Oh, Right! Christmas!

With all of the Christmas celebrating I've done over the past couple of weeks, I almost forgot the big day itself! And what a great day it was!

We started off by opening gifts with Grandma Debbie, Grandpa Woodie and Great-Grandma Maxine then over to Diane & Steve's for dinner with over 30 family members! It was the first time that I had met many of them and they were all so excited to meet me too!

We didn't have nearly enough time to spend with everyone because we had to get back to Bear and Milhouse who had to stay home while we were away. Our neighbors took care of them for us. The boys were very happy to see us, especially me. They are very protective of me and always have to check that Mommy and Daddy didn't forget me somewhere.

I ran into a problem with Christmas pictures... we didn't take any except for in the morning! Grandma and Grandpa took most of the pictures that day so we'll have to wait for them to send us some that we can post.

I sure loved Christmas and am already looking forward to next year! Merry Christmas everybody!

My First 'Solids'

My doctor told Mommy and Daddy to wait until I was really showing an interest in solid foods before feeding me any. Over the past few days, I have reached the point of showing an absolute fascination in everything from steak to caffeine-free Diet Coke.

Enter Rice Cereal. Not exactly what I would consider a solid, since it's just a minor step up in consistency than my bottle. But, that's what I'm supposed to start with, so rice cereal it is. I did pretty good opening my mouth, but swallowing is a bit different from a spoon instead of a bottle.

Check off one more milestone for me!

Christmas Eve

Today was a long day! We drove to Great-Grandma Maxine's home in Canby, OR (and went over a river and through woods to get there) which took us 4 hours! Then we spent the evening with Grandma Debbie's sisters and their families.

I was on my best behavior and really enjoyed spending time with everyone. I especially liked my second cousin Ashleigh, who's 3. I showed her my new favorite face ~ I pucker up my mouth and scrunch my whole face and, well, there's a picture below that describes it better. I look really mad when I do it, but really, I'm very happy! There's a little huffing and puffing sound that goes along with it... Mommy and Daddy are trying to get it on video.

I even had my first 'solid' food tonight, but that will go in a separate post. I was super-tired at bedtime and passed out on Grandma's lap. Then I woke up an hour later, severely overtired and cried for almost an hour and a half. I've only ever been this upset about three times in my life, so it made for a long night of restlessness. Between you and me, I was just excited about Santa coming and had a hard time sleeping.

My Face















Grandma Debbie's Sisters ~ Sandy, Grandma & Kathy















Grandpa 'Woof' & Me















The Calm Before The Storm

Christmas Eve Eve

Grandpa Woodie (Woof) and Grandma Debbie arrived today from Hawaii for a whirlwind 48 hour visit. It's been almost two months since I saw them last and they can't believe how big I'm getting.

Since we'll in Portland for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Mommy and Daddy decided that I could open my presents a little early so we wouldn't have to take them with us. I got some stacking rings, sorting blocks, a book of all the Disney stories, some little teether toys and an animal choo-choo train that makes all sorts of sounds and songs. (And for Mommy and Daddy, it has an off button. That's something they've learned about buying baby toys... if it makes noise, it needs to have an off button!)

Here's a picture of me surveying all my new stuff! This Christmas thing is great!

Baby's First Christmas

Here are some recent pictures that show me celebrating the holiday season in my "Baby's First Christmas" hat that Daddy got for me. And one of my other new favorite toys 'Santa Bear' that Lisa Moore (one of Daddy's co-workers) got for me. Happy Holidays!

My Darla

Finally, a picture of my wonderful Darla who cares for me during the weekdays. I love to hang out with her. She's very creative and talented and she's made me some very nice gifts. I especially love my Silkies which are just like a lightweight blankie for me to carry around. She's made me two, one in a teddy bear print and the other in WSU Cougar print. I also really love my winter fleece blanket with the snowmen on it, it keeps me very warm when we're out and about.

Thank you for everything, Darla! I'm missing you during the holiday break!

Santa & Me

Mommy and Daddy took me to have my picture taken with some guy named Santa. It was pretty cool. He was a nice guy (who apparently brings presents for everyone on Christmas so I was very careful not to spit-up on him) and his elves were nice too.

I smiled very big and Mommy cried as the photo was taken. The elves said that my smile was so perfect that they were going to have to pick the best picture of Santa!

Then we got home to a message saying that the camera broke and we would have to come back for retakes. Bah-Humbug!

We went back a few days later and ended up with this picture. It's not too bad, but Mommy and Daddy will always remember the picture that once was. Besides, later that night I started rolling over! Now I do tricks!

I'll see you next year Santa!

Our Family Picture

Our first family picture complete with the boys! We spent the evening setting up our Christmas tree and then had our picture taken in front of it with Bear and Milhouse. It wasn't easy getting a picture where we all look good, but this one is pretty close! Bear and Millie really hate those antlers, but I think they're cute!

Early Christmas In Port Angeles, Part Two

Later in the afternoon, we went to go celebrate Christmas with Grandma Sharon, Grandpa Jeff, Uncle Denzel, Aunt Lisa and Cousin Khia. It was so much fun! I got totally spoiled with tons of fun toys like a baby remote control, music makers, rattles and teethers. It's a good thing that I have my own bedroom to keep all my new toys in!

Grandma Sharon has a special little tea table set up in her house so that Khia and I can have tea parties. I'm not big enough just yet, but I can't wait until I am!

I'm so lucky to have so much family around me! I really enjoy spending time with everyone and I'm already looking forward to my next Christmas!

Early Christmas In Port Angeles, Part One

I know this is going to be my first Christmas, but I really like the way it's shaping up! Instead of just celebrating on Christmas Day, we get to celebrate several times with different family members - Christmas-time!

We drove up to Port Angeles today to celebrate with Grandpa George, Grandma Ellen and Aunt Lonee in the afternoon. It was bundles of fun and I got the coolest toy EVER - FrogDuck! He may look like a frog but he's also a puppet that 'quacks' out Old MacDonald. He's so great! I almost unwrapped him all by myself, but got distracted at how wonderful wrapping paper is.

Whenever I hear FrogDuck quacking, I get very excited and smiley. I love him! Thanks Grandpa George and Grandma Ellen!

Kung Fu Baby

For those of you who don't know, my Daddy is a Third Degree Black Belt in Kung Fu San Soo... and he's getting his Fourth Degree next month! He teaches Kung Fu at our house three nights a week and one night after class, he put his belt on me and helped me do a few moves like kicking! I guess we all know what after school activity I'll be joining in a few years! According to Daddy, I make a perfect fist already. Watch out, boys!

Laugh Attack!

Mommy has been very sick the past few days so Daddy and I decided that she needed some play-time with me to make her feel better. Up until now, I've only laughed for Daddy so you can see our plan worked and we helped make Mommy feel a lot better. Well, mentally, anyway!

Making Some Noise

Finally! A video of just my fun sounds! Is this a new trend? Only time will tell!

Saturday Night

In an effort to get me doing something, anything cute on video, just when Mommy and Daddy were about to crack, I decided to put on a little verbal show. I kept a little for myself though, I'm not fully laughing like I do sometimes, but there's a hint of it.

Bear and Milhouse were in the background trying to steal some of my attention - wasn't going to happen, guys!