The Willson Family: December 2009

Andrew's Allergies

Well, wanting to keep everyone in the loop...

Andrew seems to have MANY allergies! The ENT suggested taking him to an allergist. Andrew has been on different allergy medication since he was 3 months old. Nothing has been working well, so the ENT thought it was time to see the allergist. We went on December 17 and I thought we were having a consultation. Little did I know, Andrew would have his first round of allergy tests. Normally they like to wait on allergy testing until kids are a little older, but since he has been having trouble from the beginning, they decided they would run some tests on him.

We found out Andrew is highly allergic to cats, molds, and DOGS. Yes, I said DOGS! We have Minnie, who was my grandmother's dog. I have had her since 2003. We have decided that Minnie will be going to live with my parents for 6 months to see if Andrew's allergies improve. We are taking her down this weekend to live with Mimi and Grampy!

Now my parents will have not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 dogs! And these dogs are quite the variety. Minnie adds some additional character to the bunch. Say a prayer for my mom. We will miss Minnie. Minnie and Andrew have had their ups and downs, but have grown to really like each other. Andrew is quite fond of animals. Hopefully in the future we will be able to have a dog again!

Andrew shares his sock monkey with Minnie!

The Trip to Jackson Hole

My parents built a home in Jackson Hole, WY. We went there this year for Christmas! It was so beautiful and we had a great time! We got to see the sites, ski, celebrate Andrew's birthday, celebrate Christmas, play farkle and mexican train, make cookies, eat, eat, and eat more!

Brunch with Santa. On Sunday we went to the club to have brunch with Santa. We accidentally left our camera in the car, but Andrew screamed when he saw Santa. It was a repeat of being on Santa's lap at North Park mall. Andrew was had a virus the first 2 days we were in JH, so he wasn't feeling too well. I thought the wind was getting to his cheeks, so I was loading him up on aquafor... It was because he was getting ready to run a fever for a couple of days. OPPS! I am obsessed with aquafor. I recommend it for those of you who have never used it (it's great for children and adults)

Play time with Daddy!

One night we went out to eat at The Wort Hotel in town. Andrew was feeling better this day!

The morning of December 24, we gave Andrew his presents! He got presents from us when we got to JH because he a few toys! Then he got more gifts from Mimi and Grampy on his birthday! Andrew is one lucky little boy!

We took Andrew sledding for the first time on his birthday. He cried the first time, but after that he seemed to like it. I don't think he liked being all bundled up! It was really cold that day! He needed lots of layers!

Later that day, Brad went to get Andrew some balloons. He LOVES to play with balloons. That afternoon Andrew's birthday cake arrived! YUMMY!

We went to Christmas Eve mass.

After mass we headed back to the house to sing happy birthday to Andrew!

After cake, Andrew had a much needed bath. As a Lindner tradition, my parents always buy us pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve night. This year, Heather, Rick, and I decided we would get the family pajamas! We ordered red feet pajamas for everyone (except Andrew). Andrew got his own Santa jammies! On Christmas Eve we all put on our matching pajamas! We even had them monogrammed with a moose and Jackson Hole Christmas 2009!

Christmas morning Santa had arrived!

Check out these boots from Uncle Re!

We took a drive Christmas Day in search of wild animals! We were hoping to see a buffalo or two, but we did not have any luck! Maybe next time.

Another day we went to town to look around and stopped in for an early dinner. Andrew was very excited to be in out of the cold! He is wearing a cute sweater from Aunt Renay and Uncle Robert. Andrew was very warm!

Here are a few more pictures of Andrew from the trip!

Lion cap from Uncle Carlos and Aunt Heather!

Warm bear outfit from Mimi and Grampy! We saw our wild animal!

Trying on boots from Uncle Re!

Andrew's Second Birthday Party

We worried a bit when Andrew was born on Christmas Eve. We told ourselves we needed to make sure Andrew always felt that his birthday and Christmas are separate. I think we did a great job with the first birthday. I feel confident we will continue for the years to come!

Andrew had a second birthday party at our house with my parents and my brother. We did not want to bring all of the big gifts to Jackson Hole, so we had a birthday party for him so he could get his birthday gifts a little early!

We even got a FAKE tree his size to help us celebrate! Brad put together all of the "big" things we got Andrew for his birthday and for Christmas. I put bows on them because he was not too interested in wrapping paper this year. This is Monday night before Andrew's birthday party. We were proud of our good work! :)