Thursday, December 31, 2009

The countdown to {1}

{30}
I had the easiest labor.
12 hours start to finish.
I had the very BEST nurses and doctor.
15 minutes of pushing and out came my 8 pound 3 ounce little giant!
I have never been more elated and in love in my life!



{29}
My babe was a wild man my entire pregnancy.
It was no surprise to me that he was born with a knot in his cord!
Luckily, it didn't cause any problems at all.
Mr. Big was as healthy as a horse!


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Eleven

Holy Smokes! This little trike bike rider is 11 months old! This really is unreal to me! This little toothy grin makes everything alright in my world! I am so very grateful for this boy!

Things to remember about Drake at {ELEVEN} months:

* He's a crawler... finally! He started out moving like a little inch worm but has figured out that the knee method works a whole lot better.

* He has three teeth. Two bottom and one fang.

* He loves holes. He will find a hole in anything and try to fit his chubby little finger in it.

* He prefers crackers, over pretty much anything else. He is still a great eater, but he sure does LOVE his crackers.

* He still doesn't love the sippy cup but will drink out of it when he wants to. He drinks way more when his dad or grammy gives it to him than when I do.

* He is one limber boy! He maneuvers himself into the most awkward positions and doesn't seem to care at all.

* He has learned how to throw all of his binkies out of his crib at night. I have to move his crib every night before bed to retrieve them.

* He can sit himself up from any position now.

* He loves medicine and opens his mouth as wide as he can when he sees the dropper coming. I really don't drug him, I promise! It's just one of the very few sweet things he eats, I guess!

* His feet are growing again and he is now wearing a size four shoe.

* He likes to play fetch with himself. I wonder if he learned this from Oty??

* He is still very dramatic and still whines when he doesn't get what he wants!

* He is down to one bottle a day.

* He loves his baths and has learned to move all over the bath tub.

* He DOES NOT like Santa Claus

* When I hand him a truck or car toy, he makes the funniest grunting noises. I tell myself that he is making the car sounds, but he probably isn't! It's still cute though!

* He knows how to give mommy kisses!

* He hurt himself getting into things he shouldn't have for the first time the other day. He pulled a decorative tile onto himself. Oops! Might have to put that one up for now!

* He is a little leery of people he doesn't know. He is much more clingy when there are new people around.

* He loves his daddy and always reaches for him whenever he is close by!

* He survived his first year of Coins for Kids and was a fabulous "mascot!"

* He is a super wild sleeper. He flails all over the place right when he falls asleep. It's amazing to me that he can even sleep how he does. Watching him do it, you'd think he was awake and playing around! It's crazy!

* He HATES to have his nose suctioned and screams bloody murder during the process.

* He has his first little cold. No Fun!

* He is truly such a joy to have in our home. Chris and I are amazed all the time at how blessed we are to have such a wonderful little son!

The countdown to {1} is on! Ahhh!!


Saturday, December 26, 2009

Oh no you don't...



This will NOT continue!! I agonized over this crib for WAY too long for it to be covered in little teeth marks! Luckily for me, he can't stand up by himself in the crib yet, only when I help him, which will not be happening again! Why is it that this was his very first instinct and obviously he thought it was hilarious!?! Oh, I just love this little man, but I really don't want him to ruin his crib.



Monday, December 21, 2009

Coins for Kids


Every year, my dad and I, along with hundreds of other volunteers from around the community, participate in providing christmas for children in our area that would otherwise be going without. Coins for Kids was started 19 years ago by a handful of employees at the KONY radio station and has continued each year since. This year was our biggest year yet! We had 900+ families in need, 2400+ children to provide for and $125,000 to raise... and WE DID IT! Along with help from Toys for Toys, Wal-Mart, local businesses, and members of the community, we were able to help all of those in need!
Each year I am amazed at the generosity of those in our area and every year, I am SO grateful to be a part of such a wonderful organization. The magic of Christmas is truly something special and every year as I watch our volunteers come to shop, wrap, and deliver, I am humbled by their willingness to give of whatever they have in whatever capacity they have to give it.
Being able to witness and help provide this type of service to little children in need is what truly makes my Christmas. My parents have always been such amazing examples of service for our family and I can only hope that as I continue to raise my little one, that I will be able to teach him the importance of service also.

{Pre-Shopping}
All of these toys were donated to Coins for Kids and Toys for Tots.

{Wal-Mart Shopping}
We take the money that is raised and go to Wal-Mart to shop for each child.
This year we were able to spend $75 per child


{Wrapping}
Once all the toys are purchased, every single item is wrapped.
We have hundreds of volunteers that come to wrap on Thursday.


{Delivery}
Each family's toys are hand delivered by a volunteer on Friday.
Most people borrow our Santa suites and dress up like "Santa's Helpers."
This year we had 168 routes that had 1-5 families in each route.


This will only take a minute...

Hey everyone that happens to look at this blog...

I just got an email from my aunt yesterday about a little boy in Ohio that has a unique Christmas wish. Here's the email:

Nathan Elfrink is a seven year old little boy who lives in West Jefferson, Ohio with his mom, Dode,dad Tod, and little sister Ellie. Nate has been fighting brain cancer since he has been 20 months old.After many years of surgeries, chemo, and radiation treatments, he has been sent home from St Jude Hospital in Memphis - this will be Nates' last Christmas.

When asked what he wanted this year for Christmas he said he wanted a million Christmas cards from people from all over the world. He received 40 yesterday, but he would like to have a lot more.

Without the effects of the radiation and the chemo Nate feels pretty good right now and he's even going to get to ride with Santa Claus in the local Christmas parade. He's really tickled that he doesn't have to go to any more doctors or hospitals. Nate knows all about his condition, but had a question for his Mother - "Do they have chocolate in Heaven"? He's really,really happy that indeed they do!

Please take the time to send this special little man a Christmas card.

I know that everyone is probably rushing around trying to get their last minute shopping and baking done, but if you can spare a few extra minutes, a card, and a stamp, I'm sure it would mean the world to this little guy.

Here's his address:

NATE ELFRINK

2415 TAYLOR BLAIR RD

WEST JEFFERSON, OHIO 43162

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Funny Baby!

This is Mr. Big's newest trick!
He must think the binky tastes better this way!
He does this ALL the time!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

1st Annual Gingerbread House Party!


This year, I decided to carry on the Musso Gingerbread House tradition and invited some of our awesome friends to come make houses too! It was a bit messy and there were a few sketchy moments (Kalli's wall caved in a bit) but all in all, it was super fun and we are definitely doing this again next year! Thanks so much to everyone that came!

The moms

The dads


The kids
Presli, baby Tage, and baby Simone were also there but they were asleep during the picture taking!

We missed everyone that couldn't make it, but there's always next year!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

All they want for Christmas...

is their two front teeth!

My baby son has decided that he wants to just like little miss Scarlett and has sprouted a "Fang!" He has his two bottom front teeth and now his one right Cuspid. It's still working on coming in completely, but I'm sure in a week or two, it will be there in all it's fang glory!! I've been told that the fangs are really hard on the little ones, so if this is as bad as it's going to get... I'm one lucky momma. Mr. Big hasn't been perfect, but he certainly hasn't been all that bad!

Love these two!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Dessert

Last night for dinner, this baby ate peas, pineapple, chili and an oreo cookie for dessert. Can you guess which one was his favorite?? I am so thankful to have such a good eater! I promised myself when he was born that I wouldn't give him junk food because I didn't want to spoil him, but I've obviously caved. Everybody needs a little dessert, right!?!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Maybe next year!

So this wasn't exactly the picture I had hoped for, but I still love it! Too bad Mr. Big was so scared because this really was a darling Santa! He was not surprised at all that Drake bawled! He even had a little plan to try to trick the babe, but it obviously didn't work. Oh well... better luck next year!

The Nativity

My mom and I just finished our second quiet book, just in time for Christmas. I know Mr. Big is really too little for it this year, but we couldn't help ourselves! We had to make it! I think it turned out pretty darn cute!