What a Big Boy!!

Alex & Briggs

Yesterday we headed to Roodhouse to pick up Briggs. He'd been there since last Saturday. I think he's glad to be home. He's extremely tired and mellow, just the way we like him!!!

We stopped at the store and put Alex on the scale in the deli to see how much he weighed. He of course was squirmy so we didn't get an exact number, but he is now around 12 1/2 pounds. We have a big boy on our hands!! He goes next week for his 2 month check-up and shots, so we'll know for sure then.

Right now we're just enjoying our time together, because I go back to work in a week and half and Adam starts football practice. Next week we are going to take Alex for a visit to daycare. I already know this is going to be way harder on me than Alex. Pray for me please!!!

Draft One Complete!!!

(Adam typing here...)
Well, the first draft of the novel is complete, and I'll be sending it off to my professor tomorrow. Molly took this pic of me with the little man right after I got finished. It's a big relief to be done with the initial draft. I'll still have quite a bit to do after my professor sends it back, but this is still a pretty big milestone, and it feels like quite an accomplishment. Of course, getting it approved as a master's thesis is one thing. Getting the thing published is a whole different animal. We'll take it one thing at a time, though. For now, here's the dedication and a sample of the acknowledgements page:

Dedication:

This book is dedicated
to the memory of

Leo Kershaw and Merle Furness

A Grandson could never have asked for better examples of patience and integrity

Acknowledgements:

I would also like to show my gratitude to my parents, Stephen and Deborah Kershaw. Your support and love for me has never wavered, and words cannot express all that I owe to you.

To the many teachers, colleagues, friends and family members who have made this work possible, thank you all. Because I am such a blessed man, it is impossible to mention you all here, but I am forever grateful to each and every one of you.

To my son, Alex, your birth coincided with the birth of this manuscript, and it will be many years before you are able to read these words. When that time comes, I want you to know that in a lifetime full of blessings that I don’t really deserve, you are the greatest gift I could have ever received, and I love you dearly.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge my wife, Molly. You are the reason I continue to write. Without you, there are no more words.

Good Morning!!!

This was our cuteness this morning!!! Thought I'd share!!! Now we are officially caught up on blogging!!! Make sure you click on older posts to see all that I've done today (17 posts in case you are counting). We had a lot to get caught up on!! Enjoy!

Sleeping in My Own Room!!

First night in my crib!!

Checking out my mobile!!

Checking out my new room!!

From Alex's point of view!

. . . In with the new!!! Last night was the first night Alex spent in his own room!! He did wonderfully!! It was way harder on Mommy!! Just another way our baby is growing up soooo fast!! He loved looking at his mobile, and when he woke up to eat in the middle of the night he absolutely loved looking at the pictures on the wall. He talked and talked to them. It's so fascinating to see how alert he is. He's really been drawn to lights lately too.

A Family Tradition

This is the cradle that PaPa Kershaw (Adam's Grandpa) made for all the Kershaw boys to sleep in. Alex has continued the family tradition of spending the first several weeks of his life sleeping in the cradle in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom right next to us!! He's quickly outgrowing it, more than anything he just needs more space to move around in. So, we've moved on. Out with the old. . . .

Great-Grandmas!!

Great Grandma Furness

Great Grandma Kershaw

Introducing. . . Trevor & Ashley Kershaw

Mr. & Mrs. Trevor Kershaw

Lighting the unity candle

Alex & Grandma
He loved her necklace!!

Mommy, Grandma, and Aunt Sara

All Dressed Up!

I pretty much stole the show with my cuteness!! I think these pictures say it all!!

Trevor & Ashley's Wedding Day!!

Check out my suit!! I stole the show!!

Right before Uncle Trevor said 'I DO!!"

Mommy, Daddy, & Alex

Just one more of us!!

Uncle Trevor & Aunt Ashley got married on July 24, 2009 in DeKalb, Illinois. It was a very beautiful day. The wedding party got up early to head to Chicago for pictures. Mommy and Alex followed Grandma & Grandad to the wedding. We didn't take the tollway, and boy was that a big mistake!! We barely had time to get Alex dressed and kind of fed before the wedding started. Mommy and Grandma were really stressed out!!

Daddy was in the wedding and Mommy was a reader. Alex was so good during the wedding, but was really hungry and didn't participate very well in family pictures afterwards!! We then headed to Schaumburg for the wedding reception. It was sooo beautiful. Everything was so nice and it waited to rain until after the cocktail hour that was outside. Alex was passed around a whole bunch, but did very well. He was ready to be left alone by the end of the night though!

Kershaw Family Pictures

Kershaw Family

Mommy, Daddy, & Alex

Mommy & Daddy

The Kershaw Men

After we finished with family vacation we were home for about 14 hours before we hopped back in the car and headed to DeKalb for Uncle Trevor and Aunt Ashley's rehearsal dinner and wedding!!! Here are a few pictures from the rehearsal dinner of the family!

My Future is So Bright. . . .

I have to wear shades!!! Check out the sunglasses Grandma got for me!!! Aren't I so cool?

A Few Random Pics

Uncle Adam's traditional punch to the head!!

A little cousin time!

Aunt Amy & Gabbi

Trying to keep Thomas contained.

Here are a few more random pictures I thought I would share. For some reason Adam always finds a reason to punch Gabbi in the head. This one happened to be a vacation punch in the head!! All in all the trip was wonderful!! Can't wait for next year!!

Check out my Swimming Trunks!!

Nana and Mommy stayed with Alex and Thomas David while everyone else floated down the river. Uncle Thomas came and got us once they were done. Thomas David drove us down to the river to meet up with the rest of the family. Alex debuted one of his two pairs of swimming trunks. Mommy wouldn't let him get in the river though. It's just too dirty for such a little guy!

Chilling by the Fire!

Every night Henry built us an amazing fire to sit around. It was so nice and peaceful!! I wish I had a picture of the fire to share. Who knew we could be comfortable sitting around a fire in the middle of July! It was in the 60's during the evenings.

Wii Played!!

Several games of Wii were played: bowling, tennis, golf, and singing. Papa was a little intense and ended up breaking one of the globes and light bulbs!! Broken glass went flying everywhere!! Mommy, Daddy, and Alex were laying on the couch and got quite a bit of it on us, but we all were OK.

Believe it or not, a trip was made to Wal-Mart (gasp I know!!! Unheard of in the Meehan family!!) and exact match of the globe was found! So all damage charges were avoided!!

Beer Anyone??

Lil T kicking back enjoying the river.

*Disclaimer the beer was empty!!

Gabbi too enjoyed posing with an empty beer!

Of course, Daddy enjoyed a drink or two!!

And so did Uncle Jordan!!

Part of the river experience is kicking back and relaxing in the hot sun and cool water with a cold tasty beverage!! We start them young in the Meehan family!!