Merry Christmas to all

We had a very Merry Christmas today!  Brady got up waaaayyyyy too early this morning, so we waited until after his first nap to open presents.  He seemed to really like all of his toys, but I think he was a little overwhelmed with the unwrapping process.  He started to fuss as I would take a toy away from him so he could open the next gift (hello object permanence!).  And Santa made a rookie mistake- no batteries!  But there was a happy ending- Brady got to spend the afternoon surrounded by his shiny, new, colorful, loud toys!  I think he'll sleep well tonight.

Christmas Eve

It's been another fun week with Brady.  We were able to meet his newest amiga, Katie and Sean's beautiful daughter Shannon!  We also met Denise one day for lunch.  It was Brady's first time in one of those little wooden restaurant high chairs, and it was quite an experience!  He managed to hop and move around the entire time, and even head-butted the table once.  I ate with one hand and kept the other on the chair, but we both survived.  I guess Brady is who they had in mind when they invented the 5-point harness system.  :)

Today we had a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with Denise, René, and Mary.  I made a ton of food, lots of desserts (made possible by my lovely new stand mixer), and the company couldn't have been better.  We have been looking forward to Brady's first Christmas, and we were so happy that we could kick off the celebration with family and friends around.

Brady got to open his first gifts tonight from Denise.  He liked ripping the paper and playing with his new toys, but the best part seemed to be the shiny, sticky bows!  Judging by the snail-like pace he went at tonight, we'll still be opening the massive pile of presents under our tree come next summer!

I can't wait until the morning.  I haven't been this excited for Christmas since I was a kid!

Pffttttttt!

There's my handsome boy

Shannon is very impressed by Brady's driving

Saying hello to familiar faces in the photo album

Playtime with Lucky

With Uncle René and Aunt Mary on Christmas Eve

"Bring on the ham!"








"So shiny! So pretty!"

"You mean there's more than just the paper and bow?!"

"Ooh, how does this one work?"

Thank you Aunt Denise!

First snow and other good times

Brady is wrapping up a pretty exciting week.  First, we switched his tub around to the "big boy" side (he sits up on his own now rather than being propped up on a ramp).  And speaking of being a big boy, he got his flu shot on Monday and did not even cry!  What a tough guy.

We got our first accumulating snow of the season on Thursday.  I bundled Brady up and took him out to see it up close.  However, he was less than impressed.  Maybe once he can do something other than sit in it it will be more interesting.  But I had a blast taking pictures of him!

On Friday Brady saw Santa for the first time and told him what he wants for for Christmas.  Perhaps teeth?  Or the ability to crawl?  Again, he was not really impressed with jolly old Saint Nick.  At least he wasn't scared!

To top it all off, we went to Brady's pal Sam's 2nd birthday party tonight.  It was a lot of fun and Brady really enjoyed all the music and watching the older kids run, climb, and play.  He likes to be where the action is- I can't wait to see him play like that someday!

Bath time fun

Christmas came a little early this year.  I knew what I was getting, and really wanted to use it to make Christmas cookies!

Fair is fair, so Pete opened his gift too.

Santa's little helper gets a lift from Daddy

Brady's first snow

Snow day!

Meeting Santa

Fun at Sam's party

The birthday boy, Elena, and Brady

Hula what?

Week in review

Pete made it home safely on Friday night, and we've been very busy catching up on all the neglected housework from the last two weeks.  Here's what else we've been up to...



Cutie pie



What big eyes you have!



"Doggie!  I love you!"



"If only there was a way I could get closer to you!"

"Needs a little salt, Mom."

Ornery

At Suzy's baby shower with Kathy, T, and Shannon.



The guest of honor perfecting her holding technique.



Daddy demonstrating the proper way to open wide.  Or yelling at Brady to drop and give him twenty if he doesn't finish his cereal?  You decide!

That's more like it.

Giddy up!  Brady breaks in his new carrier.

Holiday spirit

There is not much new to report here on the home front.  I've been working on Christmas decorations and shopping, and Brady does his best to keep me from being productive.  It's a fun game we've got going!  Guess who's winning?

The highlight of the week was the Christmas parade that we attended this morning with Suzy.  It was a little chilly, but I had Brady dressed in enough layers to keep him warm at the North Pole.  As always, Brady loved being outside.  His favorite parts of the parade were the horses, dogs, and the balloons that the kids next to us had tied to their chairs.

All I want for Christmas (except maybe a silent night)

The wild man in action





Enjoying a warm day

Parade goers

Admiring all the dogs with Suzy

Yay for Christmas

Ready to party