Let the Festivities Begin!

Christmas Eve Brunch with G's family, and a timer photo that actually worked!

A great photo, but we missed you D, H and C!

Note to Self

Do not go to Costco unless the following conditions are met:

1. It is not a major holiday
2. The temperature outside is above 28 degrees
3. You have someone to either (a) keep your 13 month old in the house while you unload the car and/or (b) help you unload the car

Sunday Best

Back in the Saddle

While visions of sugarplums danced in T's head, Mommy and Daddy had a dinner party! I haven't hosted a big dinner party since before Thomas was born, and it was so fun to enjoy a delicious meal with friends.

Menu

Aperitif
Ramos Fizz

Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Garlic Marinated Olives with Rosemary Crostini

Entree
Beef Tenderloin with oven roasted asparagus and gratin potatoes

Dessert
Pumpkin Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce

Each guest had a "2009 Superlative"
We'll have to wait and see if the predictions are accurate!

Cheerios

I'm not quite sure what these two see in these tasteless bits of toasted oats, but they love them...




...and look at this total Geoff face, with the one eyebrow raised! Cutest. Baby. Ever.

Dear Santa

This afternoon we saw Santa and Thomas assured him that he was such a good boy this year. Santa agreed.

Can't Catch ME!!!

Unless you are Thomas, of course, who will catch you, decapitate you, and eat you up like he's never eaten before!

Thanks to Aunt Gammy for a lovely (and tasty) afternoon of gingerbread-ing.

Three Cheers for Peanut Butter!

Hip Hip Hooray!
He loves it!

Like Mother, Like Son?

People always ask me, "who do you think he looks like? You? or G?" I always respond that it depends on the facial expression of the day. I'm not quite sure what we were doing in this photo, or what kind of face I was making, but clearly this was a day when he looked like mommy.

Pajama Party

Thomas spent the night with his Aba last night, and cousin Piper joined in for a sleepover. The two cousins had so much fun together--and were so cute in their matching Christmas pajamas!

Barber Shop

Thomas received his first hair cut over Thanksgiving (yes, he did need one). We were visiting family in Lexington, VA and thought it would be fun to take T to the local barber shop for his first trim. Of course, he was a perfect angel and didn't even flinch when the clippers came out to "clean up" his neck and sideburns!

Lexington is a small town, and we were the only ones in the shop. It was quite a scene with me videotaping and Thomas' grandparents taking photos and oohing and aahing. A very special thanks to our family photographer, Aunt H. for documenting the event with her good camera.

Family Portrait

Thanksgiving!

Aunt Haley, Uncle David and Cousin Claire hosted Thanksgiving. A good time was had by all. Thomas enjoyed spending quality time with his baby cousin. Aunt Haley and I enjoyed setting up various photo shoots with the two babies. . .

Stripes Theme

T: See, Claire, taking photos isn't so bad.
C: Yeah, well have you looked at my mom's shutterfly account?
I'm living with the paparazzi.

Christmas Theme

C: Here we are in our "Christmas" attire.
T: I see what you mean about the paparazzi.


Basket and Onesies Theme

T and C: ENOUGH is ENOUGH!!

Mommy's Little Helper

The Perks of Being One Year Old

Who knew turning one brought such VIP status?

Thomas has been getting such royal treatment since the big day arrived,
you'd think he was carrying the AmEx Centurion.

1. Special time with the lovely ladies

A birthday visit from Krista

and a birthday lunch with Jennie.


2. All you can eat cake and ice cream

3. Birthday presents!

4. Forward facing car seat

We might really go wild later this week and allow him to try some honey or peanut butter.
Stay tuned.

Still Growing!

12 month stats:

Weight: 23 lbs. 4 oz.
Height: 32"

He's almost off the charts for height--97%.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I was up late last night baking a cupcake for my boy, because I wanted to make sure he had a special treat as soon as he came down the stairs this morning. So, instead of his morning oatmeal, today he got a vanilla cupcake with vanilla butter cream icing.

I think he liked it.

Make a wish!

T: "Hmmm. What is this?"

"Mmmmmm. Tastes pretty good. . ."

"REALLY good!"

"Hey, get this hat off of me, can't you see I'm trying to inhale this cupcake!"

"Must. Eat. Entire. Cupcake."

"I will not let one crumb escape my grasp."


All done! (and not very happy about it)

Here is a video of Mr. Sweet Tooth in action:

Happy Birthday, Priya!

Special birthday message and request from Thomas: "I tried to arrive on your birthday, but in the end, I just decided I didn't want to share the spotlight. P.S. A boy, please. Thank you."

Cville Sunday

Who wouldn't want to start out his birthday week in Cville? We took Thomas down for his 1 year photo shoot and were able to meet Renee, Pop Pop, Uncle David and Cousin Claire for an early bird special afterward. And in true UVa fashion, we went to the Biltmore and ended up closing down the place (it closed at 5 p.m.).

T: "I'll order for the group. What would everyone like?"

T: "Yes, I'll have the chicken tenders and a grilled cheese, please. Apple juice if you have it."

T: "No cow's milk for her, she's still underage. She'll have a pack of saltines. Thank you."

And of course, Pop Pop was story telling.

"Thomas, have I told you the one about the three legged deer?"

Birthday Countdown!

I can't believe my little baby is going to be ONE next week. His original due date was this day last year, and as we all know, he did not want to come out!

I almost posted a photo of me 9 months pregnant, but I thought I'd spare you the giant belly. I mean, was I really THAT big? Yes, I was.

Dancing Machine

Thomas loves R&B. I sometimes play children's music, but it doesn't have the same effect on him. This morning I put on Robin Thicke's new CD and he started jumping around like a wild man. Luckily he recreated his original moves for the camera. The video is dark and also you have to turn your head or the computer screen to get the idea.

The Very Busy Spider

We spent Halloween night with our friends S, K and A. Thomas enjoyed all the trick or treating--lots to observe...

Thomas making some calls, confirming plans for the evening.

Are we going out or what!?

Baby in cute costume? Check.
Bag for candy? Check.
Refreshments for the parents? Check.

T: "A, you are the cutest zebra ever!"
A: "I know!"

Goodnight kisses.
Wowsers! A. really went in for the kiss!

Happy Halloween!