Andrew is 4 months old!

Weight: 16 lbs 10 ounces....85%
Length: 25 3/4 inch ....85%
Head circimfrence: 42 cm...50%











Andrew, you are beginning to... sit on your own (but fall forwards often), stand, play with one toy for a long period of time and "tell" us by crying that you are bored with that object. You reach for pictures in the books we read (turn pages) and just lately you turn towards noises and will turn your head when someone walks into the room.

You have Mastered...picking objects up that are in front of you (a spoon, a small stuffed animal) and swing/swat/grab hanging objects. You have also mastered giggling, especially when playing peek-a-boo and when legs are pushed into your tummy while Mom or Dad make funny noices. You give open mouth kisses to anyone when you are hungry.

You sleep from 9:00ish pm to 5:00 am (8 hours) and then take 3 naps during the day. You are pretty flexible and your times of your naps vary depending on what time you wake up or are woken up. Morning nap occurs one and a half hours after you get up, then an afternoon and evening nap. You can fall asleep anywhere.

You Love to...blow bubbles, stand (lock your knees) or be placed belly down on our arms when you get fussy, sit in your exersaucer, suck on your hand (still), sit in your little tub and play with the rubber duckie.

You do not like...your pacifier as much as you used to (you spit it out often),


The activities that you have been doing this month...took your first Amtrak Train ride (to Wisconsin), met your Great-Great Grandma (Oma Garbish...Grandma Schlicht's Mom), went to Amber's Baptism, went swimming, "preached for the first time (Daddy brought you up in front of church for the Thanksgiving service) and had his first Thanksgiving (you went to church in the morning where Daddy preached, then to he Hannemans and Wards for lunch and dinner and then at 8 pm Nana and Papa arrived and stayed the weekend).


We think...that you are such a good baby and can't believe that you are not an "infant" any more. You are learning so much, and it is exciting, yet in a way Mommy wants you to say a little baby. You are so handsome and adorable that we love to kiss you often (especially daddy).

What we call you...When you were first born..."little man" (now your hair has lightened up and you look more like a baby). Now Daddy calls you handsome, Baby Andrew and sweetheart. Mommy calls you Baby, Baby Cakes, Pumpkin, Stinky, Stinker

Christmas decorations are up!

For the first time we have an artifical tree. Why you ask? It was just easier. Andrew obviously did not help put up the decorations but he sure does enjoy looking at them.

Our tradition remains alive...sleeping in the living room the night we put up the tree. Daddy was worn out from the day though and fell asleep on us by 9 pm. It was a great day!

And for the first time we have lights on our house! I always dreamt of that.

Give Thanks in ALL Circumstances!

Ryan preached on Thanksgiving and the scripture reading he chose was from 1 Thes. 5:18...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.


We reflected on this passage many times on Thanksgiving Day and realized that it is difficult to do at times, yet this is what God commands us to do. Our prayer for you too, is that you are able to see God's love even during difficult and trying times.

We are so thankful for many things, but the obvious one is our baby boy! We went to see the Body Worlds Exhibit at the St. Louis Science Center, which reminded us of how detailed God is...He knows the number of hairs on our head. We also saw the growth of an embryo/fetus...God is amazing!

We missed spending Thanksgiving Day with family. Mom and Dad Peterson did arrive Thursday evening for the weekend. They spent time with Andrew, helped us put lights on our house and put in a tv/radio under our kitchen cabinet. We spent Thanksgiving Day at the homes of a few good friends. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

I love my Baby boy!

Erin's Baby Shower

We are so happy that Baby West is growing healthy. Brian and Erin were in St. Louis and there was a surprise baby shower for Erin. It was great to see them and Erin is looking great.

The butterfly picture is hand made by Erin for Baby Andrew. The butterfly has a special meaning to Erin and I, because 1 year ago, while we were talking about babies and having a heart to heart, a butterfly landed on us. God sure knows how to make new life!! Thank you so much Erin for this beautiful drawing.

Cute, Random Pictures

I always post the Best pictures of Andrew. Well, here is one that he is at his worse...It's like not having a digital camera. I just thought it was funny. Plus, this cute hat that "I like," tended to cover his eyes often.
Andrew in his car seat. I think he looks so cute in his little outfit.


The turtle above his head is his favorite. He babbles and laughs at it during diaper changes.


Here we are at Aunt Tricia's house during Amber's Baptism. He had an "explosion" so he needed a bath. This is when we are clean..Ha, Ha.

8 Mile Hike

Ryan lead 35 men from church on a 8 mile hike at Hawn State Park. The men are all part of a ministry at St. John called "IRON MEN." Ryan really enjoys this ministry and can't wait until Andrew can join him on all of these adventures.

Want to buy a PIE from me?

I am a really bad salesperson, but I thought I would try... WOULD YOU LIKE TO BUY A DELICIOUS PIE?

We are selling pies to raise money for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers)...it is an organization that I am in. THERE IS NO OBLIGATION, and honestly I do not expect anyone to buy one, yet if you are just dying to buy one just let me know. The pies are HOME MADE by all of us in MOPS ladies. (I am not sure if that convienced you or now your answer is no for sure :)

Cost: $7.50
Types of pies to dream about....Apple crumble, Chocolate Moose, Pumpkin Moose and/or Pecan

Deadline...Nov. 10th

I feel like I am a 3rd grader trying to sell girl scoot cookies.

The Cow Family

Ryan the Bull, Kristy the Cow and Andrew the Calf!

I had a 102 fever all day (I ended up having mastitus again), so Andrew and I slept all day long. He even got 3 layers of clothes wet and neither of us awoke. Yet, after starting my antibiotic and IBU we were able to enjoy Halloween night.

Went to the neighborhood cul-da-sac and handed out candy, then to 2 friends house to visit and show off cute little Andrew. As you can tell, he likes candy and we ate his fist piece...just kidding; Daddy ate all of it for him and ended up with an upset tummy...go figure!

And Andrew is not sitting up by himself in that one picture, we are holding him from the back.

8 babies for Halloween!

IT WAS THEIR FIRST HALLOWEEN AND WE CELEBRATED!

7 babies within 7 weeks of age of each other and then a 2 week old baby. How cute are they? When we lined them up on the couch from oldest to youngest (left to right), none of them cried. It was quite amazing.

We played a game....guess the difference between the weight of your baby and the weight of the pumpkin. We had fun.

Here are their names and how we know them...
Maddie (MOPS), Andrew (ours), Remy (Special Care Nursry), Broch (Lamaz class), Ava (neighbor), Karly (MOPS), Connor (church friend), and Nathan (neighbor).

Next year's party will be quite different because they will be able to walk...yikes!