Little Drummer Boy

As I mentioned in my earlier post today, Joey loves playing the pots. I could've used a little more light in the kitchen, but you get the idea.

Little Saint Nick

As I may have mentioned before, Joey loves to Swiffer. The video quality isn't great, but here he is!

I also realize that I've been horrible about uploading pictures this week. So I'll try to catch you up!

Joey was still busy cleaning the floors on Friday.

On Saturday, he decided he wanted to figure out what the kitchen was all about. He practically climbed into the cabinet to get a good look at the pots and pans. I wasn't sure what his plans were, but I knew I could help him make a ton of noise.

And he loved it! He was so happy playing the pots. The one thing I did figure out, though, was this it was much better to give him the plastic spoon than the wooden one. Of course, I figured this out after I got a splinter in my finger. Fortunately, Joey escaped unscathed.

And of course, Happy St. Nick Day! Joey put his shoes out and found books and a Little People fire truck waiting for him. As you can see, he wasn't much interested in unwrapping the present. We'll work on that for the big day.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

Joey was playing near the tree Tuesday night, and found an ornament that was within reach. Of course he had to play with it.

And by play with it I of course mean keep pulling on it until he gets it out of the tree. Fortunately it has a red ribbon that we use to hang it, and not a metal ornament hanger. Otherwise I'd have to worry a bit more.

I guess it does sort of look like a cookie. I mean, it is a little angel, and could easily pass for a sugar cookie, if you make sugar cookies out of porcelain and put lots of holes in them. Apparently it tasted good.

Joey has also gotten quite proficient at climbing stairs. Even in his footie pajamas. What I didn't know he had learned was how to climb back down. Normally he gets up to the third or fourth step and then just turns and looks for Mom or Dad to pick him up and either take him to the top of the staircase or back to the living room. Tonight, he decided to crawl back down himself. And did it quite well.

I also wanted to try to get the picture for my Christmas card done tonight. Unfortunately, Joey's still too young to take direction, and my camera's too slow to reload the flash and get multiple shots in a row. (It also didn't help that it was almost seven o'clock and Joey was exhausted.) If only he was looking at the camera, this one would have been perfect!

O Tannenbaum

I really wanted to go all out for Christmas this year. It's Joey's second, but the first one he'll have a clue for. I've been bugging Joe to hang the lights on the house for at least the last two weeks. We still don't have lights up on the house, but we do have a tree. First things first. We had to rearrange some furniture and then clean up before we could bring the tree in the house.

Look who is Mommy's big helper! Once he saw me pushing the swiffer everywhere, that's all he wanted to do. So I took the top half off the post so that it was his size, and away he went!

This is our tree, in various stages of decorating. You can see in the first picture that it was just a little tall for our living room, but once Joe chopped the top branch off, it was perfect! We put it up yesterday and let it open up over night. Then today we put on the lights and ornaments, and of course the star on top! (You can see it if you look closely at the last picture.) And yes, those are presents under the tree. I went to Kohl's on Friday and am just about done. The only real thing left is to decide if I'm wrapping the presents for PA before our after our flight home.

The little guy definitely approves. The kiddie gate we bought might be the best idea yet. We can use it for at least a few years to keep him (and the dog) away from the presents.

Family Business

Last night we had our second Thanksgiving dinner, at Molly and Luis's house. The above picture is (roughly) all of the friends from high school with their babies. Yes, there are 10 kids pictured - one who is two and a half years old, the rest ranging from four to fourteen months. And someone is expecting this spring! (NOT ME!!) There's even one kiddo missing - the patriarch of the group, who is six. One big happy family.

Give Thanks and Praises

This Thanksgiving, I have much to be thankful for, not least of which is the little guy picture here.

And here, with his favorite cousin Shae ... (yes, an oldie but goodie)

And here, with his second cousin Hannah on Thanksgiving Day 2009.

I have a wonderful husband, an adorable son, a loving family, supportive friends, and a rewarding job. What more could a girl ask for?

When I Saw [Him] Standing There

Our morning routine has gotten, well, somewhat routine. I get showered while Joe watches Joey, and then while I finish getting ready, Joey plays in his bedroom. So far it's been working out.

This was the scene of the crime yesterday morning. He's figured out how to open his drawers, and the onesies were strewn everywhere! He looks so innocent just standing there, though, doesn't he?

We've also been working on "head, shoulders, knees, and toes." He has "head" down!

And he's still trying to drink out of the adult cups. This one was empty, but he does get some practice when Mommy is holding the cup.

Joey has also figured out that he can crawl under the end table. (Like I said, he loves to crawl under or through things, like an obstacle course.) I wasn't sure what he wanted but ...

Turns out our little one is interested in gaining some knowledge.

He really looks like he's ready to read the book, doesn't he? He loves to play with books, apparently even the real ones.