Baptism

James was baptized the day after Christmas at Holy Spirit - a big thank you for everyone who came. We know the holidays are crazy and making time for us really means a lot. Thank for you being a part of our village.

James and his wonderful Godparents

Santa time

James first Christmas was a huge success - except for the part of John and I being crazy sick and sleeping most of the day! He even loved seeing Santa a few days earlier and couldnt take his eyes off of him (but I think it was more the crazy looking beard that did it). We hope everyone had a wonderful and happy Christmas!



Our Christmas 2010 family picture :)

Already annoyed from all the picture taking

Nap Time

On Sunday I put James down for his afternoon nap - and he only fussed for like 30 seconds! I cant even explain how happy that made me, FINALLY he gets it and FINALLY he realizes that he really is tired and that naps are important. I cracked open his door just to check on my little sleeping angel ...

DOH!! So much for nap time!!

Finished our Christmas shopping! Now we just need to wrap everything...

Day with Daddy

Snow!

James first snow was a big one - 10 inches in half a day! We had to bring out his long johns :)

little devil

Courtesy of my mom, James can now wear an outfit that matches his personality :)

“I am not a glutton - I am an explorer of food”

We trying to get James to feed himself as much as possible because we know its supposed to be a big part of learning and growing. But bath time is getting to be a little too frequent!



It starts like this - not too bad...



and then in half a second he looks like this!



Happy December

James is laughing at me, the mom who when she was pregnant decided that she wouldn't be one of those moms who bought every cute little toy she saw. I really don't know how it happened - but the other night I realized that James was surrounded by way too many toys that he could play with... and the same time I realized this, James got this gleeful look on his face that is the same look that John gets when he wins a euchre hand.

Thanks Gretchen!

Gretchen sent me the rest of James pictures from her shoot with him last month. I think they turned out really nice, but it totally confirms that he has no neck!

 

 This is one of my favorites - this is such a "John" look!

Bucket

Who doesn't laugh at a baby in a bucket? Its just cute and silly - right? John thinks its weird and rolled his eyes once James was placed in there... I think John rolls his eyes a lot with what I put James through! Its one of the many joys I have as a mother of a baby - I can dress him in what I want (before he want to be a big boy and dress himself) and put him in buckets (before he gets to big to even hold)!

Pictures by Gretchen part 1

Here are some more pictures that Gretchen took back in October (we got them yesterday). We had another session with her last weekend and it went SO much better. James was in a much better mood and John and William came and helped - which was a game changer. William does this funny noise with James cant get enough of, makes me cringe - but hey, babies like the simple things (and in this case simple and gross).

this is my thinking pose

kisses!

Good Morning

James and John were matching too cutely in their OSU shirts this morning to let them get out of the house without a picture (dont mind the messy kitchen counter!)

Cheers

I can't believe its already November - the beginning of the holiday season filled with food and family and memories.

Halloween

John's in Atlanta so he is missing the cold weather and trick or treating tonight - lucky. Amy came over tonight and helped pass out candy and hung out with James and me - one of our many "excuses" to get together! I dressed James up as a dragon - he wasnt thrilled but he was a good sport. Our wonderful neighbors came over and brought him some rattles since he wasnt going trick or treating (I think its a little pointless to take a 7 month old trick or treating ... unless the point is to have a tired, grumpy, cold baby at the end of the night). All in all it was a successful first Halloween!

Crawling

James has been a pro at the army crawl now for a little over a month, but now he has started to really get up on his knees and move. Its really amazing to watch him think about how he wants to move - each little move is so big to him. I cant believe that he is 7 months old, crawling, playing and growing so fast! It seems like he has changed into an infant to a baby over night.

Pictures by Gretchen

Last Sunday James had his pictures taken for the first time. He did alright - he was way more interested in the props then looking at the camera, let alone smile. James just wanted to play and crawl around - not pose. Poor Gretchen had to work hard! Here are a just a few that she has shared with us, once we get them all back I will post some more.

Pumpkin Patch!

On Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch.  It was just one of those perfect fall days complete with apple cider and a hay ride. We left with 7 pumpkins (even though we only really need 1 or maybe 2) and muddy shoes - but it was a great day.