A very merry Christmas Indeed!

Every year, Christmas seems to sneak away just as fast as it arrives. Holiday mayhem comes and goes, and soon after all of the Christmas decorations are put away, the new toys have been given a new "place" in the house, and there are just a few Christmas cookies left on the counter.

Christmas Eve was spent with the Grays, Christmas morning was spent hanging out at home and then Christmas evening we went over to Kristin's house to have one final celebration.

As you can see by the picture, Adam love-love-loved his monster truck. Man, was he excited! Lucky for me, the buttons aren't pushed all of the time; miraculously, he polices himself and and knows not to push the buttons when Miles is sleeping. "Can I push the buttons now, Mommy?" Other popular gifts this year are his radio and kids CDs for his room (I now know the words to "The Grand Ol' Duke Of York," amongst other Kindergarten favorites), the Polar Express book (we saw the movie in Imax 3D earlier this month), and a new race track for Lightening McQueen. He had a great few days, remarking: "this is the Best Christmas Ever!!"

It was Miles' first Christmas, and I am so thankful that he is with us this year! It seems so long ago that I was pregnant and wondering if he was going to be a boy or a girl - how time flies! Everyone commented on what a good-natured baby he is, and they're right. He just goes with the flow no matter what is going on, and to him, the more people the merrier. He loves a crowd - especially when all eyes are on him! What a love-bug he is.

So, another Christmas spent with friends and family. If anything, the joy of the season reminded me that I have so much to be thankful for, particularly a loving family, our health and our many blessings.

God is good!

9 Months Stats...

Miles' 9 month well-baby check up last week went great. He's 30 inches long (95%) and 18lbs (15%). Long and lean! He was all smiles for the doctor, and would you believe he didn't even cry when he got his shot (just one this time!)? I was pleasantly surprised.

His top left tooth is now in, and so i'm certain the other one is not too far behind. Just when I think he's sleeping through the night permanently, he fools me. He slept 3 nights in a row, but then last night I was up with him for an hour - something wasn't just quite right with him, I guess. I finally crawled back in bed at 12:30am.

Regardless, he's my little lovie. He loves scrunching up his nose, thus making a silly face. He thinks he's pretty funny when he does this! He's discovered the exciting world of finger food - Cheerios are a hit! So far, he's not interested in cottage cheese or cheese in general. Can you believe that?

I cannot believe Christmas is next week...Adam is very excited! He saw Santa last Saturday and mustered up the courage to ask him for a "big monster truck." Of course!!!

Praying for a very Merry Christmas...

December already?

I cannot believe we're almost halfway into December. Time is just flying!

Miles will be 9 months old tomorrow. How can this be? He's not crawling yet, but he's getting up on his knees for longer and longer periods. He's making cute sounds such as "ba ba ba ba" and "ya ya ya ya." He just started putting puffs into his mouth this week. And finally, he's also working on getting his top two teeth in, which i'm sure is no fun for him at all! I'm excited to take him to his well-baby visit tomorrow to see just how big he's gotten. :)

Adam is getting excited for Christmas. Ask him what he wants for Christmas, and he replies "a big monster truck!" Now, he's been asking for this monster truck since his birthday. I keep hoping he'll forget about this toy, but alas, he continues to wish for it.

Now, about this truck. Those of you who know me, know that I don't do well with chaos/loud noises/etc. This monster truck is insanely loud, blasting obnoxious phrases and an awful tune. Basically, my worst nightmare.

Jeff and I were out shopping for Christmas presents last week when I spotted the aforementioned toy. I showed it to Jeff who sheepishly pushed one of the buttons (I'm sure he was thinking, "how loud can this thing be?"). We quickly looked to see who else was nearby and no doubt annoyed by the sheer volume of sound erupting from this beast of a toy, and just started laughing. Obnoxious? Yes. Soon to be irritating? Absolutely. Will it put the biggest smile on our kid's face on Christmas morning? You're darned tootin.'

Against our better judgement, we walked out of the store with the Rippin Monster Jams truck in our shopping bag.

I'm sure the novelty of this truck will wear off eventually. Until then, you can bet i'll be dying a bit on the inside every time I hear "Ready to Riiiip?" followed by the obnoxious guitar riff.
But hey. You're only three once.

My music man.

Adam has been fascinated by music since the very beginning. I remember playing a music box for him when he was months old, and the sound literally stopped him in his tracks. As he grew older, music always calmed him down. His mobile stayed in his crib far longer than it should have, simply because he loved pressing that button if he woke up and needed to fall back asleep.

He just loves music. A few recent examples:

• Last year at a local outdoor concert he stood near the stage dancing like a fool. Several people commented to me on a) his cuteness and b) his music appreciation.

• At Jeff's company picnic this summer, there was a live "band," which consisted of two ladies who were singing and playing instruments (guitar and bass violin). While the other kids couldn't wait to go outside and play the games, Adam was sitting front and center, mesmerized by the women playing their instruments.

• He begs to sit with us in church to listen to the music. Last week, his Sunday School class was full, so he was excited to hear that he would be sitting with us. As the worship part of the service was going on, Adam pulled a John Travolta in the aisles. Jeff told me after the service that he actually put his hands up "in praise" after seeing someone else do it. Awesome.

• His current dance favorite is Michael Jackson's "Beat It." Now, I love me some old school MJ just as much as the next guy, but playing that "Thriller" album several times a week is definitely getting on my nerves. Seeing him dance around the kitchen however, isn't. And when I say dance, I mean dance. The kid's got moves.

• His new favorite thing is to put together a "band" while the music is playing. He usually grabs his guitar, and sticks me with the drums. If Jeff's home, he's quickly handed the harmonica and becomes an (unwilling) participant in Adam's Amazing Band. I'll admit it: it puts a huge smile on my face to see him so excited at the cacophony of sounds. Poor Miles - I wonder what he thinks when all of this is going on? We must surely be a sight.

It will be interesting to see if this lean towards music continues. Will he be a musician? What will he play? Time will tell!

Sleep, glorious sleep!

I almost don't dare to write about this new development, for fear that I'll jinx it, but here goes.

Miles has slept through the night every night this week! This is amazing! Not only that, but he has also chosen this very week to nap! For more than 20 minutes at a time! Twice a day! Folks, this is fantastic! Better late than never, they say, and I feel like I've hit the mommy jackpot!

However, all is not quiet in the evenings. More nights than not, Adam wakes me up by climbing into our bed at night (why does he always come on MY side and put his knee on my head as he climbs in?). I usually let him move to the middle and if he falls asleep for a while, great. Bonus if I actually fall asleep as well. After a few hours, and before Jeff's alarm goes off, one of us carries his sleepyhead back into his room. And no, Adam, we don't want to lay down with you in your bed. Not if we can help it, anyways.

We have lots of things to be thankful over here on Thorncrest Drive, but today, for the purposes of this entry, I'm thankful for sleep.

Toothless no more...

My baby is getting so big!

At seven months old (!), Miles is now the proud owner of two bottom teeth! Unlike his big brother, he is a very crabby teether. After having a very uncharastically cranky day (October 25, to be exact), I spotted one tooth around dinnertime. I was actually relieved to see it, because then I knew what the problem was! Tooth #2 broke through a week later.

Somehow they don't seem as little when they have teeth, do they?

Nonetheless, he's back to his usual self. He's really enjoying eating purees lately. With the exception of bananas, he'll eat anything (I know, what kid doesn't like bananas?).

Have I told you that he's ticklish? It's awesome. Take off his socks sometime and tickle the bottom of his little feet. Sometimes he starts smiling his big, dimpled smile as soon as you take them off, in anticipation of tickling! Other chuckle-producing areas include his belly or right under his chin. Silly guy.

And a quick note to both Adam and Miles: On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, you accompanied me to the polls to cast a vote for what will be the first black President of the Unites States. This election was quite historical, and you were along for the ride. I pray that he leads this country in a positive direction and relies on God for guidance.

Ironic how someone who really doesn't like change voted for "Change!" isnt it?

Ramone to the rescue!

Yesterday our car was hit in the parking lot of Forest Hills Foods (which is a story in and of itself). Adam was quite concerned with the damage done to our car, and the notion of a car "accident." I explained to him that accidents happen, and that we will be able to get it fixed at a body shop in the near future.

At the mention of body shop, his eyes lit up and he said "You mean RAMONE is going to fix our car?!?"

Ummm, sort of. ;)

(For those of you unfamiliar with the Disney movie, Cars, Ramone is a favorite character that owns "Ramone's House of Body Art" and is quoted as saying "Don't scratch my paint!!").