It was a Merry one!

D enjoyed his 2nd Christmas...much more so than his first. Although let's not forget the cuteness that was my two month old last Christmas:

D was just much more of a boy this Christmas - he's growing up so fast it's ridiculous, and looking so grown up these days.

Santa brought a few new things to D. Not too many as we knew "grandma santas" would be buying for him as well. Plus this is the last year that he really won't understand what day it is...nor will be able to shop WITH him and let him play with is toys in the cart :)

I mentioned a few of the books we got him in a previous blog - we ended up with one more (a 10 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed book that has "poppies" (like on bubble wrap except they work again and again). We also got him the Little People school bus - as he was completely infatuated with the thing at Target. Plus it's a trip down memory lane...even if I don't like it as much as the original version that many of us had as kids.

The "big" gift was something Dain and I were planning for him for a long time. And even though it wasn't pricey...it's large in stature and in awesomeness. He loves the thing. It was set up for him for when I brought him downstairs on Christmas morning...and he immediately dunked his T in it. Dain was so proud. Here's a little snippet of him enjoying it today

He made out like no other this year - with awesome gifts from aunts, uncles and grandparents. He got a bubble lawn mower from Uncle Evan and Aunt Marcy, his first Lego Duplos from Uncle Danimal and Aunt Stephanie, a recycling truck made of recycled materials from Aunt Theresa (soooo proud of that one!), a trike with a push bar from Grandma Denise and Grandpa Dain, too many books to mention from everyone (books are the best toy for him always) and a handmade rocking DINOSAUR from Grandpa Dan! It's unbelievable that he crafted this thing himself! We don't have a full-size shot and it was sadly too big to bring home right now (D's not quite big enough for it yet), but here's a glimpse. (His legs come no where close to touching yet, you can't tell from the photo but it's really tall). The rockers are bones! And we were informed by my 4 month old dinosaur-loving genius nephew Joey that this was a Brachiosaurus, not a Brontosaurus because of the bump on the top of his head.

It was 2 full days of festivities for the little man - and he was exhausted in the middle of it all. Here's him on Christmas morning waiting to leave for Grandpa Dain and Grandma Denise's house. (This exhausted face has only been through one of the days at this point!) He was so wiped and ready to fall asleep that he was just laying on the middle of the living room floor staring at the TV.

Here he is at the end of the two-day stretch, finishing up festivities at Great Aunt Patty's house. The face says it all...and it's my favorite picture from the holidays, and maybe ever.

Hope all your holidays were merry and bright - and you ended with more energy than poor D did. He loved every tired minute.

Steps

The man is taking steps! He's a walker now - for about 5 steps at a time. If you hold one of his hands and walk with him, he pretty much runs. This is bad. He's going to be a runner and tough to keep up with!

Also - on a SAD FOR MOMMY note - D no longer wants to be rocked to sleep. This makes me cry.

Nostalgia Again

Ha - Dain had no recollection of this commercial. He thought I was nuts when I heard the song playing on TV and started singing "and I would eat, my fries myself, and not give any, to my dumb brother..."



Dig the 80's dos and glasses too. This is a trip down memory freaking lane.

Ho Ho Ho

I'm still not done holiday shopping - and yes that date on the top of the post is correct - December 21st.

I am, however, done shopping for D. He's not getting a ton from us - as this is the last real year he'll know any different. However we got him a few things...including a few of his favorite things EVER...books!

Yep - on the list that's coming down the chimney this year were the following two books:
Spoon is a spoon who is feeling down because his life is not as exciting as those of his friends Knife, Fork, and Chopsticks. He covets their thrilling jobs and unique styles (“And Chopsticks! They are so lucky! Everyone thinks they’re really cool and exotic.”). As it turns out, the other culinary implements think Spoon is the one who has it made—who else gets to bang on pots, dive into a bowl of ice cream, or relax in hot cup of tea? Invigorated by these reassurances, Spoon can’t sleep and so hops into bed with his parents and, you guessed it, spoons. The details included in Magoon’s artwork are laugh-out-loud funny: in the Spoon family photo, black-sheep Spork can be seen looking woeful off to the side; there is a cute gag about a dish who ran away with a spoon; and the depiction of the Chopsticks as a couple of deadly serious ballroom dancers prancing around a plate of sushi is indelible. Rosenthal’s creation is adorable and funny and will be embraced by both children and parents. Preschool-Grade 1. --Daniel Kraus

Follow an eco-conscious super hero as he teaches kids how to recycle and reuse common household items! The six large flaps throughout show that oridinary trash is really a treasure. From turning old clothes into fun costumes or an old box into a brand new car, kids will learn that saving the environment is super cool!

Guess Who Loves Balloons?

Our regular trips to Trader Joe's have D looking constantly at the balloons they have all over the place - including the register. A few weeks ago the cashier offered one to D on our way out as she could see how enthralled he was with them. D's entire body lit up - and needless to say last weekend we came home with another free balloon, compliments of TJ's! Here's the happy camper now...


Oh, and scroll back down to the post about the tummy from last week...photo added per MULTIPLE requests from someone...MOM!

What your mom said...

My sister sent me this as an e-mail forward today - and it's hilarious. Someday D will claim that I said all these things I'm sure.

I Owe My Mother
**************************************

1.. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL..
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why." ;

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISTS.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16.. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home.."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE...
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father.."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand.."

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE ...
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!!

And of course, I can't help but think of one of my favorite stand-up comedy routines of all time - Bill Cosby's "Himself" (which my family will attest to the fact that I can recite the entire thing). He talks about his mother - and if, God forbid, he was ever in a car accident she'd come to the hospital afterward saying "did he have on clean underwear?!?" He also talks about his wife, and how she 'talked to the ceiling' after the kids were sent to their room. "Don't you roll your eyes at me...I'll roll that little head of yours along the floor." HA!

New Trick

Next time you see D - ask him where his tummy is...

Best. Thing. Ever.

Rule to Live By

Hilarity on an old episode of the Simpsons...


Needless to say we sing this to D at bathtime now.

Holidays are for Giving

Today I signed up to sponsor an "angel" through the Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree.

The Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree online program (presented by JC Penney) is an online program that allows people from across the country to provide children and seniors in need with holiday gifts. These people would not receive holiday gifts if it weren't for the generous support of people around the country sponsoring one by one. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of people helped this holiday season by providing a convenient online program through which Angels can be adopted as the program itself has gone on for years...

I went to the site, entered my ZIP code, and found there were many angels in my area in need. I selected a 3 year old little girl who's only listed items are a shirt, pants and Dora :) (however, many kids have LOTS of items, and you are by no means required to buy them all the items or even follow the lists). I figured, even though we're by no means a wealthy couple, we can reach out and make a difference in that one little girl's life. For a very small amount of money on my end, she can have holiday gifts this year because of our efforts. When you select - they e-mail you the shipping address/drop-off address of the Salvation Army in your selected angel's area. That's the great thing - if there's no one in your direct area - you can pick an angel anywhere in the country! And, if you buy your angel's gifts on jcpenney.com - they'll ship them to your angel's Salvation Army branch for FREE. However - if you want to shop elsewhere - you can mail them yourself. I will most likely do that.

If you're interested in a fairly inexpensive way to really help someone in need this holiday season - look no further...
CLICK HERE