December 16, 2002
Greetings Family and Friends!
Vienna was two in 2002, so it was a year of fun for all.
And for an encore, with much effort and consternation, we are fortunate to
announce the forthcoming birth of Baby #2 (to be named later), due in early
April 2003. Oh, and did we mention he's a boy? Yes, our big, bouncing, baby
boy, "Baby TT" as Vienna calls him, is six months along in his journey to birth.
Stay tuned for the last three months of the pregnancy, when Baby TT grows 12
inches and gains 7 pounds, and Mama Christie says, "Whoa Baby TT, you're outta
here!" Christie is already feeling the effects of the little guy, as she sleeps
a little longer at night, and tries to take naps with Vienna to keep up with the
demands of the day.
Like the prior year, 2002 was filled with many fun trips to SeaWorld, Legoland,
San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Taste of
Uptown/Downtown/Gaslamp/PacificBeach/Encinitas, along with countless trips to
the library, parks, playgrounds, music class, IKEA, malls, mountains, and
beaches to see stuff, do stuff, and play with stuff. Family visits included a
visit to see Ray's brother, Rick, wife Jen, and new baby Jayden in Sacramento in
February, a visit to see cousin Alma Flor Ada near Napa in February, a visit
from Ray's grandmother, Bila, from Florida in March, a visit from Christie's Dad
and brother Rainer from Florida in July, and a couple of visits from Ray's
parents from Missouri. The low point was the death of Christie's
grandfather, Lawrence "Razor" Ritter, in April. He earned his nickname by
being so sharp, and he is greatly missed.
In November, Vienna broke her left arm (climbing into bed) and had to wear a
cast for three weeks. She was fine with the cast, but the cast removal was a
bit traumatic with that loud saw they use to cut the cast off. At the moment,
it's virtually healed, but the doctor said to stay away from playgrounds until
Christmas, just to be safe.
We often talk about Baby TT coming, and Vienna likes to pretend that she is
still a baby. We play along with her, but we tell her that in a few months,
Baby TT will be born and Vienna will be graduating to "Big Sister" status. We
have no doubt that V will be a good Big Sister to Baby TT, as she already takes
really good care of her dolls, except when she leaves them face-down on the
floor, and falls asleep with them while pulling their hair. And a week or two
before Baby TT is born, Vienna will turn three, and will be able to do something
that she's been looking forward to for a long time : drive the cars at Legoland.
They have really small cars at Legoland that 3-year olds can drive around in a
circular track (with lots of bumpers), and does she want to do that! Let's just
say that she's mentioned it more than once, "When I turn three...
Vienna absolutely loves to read books more than anything else. Daddy Ray and V
go "Garage Saling" every Saturday morning and bring home bunches of books that
Vienna perpetually asks us to read to her. Reading, playing "Closet Games", and
playing "Computer Games" are her favorite things to do at home, and we do them a
lot, especially since we banished the TV to the attic. Her favorite books are
by Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry, Mercer Mayer, the Berenstains, and also the I Spy
and Where's Waldo books. Her favorite Closet Games are Perfection, Kerplunk,
Topple, Cootie, and Mouse Trap. Her favorite Computer Games are Reader Rabbit
Toddler, Little Bear Toddler, Just Grandma and Me, Arthur's Birthday, Arthur's
Computer Adventure, and Sesame Street Basic Reading. Vienna loves to sing, too,
and goes to music class every week to sing with other 1, 2, and 3-year olds.
Her favorite songs are Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Wheels on
the Bus, and anything by Raffi. She always requests that we play "Vienna Tunes"
in the car, and she can probably sing along with about 80 songs. V knows her
ABCs, can easily count up to 20, and can recognize all her letters, and many
numbers up to 100. Playing games with the digital clock in the car helps her
learn what number will be next. Calculus and potty training, however, will have
to wait until 2003. Whoo-hooo!!!!
As for Mommy Christie and Daddy Ray, we're fine and healthy (except for a few
colds now and then) here in Babylonia.
We hope you've enjoyed 2002, and pray that 2003 brings more happiness than
sorrow into your lives. Thanks for being a part of ours!
Christie, Ray, Vienna Rose, and Baby TT
Christmas Letter
2006
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2005
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2004
Christmas Letter
2003
Christmas Letter
2002
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2001
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2000
