Merry Christmas to All

Aaaaahhhhhh.  Do you hear that?  That's the collective sigh of me and the hubbs having the rest of the week off to enjoy the wonderfulness that is this holiday.  The tree is decked.  The presents are purchased (but yet to make it wrapped under the tree).  We have a stocked pantry full of yummy ingredients for the BIG DINNER.  And hot chocolate.  Maybe some Bailey's too.  I love the anticipation of days full of PJs and baby snuggles and old movies and NOT feeling guilty about spending your whole day doing unproductive things.  I'm really excited about our house getting some of that Santa magic you seem to lose when you're all grown up without kiddos around.  Peanut is going to LOVE Christmas morning.  Tons of packages with paper and bows??  Yes please!!  Hopefully I'll remember to tear my face away from the camera long enough to soak it all in and enjoy it.  I've been shamelessly blasting Christmas music since the day after Thanksgiving, and will continue to pipe it through the house.  There's just something about a house full of family and conversations and music and the smell of wonderful food an Yankee candles that makes me grin.  I just hope I can pass on the Christmas magic to Peanut.  I want her to love it too!  And not just for the presents, but for the family and quality time spent together.  Let's face it, she's not going to care about the presents this year anyway.  So, in conclusion, YAY for Christmas!  I'm so glad I'm not in the grinch-like mood I was in last year.  I'm enjoying NOT being a gazillion weeks pregnant :-)  Here's some pics from the iphone lately - 

Peanut's first time in a swing...I think she was terrified:

 This was around Thanksgiving when she was sleeping in our room:

 Cheesin for the camera:

 This is the one we used for our Christmas cards:

 Playing with an ornament she ripped off the tree - which is why all of our ornaments are kid friendly this year:

 The one and only picture I have from Thanksgiving day...and she's not even smiling:

Dear Little Peanut,

You are 11 MONTHS OLD today! It’s so close to one year (::faint::), it’s almost easy to pass it by. But month 11 has been a doozy (which is just perfect since eleven is my favorite number). You are officially a full time walker. You wobble. You TODDLE. I’m mixed with joy and wistfulness. Gone are the days of your helpless infant cries. You are Miss Independent. And you are leaving the “BABY” title behind and owning “TODDLER”. If I could choose one word to describe you as you are right this moment in your life, it would be happy. You are such a happy girl. Smiles galore. I love love love it, and try to be thankful for it every day.
We’re in the throes of the holidays, and I’m trying my hardest to give you every Christmas experience you deserve. The Christmas tree is up, the wish list is done, and we have Christmas music on 24/7. We’re taking you to see Santa tonight for your 11 month photo. Usually, I wouldn’t be worried about your disposition. You love strangers (which is scary for me), however, you do NOT like people in hats. I’m predicting a cry face in the picture tonight due to the Santa hat.

We’ve also reached another milestone. This one is really hard for me. You had your first taste of formula this week. I was really trying to make it a year providing you exclusively with breast milk, but my boobs couldn’t make it. I was pumping a paltry amount every day and it just wasn’t enough. We still have our morning and night nursing sessions, which are more and more special as we near the end. On the plus side, I get to pack away the pump! Woo hoo!!! I don’t want to see that thing ever again. (Well, until the next one comes along, but I’m not going to think about that right now)

We got through your Nana’s surgery. She’s back in the game, and we’re all back to work. Everything went smoothly and I absolutely loved our days together at home. Your Daddy loved taking care of you too. I think he was nervous the first day he was home by himself with you, but he’s a natural and you two had a ton of fun together.

Some more facts about YOU:

- You are still in size 3 diapers. I’m predicting a move up to the next size soon.

- You are wearing 12-18 month clothes. They’re still big on you, but I want you to be able to wear the new stuff through the winter. However, you wear 3-6 months in dresses.

- You are a wonderful eater. You have a solid breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a snack thrown in there sometimes. Your new favorite is a hummus sandwich. Like momma like daughter :-)

- You LOVE Stella and try to snuggle with her. You’ll pet her and then squat down and put your head on her to “love” her. It is so sweet.

- You make kissing sounds and fish faces. You still make monster sounds (it’s more of a growl than anything I guess).

- You can clap your hands and do it often. Especially when you hear applause on the radio or TV. I think you think they’re clapping for you.

- You know what “NO” means and test your boundaries often. Right now we’re not disciplining, but telling you NO and then removing you from the situation if you don’t listen. You have a strong will, but mine is stronger  Your biggest temptation is the Christmas tree. You want to chew on the ornaments.

- You love to bop to music. I don’t think I can quite call it dancing yet, but you’re on your way. Any time you hear a beat you like, you stop what you’re doing and bob your head and bounce up and down.

- You poop in the tub all the time. I’m not sure why this has become a habit, but it’s one I would love for you to break. It’s sneaky too. I never see it coming.

- You love to climb on, over, and around things. You will LOVE playgrounds when you’re big enough.

- You love to grab your belly when you’re walking around or get excited.

- You still haven’t said words yet. But you “talk” a LOT. I’m still waiting for the day you say Mama. I think I’ll die from the anticipation.

- You are officially sleeping through the night and I’m LOVING it. It’s so nice to know that once I hop in bed, chances are I get to stay there until my alarm goes off.

- You fluctuate between one and two naps a day. This is totally dictated by you. One nap = a very cranky baby by dinner time.

- You still love your books. We read “The Going to Bed Book” every night and you totally know what it means when I get that one out. As soon as I read the first page you snuggle back and put your thumb in your mouth, ready for bed.

- You belly laugh when we blow raspberries on your sides.

Merry Christmas Peanut, we love you!!