Happy Thanksgiving!

Who would have thought Thanksgiving could be so fun?

I got up for the day, and turned on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV, one of my favorite traditions. The turkey got stuffed, and found its way into the oven... and then it was time to make a a big pancake breakfast.

We got B-Boy up and of course, the first thing he wanted to do was to go down to the basement to wake up Mema. She was happy to oblige, and so the day was off to a great start.

All in all it was a great day... it was beautiful out, and we were able to take a walk before we ate dinner. Usually, we play golf in the morning on Thanksgiving Day, and then I come home while Neb gets in as much time playing as possible. Of course, that was before B-Boy came into our lives... and before we moved.

Another new thing this year....



It was the first time in a long time that we have not eaten a holiday meal in the dining room. This is because it is still at the old house to be used for staging. So, we left the food on the island and ate at the kitchen table.

The meal was good, the company was great. Another great thanksgiving for all of us!

B-Boy is so tired, He's Dragon!

I appologize in advance for the length and number of photos in this post. I just could not help myself!!!

As Halloween approached, I made a decision. This would most probably be the last Halloween that B-Boy would let me dress him up "Cute". So I decided that instead of making his costume, I would go get one that I thought was cute.

Face it, from here on out, B-Boy is probably going to want to be something cool, or heroic, or scary... and "cute" most definately does not fall into any of those categories. I know this because many of my friends have older kids and talk about the costumes they want to wear. Many lament how they miss when they looked so cute... Ah, free will- it's gonna get us.

So, I told Neb that I was buying B-Boy's costume, and that I would be picking it out. Neb decided he should probably meet us at the store to be sure B-Boy would not be embarrased by what I picked out. There was lots to choose from... one Mom was dressing her daughter in a cupcake costume, while putting her son in an adorable chicken costume.

"Absolutely not!" Neb said. "No chicken! How about this shark costume? It's cool!"

"Uh no. Next year he might WANT to be a shark. Sharks aren't cute. I want cute!", I replied.

And then I saw it. An adorable green dragon costume, with the cutest shiney wings you ever did see. Neb agreed that it wasn't an embarassing costume, and so we purchased it. We tried several times to get B-Boy to try it on, but to no avail. So we just hoped it fit... and that he would let us put it on him come October 31st!

Fast forward to Halloween Day.

It was to be B-Boy's first trick-or-treat Halloween. Last year, we did take him in his costume next door to trick-or-treat our neighbors, but he was not walking much then, and more rolled in his stroller than walked to the door. So this was to be his first one where he walked to the door. We all were really looking forward to it.

So much so that we invited Mema to some stay the night and hand out candy while we went out with B-Boy. Since it was also our first Halloween in the new house, we didn't know how many trick-or-treaters to expect. Rather than one of us miss B-Boy's first experience, we thought it might be fun for Mema to hand out the candy.

B-Boy went to daycare, not knowing what was in store for the big day. After he took his afternoon nap, I picked him up and took him to Neb's work for some indoor trick-or-treating. Since Neb had started a new job at a new company, this was also our first chance to get a tour of the place.

Why does my backside feel funny?

Daddy said I am supposed to say Trick or Treat!

But I don't know why!

B-Boy was shy at first, but then he got into trying to get as much candy from folks as possible! So much so, that neither Neb nor I could carry his bag for him.

That was FUN!

My favorite part was that every time he bent down to pick up a piece of candy, the tail on the back of his costume would point up to the ceiling. It was adorable... oh, and every time he took a step the tail would swing side to side. That was fun to watch. Sadly, I don't have any video to share of that, which is probably a good thing!

Once B-Boy finished making the rounds at Neb's work, he and I headed back to his daycare. They had hosted an indoor trick-or-treating in the halls of the daycare, and I had hoped to get back in time for the event.

Sadly, we missed all the fun, but we were able to run into my friend Cat and her son Jambuca, who is in B-Boy's class- and is becoming one of B-Boy's best buddies. Jambuca had been eating some Blueberry Cranraisins and so his lips were all blue... which is definately a requirement to be Spiderman, don't you think?

Wait, you mean I could have dressed as something COOL?

No way Mom!

We went back to his classroom so his teachers could see his costume...

Cheese!

Am I lucky or what?

My teachers are smart, beautiful

AND they LOVE me!

Then we headed down the hall to his old classrooms to see his former teachers. The one year old room was empty, so we walked down to his old infant room. One of his frist teachers was there, and so we waited while the last of the babies in her care was picked up so that we could see her. While we waited, B-Boy played with the infant toys he enjoyed when he was there.

I remember this toy!

The fake crayons were so much fun to play with.

How come it's so tiny now? It used to be a lot BIGGER!

Oh, the BALL pit! I used to love this!

Wait, it is a lot smaller too!

Wait a minute... ALL these toys are tiny!

What happened?

And then we headed home... in the pouring rain.

Sadly, there was not a single trick-or-treater at our door! B-Boy was unable to go out in the rain, it was too heavy. So, instead, he showed Mema the art he brought home from school

And then he sat down to eat his favorite candy...

Apples! :)

Who is the Great Pumpkin Mema?

Of course, I had to get a photo with my cute dragon...

Mommy, you're sqeezing me too tight!!!

Being a dragon was fun Mommy!

We hope you all had a great Halloween!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This was B-Boy's second Thanksgiving, and it was a good one.

Last year, B-Boy was swaddled in the My Little Lamb swing in the living room. He slept most of the day, and we were able to have a nice dinner in the dining room between his feedings. We were frazzled, and appreciated being able to eat the entire meal uninterrupted. The holiday stands out because it was the first holiday that we dressed B-Boy in costume. (Halloween didn't count because you are SUPPOSED to dress up for that holiday!)

The costume won the award for "Best use of Felt"... and still makes me smile.

Gobble Gobble!

This Thanksgiving was a great one. GranE was here for the first time for this holiday. My mom was still feeling sick, so she was unable to join us. The day went well, GranE and Neb took B-Boy for a walk and then played golf while he took a nap. When they returned, the turkey was finished cooking and we were able to have a nice quiet meal while B-Boy slept.

He had a nice snack of Eggplant when he woke and when it was time for dinner, he feasted on Turkey, baked beans (which is a huge favorite of both Neb and B-Boy), and applesauce. He really enjoyed it, and went on a sugar high afterward. The sugar crash came hard, and he fell asleep shortly after 7.

All in all a great day. We all had fun, and enjoyed the time we spent together. GranE goes home tomorrow, and will be missed. We look forward to her next visit.

He's our Sun

Happy Halloween!!!

It's B-Boy's second Halloween... and I am amazed at how much he has grown from last year. You know there is going to be a costume... so it's a good thing you are here.

                  This is B-Boy.
                  He is our Sun.
                  He is the center of our universe...
                  And everything revolves around him.

HA! I'm the center of EVERYTHING....!

Planets are everywhere! Mommy says they are in correct order...

And that she included Pluto because it was a planet when she was growing up.

And yes, Jupiter, Mars and Uranus are on the back...

The last one makes Mommy giggle, but I don't know why.

Mommy's kitty ears scare me a bit...

which is why I am grabbing on to Daddy so tight!

Now for the logistics, for those of you who are curious. Neb and I brainstormed on what B-Boy was going to be this year for Halloween. Neb came up with the idea that he should be our Sun. I found a bright yellow shirt and Neb tie-dyed it with orange and red. I found some photos of the planets on the NASA.GOV website and printed them on an iron-on transfer. I then decided how to place the planets and ironed them on. The final touch was cutting a "hat" of sun rays out of craft foam.

The costume evolved. We wanted something he could wear to daycare on Friday, and stay in it all day. That meant anything puffy or stuffed was out of the question. We then decided on doing a shirt. Originally, we were going to have the planets as balls of different sizes down B-Boy's arms for more of a 3D effect. But that was a choking hazard, a definite no-no. Which led me to think about what we could do that was flatter. I also wanted a hat for B-Boy to wear, but he is going through a phase of taking off any hats that go on his head. I thought the foam might be light enough to stay on unnoticed, which it was for the most part. All in all, we are pleased with the results. We hope you enjoyed it!

I like wearing costumes to school!

Mommy says I am really happy Daddy is home!

Happy 4th of July, and a Happy 9 months!

It's really hard to believe that B-Boy is nine months old today... but he is.

In celebration, our country threw a big party... for its own birthday!

We went to the pool and had a big ol' sack of fun. It was a bit chilly in the water because the temperature dropped to the mid eighties this week, so the ground didn't soak up much warmth. But we made the best of it, and had a good time all the same.

I could not resist another holiday to get B-Boy into costume... and we hope you enjoy the result. We hear that UNCLE SAM is a bit busy these days, and so Uncle B-Boy has come to help. Enjoy your day!

I am SOOO ready for this photo shoot to be over!

Daddy's Little Caddie

For Father's Day, you know we HAD to do another costume photo shoot! (Feel free to click on a picture to see a bigger version.)

Enjoy!

Me? You want me to be your caddie? I'd be happy to!

Allow me to get your bag...

Happy Flag Day!

Today, B-Boy wore shoes for the first time. He did great with them, and seemed to enjoy kicking his feet with more gusto! He also really liked the texture of the velcro that kept them on his feet.

Since it is also Flag Day, B-Boy is sporting his flag shorts... Too cute! And to honor the true spirit of America, he is also sporting a red golf shirt onesie with a basevall on it.

Enjoy!

Please make her stop.

 

Flags are fun Daddy!

Aren't my shoes cool?

And, as a bonus, I have flags growing out of my head.

And before I forget, B-Boy is really loving his red chair. He is facinated by the slats, the shiney texture, and the lines of space in between. He especially loves the arms, because he can slap them with his hands... up down up down. Much fun is had by B-Boy in that chair!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Hola, hoy es Cinco de Mayo!


For all our gringo friends, that means Hello, today is Cingo de Mayo!

As Neb and I prepare a fine margarita, B-Boy wanted to help celebrate the holiday! So, he donned a cute outfit (thanks to Dad's help) and asked me to share the photos with you. For the record, Neb was the one who figured out how to get the mustache to stay put. He loves to deny his involvement in this... but I have proof!

B-Boy's trusty burrow Eeyore was by his side to help. He had maracas (baby sized), a serape (and one for his bottle), a sombrero, and a blanket from Mexico.

Ole!

Hee hee... mustaches tickle!

 Oh, and when he got to daycare, the teachers all giggled at his costume. The mustache was their favorite part. Heh heh. Thanks Neb!

Easter with Mema

Forgive me for getting a bit behind in my posting. With B-Boy's 6 month birthday, I officially stopped breastfeeding and pumping. Since I often wrote while pumping, I am trying to figure out how to continue the blog without impacting the family. We shall see.

But I am getting off topic here. Let's get back on track, shall we?

B-Boy had other adventures for Easter, one being a visit to his Mema (my mother) in North Raleigh. The visit started later than we thought it would as B-Boy took a HUGE nap. When we got there, Mema met us in the lobby. She was SHOCKED at how big he was, and wanted to hold him.

Now I am sure this won't be the last time I say this, but he is quite HEAVY. He doesn't look it, because he is so long and slender... but baby boy is solid. So the first thing I tell someone who wants to hold him is "He's heavier than you think." I just don't want someone to drop him or hurt themselves!

So Mema held him for awhile, until he got a bit to heavy. We went to her apartment where B-Boy sat up on her couch. Ok, he didn't actually sit on his own, he was propped up by the back and arm of the couch. It struck me what a big boy he is becoming!

Hey Mom, you gotta try this couch. It's so COMFY!

He also showed Mema his new trick of rolling from his tummy to his back. We could not get him to stay on his tummy, silly B-Boy was too proud to show how quick he could do his new skill. Not sure how we are going to get him to do tummy time now... Staples, perhaps? ;)

Mema gave B-Boy his first Easter Basket! It was too cute, the basket was blue and had an Eeyore head on it. The Eeyore has a set of bunny ears on, and B-Boy liked pulling on them. In the basket was a ducky teething rattle, which he immediately started putting in his mouth and waving it around. He also got a shiney rattle with beads... it was easy to grasp and B-Boy liked watching the beads.

Ooooh, Crinkle Packaging, I LOVE Crinkle Packaging!!!

He also got some socks. Which made me giggle. If you have been following B-Boy's adventures here, you know that finding socks that fit him has been a challenge. Mema got him socks in size 18-36 months. We shall see if they fit.

Finally, there was the cutest stuffed Eeyore that B-Boy played with all the way home. It is now in his rotation for "Car Seat Toys"! It was a good visit, Mema seemed in good health, and I think she got her B-Boy fix!

This was fun, but it's HOT!

Hoppy Easter!

B-Boy had a great first Easter, and he hopes yours was a good one too. It started with a text message from my sister, GatorGirl, wishing us a happy easter from the breester bunny. Silly GatorGirl!

B-Boy got into his costume when the sun started to go down. It was a bit warm today, and he was a bit hot from a nice walk with Neb.

I hope you enjoy his costume! Hoppy Easter!

I do get the chocolate when we are done, right?

Do you like my tail?

What do you mean the Easter Bunny doesn't use a paci?

And a REALLY short video... seriously short.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

B-Boy had a great St. Patrick's Day. It was his first, and it was a green one! Was yours?

Mommy, I had a dream I was a leprechaun...

and I lost my gold!

Cue the wavy lines for the dream sequence....

Is this real gold?

I hope I didn't lose all my gold!

I wonder where all my gold went...

I don't see any rainbows.

I found the pot of gold Mommy!

This holiday is a snap!

I hope you enjoy our little leprechaun!