Fletcher Augustus DeRouen

A diary for our son, by Joe and Andrea DeRouen

Tuesday, December 31, 2002

Today is December 31st, the day before the New Year. Fletcher, Andee, and I had a very nice Christmas, and we especially enjoyed seeing Fletch rip open his presents. It took him a few minutes to get started but, once he began, he really seemed to get into it. His favorite present seems to be the Fisher Price barn that we gave him. It's just like the old Fisher Price barns, except now the animals talk ("Moo", "Oink", etc.) when you put them on certain platforms located throughout the barn. It's a fun toy! He also received a Sit 'n Spin from his Great Aunt Pam, a shirt, some talking blocks, and a See 'n Say from his Grandmother Judy, a talking Tiger and an outfit from his Grandmother Barbara, various toys from his Great-Grandmother Tillie, a big fluffy Reindeer head from his Great-Great Aunt Mac, several more presents from us, and probably a few other things from a few other people whom I've managed to forget. Andee can add to this later in the event that I've left anyone out.

Fletch is walking really well now, and has added "water" to his repertoire of words. He's amazing, and we're looking forward to bringing in the new year with our beautiful, bright, funny, and charming little boy.

.: posted by Joe 10:00 AM

Wednesday, December 18, 2002

In just seven days, Fletcher will celebrate his second Christmas. He's still a little young to understand the whole concept behind giving and receiving presents, but I'm betting that he'll really enjoy ripping apart wrapping paper and chewing on ribbons! As much as I'm enjoying Fletcher now, I'm also looking forward to Christmases to come, when he'll be able to ask for certain gifts he wants, leave out cookies and milk for Santa Claus, and eagerly await opening all his gifts on Christmas morning. I know that, despite our best intentions, we'll probably shower him with too many gifts each Christmas, but I think as long as we also shower him with at least an equal amount of love he'll survive the whole experience and not end up being too spoiled. Then again, if you can't spoil your only child, is life truly worth living? I don't intend to find out!

.: posted by Joe 9:32 PM

Wednesday, December 11, 2002

Thus far, Fletcher has said all of the following words at least once: daddy, mommy, cat, bubble, thank, light, and yay. Also, he can walk really well now - ten or more steps at a time without sitting down - but he's still a bit wobbly. This is going to be a fun Christmas!