8 Months

We had a fantastic Christmas in Wisconsin.  We've been home for two days and I'm still trying to figure out what to do with all the new toys.  I asked Adam if we should give away some of his toys that he doesn't play with anymore, and he said "Yes, to James".  I'm pretty sure Ann doesn't have room for all of the extra toys I would like to find a home for.

My little bug, Eli, is 8 months old.    He's pulling himself up constantly.  He's still getting everywhere doing the army drag.  I know he's capable of crawling, but he just doesn't.  Tonight I stripped him and Adam down in their bedroom and then sent them loose to get to the bathroom without clothing.  Eli pulled himself to the bathroom and once there realized it was uncomfortable to drag himself on the bathroom floor naked he lifted himself up on his knees and then pulled himself to the tub, but he still didn't use his legs, only his arms.  It was so funny to watch a baby up on their knees not crawling, but yet managing to pull themselves forward.  Dave and I were laughing so hard.

I'm realizing as I look at these pictures that my little baby is disappearing and a toddler-little boy is starting to show through.  He laughs often, but still isn't sleeping through the night.  We'll have to see if this month brings crawling or walking, both of which seem to be just around the corner for Eli.

Conversations With Santa

Post Christmas Eve mass Dave spent sometime entertaining the boys after dinner before we started the traditional family Christmas Program.  Dave was using a pretend phone to talk to the North Pole and when Mrs. Claus told him Santa was out on his sleigh delivering presents they called Santa's cell phone to get an update.  Santa asked Dave to confirm there would be cookies and milk when he arrived.  Dave then asked Adam if he thought he could put some cookies out for Santa?

Grandma and grandpa's dishwasher broke right before the whole family invaded for Christmas.  So I was helping clean the kitchen when Adam walked in asking for cookies.  Both Denise and I were on the same wavelength with a "no" response, because we had just finished dinner and Jesus's Birthday cake was going to be our dessert.  Normally this would be okay with my 2 and half year old, but he lost it and threw a rather large fit.  Then Dave comes in to smooth things over.  The cookies were not for Adam, but for Santa and that little boy didn't want to disappoint the big man in red.

After Dave ended the call with Santa James picked up the phone and was running around saying Santa into the phone.  It was pretty darn cute.

As I mentioned the dishwasher was broken and the house was full with 9 people, so the dishes were still being washed.  Adam and James started to get a little more rough when Adam almost threw James into one of grandpa's speakers.  Dave told Adam to settle down or he would have to call Santa back.  James heard that and grabbed the phone and started saying, "Santa, Santa!"  Adam ran and started yelling, "no James no, don't do it! don't tell Santa"

Goodbye Park

Sunday was a fabulously wonderful fall winter day.  The temp must have been close to 50 degrees.  I've given up all hope for a white Christmas, but at least we got outside to enjoy the weather.  I went for a run with Brockway while little boys napped and big boys watched a Packer game.  Then I insisted that we all go to the park and play for the last hour of daylight.  

Little boys and a mamma had fun swinging on the swings.  Daddy snapped some photos and Brockway got to run around off leash, because we had the playground all to our selves.

When the shadows were so long they were all but gone we started the journey home and Adam turned to the playground and said, "Goodbye park."  Yes park, goodbye.  Thanks for all of the wonderful time we spent there in 2011!  We look forward to many more in 2012.

Then daddy grilled us burgers while Adam played in the backyard.  Sand angels were made and basket ball was played by the outside lights.  If I didn't look at the calendar I wouldn't have guessed it was the end to a December day.

I need more take

My conversation with Adam while wrapping presents this weekend.
Adam, "I need take.  More take please."
Me, "What did you just say?"
"Take"
"Adam this is very serious, Mommy and Daddy make tape at work.  So you have to get this right, it's t-a-P-e"
"tapppe"
"Much better."
"More take please"

Dentist Visit

Today I left work telling my coworker, "I'll be back in 15 minutes, I'm taking Adam to the dentist for the first time and all they'll probably do is count his teeth and send us home."  I couldn't have been more wrong.  Adam was amazing.  He wasn't scared at all and he did such a good job opening wide for the hygienist and dentist.  He got his teeth cleaned with the crazy gritty tooth paste and electronic tooth brush, they flossed in between his teeth and he even let them give him a fluoride treatment with the trays- one at a time because his little mouth can't fit both trays in at once.  He became an expert with the suction and sat very still while the dentist poked around for a few seconds in his mouth.

After tons of praise to my cute little guy in such a huge big chair the dentist warned me to get my "ortho fund" started, because Adam already has crowding with his baby teeth.  Mom and Dad both had braces, so I'd be more surprised if he hadn't told me that.