The Seymour-Tisdell-Straubs: December 2006

Two very sleepy-heads

This is Trish (she's under that big pile of blankets on the left) and Lou in bed on a Sunday morning. Lou likes to wake us up around 6 AM so he can go outside and use the bathroom. He then loves to get onto our bed and sleep at the foot of the bed. Apparently, our bed is more comfortable than his, although I've tried out his bed and if it were bigger, it would be very suitable for a human. While I was trying to take these pictures of Lou and Trish with our slowly dying camera, Lou would occasionally look up at the camera and then put his head back down on the bed - it was very funny. These pictures were taken at oh, around 10 AM -early for Trish on a Sunday as I could figure out when she sternly told me to stop taking pictures.

The Morning Torture

Picking out Sydney's clothes in the morning is a daily battle. I believe that it really should be Sydney's choice but I also believe that she should wear shirts that cover her belly button...particularly in December. Its not that she likes short shirts but really just that she is growing about 1 foot per day. By the time we get home from old navy with a new shirt it already doesn't fit her. So she's forced to wear sweaters (a fate worse than death in 2nd grade apparently). She also has "sock issues." I'm a little more sympathetic because I'm also very picky about my socks.

All-in-all we have decided to move this morning 45 minute ritual to the evenings before bed and you can see how very pleased she is about the process.

And if her arm wasn't in the way you'd see her belly button.

Money dog

When Lou first arrived Sydney donated one of her less loved stuffed animals (named "money dog" for historical reasons). Lou LOVES this dog and shows his love by shaking money dog by the head at least 5 times a day. As one may have predicted, money dog's face is falling apart.

Sydney in Wonderland

Sydney and I laughed so hard when we saw this picture because the angle makes her look so tall. She is tall for a 7 yearl old..........but not as tall as our 6.5' tree! I apologize for the lack of posting and I could use any number of excuses - our interview shedule, christmas preparations, finishing up our elective months (who knew dermatology could be so time intensive!) and our vehicle problems.

My ford explorer that Sydney nick-named "The Endurance" last year has seen her last road trip. The clutch went and after 220,000miles we decided to call it. We've been looking for a new car and trying to make loan arrangements. I'm so sad to see it go - its been a great car for Syd and I for more than 5 yrs. I can't tell you how challenging it is to try and get 2 medical students and a very active 7 year old everywhere they need to be on time with one car. So my parents were generous enough to loan us their extra car. We drove to the South Shore to get it last week and it broke down on the way home! After a new starter and some brake work, we picked it up a couple days ago so I could get around more easily. But, unfortunately....the brakes went out on my way home from work yesterday....I swear every car I touch turns to poop.

We did find time to cut down our own christmas tree last weekend and decorate it. We've started our christmas shopping which is pretty good for us.

Hope to see you all soon!