Christmas 2010!!!

As I put this post together, I came up with a New Year's Resolution- take more pictures!!! When he was a little baby I took tons, posed him with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Now that he is a little being with a mind of his own, a sense of independance, and a temper- well that just doesn't happen as much and I don't want to look back at these holiday memories and regret not having more pictures of him with his loved ones. Even if they are not all smiley, posed, and perfect- they will be real and priceless!

Gearing up for Christmas. Tuesday Brooks and I went to the Center City Macys to see the light show and Santa. This made me think of my Grandma because I remember her talking about the yearly trek to Macys, then Wanamakers, to see it. I have to say- it is obvious the technology is stuck back in time for when she went, but it was pretty cool and B was captivated for about 5 minutes.



When he started getting restless watching the show, we headed up to see the Macy's Santa. Well- it would have been ok if we had not had to go through crowded 'Dickens Village' first. This is the 'line' for Santa and is a small village with moving characters that portray A Christmas Carol. B hated it, got slightly hysterical, and was not into seeing the big man- at all.

Heading into Dickens Village- all was still well.



The aftermath- Santa at the end. He was horrified (B, not Santa, although Santa doesn't look too jolly either)



Thursday I decided to bake with Brooks. It just doesn't seem like the holidays without baking. This was B's first time baking and he had SO MUCH FUN! I will say, the cookies were tossed in the trash after because we forgot the baking soda. You will see in the pictures from baking how easy it was to miss that step- this was an adventure for sure. It is also not something I am going to repeat on the day after the cleaning ladies come.
Also- although we did throw out the cookies- don't worry, the utensils used for baking are different from the ones all over the floor. Like I said, B was having a blast.
First we cleaned up any stray dog food on the floor (Ming is a messy eater) and changed him out of his nice sweater

hehehe


The we got baking

At first he was intrigued and semi-helpful (or I should say not unhelpful)



He quickly caught on to the idea of snitching




And then the flour came out and I lost any attention of his that I had



Christmas Eve!!!
Like I said- posed pictures have become impossible- here is the evidence :)


I think he could have spent hours shutting himself in the foyer of Nana & Grandpa's house- if only he could open it himself (knock on wood- please don't figure out doorknobs anytime soon!)


MERRY CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!

Checking out the haul

A bit overstimulated


But SUPER EXCITED!

Opening presents- this is the first time we actually got him interested in helping rip paper

Enjoying presents!


Brooks was super spoiled- everyone was so generous with him! From extended family he got the huge foam blocks you see- they are awesome, even the same ones gymboree uses. He got the basketball hoop & net, small toys, a zebra scooter, a couple little people things, an indoor water art mat, dishes & utensils, snow gear, I could keep going on and on. Eric and I got him a bunch- but have not even gifted him with his 'big' gift- a manly play kitchen with faux granite and stainless steel appliances and all. We figured there is enough new stuff and it can wait until the tree comes down and we have a little bit of space back in the house.
We also got him a 'controversial' gift. Some may call it girly- but I don't care and he LOVES it. To prepare for Squeaks arrival, we got him a baby doll (which he can say Baby) and stroller. The kid loves pushing the stroller around so much it is ridiculous.


And to wrap Christmas up- we had snow!!! It snowed about 10" here- we were supposed to have a lot more, but 10" is plenty for me.
I got to break out his snowpants-


Then we went outside for about 15 minutes to check it out. It was too windy to stay out longer because the bitter cold and snow blowing onto our noses.
How cute is his new hat from Nana & Grandpa?



Obligatory shots with the parents


My snow cutie!


Walking along the sidewalk- thinking Daddy is nuts that he shovels the whole thing and not just a decent sized path.


The wind made a lot of snow drifts so it looks like a lot more than it was.



That is all for now- the sad thing is I have so much more to share (18 month dr appt, updates on Squeaks, etc). That is all coming soon! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and is staying warm & safe!

Tis the Season to be Jolly!

*** look out for another post this week- Brooks turned 18 months old on Friday and we have monkey pics and such, but it was too much to put together all at once***


Tis the Season to be Jolly!!! The Christmas Season is in full swing and we have been having a blast. Last week we went up to NJ to spend the night with my family- it is going to be a yearly tradition to go see Santa & bake cookies with my mom (and my sister if she is available!)

Here is last years Santa picture for comparison:




This year he was not quite so happy to see Santa. Brooks has been having some major mommy attachment, and being placed on the big guy's lap and watching me walk away was a bit shocking to him I think.


The picture actually came out pretty well since he just looks shell shocked. Aunt Ali tried to sneak in some pictures from the second floor and you can see he was not a happy camper.


Brooks has been back to himself, seems to be fully recovered and back to making mischief and making me laugh. He also runs around the house fake laughing now and it is hysterical- I am working on getting it on video, however once he sees that camera he will not forget it because he loves to watch videos of himself on the little digital screen. It is a catch 22- can't get more videos of him because he wants to watch them LOL.
We stayed inside much of last week because it was COLD- like seriously cold. Thankfully it has since warmed up a bit, but getting out of the house in that freezing wind was icky.

So cold, we actually had our first snow that 'stuck', although not much. I went out to my car in the morning to find this: (random & hysterical)

Watching for Daddy out the window with Mingers

(he is in pants, he just plays with them and pulls them up)


I'm talking to YOU!


Climbing... his new favorite experiment that scares me. Note, his feet are up on the table here. He also tries climbing over the back of the couch and on whatever he can... Hopefully he doesn't make it out of the crib soon!



And tonight we finally decorated our Christmas Tree!!!

Brooks did suprisingly well. He helped out with the cranberries (Eric loves the stupid cranberries). We also had a couple cheapie ball ornaments that he could throw around. That was enough for him- he basically ignored everything else. The only thing that interests him and we will have to watch him for is the ball shaped ornaments. Hopefully his nonbreakable cheapies will keep his mind off the other ones.


All ready for tree decorating in his cutie Christmas shirt!!!



First access to the tree- it has been gated off (and will continue to be!)


'

Putting on the cranberries! and may I say he was VERY serious about it LOL

Somehow, all the cranberry sprigs ended up in the same spot.


He wouldn't let us sweep up the needles without his help :)


Helping Daddy with the 'balls'.




And a turn with Mommy & Squeaks




The finished product! Our tree looks so tiny. We tried to be conservative with size and I think we were a little too conservative. It is over 6 ft, but it just looks so teeny.