Christmas is for Kids

It's Decker's First Christmas...he probably doesn't understand all the christmas lights, presents under the tree, stockings hung by the chimney with care, gingerbread houses, and all the snow that has covered our town, but he sure has been mesmorized by the floating white snowflakes and bright shining lights on our "17 strands of christmas lights on our 'Gris-Wood' tree" in our living room, and the 15 foot snowman with buttons and eyes made out of clay pigeons built by Mike and the kids at Grandma Wood's house. On Christmas Eve, he got to be the star and play the part of Baby Jesus when we read the Nativity story and he even sang along to my piano playing of Christmas songs. See his video.

This Christmas, we prepared Decker for his next stages of life by getting him his own sippy cup that he's been busy trying to master. Orajel and teething rings filled his stocking for those days when teeth might start to pop through his sweet gums. We were thinking of his needs... Thank goodness for grandparents and cousins to fill his "wants" and get him some real toys to play with. :)

We had a beautiful White Christmas this year, --more snow than Redmond has seen in over 20 years! Over the past 3 days, it has snowed, rained and sleeted back and forth all day. The roads are precarious and the snow just keeps building up to where we've received almost 2 feet of snow!! We've been living at Grandma's house for 3 days, enjoying some carefree time with Nickie and Jon and his family. Nickie had her furnace fixed this year after spending many winters without central heating. While we were inside being cozy, playing Guitar Hero, reading and learning how to use an iPod, Mike climbed on top of Grandma Wood's house and shoveled heavy snow off her semi-flat roof.

For our Christmas meals this year, we strayed from the norm and had scones sprinkled with powdered sugar and honey on Christmas Eve, French toast for breakfast on Christmas morn and tacos with guacamole and salsa on Christmas Day. It was enjoyed by all!

Snow in Redmond

This weekend we got hit with a snowstorm. Great for Decker's first experience with the white stuff. We dressed him up in his warm bear suit and took him outside to build a snowman. Mike had a dream of building a 12 footer...After several attempts of rolling the snow and then packing it into buckets, we gave up since it was so powdery. We had to do something so we then made snow angels. Mike and I both had our turn. We'll have to save the snowman for another day. After playing in the snow, Decker then settled down for a long winters nap.

Decker Firsts for the Week

This week was a new and fun week. In addition to daddy staying at home with Decker, Decker met a doggy his size, was in the driver seat on our trip to Oregon, is eating rice cereal regularly and met the ever famous Santa Clause. He took all this newness in like a pro.

In addition to Rice cereal, he's eaten peas, sweet potatoes, and squash. It's given his digestive system a new challenge, but we've all been patient and he's working things out. ;) Check out his video of him eating Rice Cereal at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAjZgCsJjn8

Sitting on Santa's lap was a no brainer for Decker. He was too interested in the audience that was watching him and his reaction than to notice that he was seated on the lap of this white bearded, red suited, jolly, eye twinkling man.

Mike put Decker behind the wheel...yikes!! Just wait till he's 16!

We were playing at our friend's Kristen and Kevin's this weekend. They have a cute cocker spaniel, named Harmony. Decker was very interested in this puppy and tried coaxing her closer by talking to him. Click on the video below or check out the video at youtube. There are also other videos of him that we've posted in the past. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4pvf1IWUGQ

Daddy Daycare

So, it's Daddy Daycare week. I'm at a buyback at Bellevue CC and so Mike took the week off to take care of Decker. They're having a little "Guy time" This is the email and pic Mike sent to me to make me feel like I wasn't so far away....
"Here are a few pics we took today. We wanted to wish you a good-no wait a great day. Decker has been great..a little fussy but he tells me what he wants and then things are ok. he has had 2 bags of milk(small) 1 mixed with a bowl of cereal and then the rest of the bag that didn't go into the cereal he drank from the bottle. He woke up about 8:30 and we showered ate then back down for a nap. He then woke up at 9:30. We played, then ate, and I just put him down for another nap. Life is awesome! our boy is the best. Love you see you tonight. the outfit you see in the pics is just a bit to big still - the pants sometimes fall down."