The Peanut Tracker

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…GIRL!

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Our little daughter at 16 weeks, 6 days, sucking her thumb.

We’re blessed to have a girl! Which, interestingly enough, seems to be the first girl on my (Tobias’s) side of the family in quite a while, whereas Elliot was the first boy on Tania’s side of the family in quite a while.

We have restored balance to the force.

No, we don’t have a name yet, but we’ll be working on that. This time around, we’ve found that with Elliot and all the other things going on, it’s been hard to sit and think about these things. So, very soon, we’ll have to carve out time and give our daughter a name.

Family update: Tania’s having another not-so-fun pregnancy, but she’s hanging in there. Elliot’s got his seventh tooth–a molar–coming in. I’m still taking classes and working. It’s been tough on us out here (even though we like San Antonio), away from family and friends. Keep us in your prayers.

-T

Our car after being tagged by a nice lady who was looking the other way.

Yesterday was an eventful Saturday.

As you can see, our car is not feeling so happy. But, more importantly of course, we are all fine. It was pretty scary, though.

A very nice lady with her head fully turned the other way began to pull out right in front of us on the main road we live on, only about a half-mile away. When I saw that, I thought, “Aw man… seriously?” I hit the brakes and tried to veer left a bit, but she kept coming, smacking into us and jolting the car to the side. Her bumper flew past the front of our car as we pulled past, straightened out, and stopped. I can’t clearly remember, but I suspect when she saw us she reflexively hit the gas pedal, tagging us nicely, which may have been why we couldn’t slip past her. Anyway, I’m just glad she didn’t shoot out in front of us, causing us to ram her. Even at the 30-40 miles per hour we were driving, it would not have been a barrel of fun. Whew. But everyone was fine, other than being a bit shaken up.

The lady was very nice, admitted (to us, at least) her fault in the matter (she was pretty upset at herself), and was very helpful with information for the insurance. One of those people you wished you’d met under better circumstances.

It’s hard to tell in the photo above, but I’m pretty sure the rear right axle (or whatever the proper name for that part is on this vehicle) is bent, causing the wheel to tilt inward a bit. The rear passenger-side door obviously won’t open, and the front passenger side door is a bit banged up as well. I’m sure there’s more damage here and there, but, all in all, I’m happy with how well the car took the hit. I never lost control of the car; its handling was pretty tight and solid through the whole thing. I do wish the brakes would’ve stopped the car faster, though. I think my old Camaro SS would’ve pulled up short of the hit. (Although, it’s possible that would’ve caused a rear-end collision with someone else. Who knows.)

So far, there are no aches and pains, so that’s good (but we’ll see). Now we’ve just got to deal with the insurance companies and hope the very nice lady doesn’t change her tune. That she was at fault is pretty obvious, but you never know what people will do after they go home and talk with other folks. Also, we hope the car will be fixed some time soon, since my little commute car doesn’t fit us all very well, not to mention its much-further-down-the-list safety status. Sigh.

-T

We’re very excited to introduce to you all the latest addition to our family: Peanut #2! (We’re working on something more snappy.)

Tania is 10 1/2 weeks pregnant now, and we just went to her first appointment (and ultrasound) yesterday. So far everything is looking good, although Tania’s getting hit pretty hard with the all-day “morning” sickness. Not so fun.

The timing here is actually pretty great. We wanted to expand our family fairly soon after Elliot was born (like right about now). It’s exciting to know Elliot will have a little sibling to grow up with, and we’re looking forward to meeting and welcoming him or her home!

Elliot was in the room during the ultrasound, watching his little brother or sister on the big monitor above Tania’s head. He was distracted and tired of being held–he just wanted to run around–but when I pointed at the monitor and told him, “Look son, it’s the baby in Mama’s belly; you have a sister or a brother. You’re going to be a big brother!”, he focused on the monitor, watching his little sibling. He doesn’t completely understand yet, of course, but he knows something is up. Elliot already knows what a baby is (he says “Mei-mei”), and Tania’s been showing him that there’s a little baby in her belly, just like him before he was born. (When she tells him, he looks downs at his belly, confused. ) Just the other day while reading to Elliot about Mary and Joseph, pointing to Mary’s belly and explaining that baby Jesus was inside, he pointed over at Tania. So anyway, he knows something’s up.

Let’s see if we can’t answer a few questions here, preemptively:

• The name factory is steaming away. Nothing to report yet.
• It looks like the little stinker is aiming close to my birthday to be born. Interesting. Well, it would make for a great birthday present! (Tania, you still have to get me something. At least those little chocolate-covered almonds from Whole Foods. And ginger beers. Oh, and…ok, I’m off track a bit.)
• Of course, it’s too early to determine whether we’ve got a little boy or girl brewing… But…
• Just kidding, I wouldn’t leave you hanging like that. The doctor said she thought she saw little boy-parts. Actually, she described what she thought she saw as “sort of glowing”. Make of that what you will.

See the pictures below (click ‘em for the Gallery).

Our latest little one, relaxing. Legs dangling a bit on the left.

Evidently Peanut #2 already has a strange sense of humor, judging by the moon-shot here.

Another side view of our little one.

-T

A string of photos from different, but recent, times and places…

(Click each photo for a bigger version in the Gallery!)

Elliot under tickle-attack

Hmmmm...

Yo, yo, yo

That's the effect Elliot has on the living room every morning.

Staring Daddy down

Pasta!

Breakfast with a little bed-head

With Mama at Elliot's 1st birthday party

At Elliot's 1st birthday - who doesn't love tearing up wrapping paper? (Or tissue paper, whatever.)

At Elliot's 1st birthday - he loved to start his own applause.

At Elliot's 1st birthday - unveiling of The Daddy Book

-T

We’ve Elfed ourselves!

So without further ado, and with only minor introduction, we present to you–framed in the context of three well known, historically documented, and scientifically proven facts–ourselves thoroughly elfed.

(Click the pictures.)

Fact #1 - We’re Texans now.

Fact #2 - We’re old school.

Fact #3 - Dude. The Flatterys know how to get down. Don’t even mess.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, etc!

-T

Mobility. Sweet, blessed mobility.

Elliot loves it, loves to walk, to move freely, to (sort of) run. Crawling was yesterday. Today–well, today Elliot moves about as man was intended: on two legs.

And so also do his parents. Quickly, too, since the boy is finding new areas to explore, new shelves he couldn’t see before, new nooks and crannies to search for treasures inside of. We’ve even bought him a pair of big-boy shoes now, so he can with victorious steps conquer the world outside his home.

Elliot isn’t the only one picking up new things to say, either; we’re learning new phrases too. “No, son, that’s not for you.” “Elliot? Where are you?” “Son, what are you doing in there?” “Be careful!” “Come on back, son. Come back to Daddy.” “I can’t hear you, son. What are you up to?”

-T

P.s. And here’s a few more photos. Y’know. Just ’cause I like ya.

Yay for big-boy foods!

Stopping for Cheerios at an ol' Texas ranch.

In lieu of actually writing something (sorry, haven’t had time to breathe much this month), please accept more pictures as a peace offering…

(Click ‘em for the bigger versions.)

Hi! (10.26.08)

"Elliot, what happened?" "I don't know, Mommy." (10.25.08)

The family (10.19.08)

Some chubby cheeks right there. (10.25.08)

Not so impressed with the Tigger outfit... (10.28.08)

A little more impressed with Tigger now... (10.28.08)

-T

Elliot turned 9 months old yesterday!

Happy 9 months, Elliot!

Tania and Elliot (10/19/08)

-T

A few random but recent photos to keep my hind parts out of trouble!

Can you believe how stinkin’ big he’s getting?

(Click ‘em for the bigger versions.)

I just thought this photo turned out cool.

He's upright and mobile now. Not walking unassisted yet, but he gets around on the furniture.

Always trying to play Daddy's djembe... Our little drummer boy!

Elliot on the piano-toy-thing. If you look closely, you'll see his first tooth. (Try the bigger version!)

-T

Elliot is 7 months old today! Mr. Stinky Toes is getting so big!

Happy 7 months, Elliot!

Here are some photos of him taken over the last month.

(Click the photos for bigger versions in the Gallery.

Chowing on the rice cereal! (08/16/08)

Elliot after his first taste of squash. Yeah, not so much. And this only captured a small fraction of the fun. (He and squash get along now, though.) (08/19/08)

Elliot and Daddy celebrating a bowl of squash in the tummy, using our new high-five technique. (08/24/08)

The duck is unhappy. (07/02/08)

Our little bookworm. Just like Mommy and Daddy. (08/08/08)

Yo, yo, yo. (08/01/08)

Tania and Elliot... and the rings of power. (07/28/08)

Elliot thinking inside the box. (07/24/08)

-T