ellen DeGeneres vicariously while watching her talk show. (I am taping it, so we can play some at night! See this weeks video to see how much JJ likes her!)

JJ Loves Uncle Casey (Click on pictures to see larger
image)

He is learning the art of the grab! Pretty soon he will be pulling hair and faces... You have been warned. He also is talking A LOT! Boy oh Boy!

JJ is still sleeping pretty good at night, but the last two nights he has gotten up for an extra feeding... hmm... maybe a growth spurt. (Great - bring on the 9 month old clothes! I hope I am kidding...)

As you can see, we are working on giving the Blog a bit of a face lift. We hope you enjoy the changes and this weeks collage & video. We LOVE Ellen!!

Great-Great Aunt Jean & JJ

Grandparents In Training (OJT) Val & Casey

Say Mama

Practicing Sitting up

Happy Halloween!

(Click on pictures to see bigger images)

Hi ya'll! Well this was my last week with JJ before I return full time to work. I was helping out a little with year end projects while I was at home. I always try to be a team player and hope I can teach JJ that skill too. :) Plus it was nice to not only put my Thomson-Reuters PM hat on, but I will also be able to stay at home sometimes with JJ in November and December so we don't have to put him in Day Care until January.

JJ in Mommy's Arms for Morning Nap
Well, we have had a great and very busy 12 weeks!! It has been a great time, no matter how you slice it!! Even with the health complications and the horrendous medical bills, I wouldn't have traded it for anything!! Special thanks are in order for so many people!! I hope I do not forget anyone!! WARNING - some of this is kind of mushy. (I will sprinkle in some cute pix to break up the monotony.)

Mom - WOW! In 10 lifetimes I would not be able to repay you for all your hard work, support and love you have given us over the last 12 weeks and will continue to do in helping us raise the little guy in the coming years. (The meals, the yard work, the cleaning, the relief, the listening, the encouragement, the love...) We love you so much!!

Dad & Grams W. - Thank you for coming to visit just about every Sunday to play with James and becoming an important part of his life. What a special treat to have you folks around! We love the special music and gifts you brought us each week, but your company was especially wonderful!

Joe & Joan (Pop Pop and GG) - Thank you for the amazing and unselfish gift of your time. The two weeks we all had together will be treasured for a lifetime!! It was wonderful getting to know you better and living as a family at that time. I am so lucky to have terrific in-laws like you and JJ is especially lucky!!

Kevin - Thank you for your visits and especially cleaning up our yard!! You are such a giving wonderful person. The movies and lunch at Panera were excellent!!

Gayla - Thank you for bringing lunches and Grams over to visit during the week. It was so much fun to spend time with you folks and reconnect in a very special way.

Kelly Jo - Thank you for being such a sweet, sweet cousin and friend. It is fantastic that you are not only sharing in our new experiences but you are about to embark on your own magnificent adventure in just a few months! Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives. :) MLULT

My Girl Friends & The Johnsons (Angela, Katie, Katy, Lisa, Mechelle, Melanie, Natalie, Coty & Andy) - Thank you so much for all your support and the FOOD! Having food pre-made for us when I got home from the hospital was a fantastic surprise and gift for us! You gals knock my socks off! I LOVE YOU!!
Thanks also for all the time you have given us. The walks, the talks, the visits and the lunches! I will cherish these memories of this time with you forever. (Can't wait to return the favor!) MLULT

Welcome Reed Coppola!

Angela Coppola - Thanks for all the pre and post advice for babies!! You are a great wealth of information and we appreciate all you have given us! Megan and Reed are very lucky to have a terrific Mom like you.

Gonzalez Family - Thank you for all the support and love!! We are so happy to be a part of your family and look forward to seeing you all soon!

Kennedy Family - Thank you for all the cards, gifts, time and encouragement!! We are so fortunate to have such a large family for JJ to become a part of. Thank you for welcoming him into your lives and hearts.

Wadnizak Family - Thank you for being such a great family to be a part of!! We look forward to sharing many good memories with you in the future.

Troy Lykken comes to visit!

Thomson-Reuters Team & Friends - Thank you all so much for all your back-up and support while I was out on Maternity leave. I very much appreciate all the hard and additional work you had to do while I was out. Thank you for allowing me to have this very special time with James.

Last but not least, my husband, Larry - Thank you for being such an awesome Dad and husband!! I knew I loved you with all my heart when I married you, but I never thought I could love you more until you gave me the special gift of James. Sharing in this exceptional time, will be something we will remember into our later years. I am so happy to be sharing this experience with you.

Well, hopefully no one threw up too much. (Just kidding) I am very, very sincere
Enjoy the rest of the photos and videos! I will do my best to update the blog when I can. But we all know how I get when I am back at work! :) School will be starting soon too.

Love you all and keep the emails, calls and letters coming!
Joy
(Larry, JJ, Chandler, & Blue)