Making Friends

We decided to put Michael under the tree as a present!


...here he is chatting with daddy the other morning before David had to go to work.


Then, Saturday we were able to get together with some friends for lunch. David's college buddies Steve and Jeremy came with their wives Ashley and Jennifer.







Here are the boys (the three stooges, as Ashley called them!)




Jeremy and Jennifer also have a new baby girl named Jane. It was so fun to get the babies together...although, they were clueless of eachother!



Here are the two babies hanging out in their carseats. Jane was so good...shortly after this picture was taken she decided to sleep for the duration of lunch. Michael, however wanted to get in on the action so Sheniah, David and I played hot potato with him in order to eat!








And of course the proud daddy's with their little ones!

You can't tell from this picture, but Jane looks just like her daddy!

Everyone is still trying to figure out who Michael looks most like...





That night was Sheniah's first basketball game. I will confess...even before Michael's arrival, I was not the best cameraman when it came to her games. I get too into the game to take great pictures. But, for the sake of the blog I decided to really give it an honest effort.



Well, as you can see...I need some help in this department! Hopefully David will be able to come to some games soon and then I will have better pictures to post!






Finally that night we were home and relaxing.



Sheniah and I decided to try out Michael's booties that Granimal made for him...they are so cute (a little big, as he didn't get his sister's "ski's" for feet)!












We also put him in his very nice blankie from his Great Grandma...he really liked it.










He was in a great mood...and apparently found all this very amusing (or perhaps he was more aware of little Jane afterall, and was telling us about his first little crush?!?!).










I was able to get some really great photos of his smile.














This one even looks like he's taking up the family hobby of self portraits!

Christmas Tree Shopping

Let me start by saying that I REALLY learned my lesson about bragging about Michael's sleeping patterns this time! There will be NO future posts about how well he is sleeping, as that seems to be sent to him directly and he is quick to change it up on me...so, disregard the last posting about his sleeping- I was just kidding about it all!

Here are the kiddos hanging out the other night before b-ball practice. Sheniah's first game is this Saturday - hopefully I will be able to get some pictures to post.It is finally that time of year when we get out all our Christmas decorations! It is so exciting to get it all out and decorate the house and the tree, even though it is a lot of work...this year Sheniah and David had to do most of it as the little man was not feeling like participating in the festivities!
Michael got to wear his adorable hat from Granimal again to go to the tree lot...
First we had to pick out the tree...
Here is Sheniah standing by "the winner"!



And here is Michael and me (thanks momma for the wrap!) walking through the tree lot...





Me and the kids...

And of course, a family self portrait (we are in front of the tree...but you can't tell that from the picture!)
Here is the tree strapped to the top of the car (okay, we are such dorks!)






Unfortunately, it got late and all we were able to get done the first night was setting up the tree and hanging the lights...I should say, all David and Sheniah got done was hanging the lights (I was tending to the little man!)

Here they are working on it...


The next day while Sheniah was at school Michael and daddy had some bonding time...


And it was also Michael's recheck appointment at the Dr's office. I get nervous every time we have to go...I knew he was growing well, but I wasn't sure if it was well enough.
Well - our little man is a little piglet! He weighed 11# even! I was so excited and the Dr was thrilled - he had gained nearly 3 pounds in a month, which is wonderful.
I knew he was small before, but I didn't know how small (for his age). I had noticed that the Dr's would never tell us what percentile Michael was in and I thought that was probably a good clue that he was pretty low. The Dr told us yesterday that he had been teetering from the 3rd to 5th percentile! That is really little!
Now, he is in the 25th percentile!
It was a great day!

When Sheniah got home she hung out with Michael while working on her homework so David and I could finish getting the decorations down from the attic.


Then it was time to hang the ornaments...Sheniah hung the first...

And then we all pitched in until they were all up. Finally, it was time to put the angel on the top of the tree. Sheniah has had the honor of doing this every year...usually David picks her up and she puts it on. However, this year she has just gotten too big, so we got her a stool...
She couldn't quite reach, though...so David had to do it...

Next year I am sure she will be tall enough to do it on her own again!

Finally, mom had sent a ton of presents in a large box filled with the styrofoam popcorn. One of my favorite pictures of Sheniah is on her 2nd Christmas (she was a year old) and her Mima and Poppa sent her a ton of presents in a large box with styrofoam popcorn in it and mom and J-Rod and I put her in the box.
So, to honor his big sister...we put Michael in the box! (David was unsure about this and then I said "Come on...we put him in a pumpkin for goodness sakes!" and then he agreed!) Michael was unsure about the whole situation...not quite old enough to smile big and drooly like Sheniah was in her picture, but what the heck...I think it is soooo cute anyway!

The Pout...

It seems as though I have less and less time for "blogging" each day! Michael is spending more time awake and wanting attention and play time...and I don't want to miss a moment of it! That only means less frequent posts with more pictures packed in!

Michael is beginning to get a better feel for day vs. night...after establishing a night time routine. Now he is finally waking up in the mornings more alert and wanting to play and tell us all about his dreams from the night before.





Here are some great pictures of him the other morning during his diaper change. He was talking and smiling away!







He is really starting to develop a little personality...he laughs and gets serious, and he especially loves to spend time with his daddy or his big sister (I think he gets a little bored being with me day after day and enjoys the change when they are here!)





Here he is chatting with daddy on the kitchen counter. Sheniah jokes that we always sit on the kitchen counters to talk and hang out, so it was Michael's turn to take part in the tradition!









Then, on what was to be one of the last nice days before winter, Michael and I decided to go for a walk. It was the first time I had taken him out for a walk like that...I had been wanting to but had postponed it because he isn't the most patient little guy - when he decides he has had enough of something, that is IT! So I was nervous to have him so far away from a place (home, the car, a bathroom...anything!) where I could comfort him and feed him if necessary. But, I finally decided to be brave. We walked to the corner drugstore (about 2 blocks). Michael did really good and I think he enjoyed it once we got moving. It was still a bit chilly and I had to bundle him up - he even got to wear the hat his Granimal knitted for him...he's so cute!



That night, Sheniah had b-ball practice.
As it was still chilly I decided to let him wear the sweater that his great-grandma knitted for him.





It is the cutest thing...these are only a couple of the many pictures I took of him wearing it...thanks so much, Gram!









Look at my kiddos...they are sooooo cute!




And here is finally a picture of Sheniah shooting hoops...


if only everyone could appreciate how difficult this image was to capture with the little man squirming and fussing on my lap!

I will get more, better pictures as soon as possible!



The next night Sheniah decided to try out some photography while Michael was getting a bath...I think she did a great job...I love the one of just his little head popping up...he is getting very strong and I am sure it won't be long until he has complete control of his head.















Here he is after the bath with his "froggy" towel on. The things they make for kids, and the way we (as adults) react to them is hilarious. I put this towel on him and started laughing hysterically...calling Sheniah to get the camera...the eyes on top of his head are hilarious!

Notice the look on his face...I am sure he was thinking "why are my momma and sister laughing at me? Oh well, I guess I'll just grin along with them!"

He has recently started enjoying the mobiles even more in his bed.
He loves this one because there are little guys hanging down looking at him and the leaves open and close...it is very cute, and apparently quite entertaining.

As an honest accident, I found that Michael can make the most incredible (and heart wrenching) pout I have ever seen an infant make. I was holding him and talking to him when I had to shout something across the house to Sheniah. I realized about halfway through the shout that he was very silent and still. I glanced down at him and saw the famous pout, and that he was turning bright red and holding his breath. He finally let it out into a panicked cry, and I felt horrible for scaring him so badly.

However...

in an attempt to share the famous pout with everyone...

Sheniah and I concocted a plan to bring another one about...

Again I had to yell...as Sheniah quickly captured the image...

Which was (unfortunately) quickly followed by this image...

the one that made me feel like a terrible mom!

But...it was all for the greater good of the viewers, so I suppose it was worth it!

He has actually started making the pouty face more regularly now, without the trauma! He especially uses it when he meets someone new - I thought he was a bit young for "stranger danger"...but apparently not! So, I should be able to catch it again in the future without inflicting great mental damage to the little guy!

Finally, we hit a milestone yesterday and I decided to document it with a picture. Some people may think it odd...but with the struggle we had to get the guy growing...well, I was thrilled. So here it is, his official last newborn diaper! Whoo hoo!!

Thursday, December 6 we return to the Dr to find out how much he weighs. I am really hoping for about 10.5#. I'll let you know!

Visiting Great Popou

Saturday, Sheniah's basketball coach called to invite her to go to a UNCC women's basketball game. Sheniah was so excited...she had a wonderful time. She really is loving basketball, and seems to be much more skilled this year than last. She also loves her coach who is a wonderful woman and great coach. The coach is very focused on sportsmanship and team spirit, which I think is great for the kids she coaches. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures from b-ball yet...but I will post some soon.

Yesterday we went to Charlotte to pick out our new couch (thanks so much, MIL!) and to visit David's Popou (that is Greek for grandfather). Popou and Lafata (his wife) were not able to come for Thanksgiving as they were vacationing in Myrtle Beach. We realized they hadn't seen Michael in several weeks, so we went to Popou's business in Charlotte to visit them.

Michael slept like a log in Lafata's arms...he was so comfy and cozy sitting there with her, laying against her fuzzy fleece jacket!

Shortly after that, Michael decided to wake up and have a snack. When we came back to the office he was ready to visit with his great Popou.

It was very cute to see the two of them together. Great Popou really enjoys seeing Michael and holding him.

Michael was feeling a little bit crabby

though, so daddy had to step in and try to comfort him...

All the while, great Popou couldn't stop smiling...he is very proud of all of his great-grandchildren.

It was a fun visit, and we can't wait to see them again.

Thanksgiving '07

Michael's first Thanksgiving was a lot of fun! We went to Yaya's house early and spent the day hanging out, pigging out, decorating and just being together. Of course the Daddy's snuck off a couple of times to play playstation, too!
When we first arrived, Wesley was very interested (as he always is) in little Michael. Every time they see each other you can tell Wesley is looking at him wondering when he is going to get up and come play with him!
Here they are saying "hi"!




And here is Wesley, Maria and Alison by one of Jackie's trees!








Here is Michael with his Daddy by the beautiful tree - Yaya is in the Christmas mood!


Then, Michael got into his very special and oh so cute "My 1st Thanksgiving" outfit. We didn't put it on earlier for fear of a baby accident!



Michael had a wonderful day - he played on the bouncy chair with his cousins and his sister, he played on the floor and looked at the beautiful lights on the tree, and he hung out with lot's of new people.

Here he is with a good friend of ours, Kenny Johnsen. I think Kenny enjoyed playing with Michael and telling him how much he looks like his daddy...but when Michael started to fuss, Kenny decided he was ready to give him back!

Then our cousin Josh wanted his turn to play with Michael. Michael enjoyed playing with him and holding his hand...he was very fascinated with Josh, and I think Josh was a little fascinated with Michael, too!

And of course, Michael spent lot's of time with his big sister. The two of them are enjoying each other more and more each day.

Here's the four of us by Jackie's very cool upside down Christmas tree! I like the way the ornaments can all hang straight without getting stuck on the branches below. I may have David tack our tree to the ceiling this year! haha

In the true spirit of Thanksgiving, Alison made a delicious cheese ball in the shape of a turkey!

And the boys deep fried the turkey! It was soooo delicious (and also very healthy and good for us!)

Here is David and our cousin, Heath, supervising as Brandon does the dangerous work of removing the turkey from the huge vat of oil!

Later, to work off the new pounds, we all worked on finishing the decorations on Jackie's house. It turned out so beautiful - I will have to get a picture of it to post!

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving! We enjoyed the day and night with family and friends...we ate so much we practically needed to be rolled home...and Michael had a great time seeing new people and things.

The only thing that could have made it any better would have been having my family here...but my mom and brother are set to come out for Christmas, and I am so excited to see them. Michael can't wait to meet "Uncle". Sheniah is already looking forward to swimming in the ocean with Uncle, and Michael and I have been practicing his "kick, kick, kick" in order to prepare him for his first swim (though we will swim in the warm pool - we are not crazy like Sheniah and Uncle!)

After the busy holiday, the little man was ready to tell us all about his adventerous day at Yaya's - here he is telling daddy all about it before David went off to work.

And of course he was quite exhausted from all the festivities...here he is napping on daddy! He is getting so chubby! And he loves sleeping on someone, wrapping his arms around them...