Random P "Pic o' the Day": "Where's Waldo/P"

OK, so we may not post a pic every day, but we'll try to keep it current. We thought this was a cute one and it reminded us of the ET movie when ET hides in the closet with the stuffed animals. This isn't a Spielberg soundstage, but rather a plush bin at Big Lots. Hollywood here she comes...

P in "Wild Kingdom"

P meets Madonna--not that Madonna, this Madonna. Daddy doesn't think all babies get chunky legs. This painting proves that it's not only normal--it's Biblical.


P Otter and her Grandpa and Grandma Otter. That's her foot in the other hole (in case anyone was wondering).

P meets Goats at the Kiddie Zoo

We went to the SL Art Museum and Zoo today and P met some cool animals. She didn't really meet all the animals since she slept through most of the afternoon. But, she got up close, and personal, with some goat friends! After the next trip, I'm sure we'll have more pics to post. The grandparents were in town, so they had a good time, too!

Squirming and Squashing

Here are a couple of new events in P's life: crawling and fine cuisine. She has really started to move. I have been trying to upload a video to this site, but with no luck. So, I am posting a few pics instead. If you use your computer's scroll function pretty quickly, it is almost like she moves before your very eyes!

On another note, P hasn't really taken much to solid food. Still preferring Mommy's Milk, she occassionally humors us with a few bites of the latest fruit/veggie introduction. Here she is trying squash for the first time...mmmmmmmm good!

Some Random SL Pics

This post will be updated frequently as we explore the wacky and wonderful corners of our new town. We just had to stop and take a pic of the sign outside of the church: "A guy might enjoy dating an "easy" girl, but he wants to marry a pure one"--is it 2007 or 1950? I expected Wally and the Beav to come skipping down the block on their way to meet Eddie and Lumpy at the soda shop. Crazy stuff. Check out the kid with his skateboard in the gazebo next to the "No Skateboarding" sign. Thought that was funny. Also, has "Hip Hop H20" appeared on your market shelves, yet? No? Well, expect it soon! Like the van says: "It's the Hippest Water You'll Ever Drink." Lots of variety here in the SL area! From '50s suburbia with white picket fences to the urban and progressive city center. More pics to follow...

Our 1st Cardinal's Game

We went to our first Cardinals game last night! The Cards took on the Phillies (too bad A, G, and M couldn't be there, too). We had cool seats (some might call them the cheap seats) at the tippy-top of the stadium. We had a great view of the SL skyline and the park. P really seemed to enjoy the atmosphere: the lights, the chants, the music, the "kiss cam" and the folks shouting "Peanuts! Fresh Roasted Peanuts!" She smiled at everyone and made a lot of new friends. It was a beautiful, clear night and we had a good time. Enjoy the pics!

More Pics of P

P turned 8 months old this week. Here are some more pics of our little peanut! We like her cheeky, pursed lip pic--she sure has developed a personality. R tried his I-Pod on her and she seemed to like the tunes! She also really loves playing in her Jumperoo! Lately, she has been getting up on all fours and rocking back and forth--it is only a matter of time before our little girl's in motion. Emma better watch out! We'll post some pre-crawling pics, soon.

Her Future's So Bright, She's Gotta Wear Shades!

Greetings from the Gateway to the Midwest!

Following the lead of trusted friends, we've decided to create a blog to keep interested friends and family posted on the new adventures of the W family! We have been in St. Louis for a month and a half and have a rare spare minute or two to catch folks up to speed. What follows is our SL TOP TEN of the best and worst the Cardinal Nation has to offer to transplanted Hawkeyes (so far):

TOP TEN BEST:
(10) Gainful employment for A
(9) Short-term lease agreements and a decent cost of living
(8) Relatively short commute from our town to A's job
(7) The free Science Museum at Forest Park
(6) The free Museum of Art at Forest Park
(5) Bartolino's Italian Restaurant on The Hill
(4) Gravois Bluffs in South County (pretty scenery and decent shopping)
(3) Fenton Olde Towne Donut Shop
(2) The free and world famous St. Louis Zoo
(1) The Global Foods Market where R can score his favourite British sweets and treats

TOP TEN WORST:
(10) The HORRIBLE HUMIDITY and 100+ degree August days (we've been told that SL has hazy, hot, and humid summers, but that this summer was particularly harsh--lucky us!)
(9) The somewhat conservative political vibe in the SL burbs--not the hippie-liberal vibe we were used to in IC
(8) Zero enthusiasm for college sports
(7) The "Cardinal Crazies" and the city's obsession with all things red-bird-related (see above)
(6) The terrible signage for navigating the downtown area--how many times can you miss the same exit?!?
(5) Getting lost in East St. Louis and not being able to ask for directions
(4) The city and county's obsession with "flashing red" intersections--fix the friggin' lights already!
(3) Super-cops who love to pull over out-of-state cars going a mere 10 miles over the speed limit; Note to future visitors: Slow to a crawl when you are driving through Palmira, MO or you will get screwed!!!
(2) Everyone's obsession with where you went to high school--it is a quick status check around here and sooooooo annoying!
(1) Missing all of our friends from IC :(

We are taking it one day at a time and trying to establish ourselves in our new environment. We are reminding ourselves that we felt a similar sense of fear and disorientation when we first pulled our U-Haul into Hawkeye country and it is going to take time to feel at home here in our new town. Until then, we will keep folks posted on interesting tidbits and use this blogspot as a forum for therapeutic ranting. Perhaps, more importantly, this site will also serve to keep folks up to date on the life of our little Miss P!!! We will post lots of pics here for your viewing pleasure :) She is, without a doubt, the light of our lives! Enjoy and please drop a note in the "message box" once in a while.