Gifts from Alex

Let's see what's in here!

Look at all this stuff

Neat ball!

In an attempt to save money this year, my best friend, Lisa, and I decided to set a $10 spending limit on the holiday gift exchange between our children. At first, I was totally stumped as to what we could buy for her daughter, Alex, for just $10. After some searching, I found a great apron set to go along with the brand new kitchen that she got for Hanukkah. We got Charlie's gifts in the mail a couple days ago, and we were shocked to see that Auntie Pooh and Al got Charlie six different gifts! What bargain shoppers! Alex gave Charlie four Elmo books, a toy camcorder, and a very nifty light-up bouncy ball. Thank you for our great gifts!!!

Merry Christmas!

I L-O-V-E my big, blue car!

My Uncle Bud

Mommy and the cutest reindeer

Daddy helping me play with my new toys

Grandma's little elf

Riding my big lion with Uncle Walker

Christmas breakfast

Talking on my new phone in my new kitchen

Reading Twas' the Night Before Christmas

I know this post is a little late, but we hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday! We certainly did. Charlie's first Christmas was filled with a flurry of activity. We started our Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve by letting Charlie open one gift and reading Twas' the Night Before Christmas to him as a family. Nick and I read the story to my bulging belly last year, and it was a surreal experience sitting with Charlie one year later reading the story again.

Christmas morning began at 8:00. Nick and I took turns helping Charlie rip into his presents, but we quickly realized that he was not a big fan of the sound of the paper being torn off. What a funny kid! After presents, Nick and Charlie played with all of his new loot while I prepared a yummy breakfast. We sat down to eat as a family, and shortly after it was time for Charlie's morning nap. However, no one informed Charlie that we had a tight schedule that day, because he decided he really didn't want to take his nap. Instead of taking a nap at home, Charlie passed out in the car on the way over to the Shaw's house.

We ate and opened presents at the Shaw's, and of course Charlie made out like a bandit in the gift department. He got toys, clothes, and the biggest stuffed lion I have ever seen from Granddaddy and Oma. Nick used to have a stuffed lion when he was little. He loved that thing and thought that it could fly. Now Charlie has his very own lion just like Daddy.

Charlie took nap number two on the car ride back to our place. Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Bud came over shortly after we got home to have Christmas dinner with us. We opened gifts first. In typical grandparent fashion, Grandma and Grandpa totally over did it in the toy department. Charlie's little eyes didn't know what to look at first. Uncle Bud, the avid reader, gave Charlie a great book to help him become a great reader too. After gift giving, we all enjoyed the roast that I made and the delicious deserts that my parents brought.

Uncle JP

Our good friend, JP, was in town from Boston for the holidays, and he made a trip to our neck of the woods just to meet Charlie. We felt special that JP took the time to come and see us, and we had a wonderful time catching up and having dinner with him. We are sad that we didn't get to see JP's fiance, Lauren, but hopefully we will get a chance to see her soon.

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

Cooper and Charlie sharing toys

Our friends, the McCormicks, are back in town, and Charlie and I went over to visit with them the other day. Charlie and Cooper had fun playing together, and the mommies had a nice time chatting.

Whirlwind Weekend

Our family had a very busy weekend. It started on Friday with a visit from Uncle Andy, Nick's best friend, and his fiance, Amy. They just got engaged a few weeks ago, so it was great to be able to see them and congratulate them in person. We all went out to dinner at Chops that night, which was so yummy. The best part was that it was free! Andy had a gift certificate, and it covered our entire meal. It doesn't get much better than a free meal and great company. CONGRATULATIONS AND WE LOVE YOU, ANDY AND AMY!

On Saturday, Andy and Amy watched Charlie so that Nick and I could help our friends' Chad and Kelly move into their house. Kelly and I used to work together at Big Creek, and she has been one of my best friends over the last few years. She and her family moved to Tennessee earlier this year, but they decided to come back to GA. Of course I am VERY happy to have her back. Charlie is excited too because he is getting a new buddy to play with. Kelly's son, Cooper, was born two weeks after Charlie. The boys had some play dates when they were itty bitty, and Kelly and I can't wait to get them back together. WELCOME BACK, McCORMICK FAMILY!

Saturday night was our annual holiday party with all of our friends from UGA. Nick and I love this party because it is the one time each year that all of our friends are together. Friends from out of town are there, and it is such a great night to catch up and relax with old friends. We eat a lot of good food, drink too much, and play White Elephant. My stomach ached from laughing so hard after this year's White Elephant game. Our gift was a case of Charles Shaw wine from Trader Joe's with Charlie's hand prints on it. It was a hot gift and got traded multiple times before becoming frozen. It's always hard to leave the party because we don't know how long it will be before we see some of these friends again. Nick and I spent a good portion of the trip home talking about how fortunate we are to be blessed with such an amazing group of friends. WE LOVE YOU, GUYS!

On Sunday we celebrated Charlie's aunties' birthdays (that's a mouth full). Dani, Vicki, and Kristen have birthdays right around each other, so we always celebrate them together. The Shaw Clan all gathered at a Japanese restaurant for some hibachi, cake, and gifts. Charlie gave all of his aunties lots of birthday love. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND WE LOVE YOU, GIRLS!

This weekend was quite the whirlwind! It may take us a few days to recover from it all, but it was well worth it. I love this time of year because it is all about being with the ones you love and care about. It was such a nice way to start off the week before Christmas. I would post pictures, but blogger is being very slow. I'll try again later :o)

Too Cute

If you read this blog, then you probably received a holiday card from the Shaw Family this week or will be getting one very soon. Charlie's friend from playgroup, Matney, got her card yesterday, and she was very excited. Her mommy told me that as soon as she showed Matney the card, she started flapping her arms up and down and grabbed it. Miss Matney held onto Charlie's picture until it was time for bed. How stinking cute is that?

Santa

We took Charlie to see Santa this weekend. Nick and I were nervous that Charlie would not be too crazy about being handed off to Santa. We were pleasantly surprised by how well the little guy did. He snuggled right into Santa's arms. Here are some of the best pictures from our visit.

This is our favorite photo.

Charlie and Santa bonding

Have you been a good little boy?

Nine Month News

That's right, Charlie is nine months old, and I can't believe we are only three months away from his first birthday. And yes, I have already started planning for the big day :o) This month, like all the rest, flew by in what seemed like a matter of minutes. Charlie is into everything! He is still army crawling, and to be honest with you, I don't see him ever crawling on his hands and knees. Oh, don't worry though, it doesn't slow him down at all! I can't leave him alone for a minute. Today, while unloading groceries, I found Charlie splashing in Samson's water bowl. He had the biggest grin on his face, and I am convinced he knew he was up to no good! The scary part is how quickly he scooted across the kitchen without me seeing him. In addition to crawling, Charlie can also sit up on his own and is starting to pull up to stand. Crawling has thrown me for enough of a loop. I can only pray that walking is still a few months away.

One of the biggest milestones that I have to share this month is that Charlie has started to wave and clap. The waving is just about the cutest thing. He actually waves with his palm facing himself. I guess that is the view he sees when we wave to him. As for clapping, I don't know who gets more of a thrill, him or me!?! The reason this milestone is so exciting to me, is because we never intentionally taught Charlie these skills. He has just picked them up on his own from paying attention and mimicking us. His baby brain is taking so much in, and it just makes a mommy proud!

Charlie was also introduced to finger foods this month. He LOVES Gerber Puffs and Cheerios for a snack. We have also given him small pieces of meat, fruits, and veggies. It is very messy, but again, it is so rewarding to see his hand-eye coordination improve with each passing day. I am still nursing Charlie, but he is getting less and less interested. He is just so busy and easily distracted, that it is hard to get him to nurse during the day. It makes me sad to think about weaning him. It has been such a wonderful bonding experience, that I hate to let it go. My goal is to make it to his first birthday.

We have a nine month check up next week, so I am eager to see how much the little guy has grown. We went to the doctor right after he turned eight months, and Charlie weighed 18.5 pounds. I will update everyone on Charlie's visit next week. I also promise to update the photo gallery with pictures from November soon.

He was waving when I snapped this shot.

Nine WHOLE months today!!!!

Rock-a-Bye Baby

I used to rock Charlie to sleep every night, but he has become such a good sleeper the past month and a half and doesn't need me anymore. The last couple of nights he has been having trouble going down on his own, so I have had to go in and help him get settled. Normally, Charlie won't let me hold him like a baby in my arms. He prefers to be held over my shoulder now. But tonight, he allowed me to cradle him in my arms and rock him in his big, comfy chair. It was so sweet. He cooed and ahhed while he played with my hair and face. He even shared his pacifier with me, which he thought was a very fun game. We sat together in the dark for probably 20 minutes, and I was amazed at the little person he has become. Time is passing by so quickly, and I want so badly to freeze moments like these and live in them forever. It is times like this that allow me to step back and reflect on what it means to love someone else so deeply and what a precious gift I have been given.

Daddy is a Hoot

Daddy got home early tonight, and we had time to play in Charlie's room for a while after dinner. Nick read Charlie a farm book, and he thought it was hysterical each time his daddy made the animal sounds. After our books, we spent some quality time crawling around on the floor with the kiddo. Again, Charlie couldn't stop laughing at his silly daddy playing on the floor with him. I love my boys!

Army crawling with Daddy

Charlie's face cracks me up in this pic!