The BIG Man

It is the time of year where thousands of shoppers rush to the mall to find gifts for their friends and loved ones, the local Christmas tree farms are packed with people tagging their trees, and Christmas lights start to decorate houses. It is also the time of year where parents stand in long lines with their anxious children trying to get a glimpse of the big man in the red suit.

I always looked at those children waiting in line at the malls and wondered how my own children would like Santa. You always see the pictures with the children screaming in the picture because they are terrified of him...I must admit those pictures crack me up!

Michael and I decided to take Patrick last week to meet Santa because the lines for him are still very small since it is so early. Thank goodness we only had to wait about 10 minutes! At first, Michael was holding him and he wasn't quite sure of what to make of this big man with white beard. After a few minutes we figured it was now or never, and plopped him down on his lap. Patrick loved him! Of course! I don't know why I was so nervous of how he would react. This kid loves everyone. Seriously. The proof is in the picture!

I just cannot get enough of this kid. Seriously. He should be on commercials :)

Mickey Mouse

Ever since Patrick was three months old (if not sooner) he has LOVED Mickey Mouse. Whenever Mickey came on TV, he would stop what he was doing and stare at the TV.

Proof

Now, it has gotten to the point where when the song comes on tv for the show, he immediately turns around and gets a HUGE smile on his face. He jumps up and down and squeals. It is just too cute (or proof that we shouldn't let a 7 month old watch TV. Parenting fail).

I cannot wait to take him to Disney! I think we are going to go in two years. I want to go and be able to ride the rides with him, and if I am pregnant or just had a baby, that wouldn't really work out, so I think we are going to go the summer after he turns two. I know he won't remember anything from it when he is older, but that just gives us an excuse to go again, right?

Thanksgiving

I really cannot get it together around here to post on this blog! So frustrating because we have so much going on, and Patrick is doing new things everyday...but that is for another post, when I have time :)

Today is Thanksgiving, and while I am thankful for the 5 days off (teachers need a break!), there is so much more that I am thankful for this year. Most of all, I am thankful for my family...our new family of three (well, 7 if you count our crazy animals!). It is still amazing to me that our little boy grew inside of me and that my body has been able to help him grow strong and healthy. He is just an amazing, bundle of energy and smiles that absolutely has captured my heart. I can't imagine life without him, or my husband. Michael has been so helpful through our house building and moving everything out of our old house in a week! He knows when I need a break and when to take over for a minute or two, and dare I say it, but I think he may be starting to enjoy bath time!

I am thankful for a career that allows me to have weekends and holidays off to spend with my family. It gives me the opportunity to touch the lives of so many children and even though they may drive me crazy, I am thankful for my students who teach me something everyday. I am also thankful for the paycheck (and benefits) it provides which is allowing us to build our dream house! I cannot wait to move in and begin this new chapter in our lives.

I am thankful for my amazing family who is always so supportive (and a little crazy!) I read so many stories of families who constantly fight or have issues with one another and I am thankful to say that even though we have a few disagreements here and there, they are so minor that I am unsure that we can even call them disagreements! My parents have done an amazing job raising my brother and I and I am thankful for them everyday. My brother has grown up over the years and is somewhat normal now! HA! I am so happy that we can talk to one another and get along better now! I am also thankful for his amazing wife who has straightened him out and is absolutely hilarious. Love her.

I am thankful for friends, new and old, that have helped me through the years. While we may not talk as often as I want or like, I know they are there if I need anything. Life has gotten crazy lately and I have not gotten a chance to call (Love you Courtney, Robin and Sallie ...and of course Gabe!) but I am so thankful they are in my life. I only wish some of them lived CLOSER!

I am thankful for God who has made all of this possible.

I know there is so much more, but I could be here forever listing things. I am truly blessed in my life and am reminded of these blessing everyday when I look around.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and takes the opportunity to think about what they are truly thankful for, big or small!

Veterans Day

As children have off from school, and I am enjoying a day home with my little man, I am also remembering those who serve. It is because of them that I am able to live in a country where I can have freedom and make my own decisions. Because of people like my husband, I can sleep better at night. Thank you to all of those who serve, and to those families who wait impatiently for their family member to come home. Our country is forever in debt to you for your service.



Also remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting us. Freedom is never free.

Random

On Wednesday, we went to dinner down at the beach. Before we ate I asked Mom to take a quick picture of us on the beach and this is what turned out! What a photographer. This is my favorite family photo yet! Good job Mom!

7 Months

7 months? I feel like I say this every month, but wow, how time flies! It's just crazy. I wish I had more time to post on here. Things are just so busy around here, and I am trying to just keep my head above water! I am going to make a point of trying to schedule some posts on the weekend, but we will see! I started teaching a class again this week, so that is just another thing added to the plate. Is it Christmas break yet?!?

Anywho, here are some pictures of little man from this month! I just can't get enough! Posing for this monthly picture is getting more and more interesting!



Dear Patrick,

You are 7 months old now, and growing and changing every day. I don't want to miss a single second with you because I am so afraid that I am going to miss something. This month you gained two bottom teeth, went from moving backwards, to crawling forwards and grabbing objects, and hanging on to the edge of objects and standing for quite awhile. You are growing up so fast!

We don't have an official weight this month, but I am guessing you are at least 17 1/2 pounds, if not 18 by now, and I am sure you have reached 27 inches. You are wearing 9 month clothes now, and are in size 3 diapers. I remember looking at size 3 diapers before and thinking how in the world are you ever going to fit into those, they are huge! Now I look back on the size 1's and can't believe you were ever that tiny.

You are still nursing (YAY!) and probably eat around 24 ounces a day. This month we added apples and avocado's to your list of solid food, while we added oatmeal for breakfast. Shockingly you love the avocado's. I am not sure where you got your love of weird, foods, but I am very proud nonetheless. This month we are going to try sweet potatoes and maybe some Gerber snacks!

While you are an amazing eater, your sleeping habits are less than stellar. You are still waking up at least 2 to 3 times tonight, and lately even more. I think you are going through a growth spurt, so hopefully this will pass. Luckily, you still go back to sleep very easily, so I am not up for that long, but it still makes for some very long days at work!

You still love Ms. Margaret and the kids at daycare. She constantly tells us you are an angel and when I pick you up, you are nothing but smiles. You still love many of the usual toys, the key teether, Mr. Bee with a vibrating wing, and Mrs. Giraffe who sings the ABC's, among others.

Patrick, I have loved watching you grow these past 7 months, and I am so excited to see what the future brings. I am so thankful to be your Mom and love you very much.

Love,
Mom

Happy Halloween!

The cutest cow on the block!


We didn't go Trick or Treating, but we greeted everyone at the door. They thought you were just as cute as we did!