Snow Day Continues

Sledding Update

Preston and I just went sledding and we had a BLAST! Ok, we were only outside for about 10 minutes, but we did sled down our front yard and I pulled the sled down the sidewalk for about 30 seconds and then turned around! As you can see by the photo's, I think Preston really liked his first sledding adventure! I know that I enjoyed taking him on his first sledding adventure!

Snow Day

Snow, Snow, Snow!!! As I look out my window right now it is snowing!!! This makes me so happy because I am going to take this blue sled and go down the 'hill' in my front yard in a little bit. I am also going to bundle Preston up and take him with me. Oh, I just love snow and I love sledding. It reminds me of being a kid and going outside in the snow for hours. I am SO looking forward to doing this with Preston in the days and years ahead! I hope you are also having a wonderful snow day!!

Weekend Update

Reflections from Katrina:
It was a restful weekend for the Dalbey Trio. Here is a run down of our 'activities'. On Friday night, Steven and I did absolutely nothing! We watched a movie, ate ice cream and chilled out. Doing nothing was wonderful and we agreed that this needs to happen more often. On Saturday, we invited Grammie and Papa Dalbey over for lunch and an afternoon to hang out with one another. We played scrabble and just enjoyed being with one another. After they left, Steven and I did some laundry and a bit of cleaning around our house. Sunday is Sunday and Steven and I always have responsibilites at Church but things went well and we were able to spend some time together again on Sunday afternoon. So, instead of starting our week feeling a bit worn out, I think we started our week feeling a bit better.
Reflections from Steven:
Snow Day!!! I have always loved snow days, dating way back to my earliest days in school (considering my favorite subject was recess for a long time, I don't think this would surprise you to learn that I still love snow days). I am looking forward to introducing Preston to snow and watching his reactions as he discovers this cold white precipitation for the first time. It has been amazing to have a front row seat watching just how quickly Preston has been growing and changing. His personality is emerging more and more each day. I sure love being a father and a husband. It is a wonderful, mysterious, challenging, celebration that is something I wouldn't change for anything. I love my wife, and son, and I am so thankful for them. One last thing, I am strongly looking forward to the Superbowl this year, Go Steelers!!

TGIF

Thank Goodness it's Friday! It has been a long week for the Dalbey Trio and we are so excited to spend the weekend together! Steven and I have set a goal to make sure that one night every weekend is spent together as a family. We believe this time is and will be extremly valuable to us and to our children. Even though Preston is very young, I allready look forward to our time together.

We started our evening together tonight with 'Buddy Bath Time' and then read Go Dog Go & Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman together. This was followed by singing Jesus Loves Me & Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Preston is now asleep and Steven and I are going to spend some time together. Again, TGIF!

Here are some photo's from bath time:

Here are a couple photo's from our walk yesterday. Preston is big enough to sit in the stroller facing out. I think he likes this a lot better than sitting in his carseat facing me! He LOVED looking at all the trees!

Trying to Keep up

'Trying to keep up' has been the phrase describing my life the past week. I have had so much to do at work, home and in my personal life that it has been a bit overwhelming this week. On top of a lot going on, I am extremely tired. I just can't find a lot of energy to keep me going. I have been trying to stay hydrated and eat healthy, but it has been challenging. I would certainly appreciate your prayers as I try to rest this weekend and get some items on my 'to do' list accomplished.

Inauguration Day

Preston and I watched the Inauguration event on TV today. No matter who you (or I) voted for, I think it is an amazing experience to watch a presidential inauguration. This one was especially significant because of all that Barack Obama represents for so many people. Personally, I believe that Obama represents a call for unity that our country desperately needs. Too long have people of different backgrounds separated themselves from one another and I hope and pray that we can begin to get along with one another and work together to make our country and the world a better place to live. I am looking forward to what the next 4 or 8 years will bring. Here are a few photo's from today. By the way, I LOVE spending time with Preston.

Preston really enjoys playing in his exersaucer! He also loves chewing on Mr. Lion (sorry Ava)

Here is Preston talking to William about the Presidential Inauguration. BTW - Preston has the same Birthday as Barack Obama!

Christmas Photo's

Dear friends, here are a few pictures of Preston that we had taken right before Christmas. Sorry that they are so small, but they are just proofs sent to us via email. Preston was so happy that particular day and we wish we could have purchased ALL the photo's. Oh well. We can enjoy them in digital format forever!

Go Steelers

The Dalbey Trio went over to Grandma and Grandpa Denton's house last night to watch the Steelers Game. We had some yummy burgers, fries and a whole lot of of Awesome Steeler football. We are SUPER excited to watch the Steelers play in the Superbowl!

Jury Duty update: Steven finished Jury Duty on Friday evening. Preston and I are SO HAPPY to have him back to 'normal'. Last week was long and hard and we hope that Jury Duty doesn't call for a LONG TIME! Oh yes, can't wait to get our $90 check in the mail!

Jury duty STINKS!

Well, its Friday and Steven is STILL in Jury Duty. I am all about doing our Civic Duty, but come on, this is REDICULOUS!!! An entire week - for a property/claims dispute!? No wonder Jurors complain! Since Steven is busy today, I had to take Preston with me to the office. This is not ideal, but something that had to be done because I had a LOT to do today. As you can see by the first two photo's, I am cleaning out some of our office space because we will be moving in a few weeks to a new building. I am going through years of stuff and trying to organize/clean out as much as I can. Preston is doing great but I think the end is near! I hope to have my husband back very soon!! The photo of Preston was taken today as I was changing his diaper on the couch in Steven's office. As you can see by the photo, Preston likes to reach for and suck on his feet - yummy! Have a happy Friday!

Jury Duty

Steven has had Jury Duty this week - no fun! What started on Monday has now lasted 3 full days (8am to 5pm) and he has to go back again tomorrow. I, Katrina, am starting to wonder if this will ever come to an end. From what I hear from Steven, which isn't much because he is not allowed to discuss the case, the trail is taking way too long. Steven said that the attorney makes the same point again and again - using different words, has been very confusing and seems to be unprepared. My dad thinks that there must be some 'bad' lawyers in this trail because it is taking way to long in court for a simple property dispute when he does malpractice cases in 3 days. He also said that one of the biggest complaints of jurors is that the trials take too long and that they are not compensated enough for their time. Steven is getting a wopping $18 a day. My simple complaint is that I miss my husband! I miss not seeing him in the office, not being able to email/call him and knowing that he has missed a lot of time with Preston. Lets just say I will be VERY happy when this is over! I guess civic duty called for Steven this year. I am sure Steven will write about his experience on the Dalbey Times when all is said and done.

Celebrate

Here are some more photo's from the lunch at our home on Sunday to celebrate Preston's baptism. We had a wonderful time and are so thankful for all our friends and family who could join us on this special day!
Preston, Poppa Dalbey and Grossi (Great Grandma Dalbey)

Preston and Ava - his girlfriend :)

This is Preston's friend, Jackson.

Mallory, Grace, Leah and Lucy - the girls who begged me for years to have a baby! Thank you!

Katrina and Aunt Tracey! Preston and Grandma Denton

Preston and Grandpa Denton

Baptism

Yesterday was a wonderful milestone for our family and for Preston in his young life. We were blessed to be able to have Preston be baptized by Poppa Dalbey and Dr. Doriani. One of the things that is special about my dad being able to do the baptism is that my grandfather (my dad's dad) got to baptize me just as my dad got to baptize Preston. It was sweet to see the way that Preston was up in front of the whole church, making funny noises and faces as if he knew that he was entertaining the congregation (hmm, I wonder where he got that from...maybe his daddy??). At any rate, we were able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon by celebrating with both of our families and some friends (about 40 in all) at our house for a chili lunch. Even my Grandma was able celebrate the day with us. Thanks to all who attended and helped out. It is amazing the way that the weight of the sacriment became realized for me as the day approached for Preston to be baptized. It was quite an emotional day! Hope this finds you readers doing well.

Tired

Its been a long week for the Dalbey Trio and we are ALL tired! Here is a brief run down:
Monday - go back to work after the Christmas break/youth trip. Attend two long meetings and spend about zero time in the office getting anything done. We also start cleaning our house. Tuesday - Steven attends his monthly youth leader meeting and Katrina watches Preston and William at home. Wednesday - Back at work and more long meetings. (Katrina is completely overwhelmed at this point and is thankful that there was no youth group that night). Thank you Grammie for watching Preston and cleaning our house. Thursday - Preston attends his first day of Peeps (Childcare offered at our Church). Katrina finally has time to get stuff done around the office. Steven sees some clients and teaches a guitar lesson. *Highlight of the week* Aunt Tracey came over to watch Preston so that Steven and I could go on a date. Yes, a real date and we had a very nice time! (Preston slept the whole time - good job budby). Friday - Katrina back at work and Steven does some major cleaning around our house. We now have an awesome book shelf in Preston's room. Saturday - Spring cleaning continues at the Dalbey house! Why so much cleaning? We are having some close friends and family over to our home tomorrow for lunch to celebrate Preston's baptism. We are super excited because Papa Dalbey is going to baptise Preston at Central. So now, we rest - sort of. We still need to get up early to prepare the food and finish cleaning. I promise to post photo's from the big event tomorrow!

Preston Laughs

Preston has always been a happy baby but he took his joy to a whole new level the other day. Check him out!

5 Months

Update on the Dalbey Trio: Preston is now 5 months old! Time seems to be flying by at super speed! Steven and I continue to enjoy being Preston's parents as he bring us new joys and excitement each day. We love seeing his big smiles, listening to him 'talk' to himself, hearing his contageous giggle and watching him observe the world around him. He continues to be a happy and healthy baby. As noted in an earlier post, we have begun to feed Preston solid food. We have started the rice cereal and plan on adding in avacado, banana and sweet potato very soon. Preston seems to be enjoying 'eating' and I am sure it is only a matter of time before he will be eating with the adults. Preston also continues to sleep very well at night. This has allowed Steven and I the opportunity to be with each other, keep up with the house and take care of other important things. I hope he always sleeps 11 - 13 hours at night - that would be awesome! Oh yes, another big milestone for Preston is that he said his first word - Da da! I have a short video and will try to post it tomorrow. It has been super sweet to hear these sounds. Well, that is all for now. We will continue to keep you updated on the Dalbey trio in the New Year! As always, enjoy the photo's.

Skiing

Steven and I had the opportunity to take some 8th grade students from our Church on a ski trip to Colorado the past few days. As you can see by the photo's, the mountain was beautiful and the skiing was great! We also had a great time hanging out with the students, talking about our favorite SNL skits, the music we like and other random items. I can't wait till next years trip.

Happy New Year

The Dalbey Trio would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! For Steven and I, it was great to ring in the new year by being reunited with Preston after 4 days away on a youth trip. We are so thankful for our sweet boy who seems to have enjoyed his time with Grammie and Papa while we were away. Here are some pictures from their time together. We will add photo's from our ski trip tomorrow...stay tuned!