Thursday, December 31, 2009

7 Months



























-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Rocker Dude is 7 months! How does time pass so quickly?! He is just as sweet as ever!

He continues to enjoy one meal a day of cereal and a new fruit or veggie. I'm still nursing the rest of the day. He has a new habit of pinching that oh-so-tender part on the back of my arm when I go to nurse him. Just a quick pinch, then he stops.

He's sitting is much sturdier, but he still prefers to be on his belly with 3 or 4 toys in front of him.
I can now hold straddle his legs on my hip to pack him around that way. No more careful infant hold with a hand behind his head.
He does not enjoy being naked, but then again, I don't either in December! Bath time is NOT his favorite.

I really thought he was going to get his first tooth this month, but it still has not popped through. I can see the bottom one right there in his gum and he's had some cranky times, but maybe next month.

He still loves sticking his tongue out. Every time he does, Madison calls him "Tongue-Boy."
He seems to get wherever he wants to go, mostly doing the Army crawl.

Perhaps his biggest feat this month was celebrating his 1st Christmas!
I know it made everything extra special for me. I thought about Mary and the baby Jesus a little differently this year. As I held or rocked Rocco, I would often think what thoughts Mary must of had. As the song goes, "Mary, did know?"
Other sweet pictures from this month:

Christmas in Maine

Christmas in Maine this year was very different and definitely a little sad. It's the first year that Nana did not host it because she has had to move to a lovely assisted living home. It's shocking what a difference a year can make.
Karen called us when we were 1/2 way to Maine asking if the kids could do a 'show'. Luckily I had a couple CD's in the van. After 6 hours in the car, we got to Nana's new place and Karen said, "Oh, good. You're here. There are about 20 people waiting in the library for the kids' show."

WHAT?! O.k....no pressure! The kids used the bathroom quick and didn't miss a beat while they performed for the group who were indeed waiting for us.





That evening we went to Colombo's Aunt Brenda's for a little Christmas / New Year party.Brenda, Bruce, MaryJo, and Karen
I had to laugh at Nana's beer placement:
Mimi and Nana
Ashley and Annie
Meaghan

We stayed over at MaryJo's where the kids were able to get some good Wii time with their cousins, Ashley and Brandon who dote on them.
The next morning we stopped at Grandpa's
And then onto Mimi's
After 20 hours in Maine, it was time to load up the van again for the 6 hour trip home. Quick trip. We missed seeing Uncle Mac who was in the hospital for a procedure, but doing well.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas 2009

Christmas was a bit of a marathon this year. We spent 3 days with my Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Lee and cousins, Melody and Johnny. Growing up, they were the only family that we really spent holidays with. Uncle Lee thought this Christmas was the 30th one spent together! We love any time we get with them.

Usually the days surrounding Christmas include a lot of just 'hanging out.' Priceless. The rest can pretty much be told by the pictures.

The early van ride down to Lisa's Christmas morning.
We start with stockings which get more out of control with every passing year. They are one highlight of the morning.After a quick breakfast break, it's onto the tree.
C4 got a cool 'ring' from Auntie Bethany and Uncle Chris.Madison agrees that "Chicks Rule"
According to Nathanael, this is "the only thing I ever really wanted"


Baby's First Christmas is always special!

When the family started to grow exponentially, the adults started picking names for a $35 swap and the kids pick a kid name for $25 gift. It's always a fun thing to try to figure out who bought for who, in a fashion that Sherlock Holmes would be proud. The tags, wrapping paper, bow tying skills can all be clues. This year Shaun's package had slivered almonds and pasta hot-glued to spell, "Shaun". Turns out Bethany was the creative one for that. A LOT of laughs are a guarantee!This year a new Christmas Day activity was our family talent show.

The Boyd's read the Christmas Story.
The Groves sang Christmas carols.
Dad and Kiki sang.


The Cour's, um, let's see. How do I say this? The Cour's tried to sing "A Few of My Favorite Things." We helped. Maybe next year the girls will be a little more excited about the show.
And the DiSalvatore kids recited Ephesians 4:29-32 (our November memory passage) and danced to 3 songs they had choreographed themselves. Madison and Nathanael performed "Blue Suede Shoes." Trevor performed "The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round." All of them danced to "All the Single Ladies."The rest of our Christmas was just a couple days of 'hanging'...one of my favorite things.



First Christmas for all these guys...
One big hole was not having Tim and Elizabeth and their 3 kids around, but we did web-cam.
It's always a special time and Lisa and Shaun have graciously hosted for years now making many special memories for all of us!
Madison-8, Aiden-5 mos., Amanda-3, Trevor-3, Colombo-10, Rocco-6 mos., Allison-5, Avery-4, Nathanael-6, Levi-7 mos., Juliet-8