Ice Storm Pictures...and a few more

Working in Santa's workshop is a full time job around here. We're not even close to being ready. Good thing we have another week to be ready...except we have at least 3 different holiday get togethers and a Christmas program to attend. All which require treats and preparation. I love this time of year. I really do - but...I wish I was more on top of things. This time last year, I had it all done and was sitting back and waiting for a baby (okay, maybe not sitting back. Make that obsessively cleaning our house). Anyway, here are some pictures of what we have been up to this last week or so.

Better late than never, the turkeys come to dinner in our backyard.

Icicles hanging off our deck after this weekends ice storm.

Icy trees in our backyard (may need to turn your head)

William trying on my glasses. He always grabs them off my face and tries to put them on. I was just helping him out.

Peek a boo has evolved into this. What fun is this game if you can't see the person peeking at you?

Super funny story: we were playing in the family room when something beeped (oven?). William picked up John's phone and said "Eh?" I don't know that I've laughed so hard ever.

So, after that, we kept making "beep" noises to see if he would pick the phone up again. Turns out: yes he will. And it was cute every darn time.*

* I believe this current cuteness is payback from William for waking me up at 5:30 AM this morning. He went back to sleep, but still.

Swimming with Grandpa

Oh how we love grandpa. He makes funny noises, funny faces, and plays funny games. Every time Grandpa walks into the room, William's face lights up - here comes the FUN guy! As you can see above, they like to hang out and make faces at each other. Finally, here is the swimming video I have been promising you : Grandpa and William!

6-9 Months Slide Show

Well, it is probably about time. I've actually had this almost done since before Thanksgiving. It has just taken me this long to put it up. Still coming up: video of William swimming, photos of our backyard after the ice storm, and a Christmas card preview. I know you're all just sitting on the edge of your seats.

Now, back to Santa's workshop!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

First Steps

Well, it is official. We have a walking baby...wait! Doesn't that make him a...toddler? I'm not ready....



Anyway, we got some video of him taking steps. He took a lot of them today unassisted. I would say somewhere in the hundreds. However, the video we got wasn't great. We'll try to get more tomorrow to post.

Also coming soon: William's 6-9 month slide show, video of him learning how to dive and a Christmas Card preview. We are busy busy busy busy busy....back to work! Here are some pictures from earlier this week to hold you over until then.

Standing up

I'm not sure what the appeal is with the medicine dropper...but it sure is a fun toy!


Come on to Mama...

Not sure how we feel about this one....

Seems like this is a tradition. I know we did it growing up. But, I really hate waiting in lines. I hate crowds, the stress, ugh. I also don't know if I agree with paying so much money for a few medium quality prints. Ack. So we did it - because I was worried I would regret it forever if we didn't.

William and Santa

The good news is that it only took 3 minutes to do and was relatively painless except for how much this print cost. Of course they do not allow other photography. I handed William over to this guy and William spent one minute just checking Santa out. Then, he cried. We (we being the Santa staff and myself) successfully distracted him with a squeaky reindeer in order to get this half smile. He still isn't totally sure about this whole thing. Neither are we. But! It is done and now I don't have to worry about doing it over the weekend when the mall is crazy. I just wish it didn't have the stupid snowman border thing. Blech. I just wanted a picture of my kid wearing his reindeer sweater sitting on Santa's lap. For a few bucks. Is that too much to ask?

Ick. I guess I better go and find my holiday spirit somewhere around here....

Thank you Great Aunt Bonnie!

William has obviously been a very good boy this year! In the mail today, we got a very special handmade Christmas stocking from my Great Aunt Bonnie with William's name on it! It matches all the other stockings in our family and it is perfect! Thank you so much!

P.S. To My Family: Please note I understand this does not constitute a thank you. A hand written one will be sent in a timely manner. With pictures.

Take a Walk with Me

Last night we were in the kitchen discussing the reorganization of the pantry area. Glass jars and heavy cans are regularly being dropped on the floor these days. Bags and boxes of pasta are continuously being opened and spread out upon my kitchen floor. As we discussed, I set William up on his feet in front of me. He got his balance and leaned forward towards me. Usually at this point, he just free falls towards me until I catch him or he bangs his head on something. Last night, the ending was different. Last night, William leaned forward towards me and picked up his feet. I could hardly believe my baby walked to me. So, I did it again. William did it again, this time walking 4-5 steps to me!

Then, we got the video camera out. Of course, William was not super cooperative. But, we did manage to get this one little clip of him doing a little walking...

P.S. Turn down your volume. I was pretty excited.