Grady's First Christmas!

Today is the our first day back to normal since the xmas rush began on xmas eve! The house has been tidied and the xmas tree along with all the decorations have been cleared. Some are very eager to keep the tree up as long as possible but I would prefer to start the new year with a clean house. This year I had extra motivation to get the tree down as Grady got so many toys there was no where to put them. So our very large tree had to come to make room....

Christmas Eve started with an outing to an open house at one of Nana's friends. It was a shorter stay as Grady had a nice long unexpected nap just before we left. One of many things that I have learned since Grady was born is you can't plan for anything anymore! Just when you think you have him figured out - he goes and changes it up.

Christmas eve dinner was at our house and was served rather late as Uncle Dave was serving up xmas margaritas and nachos and salsa. This gave us time to get a very tired little man to bed so the adults could enjoy a few bevies and a good meal. Everyone stayed over so there was no need to limit the drinks or worry about the roads on the way home. I find it really nice to wake up on xmas morning and everyone is there. Although this year Aunty Bo and I, and of course Grady, were the only ones in our PJs....

Grady was a very early riser as he was very excited to see what Santa brought him. He was up at 530am and in quite a good mood. I was the lucky one who got to spend 'quality' xmas morning time with him until 7. Then he gave me the best gift of all... a 2.5 hour nap. I crawled back into bed and was sleeping before my head even his the pillow. It was great!

First came the stockings... Santa was very good to all of us this year. Grady got all sorts of clothes, toys, and books and we hadn't even started on the 'real' presents yet!

Some of Grady's favorite toys were the xylophone from Dad, the ridem car from Grandma Paulette and Grandpa John, the baby Tad from Grandpa Lorne and Grandma Sheila and the carseat from Santa. Nana got a very special gift for Grady... it was a digger from when James was young that has been refinished. Apparently it was the 'coolest' toy and I must admit it is like nothing I have seen before. Although it will be a few years before Grady will be able to fully enjoy it, I am sure he will have tons of fun using it in the future!

Grady had 2 more short naps on xmas day but really didn't want to miss out on the excitement... so we had a very tired little boy by 6:00.... Grady again missed dinner as it was straight to bed for this young man.

Then boxing day it was time to clean up from xmas #1 and prepare for xmas #2. Grandma Paulette and Grandpa John arrived in the late afternoon on Boxing day to celebrate Grady's's first xmas.... and again he was very spoiled.

Santa even made an appearance on the morning of th 27th. He brought hats for all of us to wear, sang some songs, and brought the next round of gifts. This had always been a huge part of my xmas in Prince Albert and I was very surprised that my mom was able to convince Santa to work overtime to bring Grady his gifts. I am happy to report their were no tears.... but there were a few confused looks at the 'man' with all the white hair!

It was really special to be able to celebrate with both families and incorporate both traditions for Grady's first xmas. We know we may not be this fortunate every year.... but we are so pleased with how Grady's first xmas unraveled. I can not wait to see the look on his face next year when he is able to tear open the paper for himself and maybe even understand a little more about what xmas means.

James, Grady, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a spectacular 2009! We just can't wait to see what the new year will bring!

Little Grady is Half a Year!

Grady will officially be 6 months on xmas eve... what a great day to half your half year birthday. WE are gearing up for Grady's first Christmas and are so excited to share this holiday season with him. Christmas really is about the kids so we have many fun Christmas' in the near future! I thought I would get one more post in before everyone gets busy with family and presents :)

1. I forgot to mention in the last post that we have purchased a DVD player for the car and it is working like a charm! We strapped the screen on to the middle console on the back seat so essentially it is right in his face! So far so good. We get in the car and don't hear a peep from him until we arrive at the location and turn off the car. It has worked for upto 45 minutes... one time we got lost on the way to baby group and spent over an hour in the car... After baby einstein had played twice in a row he got a little upset. I would to if you made me watch the same episode of Grey's twice in a row... no matter how much I like it! But that is another story.

2. We also had Grady's bapisim on Saturday December 6th. We had a house full of visitors over the weekend. Grandma and Grandpa T, Grandma and Grandpa R, Aunty Blaire and Kolby, James and Brittany, and Nana, Uncle Dave, and Aunty Bo. Basically the whole family was on hand to celebrate with Grady. I was really nervous as we left for the church as Grady missed his last nap of the day and was really grumpy. For those of you that know Grady you know he does not just sleep anywhere. And by the grace of God (literally) he fell asleep during the baptism shortly after it started. It was a beautiful service and I was so happy that everyone was there to witness it. Grady did so well when they poured the water over his head. Mind you, it was warm..... After the baptism we had dinner and played a family day of Cranium. We could not have asked for a better evening!

3. I am pleased to say that Grady is finally sleeping better at night and sleeps a solid 8 to 10 hour strech each night. No, this did not happen over night. It took a little tough love and a love of perseverance from mom and dad - but it seems to have paid off in the night department. In the meantime though, his naps are short to non existent. So... we are dealing with a pretty grumpy babies by late afternoon. I'm sure with some more perseverance the naps will fall into place! We are also dealing with a pretty grumpy mom by later afternoon since she has been up since 545 or 615 on a 'sleep in' day!

4. Grady started on solids this month. So far, it has only been rice cereal, apples, and yams but he is very eager to be getting something other than milk! For about a week he was eating non stop and up to 8 ounce bottles. So both Grandma and Nana recognized that it was time for rice cereal. After I asked them several times if they were sure we went ahead and fed him. I am really excited to introduce him to all the other foods. It will be so fun to see what he does and doesn't like! Up next is carrots, peas, and butternut squash.

5. Grady is very intersted in the xmas tree... I often hold him up to the tree with the ornaments just within reach... as you guessed - each one goes right into the mouth! I realize now that next year many of our ornaments will be put away for a few years since they will be choking hazards for Grady! We have also realized that Grady will by far have the most presents under the tree. How can such a little person 'need' so many things! I think this will be the case for many years to come. We are so grateful to friends and family who have send gifts to our little man who has already attempted to open one of them!

6. Grady welcomed another new friend. Koen Joeseph Herzog (formerly known as Baby H) was born on Dec. 1! Grady and I can't wait to meet the little guy and hope to see him in February or March when we plan to make our second trip back to SK to visit. Congratulations Carmen and Eric! Welcome to the world Koen!

That is it for now! Have a very Merry Christmas and a great 2009!

Full of Giggles!

Grandma Paulette was entertaining Grady over the weekend which resulted in lots of laughs! Notice he couldnt' be bothered to remove the banana toy from his mouth....

Bubbles

Grady just started blowing bubbles with his drool and it is so cute. Cute enough to share! Pardon my videography... I was holding Grady in one hand and the camera in the other!