Start of the Smiling Days

Everett's First Smile

December 27, 2006

Though he has been semi-grinning for a couple of weeks, when I woke Everett up this morning (one of the first mornings he woke up without crying) he threw a couple of smiles at me. I just happened to have the camera in my hand because I thought he was looking extra cute at the time and wanted to take some pictures of him waking up. So, I caught his first "all out" smiles in digital format. (Some of them are blurry. He wouldn't smile at the camera, just me. So, I was trying to keep eye contact with him while keeping the camera pointed in his direction.)

Enjoy--I sure did!---Sheila

Everett's First Christmas

Christmas Morning

(Just Waking Up)

Everett didn't fit in any of the stockings.

But, we did manage to squeeze him into the hat . . .

Since he refused to wear it.

Mostly, he just had a good time hanging out.

Merry Christmas!

Yearly Letter--2006

Hot List of Events for the Sjolseths in 2006

● For those who voted in 2005’s “Ugly UT Sweater Competition”—Sheila won!
● Erik transitioned to a different management consulting firm, Deloitte Consulting in June. He is also working with a start-up company, enjoying the faster pace.
● In June, Sheila graduated from her educational policy fellowship at the Institute for Educational Leadership. She also transitioned to a new position at the Department of Education in Title I, a program designed to support the most disadvantaged students.
● Everett Albritton Sjolseth was born a month early on October 19, 2006. Thrilled to have him in our family, we have enjoyed every fussy, stinky, funny, and cuddly moment.
● Erik was the winner of our “Who Do I Look Like?” vote, designed to demystify the pressing issue of who Everett looks like.
● Sheila and Erik celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary in December.
● We are celebrating our 3rd Christmas in a row in the same home, and we don’t plan on moving for a couple more.

And, a Bonus:
Brief Thoughts From the Sleep Deprived--
● You know you are sleep deprived when the waiter offers you a sippy cup because you have spilled several drinks during the meal.
● You know you are sleep deprived when you get in the shower fully clothed.
● You know you are sleep deprived when you keep dialing your husband’s cell phone number when trying to find your lost cell phone and don’t ever realize it.

Everett at 2 Months

Two Month Check-Up Stats:

Weight--13 pounds and 9 ounces . . . in the 90th percentile

Height--22 inches . . . in the 25th percentile

(he's got a lot to grow if he's going to be as tall as his parents)

Head--in the 75th percentile

The nurse couldn't believe the head check because at the one month check he was in the 15th percentile. Small headed no longer.

(Just laying around.)

First Sunday at Church

If You Look Close, You Can See Me Grabbing Dad's Tie

First Family Photo

Yeah, I still sleep-sometimes less, sometimes more.

Mom and I have the same hair.

Sooo Cute!

The Mighty Ten (Years of Marriage)

Picture taken at the Deloitte Christmas Party

We recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. As we took stock of where we had been over the past 10 years as a couple and what we wanted to do for the next, we jotted down a few notes:

17 moves (we burned the boxes after the last one)
6 countries
4 cars (yes, we counted the "heaps" because they hold a special place in our hearts)
4 US states
3 college graduations
2 bouts with unemployment

Well, we got that far and were too tired to think anymore. We know that we have enjoyed the past 10 years and look forward to the next.

Fire, Friends, and Food--Everett's First Party

The Invite

Hey Everyone: I've finally arrived to Earth,
(Mom says it was an early birth).
I want to invite you to come meet me at my crib,
I promise to don clean diapers and a fresh bib.
You won't want to miss a chance to guess who I look like.

For a preview, check out the website.

Meet the Baby Party

Report by: Everett (7 weeks old)

Saturday, December 9th, was my "Meet the Baby" Party. The occasion began with a bang . . . or firey roar when the floo to the chimney slipped shut after Dad built a kick'n fire resulting in smoke and flames shooting out of the fireplace.

Mom was amazed at the speed with which Dad flew through the house moving to put the fire out. I heard her say, "That was the fastest I have ever seen you move." (I think she is going to remember that the next time we are late to church.) Don't worry: No one was harmed and there was no property damage (though the fireplace looked antiqued in the end). Dad wasn't a forest fire fighter for nothing.

----One party goer reported that the ashy-smokey smell that lingered long afterward was a good way to "add a little holiday charm." She was really nice to say that.

Aunties Kate, Lala, and Jen were key in arranging food for the party, and everyone filled up on all the grub that friends brought.

I got to meet lots of Mom and Dad's friends, and several very pretty ladies were nice enough to hold me while I snoozed. (This is Auntie Jen.)

There was lots of action at the "Who Do I Look Like Voting Booth" (see picture below). Dad was actively trying to get the votes though he wasn't allowed to tell people which pictures were his.

Dad did win the vote (he was Baby B) . . . I must add that there is rumor that since Mom's second baby picture was printed upside down (and much smaller than Dad's second picture) some voters might have thrown their vote to Baby B because they could see the baby better. Mom thinks that I also look like Dad. So, there won't be a revote.

In the end, I had a great time. Met lots of friends, and ended up snoozing again after several hours of partying and looking cute.