Leo - Month 15

::: 1 month recap ::: 2 month recap ::: 3 month recap ::: 4 month recap ::: 5 month recap :::

 ::: 6 month recap ::: 7 month recap ::: 8 month recap ::: 9 month recap ::: 10 month recap

::: 11 month recap ::: 12 month recap  ::: 13 month recap ::: 14 month recap

Weight: 21lbs 8oz (28%) and 31inches (37%)

Nicknames: Leeman, Lee-Lee, Forest Boy, Weeward, Wee-whoa

Clothes: You are in 24 month pjs, but for the most part I would say 12-18 months is exactly where you land. You also moved to a size 4 shoe and a size 4 diaper.

Sleep:  You are a pretty consistent sleeper, with a two hour nap and just about 12 hours at night.

Schedule: 

up at 6:30...with an 8oz bottle

8:00am breakfast

9-12am play - very necessary to get out of the house during this time

11:30am/12pmish- lunch

1:00 pm nap

3:15pm snack & playtime

6:00pm dinner

6:30 pm bath

7:00 pm 8oz bottle and bed

Health: At the beginning of the month you had your first virus and it sucked. After 5-ish days, I finally decided I really wanted the doctor's reassurance that everything was ok, so I took you in. We didn't see your normal doctor, and this doctor totally filed mommy under nervous "first time mom". And she was right - but I did feel better after having you checked out, and at about day 8/9 most all of your symptoms had cleared so I'm very thankful that you have a tough little body and were able to rid that nasty bug!

Crying: This last week you've been a touch whiny and clingy, but you are cutting two top eye teeth (you are still at only 8 teeth!) so I'm sort of blaming them. Regardless, you are pretty easy to make laugh and smile.

Feeding:  Also in the last week you've started to use your spoon all on your own! In just two days, I've seen major improvement, and I can already tell that you will soon prefer to feed yourself than get any assistance from your parents.

Likes: You are curious and you love to check out new places, things, and toys. You love the playground, playing with friends, playing "boo", you LOVE to have mommy and daddy read books and you will bring us a book and take position right on our lap (it's pretty adorable)....although you would read 90 books in a day if it were up to you.

You like to kick around a soccer ball, play outside, and facetime "Coco and Papa".

Dislikes: When things don't go/do what you want them too, falling/tripping, getting frustrated, most vegetables.

Milestones:  You are talking up a storm, and if we include all of the animal noises you say, you are almost up to 50 words!! I'm so proud of you buddy!

We are working a lot lately on body parts, and you can find your belly button, ears, mouth and tongue, but your nose throws you!

 

Places You’ve Gone: Nothing major this month, which has been nice. We took a day trip to Santa Barbara, but we've done lots of fun classes and visited lots of friends these last 4 weeks.

Visitors: Uncle Andrew, Aunt Corie, and Sulley came up to celebrate Christmas and we had such a fun time with them.

Roscoe: We are working hard with you on "gentle". You love Roscoe SO much, but you are a little rough with him. Your "pet", is more like a spanking, but Roscoe is somehow incredibly patient with you and still loves to kiss you and make you laugh.

---

I can't believe we celebrated our second Christmas with you. You are truly our biggest blessing and greatest gift, and your daddy and I are filled with joy because you are ours.

Christmas 2016

I guess the special thing about Christmas is that it only happens once a year, but dang is it my most favorite few days. 

Our Christmas Eve started pretty early so that Joel could get in line at Santa Monica Seafood to get lobster, crab, and some other goodies. He left before 6:30am, and was already 40th in line when he pulled up! 

Thankfully he got what he came for, and brought us home a little treat. 

The morning was spent getting ready for our big dinner. We hosted four other families for cocktail hour and dinner, and somehow I was able to find away to make one big table for all of us. 

 

 

Before I knew it, it was 3pm and our friends started to arrive.

 

We opened up a magnum of champagne, the kids played with each other and everyone else's toys, and the boys and girls quickly found separate rooms to chat in. It was pretty perfect. 

These girls and our babies have truly become family and it was incredibly special to be together on Christmas Eve.

  

 At one point, all of the moms and kids were in Leo's room singing Christmas carols and watching the kids shake their booty's and truly everything was right in the world.

Right around 5:30, Joel and I assumed our positions in the kitchen to try and get dinner ready. On the menu was a seafood tower, beef tenderloin, and a mushroom truffle ravioli.

 

 

 

We opened another really delicious magnum of wine for dinner, everyone took their seats, and we all indulged in an amazing dinner. 

 

After apple pie, most everyone left to get home and set cookies and milk out for Santa to visit them.

My cousins Erin and Danny stayed for a few extra hours/glasses and then finally around 11pm, Joel and I started to clean up process......which meant we were really freaking tired come Christmas morning. 

 

I gave Leo his bottle next to the Christmas tree that morning and really tried to soak up the moment. minutes I had lit all of our candles, had the Christmas music playing, and we just sat there with the glow of the tree while Joel and Roscoe were on a walk. It was one of my most favorite parts of the day. I just sat there smelling my sweet, healthy, beautiful baby and gave thanks for our abundance of blessings.

We took our time that morning opening presents, drinking coffee, and facetiming with Grandparents. 

 

 

After all of the presents were opened and the cinnamon rolls had been consumed, we got ready for 9:30 mass. 

Church is just around the block from us, so we thought it would be a good idea to have Leo walk there to try and burn off some energy before the service. 

 

And while we had good intentions, this wild man could really only last in 5-10 minute bursts, so Joel and I took turns taking this guy out of church to run around.

 After we got home, we had an easy brunch at home before Leo and I both took a much needed nap! 

   

We walked to our neighbors house for a glass of champagne around 5pm and then came home, had leftovers, put on our comfy clothes and watched basketball. 

 

It was the most perfect Christmas for our family and I hope it was for yours too.

Five on Friday

::: 1 :::

We've had tons of playdates this week since most of our older friends are out on school break, so we've had a ton of fun! Plus, it's helped me get into the "festive" mindset, since it feels like such a treat! We are not ready for baby #2, but, I can see why having kids close in age would be an asset (at times), because there's a buddy with you all the time to play with. 

::: 2 ::: 

I'm in a funny, non-wine mood lately at night and instead having been really enjoying tea before bed. A few years ago I got hooked to the Trader Joe's Holiday Teas (Candy Cane and Mint Chocolate are my favorites), but I recently bought this Vanilla Honey Chamomile that is a little less sweet but packs more than just plain Chamomile. It's a really nice flavor so I would grab it if you see it!

::: 3 ::: 

Joel had a few meetings in Santa Barbara this past Tuesday, so Leo and I decided to tag along with him. In theory - it was a great idea.....it was something different to do, we all love Santa Barbara, and Leo is really good in the car, and it's a pretty short trip, so why not. 

Well, we were all just in the crankiest of moods, and it just sort of became the biggest pain the ass ever.  We drove Joel's car and since it's not an SUV, the sun beat down on Leo's rear facing car seat the entire time which causes him to scream for 2 hours on the way up, and 2 hours on the way down. I tried to MacGyver 100 ways to stop it from happening, but no such luck. It turned out to be a long day, but you win some, you lose some.

::: 4 :::

 

I truly have NO idea how this Christmas weekend has arrived, but, it's here and I couldn't be happier. Tonight we are going to build a Gingerbread house and get the house ready for our big Christmas Eve Dinner. We are hosting 4 other families at our house and I'm so excited to have them share in our Christmas traditions. We have been doing lobsters ever since we moved to California, so we will be starting with a huge seafood platter, then having beef tenderloin and a mushroom truffle ravioli for dinner. We're going all out! 

::: 5 :::

I wanted to wish every person reading this post the happiest of Christmases. I truly hope that you find yourself at a table filled with good people, good food, and good fortune. 

From the bottom of my heart - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

What I Really Want

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like...please!

The Festivities Continue

Saturday morning we took a super cold and windy hike with my cousins Nick and Dre who were in LA for a holiday party.

 

And while it was really cold - it made for the most spectacular views. 

 

We had coffee and bagels with them and as they left, Joel's brother Andrew and his family walked in.  

We spent the day hanging out with them, Corie and I snuck away to get a much needed mani/pedi, and then her and I took our boys down to my girlfriend Shelby's house for a little holiday get together.

Shelby had a cute little cookie decorating station set up and the four kids just jammed together and we indulged in some champagne and crab dip! 

 

It was the perfect little party and all of the kids got on together so well. As Leo gets older, watching him interact with big and little kids is one of my most favorite things. 

 

 

He is a lucky little boy to have so many adorable friends.

And after a really adorable Christmas concert, we forced them to take a few group photos.

Every year with the San Diego Shields crew we do pizzas as our Christmas tradition. While Corie and I were with the boys, Joel and Andrew pulled together dinner. This year was especially meaningful, and the 6 and a half (since my niece will be arriving in 6 weeks!) had an emotional, amazing, and fun Christmas dinner.