Happy New Year Baby JoeJoe!
I know it has been a long time since I have been here but we have been so busy. We had 2 surgeries (plus one for Luke), Christmas festivities, Elijah's birthday, New Year's Eve, the stomach flu and another tooth!
So, what have we been up to the last month or so?
Daddy has his surgery on 12/2 and we have been trying to figure out how to function without a fully functioning daddy. But, immediately after, we were trying to get our Christmas tree up. Luckily, Gramma came to help us and hang out with us. She brought you a special Christmas hat but your head was a bit too big :)
On the 4th, we finished the tree and we played. Gramma came over again and Grampa came to visit too. We got out the nativity scene and you played with baby Jesus - and Elijah!
Look how big you are!
On 12/5, we had your allergy testing. You passed all the milk tests and the food tests (except Pork) and you are better off than Elijah and Daddy for outdoor stuff. We were so excited because you should be transitioning off the special formula. We took these silly photos at the allergist's office.
This photo was on the 9th. Your Colorado cousins appreciated the sentiment :)
On the 10th, we went to Lincoln to see Auntie Becky and do cookie day. I think she got you your favorite Christmas gift of them all - teething biscuits. You love them. You didn't help make cookies but you always love lots of activities going on around you.
On the 11th, you got your first tooth. No wonder why you were a bit fussier! We also had lots of photos taken for Great Gramma and it was also time for your 6 month photos. I was so pleased with your photos.
On the 15th, I had surgery. I coudn't lift you for 4 days so we had to get some help. On Thursday, Grampa picked you up and took you to Auntie Sheila's. You spent two nights with her and you were able to play with Jake too. On Friday, we even did a skype with you so we could see you for a minute.
On Saturday, Daddy took you over to Debbie's and you hung out with Debbie and Morgan. They sure enjoyed having you all to themselves! They took you to the Zoo for dinner with Santa. I was so looking forward to taking you & Elijah to the dinner but I was out of commission. You were all about Mrs. Clause when you were there. Morgan had fun with you and she snuggled with you during story time.
On the 16th, your second tooth popped through. As of yesterday, your 3rd one was coming through on the top. I think 4th will come in pretty quick. But, it does take a toll on your mood. Makes you have a little less patience for us when your teeth are hurting you.
Photo on the 19th... Elijah was gone the 15th - 19th and you missed him. When you saw him on the morning of the 20th, both of you guys lit up. I love seeing that. You are starting to reach out to touch him, grab his hair and play with him. I love watching you laugh when he plays with you. You guys BOTH steal my heart!
On the 23rd, you had your first daycare Christmas party. Mary was lucky enough to get you in a photo (stinky face) but you just wanted to CRASH :)
At night, we went to hang out with Santa. You love Santa. You loved wrapping your fingers around his beard and pulling it. None of that screaming stuff like we had with your brother :)
After the party, I let you open up your Christmas present from Brandon. He had a great quote on the package for you. Made me weepy! "Love is missing someone when you are far apart but still feeling warm inside because they are close to your heart." (Or something really close to that) This is one of two presents that you really did open. Then, we took photos of you & Elijah in your special Colorado hats.
Christmas Eve was so busy! We had breakfast together at your new table. I was so surprised that you were able to sit in the chair. Then, we did photos of you & Elijah before everyone came over. Right in the middle of the festivities, you got so tired. I laid you in your crib and you just looked at me, smiled, spread your arms out and went to sleep :) After your nap, Grampa, Leisa, Uncle Tyler and Uncle Zachary came over. Then, we went over Auntie Sheila's for a bit. You had your first Auntie Attack with Auntie Val and Aunt Kim. You just looked a little confused :)
Christmas Day was your first Christmas at Great Gramma Lang's. I was so excited to spend Christmas with you there. As we are getting older, it is getting hard for all of us to get together & fit in the living room. But, it was so important for me to experience this with you at least one time. However, we did miss Brian and Brandon!
On Christmas, you tried lots of different foods. Cherries, cheesecake, sweet potatoes and cheez whiz. Lots of healthy choices there, huh? You were so mad when I would take the foods away from you. It made me see how demanding you are!
Overall, you had a great Christmas and you got lots of great gifts. Right now, Elijah is enjoying them more than you!
Right after Christmas, we had Elijah's first birthday party. I took you & Elijah over Great Gramma's before the party. Then, I put Gramma Debi D on Joey patrol during the party. I thought that would allow me to focus on Elijah and the party but know that you were looked after. You also got some loving from your Oklahoma Auntie Cindy. She said you took a liking to her more than Auntie Becky since Elijah has claimed Auntie Becky as his. :) It is all good - you just have a lot of people to love you!
More healthy food choices!
One great thing about this weekend, you got to meet Auntie Kim. She was able to squeeze you up and love you up. Elijah is a ball of energy so he could run free leaving all your aunties to love you up.
On the 27th, you had your 6 month check up. But, it was over 6 1/2 months! You came in at 29" and 20.5 lbs. The good thing is that you are slowing reducing in your weight. You are growing into yourself :)
On the 28th, we celebrated Elijah's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. You went on a ride! I really do think you are going to be the adventurous one in this family.
On the 30th, Gramma Debi D came over to visit us before she went out of town. You blessed her by getting sick all over her. Then, you got daddy. Finally, you got me. We were so bummed because we thought you were having a bad reaction to your formula transition. However, the next night, Elijah was sick. Then, Daddy was sick, Morgan was sick and Shane was sick. So, it all started with you & you spread the love :)
To end the year, we spent the night with the Beatys. We had dinner over their house and then we went to the Children's Museum. We had so much fun. You were in good spirits and loved watching everything going on. You let me take silly pictures of you and everything. :) It was a great way to end the year! When we came home, we sat on the floor and did a New Year's "Cheers" with sparkling cider. You loved it!!
For 2012, we have been sick - all because of you :) After the tummy issues, you and Elijah then got some sinus issues. We have also been out of sorts because our Luke is at the hospital. On 1/3, you stayed home with me. You were not feeling good and you were sleeping a lot over the weekend. So, I decided to keep you home so you could sleep a lot. You did not disappoint - you woke up at 9, ate and went to sleep from 10:30-2:30! But, I would rather have you healthy and at daycare than home sick!!
On Thursday, it was so nice out that we were able to go out on the swingset. For the first time, you loved the swing. You laughed and had a good time. I was so happy to see you enjoying yourself!!
We made a couple of family resolution. Only a few apply to you -
Sticking to our budget and adding no new debt - no fun toys for you buddy.
Enroll you in swimming lessons.
We are a bit busy this weekend - you are going to hang out with Debbie, Shane and Morgan for a bit tomorrow. Then, on Sunday, you are going to hang out with Cory & Lauren for a bit while we take Jake to Sesame Street. Next time, you will be old enough to go with us!!
Overall, developmentally, you are sitting more and more. You are grabbing my glasses and pulling me towards you. You are making more sounds. You are very aware of your surroundings - you know when it is time to go to bed that life is going on outside of your room. We spend a lot more time rocking you to sleep. While it is a bit time consuming, I try to remember that you are only going to be this little for a bit longer and I need to take advantage. Next up, we need to start walking with you. I am not sure I am ready for you to be walking but we have to help you if you are ready :)
OK buddy, I hope to be back sooner than a month but life sure is getting ahead of me lately. In only a couple of days, you are going to be 7 months old. I can't believe it!!! I will leave you with one of my favorite pictures for the month - sorry, 2nd children don't even get matching pajamas but, you are still happy!
