Loving the Holidays!

I'm exhausted so I'll be brief and will let the photos tell most of the stories.



Tom and I took Colten to meet Santa last Saturday, and yes I realize that it was a bit early but since we weren't sure how Colten would react, we figured it would be best to avoid the crowds. As soon as we approached, I saw an elf reach for a toy in what I knew would be an attempt to make Colten smile. Since he had not taken a nap, I knew that he would not smile and so I just told her to take the picture before Colten started screaming. I was right that Colten would not smile, but he also didn't scream either; in fact, he loved Santa and started to cuddle into him - too cute. And of course I couldn't resist Santa either ; >

Thanksgiving was such a wonderful day too! My mom and dad are amazing and put together such a wonderful meal. I don't think my mom left the kitchen for two whole days, but we all appreciated her hard work so much. I did make the sweet potatoes and helped Karol with the dishes but other than that, I wasn't much help this year...Colten kept me quite busy.

Mike brought his dog Chase in for the holiday, and Colten loved him!
Lady doesn't often let Colten climb all over her.

The fam!Hanging with Uncle Mike!Colten tried mashed potatoes for the first time but wasn't a fan. In fact, he refused to take even his food from me for most of the meal. Last week I started Colten on Stage 3 meats, and as with mashed potatoes, he was not a fan of the turkey and veggies either. We recently tried turkey and sweet potatoes, and he loves that combo. I think that the chunks of veggies turned him off. We're off to chicken next, so I'll keep you updated...

And of course Mom and I headed out on Black Friday. We left a bit later than usual (around 5:15) and headed straight for Babies R Us because they had diapers on sale - boy how times have changed : > And then the real shopping started. We had so much success and fun and were even home early too (by 1pm)! Tom took care of Colten all day and did such a fantastic job! That was the first time that Tom did all the feedings, changings, playing, and entertaining! They had a blast together! You're such a great dad, Tom!

We are looking forward to all the magic that this Christmas will hold!

Updates All Around!

We celebrated Halloween all weekend!

So much time has passed since Halloween - I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week! But I am so looking forward to Black Friday!!! I think that might be my favorite day of the year : >

Since Halloween...

Colten got his first tooth (his bottom right) on November 9th! He had been waking up in the middle of the night and having a really hard time going back to sleep (we were up for hours), but Colten never has been a good sleeper so I didn't think much of it until we spotted his tooth! He must be in the process of getting more because he chews constantly and seems to be experiencing some pain. Yay for tooth #1! And for not biting Mommy while nursing...yet...

Lady loves when Colten eats on the floor!

Colten will not let Lady's ball out of his grip;
I eventually broke down and bought Lady a new one so Colten could have this one : >

And Colten turned 8 months old. We celebrated by going to Jen's house for Vincent's 3rd birthday party! Colten even received his first birthday treat bag. Thanks Jen! You're too sweet!

Ready for Vincent's party!

And Mommy got some long awaited news as well. I'm still not so sure about how I feel about everything but I officially have Type 1 diabetes (not type 2 as we have thought for 2 years), and I have a hypothyroid too. So I am headed for an insulin pump in the near future. Right now my body is still making some insulin, but as my doctor put it, my body is "pooping out". We just don't know when it will stop all together. Regardless, she wants me to be on the pump well before we start trying to have another baby (we were planning to try this summer...we'll see...). I'm not going to let this stop me from fulfilling my dreams of a family, but I might not be able to keep my original plan...only time will tell. I can talk myself into accepting the pump because it will give me more freedom, but in the same breath I just can't imagine having this pump for the rest of my life...

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! And enjoy Black Friday if you are headed out too!

And please excuse the Halloween background. I promise I'll change it for Christmas : >