Not Mama- just Dada

Nate now likes to swim in the tub on his belly, but only for daddy. Mommy does not get the performance version he will stand and yell for his dad before demonstrating his new skills. As you can imagine Caleb absolutely HATES this special treatment...(because they are both brats)

Discovering the tree.

Nate thought the whole tree in the house thing was funny, then we got out the ornaments and he thought they were so cool. He loved all the ones with bells and I'm pretty sure he thought they were all just for him to play with.

He was a little hesitant to actually give up the ornaments to the tree, but with a little coaxing he got the idea.

So then today as he was "helping me clean" (note the rag in his hand) he got awfully quiet so I snuck in to see what made this noisy kiddo silent. I believe he has an ornament from the tree in his hand and while turning to run and hide with it...

He saw that there was something under the tree and decided to explore the presents.

So busted. So the tree and presents are as irresistible as we thought they would be it will be a long 2 weeks for us all:)

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Many of you have probably received our family Christmas card by now, for those of you who have not, I probably lost your address so consider this post your card:). This year we decided to take advantage of what the Lord has put in our life, or taken from it. We embraced our new status in life joining many others before us who live their lives without all their teeth. These were the runner up pictures that did not make the card but are still great enough to post here and wish you all a super fun holiday season:)

This was my personal favorite, however Caleb apparently had some standards about his eyes being open...seriously???

Although this one showcases our beautiful pets and cheese-ball kid, it does not show case Caleb's -uh- teeth.

The baby reaching for the beer was just a little too much don't you think?

See we had some tough choices.

Thanks Aunt Karen for the great pictures, what fun we have had hearing from so many people when they open their card and realize who their friends really are.

T'was the days before Christmas.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

We're counting the days till St. Nick is here.

And what are the toys of this little man's dreams?

Well trash, of course, tops the list it seems.

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Hey at least he'll be super easy to shop for.

Almost December Already

I can't believe we are here again...only weeks before Christmas??? The madness begins. I cannot wait to show Nate the lights and the trees. I am so looking forward to seeing family and friends and be off work, (btw- I went back to 5 days a week last week- darn the need for benefits). We had a blast camping with friends for Thanksgiving and now we get ready for the next big day:)

A mouthful...

Well first of all the hubby got some new teeth (wow didn't really expect to be saying that in my 30's), and they look great. The flipper really looks like a retainer with some teeth stuck to it. If you don't look closely you really can hardly notice anything, but since we are all the nosey people that I know and love, I am sure everyone will be looking closely-sorry babe.
On the plus side he sounds like a teenager with a new retainer so it brings me back to the days when we first met (I was 15 you know) and it almost brings back all those butterflies of a new love. Okay I am trying to find the silver lining here so just go with it.
Nate is doing great besides his ever growing addiction to his pacifier. How can one little piece of plastic hold the same power as crack? We have been trying to reduce the time he spends with his crack each day but he now knows all the hiding spots and stands there demanding we give it to him or he will scream until everyone's ears blow out. Oh and at night if he wakes up and it has shifted out of reach in his crib - you would think something terrible is happening to him. I think it isn't good that he is now trying to talk with his mouthful. I read somewhere that another mom felt defeated when trying to break the habit and decided to let her son's future wife deal with his pacifier addiction...I need to find that mom and see how that worked out.

What happens when your daddy has no teeth?

Ice Cream is what happens when daddy needs to eat soft stuff for a week...

So tonight as Nate and I were having book time, he brings me "The Hungry Caterpillar", this book has a page where the caterpillar pigs out on junk like ice cream. Nate brings me this book, opens the page to the ice cream page, and then pretends to pick up the ice cream cone and eat it (mind you I think he has only experienced ice cream a handful of glorious times). I am so proud of his memory that I laugh and ask him if he would like some ice cream...the kid then chucks the book and runs into the kitchen where he begins to slap the freezer. Caleb and I - in awe - open the freezer to which Nate smiles and sits down ready to eat what he has so clearly ordered.

I was seriously amazed and beaming with pride that Nate has put so many abstract thoughts together to communicate his needs.

and then I asked Caleb if he had been sharing any of his daily ice cream with Nate since his accident...yeah you see where this is going?

At least one person is happy that Caleb has to eat soft stuff:). BTW- Caleb will be getting his fake teeth Monday.