Trip to New Orleans

On Tuesday the 19th I flew to NO for the American Heart Association's Stroke Conference where I was presenting some of my research (2 reporters even stopped by and wrote articles about what I presented!). This meeting was followed by a NETT meeting on Friday night and Saturday. Forest caught up with me on Friday night (killed time in Harrah's while I was working). Sienna stayed home with Grandma Jeanne. They had a great time and even cleaned up the house and returned $30 worth of bottles (only Grandma Jeanne could manage this!). They also went to Great-Grandma Seilers for a day and got to see a few of the cousins and aunts.

Forest and I had a great time in NO! It was nice to get away from the cold weather and school/work for a few days. Saturday night was probably the most fun. We hit Bourbon Street (let's just say that I am sorry I didn't bring my camera!).

Using remote control

Sienna loves her birthday gift from Heather and Alex (and so do we because it's realistic enough that so far she thinks it's real and will use this one instead of changing the channel of the TV on us -or us having to take the batteries out of the real one to KEEP her from changing the chanel on us!!).

Opening gift from Aunt Heather and Uncle Alex

This posting is mainly for Heather and Alex. I made this (and the other) video for you and tried to email it, but couldn't because the file is too large.

New Favorite Cup from Grandma Caveney

Sienna got this pewter cup from Grandma Caveney. Here she demonstrates how to use it.

Sienna opens gift from Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Mike

I could not get more than 1 video to load per blog post - so here is 1 of them - 1 more to come!

Sienna's 1st Bday!!

We made it a whole year!!! Sienna went to daycare for most of the day. We took ice cream cups and all the kids sang happy birthday to her (caught on video). She ate ice cream for the first time and LOVED it! Forest and I both left work early and we got to spend several hours together as a family (a rare thing these days) playing, opening gifts and eating cake (see pics). Sienna got lots of great stuff for her birthday. Great-grandma Seiler, Grandpa Ned and the Leodler's sent $$ (which we will save for her and use to start a savings account for her when she is old enough to understand what that is all about). Grandma Jean and Grandpa Mike sent a package with new shoes, a really cool pillow guitar that actually plays the radio and an ipod, a white turtle neck and a really cute white outfit. Grandma Terry sent a neat pewter set (bowl, cup and spoon) in the mail. Aunt Cheryl sent Sienna a Jayden look alike stuffed animal that is really adorable!!! Aunt Heather's gift is "in the mail". The Logans are coming over on Saturday to deliver their well wishes in person. We bought Sienna a shoe rack, toy organizer shelves and some clothes. After gifts, we had cake. I made a ladybug cake. Very domesticated, eh? After Sienna went to bed, Forest and I stayed up driking wine and watching the hours of video that we had taken over the past year. It's really amazing how much she has changed in such a short time!