12.22.11 Well, James is six months old....he survived half a year with us! I've seen the most changes this month. He's now rolling from front to back and back to front all the time and sitting up unassisted (and he's pretty good!!). It's a whole new world for him! Additionally, he's got his bottom middle teeth popping through and possibly a top one. This has all been in the course of one week. He has been a little fussy and taken shorter naps for a couple of days, but he smiled all the way through it. I swear, this is the happiest kid ever. He babbles all the time (most times it's a loud "Aaaaaah! Aaaaah! Aaaaaah!"). He's a little ham too- if you make eye contact with him, he flashes his cute smile, sticks his tongue out, and/or spits repeatedly. I'm excited that I can have dairy again! (James was having some projectile vomiting spells and it stopped when I cut it out). The pediatrician told me that babies often are able to tolerate lactose once their 6 months old. I was able to have dairy just in time for Thanksgiving and all the holiday eating festivities (probably not so good for the figure)! He is still a spit-upper so he lives in a bib. James is a great sleeper- he takes 3 naps (2 long and one short) and sleeps from 9:30-6 or 7 a.m.
We had a great Thanksgiving! This was the first year we haven't eaten lunch with my family in Hickory, NC and dinner with Seth's family in Dawsonville, GA (4 hours away). This year, we just ate in Hickory. It was neat having all of my cousins there with their kids (usually someone can't make it). I think that really made my 96 year-old grandmother very happy!
After Thanksgiving, we were immediately thrown right into Christmas! We've decorated the house, seen Santa several times (and Adelyn is not boo-hooing this year!), gone to Christmas parties, attended school and church performances, and the list goes on. I have enjoyed watching this wonderful season through Adelyn's eyes. There is nothing better than that first year that they start to "get it". She knows the Christmas story and the Santa traditions. We try to make Santa fun, but not more important than Jesus's birth. We did introduce Elf on the Shelf. Adelyn named it Roseanne. It's fun to hide Roseanne each morning! My mom came in town one weekend and we baked TONS of Christmas cookies. We are going to make this an annual event! I loved her school Christmas performance and party! Her class wore gold garland on their heads and shook bells as they sang a couple songs. It was so sweet! At church she dressed up as an animal from the nativity. The ladies in charge of these performances do an outstanding job and I am so thankful that Adelyn is learning the true reason for Christmas. Adelyn's current obsession is Star Wars (or "Star Horse" as she calls it). Seth is a big Star Wars fan as well so this belongs to them. I have never seen any of the movies. They often watch bits and pieces of it or look through Star Wars books. She knows most of the characters and loves to pretend to be Princess Leia or Darth Vader ("Dark Bader"). She lives her life in fantasy- constantly pretending!! Her imagination is pretty wild! I guess that's good?????
On a sad note, we had to put our sweet dog, Peri, to sleep. She was almost 12 years old. We have two Shelties. Riley and Peri are from the same litter and Seth has had them both since they were puppies. It's been hard on everyone! Peri let Adelyn do anything to her. She would try and ride her, pull her hair (petting her), and chase her around and Peri tolerated it all. She will be greatly missed. :( It was a rough week, as Seth also tore his meniscus playing basketball. He was on crutches and in a lot of pain. He ended up having to have surgery on his knee. He is doing therapy and doing much better!
We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas! It's hard to believe we're wrapping up another year- happy New Year!
 |
| "Great Mommy" as Adelyn calls her |
 |
| All the great grandkids (plus Bryna) |
