Merry Christmas!

Drew's first Christmas was so much fun. He, of course, was spoiled. Andy and I both enjoyed this Christmas more than any other we have ever celebrated..and I have had some good ones (Cabbage Patch Christmas or the 10 speed Christmas). But watching him tear into gifts and squeal with delight (or toss it aside) was precious.

We started the celebrating with Christmas Eve at Bill & Beths house for the traditional Lobster Bisque and some gift exchanging....

Christmas morning was perfect! We started with our usual routine of one of us getting Drew and the other putting on a pot of coffee then both join us in our bed and we play or watch some cartoons and snuggle for a little while. After a bit we headed down and Drew's eyes lit up when he saw all of the gifts under the tree. He smiled ear to ear and pointed towards the tree.

Opening up TMX Elmo..a big hit!

We are trying to teach him to be environmentally conscious...no buldozers here; we play with recycling trucks!

The boys
The girls...and boy

Auntie Laura and Uncle JR brought this rocking chair for Drew. He loved the chair...not so crazy about the big bow. It is so precious. We (Laura) had one just like it.

I cooked dinner and I have to say, I was really off my game. I had a beef tenderloin roast and it was raw..no I don't mean rare..RAW. $100 worth of beef and it was practically inedible. We ate around the edges and everyone pushed it around on their plates. I was very disappointed. And I only did 2 veggies and potatoes. When I looked for a roll to fill me up, I realized I forgot to make those! I tossed them in the oven and they eventually made it to the table. I have stopped obsessing over the incident (as you can tell) and now I am just figuring out who to blame..the cookbook that told me the temp and time? the cheapo roasting pan that I bought for $29 when I really wanted the All-Clad $200 roaster? the oven?..it is new so maybe it is not working properly..Roche Brothers supermarket? Those meat guys are really mean, they must have sabotaged the roast....I am just glad it wasn't my fault.

Ok, so aside from the dinner, we had a great time with Laura, JR and my mom. We lit the fire and watched some video from the morning. And of course the gifts..they spoiled all of us. Andy got Guitar Hero III for Wii and he has been in the basement for most of the day today playing it....thanks guys!

Later in the evening, we went to my Aunt's house to visit with my dad and his side of the family. Drew was pretty exhausted by the time we got there and refused to go to anyone else but me, Andy or Laura. He has never been so clingy..he had a death grip on my shirt whenever I brought him towards anyone else. He had to come out of his Christmas outfit as soon as we got there because he had a little accident on the car ride over, but luckily we brought his jammies so he put those on. Once the gifts came out he warmed up to the crowd and was having fun tearing apart even more presents.

We are so grateful to everyone for helping to make Drew's first Christmas so special. We hope everyone else had a wonderful Holiday as well! Merry Christmas!

Drew's Walking

Well, he did it. He started walking last night. He made it about 4-5 steps in a row.

We had a little editing trouble with the video posted below, I am not sure why it runs 2 minutes, but I am in a rush to put it up so you'll just have to pause it after it is over..sorry.

Walking!

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Sledding

I had to back-date this post, because it was from last weekend, but in the middle of the snowstorm we decided to venture out and take the sled for a spin. Drew seemed to enjoy it. I certainly learned a valuable lesson; it is a lot of work to bundle up myself (fleece pants, snowpants, parka, hat, gloves, boots) then bundle up a 10 month old while wearing all of these things. So after we were all bundled up we spent maybe 10 minutes sledding up and down the driveway. Another lesson; don't buy the cheapo sled from Target because it is going to be impossible to pull through the snow.

Oh Christmas Tree..

On Saturday we went to get our Christmas tree. I insisted that it be a small one this year..but once again, we got it home and it was bigger than I thought it would be. It is still much smaller than our usual tree but I really wanted a tiny one this year. After decorating it, I am very happy with it. Of course, all Drew wants to do is grab at the ornaments. If I am standing all of the way across the room he puts his little hand out indicating that he wants me to go over to it. He knows what "gentle" means and usually listens when I tell him to be gentle. Here are some photos of the tree and decorations around the house. We also decorated outside, lighting up the two big dogwoods for the first time. I am so excited with how they came out. I wrapped the lights up the trunk and around the individual branches. It took a lot of time and effort, but we managed to get them up without killing ourselves.A special gift from Auntie Laura and Uncle JR: Drews first ornament..it says "Babys 1st Christmas 2007"

Fro Yo Lover!

Drew LOVES frozen yogurt. The first bite, as usual, was one of apprehension..but the second bite was another story. He couldn't get enough! I don't like him to have too much sugar, but a little taste after dinner once in a while is ok. He looks like a baby bird with his mouth wide open waiting for his treat.
Drew hitched a ride in the laundry basket and thought it was hilarious! He must have been quite comfortable,becasue when I put him down he laid there for a minute or two..which is MUCH longer than he ever stays still for.

Drew as an Elf

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1169524426

Grumpy Santa

Andy, Drew and I went to the Holiday parade in our town with our friends Nate, Carolyn and Logan yesterday. It was a small parade with the boy and girl scouts, fire trucks, ambulances and of course, Santa! We had to dodge the tootsie rolls that the kids were throwing into the crowds and the sirens were a little too loud, but Drew seemed very interested in what was happening. Afterwards, Santa went into the Library and posed for pictures with the kids. Drew had his first photo with him. Santa was a little cranky...he must have wanted to go back to the North Pole and watch football.

Yankee Swap

Last night we went to a Christmas party at our friends Michelle and Mikes house. There was a yankee swap and when I pulled my number I wound up with the worst one..2. I figured I would wind up with the moose that poops candy (yes, that was one of the gifts), but instead I was able to keep the gift I chose which was a mini crock pot. I don't have a crock pot so I thought it was great. We kept Drew up way past his bedtime and he did great. He was a little wound up with all of the excitement and from playing with his buddies Logan and Ryan but everything worked out great. Luckily we only had a 2 minute drive home and he was crashed in bed by 9:00. The boys were so cute together:

Christmas is Coming!

I am so excited about Christmas this year. I was shopping today and went down the aisle with all of the decorations and I heard a big "eeeh" come from Drew. His eyes were so big looking at all of the shiny ornaments. Although I am sure that it will be very hard to keep him away from the tree, I can't wait to get it up and decorated. I am so excited about shopping for his gifts...and I am sure Santa has some great things for him too! I took him to get his Christmas photos taken a few weeks ago and I thought I would share a few that are not going to be on the card. The only ones that I am going to reveal are the "naked" ones. I don't want to share his special Christmas outfits that are on the card. I thought that naked in a bowl of ornaments was a little weird, but now I think they are kind of cute...just not quite what I had in mind for a Xmas card. Hope you enjoy....

Drews First Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I cooked, and amazingly everything came out really well. I brined the Turkey and I was convinced that I was going to poison everyone, but it was great. Drew had a little turkey and a lot of squash and potatoes. He was napping during dessert so he missed out on the pumpkin pie. I am very greatful to Uncle Joe for feeding him most of his dinner so I could sit back and enjoy my meal. Here are some pictures of the Thanksgiving fun and, as promised, some of the newly renovated kitchen.

It was so hot on Thanksgiving, Drew had to shred the cute outfit and just wear his undershirt most of the day. Below is the only photo I got of him in his Thanksgiving outfit.

Thankfulness

This is the time of year to reflect on what we are truly thankful for. I have to say, every year I ramble a short list through my head on Thanksgiving day and for a second I think about the things I am thankful for. This year is different, this year I think about this list very often, many nights Andy and I will go to bed and talk about how lucky we are.

So since it is Thanksgiving, I am going to share my list.

1. MY Family

a. Andy - He is such a wonderful husband and father. We have been together 9 years and I can't wait for the next 70 (God willing). I get so much joy out of watching him be a dad. I love how excited he gets when Drew does something new and how he explains things to him (I overheard him telling Drew what a 2 stroke engine is the other day). I always secretly leave the monitor on when he goes to get him from a nap so I can hear him snuggle him and talk to him. I could not ask for a better man to be my husband!

b. Drew - There are so many things about Drew that I am thankful for I don't know where to begin. First and foremost I am thankful that he is healthy. Aside from a nagging cold he is a healthy growing boy. Secondly, his happiness = my happiness. His laugh is the sweetest sound in the world. And among many other things about him that I adore and am thankful for, I have to admit that I am thankful for how adorable he is! I just can't get enough of him!

2. OUR Families

Our families have given us so much love and support. Especially after Drew was born. I don't know where we would be without them.

3. Friends

Although having Drew has taken away from time with our friends they always understand. Andy and I both have wonderful friends that we have had since we were kids. I am truly thankful to have all of my friends in my life. I am also thankful for all of the wonderful "mommy" friends that I have made since having Drew. Providing we all stay in the same town, some of the kids will be in the same class once they start school.

4. Lucy

She is such a trooper. This year she had 2 surgeries and had a tiny, loud little person move into the house who takes away all of her owners time. Drew pulls her ears, pokes her eyes and tugs at her fur and she never even flinches.

5. Our Home

I love our house! Eventhough I still need to add things (curtains, pictures on the wall etc..the list seems to never end) when I walk in it feels like home. I am extra thankful for our beautiful new kitchen; but I am NOT thankful for the explative of a contractor that worked on it. *I have been meaning to post a picture of the finished product but there always seems to be dishes in the sink when I go to take the photo..I promise to post some soon

6. Boston Sports Teams

The Red Sox and the Patriots...is there a better place to be for professional sports teams right now?

7. The Gym

I love my gym and I especially love that they have childcare where I feel comfortable leaving Drew for the much needed hour 3 times a week when I get to put on my ipod and escape.

8. PerezHilton.com

My guilty pleasure, I read it daily after putting Drew to bed. It is full of trash, but I can't stop reading it.

9. Turkey

I can't wait for dinner tomorrow. Not only do I love the turkey, but all of the goodies that come with it...like the pies that grandma is bringing (especially the pumpkin).

These are just a few of the things I am thankful for; there are many more (and many I am sure come before #8), but I will stop my list before it gets even longer. And, of course, I will give you all what you come here for..a picture of Drew!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Splish Splash says it all....

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Exhaustion

I am exhausted! Drew doesn't stop! He is getting into everything and is no longer happily oblivious when I direct his attention elsewhere. It is fun watching him explore, but I feel like all I do is trail him and make sure he doesn't fall over and hit his head. I am seriously thinking about buying a baby helmet. His favorite things to get at are the cable box, Lucy's bowls (poor Lucy, she is probably dehydrated from not having her dishes on the floor), the answering machine, and now the kitchen cabinets.

Today was Drew's 9 month check-up. He is doing great 19lbs 9oz puts him in the 35th percentile for weight and he is in the 75th for height. Tall and thin...didn't get that from me! Just one shot this time, the flu shot. He didn't cry at the shot, but he cried hysterically when the doctor took the measuring tape away from him. Here are some pictures of the busy boy today:Just got up from a 2 hour nap (a rare occurance lately) and very happy! Ready to go!"Can't hide that computer from me Mom...I see it up there!""Enough Oprah, I wanna watch the Sprout channel""This one looks like it can put a dent in the floor..perfect!"

"Wait, this yogurt container was put here to distract me...back to the All Clad""Who is that handsom kid?"

"Oh my god, WHAT did you put in my sweet potatoes?" (pastina)

Where the Wild Things Are

....apparently in my back yard. Lucy was at the fence barking and when I looked out she was nose to nose with this coyote! There were 3 of them lurking around and tormenting the dog. Amazingly enough I was able to coax Lucy inside with an offer of cheese (which I never did give her). I called 911 and they sent over the animal control officer. She said that it didn't look sick and it was probably just a territorial thing. I have seen them before, but not since we put up the fence. I asked her if there was anything we could put down to keep them away and she said maybe Bear urine...anybody out there wanna go get a urine sample from a bear for me?

Eating at the Table

Although Drew has been eating finger foods for a while now, I have been apprehensive about what I give him. He has been eating lots of cheese, fruits, soft veggies and rice puffs but that was the extent of his "grown-up" food and everything else is either jarred baby food or things I puree for him. I decided that we needed to expand the menu. I have to get over my irrational fear of choking. We started today with pancakes for breakfast. Drew couldn't get enough of them! Andy had to dole out the pieces one by one because he was shoveling them in so fast. For dinner tonight we had spaghetti and meatballs. He enjoyed them, but he was getting pretty tired so after eating for a while he began tossing them on the floor. I actually think it is funny how he deliberately tosses things down when he is through with them, but with spaghetti it can get pretty messy.

First Trick or Treat

I felt pretty bad torturing Drew with that heavy bear costume, so I found the bumble bee at Target and decided I would use it as a back up if it was too hot out. And today was rather warm so I decided to go with the bee. He seemed a little happier in the lighter outfit. Earlier in the day he wore his "baby's first boo" shirt and pumpkin shoes. The shoes didn't fit too well (I guess that's what you get for $2.99 slippers) and they fell off everywhere we went - I lost them at the gym, in the grocery store parking lot, produce isle, frezer isle, checkout...I am surprised they made it until the end of the day.

Drew went trick-or-treating at his cousins house and got to see Margaret in her costume. She made a beautiful fairy! They even had a special treat for Drew since he couldn't eat the candy - a stuffed doggie, what a lucky boy!

Last year, much to my dissapointment, we got NO trick-or-treaters. This year, I was praying for none so Drew wasn't kept up by the doorbell and the dog barking. I just didn't have the heart to shut off the lights, so I put a basket of candy on the front steps. I once again over bought candy, but I just checked the basket and it has a pretty good dent in it. Not sure if it was several children or just a few children taking lots of candy. Either way, I am glad not to have leftovers in the house.