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!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

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: