Happy New Year

Dave and I have been so blessed this year!  The birth of our son, Evan, was a miracle.  Each day is filled with new surprises and milestones.  We cannot imagine our life without him.  We are also so grateful for our family and friends.  We are hoping next year brings as much happiness as last.  We wish you all, our family and friends, a happy and healthy 2010!!!  Cheers!

Christmas

Ahhhh...we are pooped!  All the excitement and travel goes way to quickly!  So sad that it's all over :-(  Dave, Evan and I had a wonderful visit with both of our families.  Along with all the hussle and bussle of the holiday, E got thrown off schedule Thursday and Friday night, but well worth it.  He slept 13 hours last so one would think he is caught up, right?!?!  One tired little man.  He LOVES his new toys!   Especially the ones that he can walk with and the black truck from his cousin, Madison.  Oh, and we don't want to forget, he LOVED the attention he got, particularly on Christmas Day!  I've never seen so many smiles and laughs from our little man in is such a short period of time...should have made from some very sweet dreams :-)

Yesterday was our day to relax and regain energy after all the whimsical and fun chaos of the holidays.   Thanks to all our family for making Evan's First Christmas a memorable one!!!

Very Excited!

I cannot wait!  Christmas is almost here!  Tonight we are heading South to spend the afternoon with Dave's family.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone and catching up, eating lots of food and engaging in our traditional Secret Santa festivities.  Tomorrow we are going to my sister and her husband's home to celebrate Christmas with my family.  Can't wait to watch and treasure every moment of Evan with family and opening his gifts :0)

Since this is E's first Christmas I want to document as much as I can through pictures, videos and blogs.  This surely will be a Christmas to remember!!!!

Despite how commercialized Christmas has become and how we selfishly embark our time in the gifts and glamour of the holiday season, it's important to take a moment to embrace the real meaning of this holiday season...Christ our Lord!

Hmm...Thoughts on Christmas

After our experience with Santa this year, it got me thinking...what is so bad about wishing people "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas". Both greetings are warm and wish us all well. Is it because some persons are angry at those that don't celebrate Christmas? Is it that some don't understand why there are people that don't celebrate Christmas? or maybe, is it because some people have a difficult time embracing diversity?

Although I am currently not teaching, I recall in the eight years I did teach, our student population had evolved. More and more of my students were not celebrating Christmas because they or their family, immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, South Africa, India, and else where. Instead of focusing on our American traditions, I adopted Holiday's Around the World and taught it as a unit in my classroom. I felt it important not to place particular emphasis on one holiday because I was afraid of offending a student, actually, more so their family ;0) I didn't want to get the dreaded phone call from an upset parent asking me why we are celebrating Christmas in our classroom and then persisting on telling me it's not appropriate to celebrate Christmas in our classroom because their family celebrates Kwanzaa, or they are Jehovah Witness (for example). A couple of times in years past, I had received a letter from a student's parents informing me that their child wasn't able to participate in our holiday festivities. Mind you, the festivities we were celebrating in our class were multi-cultural based and were used as a learning opportunity for the students to better understand various occasions celebrated around the traditional American Christmas holiday. Despite all the "politically correct" holiday greetings, I wish you all a "Merry Christmas" and a "Blessed New Year"!!!

Santa!

Evan visited Santa for the first time!!! Dave, Evan and I went down town to Michigan Avenue and made our way to the 900 North Shops to meet Santa. We grabbed some hot beverages and waited about 45 minutes to see the 'not-so-jolly' old man dressed in red. Despite his 'real' white beard and round belly that shook when he laughed, Santa insisted on conversing with us while a line of 30+ people, mainly eager children waiting to share their wish list with the man. It's no wonder it took us 45 minutes to reach the front of the line! Jeez! After wishing Santa a "Happy Holidays" as opposed to the traditional "Merry Christmas", Santa looked at me like I had two heads. I told him that I'm teacher and that we are encouraged to wish our students a "Happy Holiday" or "Season's Greetings" because of the evolution of our student population. I could see and hear the anger he held inside him as he quickly said with a sneer in his eye, "Screw Happy Holidays, we're in America. We celebrate Christmas!" and continued to share with me his knowledge of the only two Christmas songs that don't have a Christmas relation, Frosty the Snowman and Jingle Bells. It got me thinking, are there any other so-called Christmas songs that have lyrics without a Christmas affiliation?!?!

Putting my tainted view of Santa aside, I wished him a "Merry Christmas" as he gave Evan a cute beige stuffed bear. So thankful that Ev liked him and didn't hear a word come out of 'Dear Santa's' mouth :0)

We made it!

Daddy was traveling this week in the sunny parts of Florida while Ev and I froze our butts of in the windy city...ha! Thankfully Evan was really good and kept me entertained by doing new things almost everyday. He started using a walker (well his make shift walker) by pushing the bar stool along the floor. He is also pushing his toys along the floor whether they have wheels or not :0) He's also is studying objects more. He will spend about 5-10 minutes inspecting it. I think he's figuring out the function of each object he finds. I gave him a small Crystal light opened box that has individual packets in it while I was cleaning the house and E played with it for 30 minutes. Never knew a box was such fun! Apparently I've been missing out...lol. E also found the soup can in the pantry and had a ball rolling it along the floor and chasing after it. Now he's rolling or throwing anything he can get his hands on across the floor so he can chase after it...it's entertaining to watch. We went to a couple of cookie exchanges and a play date each day of the week. Our last Aquababies class was Wednesday and E was kicking and splashing A LOT. By far the most he has ever kicked and splashed since the first class 2 months ago. Ev tried some new foods this week. Yogurt, pasta, black beans, pretzel sticks, cheerios, and cajun turkey. He loved all of it! He is now eating finger foods, except for the yogurt and cereal in the morning. He much prefer the finger foods so he can do it himself, so stubborn when it comes to that. Wonder where he gets that from ;0)

Yesterday we had our gift exchange with our "city friends" play group. WHAT FUN!!! The kids were sooo cute! Our attempt to get them to all sit, not move, while smiling, was a trip! What were we thinking?!?! We got a few pics of them, but of course, no one was looking at the camera, one was looking away, one down, one crawling, the others were screaming their lungs out, while another one was shoving a toy in their mouth! I can only imagine what us moms looked liked as we were trying to grab and/or sustain their attention towards the cameras...ha ha haha!

Completely forgot

Evan started waving over the weekend!!! He particularly likes waving at Dexter! Go figure, the only one in the house who could care less...lol

How quickly time passes

It's amazing how quickly time passes! Two more of Evan's teeth have erupted since this morning! His top and bottom right are showing face. Can't believe it! Just a week ago he was toothless. Grinning from ear to ear with a gummy smile. Today he's sporting little mounds of pearly whites across the top and bottom line of his gums. This explains why he was very irritable today and not his usual smiley, independent self. Luckily today was our Big City Babies cookie exchange so we got out of the house, despite the cold, and got to meet up with our play group friends and eat some deliciously yummy cookies. I am soooo done eating cookies.......until tomorrow...lol :) CBS news also came to interview a few members from our play group on the recent recall on blinds. Hope to see us on there at 5!

Aside from E's new teeth, he is also taking steps, assisted of course, along the couch, rubbermaid bin, and his excersaucer. He has also stood up, without assistance, for about 5 seconds yesterday. Wonder how soon he will figure out how to walk. No rush, please!! He's also eating all finger foods. No more purees. He let us know he's done with those "baby" foods ;0) He refuses to eat them. About every other day I can sneak in some oatmeal mixed with applesauce, peaches, or bananas if I'm lucky. I guess he's too cool to have mom or dad feed him. He much rather do it himself. Silly me! Where's my little baby gone? A munchkin has taken over :0)

Volunteer

Starting Evan out early by teaching him about giving back to the community :) Although he may be too small still, I believe it's never too early. On Wednesday we went to the March of Dimes office in the loop to bring donated items that I received from the moms in my Big City Babies group. In total, the moms donated 10 large shopping bags of items that will be given to the families of premies at local hospitals in Chicago. While we were at the March of Dimes office, we wrapped the donated items and sent along a letter to those receiving them this holiday season. E had more fun crawling around the office checking out the outlets, power cords, and chairs. Far more fun than wrapping gifts I guess. Later that afternoon Ev and I had our Aquababies class. E started kicking and splashing more than he has in the last 6 classes. Improvement! Too bad our last class is next week :(

Yesterday we finished up the rest of our Christmas shopping. Now we just need to wrap them...ugh!!! No little elves here, at least not yet! Maybe in a couple years Evan will be able to help me out...lol Maybe I can dress him as an elf and convince him that he is one so he'll help with the holiday decorating and wrapping....or....maybe by then, after I have instilled a volunteering value within him, he will, out of the goodness of his heart, want to help me ;0)

Today was fun! We met Nicole and William at Family Grounds Cafe to hang out. Both E and William had lots of fun (as always) which made for the most lovely long afternoon nap.

Looking forward to a super busy weekend, yet again! Baking cookies, pilates, running, Holiday Party, Cookie Exchange #2, and visiting with Evan's grandparents! Not looking forward to Dave leaving for Florida Sunday morning though. He'll be gone for the week :( Actually, I am more not looking forward to him getting to be in a warmer, sunnier climate while we freeze are butts off!

First Tooth

Lots of first this week...oh my! First snow, first taste of dog food, first walks along the couch, first TOOTH!!! SO funny because it's not his lower front tooth...it's his top left tooth! Weird or what?!?! Never heard of that until now. I guess it's pretty common. His pediatrician confirmed it. She also felt his two lower ones coming up and possibly the top right one too! Bring it on! I do admit as excited as I am for it, I will miss E's toothless grin.

I hadn't blogged about this yet because so much was happening this weekend, but Ev also started using the couch to walk assisted from one end to the other, and then from the couch to his musical standing toy :) Trying to capture it on video has been difficult, but will hopefully be captured soon.

This past weekend I got the cold...BAD! Luckily it is seeing it's way out the door and we are praying that Ev and Dave don't get it. E's already had his share of 3 colds in his short life :( Saturday was E's day with Daddy while I baked cookies, got a mani, did some house chores, and pilates. Had my first of 3 cookie exchanges of the holiday season. Let me tell, not so fun when you cannot breathe and taste anything :( Luckily every one else was healthy and enjoyed them! On Sunday, we got up early, baked a casserole and headed out to our friend's for our 2nd annual Kids Gift Exchange. SO MUCH FUN!!! Love seeing the kiddos open their gifts :) Even more fun with one of our own participating in the festivities. We are so blessed to have our little man in our lives. Looking forward to this Christmas for sure! E got a push and go truck and Fisher Price building blocks from his newbie friend Jack.

Yesterday Evan had his 9 month check up at the pediatrician. He is still a healthy little specimen. He is in the 75th percentile for his weight and head. But in the 50th percentile for his height. He's a short fat little man :) When he was there they tested his blood for lead, gave him a TB test and the H1N1 booster shot. He's meeting all the developmental milestones so far. He won't go back until he's 1 year old. Hard to believe that is only 3 months away :( Where did the time go?!?!

Oh the joys of learning new things!

Recently Evan has discovered how to stand in the dishwasher, eat dog food, throw his toys into the bathtub (mind you he's not in the bathtub, rather he's standing outside the tub throwing them in...at least he knows where they belong :0) and pound on the china cabinet glass doors (sigh). I wonder what's in store for today?!?!

First Snow

One of the most peaceful moments with my little bear was today as we were waiting for the El on our way home from the pedi's office. Evan and I stood cuddled together as the large graceful snowflakes floated in the air all around us. I was in heaven for the moment. Watching E take in his first snow was truly an experience. All the joys of experiencing the 'firsts' are more meaningful than anything in my world. I guess that's because he is now my world :0)

On a completely different note...E has a terrible diaper rash and diarrhea. It started a couple nights ago. He woke up crying at 3 in the morning. He had pooped in his diaper and that's when I found the diarrhea and rash. He was raw red. I called in to the pedi's office and they suggested using a combination of neosporin, cornstarch, and desitin. She also suggested following the B.R.A.T. diet, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast in addition to changing his formula from a milk based to a lactose free or soy based formula. We followed their suggestions but this morning the rash appeared worse, so we hit up the ped's office to have them check it out. It turns out he has a fungal rash and we will have to use lotrimin (sp?) and desitin with A&D. Hoping this will go away in 3-5 days like they said. If not, we'll be in the office on Monday for E's 9 month check up and shots. I feel so bad for the little guy, but it explains why he was becoming fussy early this week and why he still is. Praying it goes away fast!