Thanksgiving & Santa Claus

Thanksgiving was a success!! Scott & I cooked dinner and if I must say so myself, we did a phenomenal job! The timing was perfect and everything was delicious. Mom, dad, Michael, and Carrie joined us to watch the football game before eating and stayed for a bit after to watch more football. I think they were just putting off the drive home, and we were putting off finishing cleaning everything! All of us ate WAY TOO MUCH and after talking to mom learned that we all went to bed before 8:30 that evening (which isn't much earlier than my normal bed time these days).



I thought about braving the shopping centers the day after Thanksgiving, but then opted against it at the last minute. Finally on Saturday, I got brave and had to get out of the house as both Calvin & I were going stir-crazy. We went down to Cool Springs Galleria and were very surprised at the lack of people out and about (not sure if the sleet had anything to do with it, but wasn't complaining!). We went inside and rode the carousel. Calvin absolutely loved it and did a very good job of holding on by himself. I, of course, didn't want to let him go in case he got the wild idea of jumping off his animal. We continued our venture at the mall and as we made our way to the middle of the mall realized that Santa had arrived. Santa was set amid all of the husbands whose wives had forced them to go to the mall with them and who were watching the UT/UK football game. The mall looked like a bar and there were even people upstairs standing around the railing watching... COMPLETE MADNESS! I looked and there were only like 4 or 5 people in line to get a picture with Santa and I thought "awesome... the line will only continue to grow" and jumped in line. Calvin was so excited and we talked the whole time we were in line and he kept showing me the big smile he was going to do when he got on Santa's lap. We get closer and closer and now it's our turn. As I approach Santa, with Calvin on my hip, his arm & leg grips get tighter and tighter. I go to hand him to Santa and full panic ensues. I think that if we get the balls and dogs, etc. out that he'll be fine... UM, CHECK NO! After several failed attempts, the lady finally just snaps a picture. It doesn't show the official panic of Calvin, but you can clearly see he's not impressed. I thought he'd be fine because 1) he's not afraid of strangers and will pretty much go to anyone and 2) he absolutely loved Santa last year. Oh well... maybe next year!

We were hoping to use the Santa picture for our Christmas card, but decided to try taking pictures with different Christmas outfits on in front of the tree. Calvin was more interested in the train & other ornaments than taking a picture. We managed to snap a few good pictures in between playing with ornaments and trying to kill Gordie.

Check out our newest dance moves... even Aiden has them down already!! http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9600070859

Just an update

Loving the bath!

A side of Calvin rarely seen by others!

What do you want?

How cute is he?!?!

I love chocolate chip pancakes!!

Thanks for the chocolate chip pancakes, daddy!

Ready to watch The Wiggles' "Doodle Doo"

I said "I'm ready to watch doodle doo"

So, it's a few days before Thanksgiving and we're really looking forward to having mom, dad, Michael, and Carrie over for dinner. Calvin has made some really nice Thanksgiving decorations, so we're putting them up and getting ready for the festivities!

As you can see, Calvin is getting bigger by the day. We've started talking to him about the baby in mommy's belly and are trying to get him to say "Aiden"... not working so well, but hopefully he'll pick it up before the new monster is born. Calvin is trying to talk up a storm these days and has started saying Mike, Ash & Linz (his aunts & uncle). His new thing is to pick up the phone and say "hello?"... one of the cutest things I've seen in a while. He has also mastered the art of kicking things when he doesn't get his way... not sure where he got that temper.

We think another tooth is FINALLY coming through. After many sleepless nights, nasty diapers & a major case of diaper rash, we are glad this ordeal may soon be over.

We will post pictures from our holiday festivities. Hope everyone has a safe & Happy Turkey Day!!!!

Calvin Loves His Yogurt!

Oops!

Your turn, daddy!

Calvin & mommy enjoying some quality time

We've learned that Calvin absolutely LOVES yogurt, which will make G-ma C very happy!! Calvin has been having a hard time sleeping the past week, and we've determined that he's cutting some more teeth (fun times!!).

Yesterday, we went to Louisville for a friend's baby shower and he went through three shirts & a bib that his girlfriend, Lana, graciously let him borrow. He wasn't at all embarrassed that he had to wear a pink bib. Thanks, Lana... you're a lifesaver!! I don't remember him ever drooling this much, even when he was a little man. I just feel so bad & helpless for him. He just cries and cries and looks absolutely miserable!

Trick or Treat

The day before Halloween, Calvin painted his own pumpkin and was able to bring it home. It's so darn cute!

Calvin dressed up as a dragon for Halloween this year and threw out the occassional "roar" to let us know he's in charge. He was able to wear his costume to daycare and was joined by an astronaut, a fireman, Shrek, and many others.

Scott brought Calvin to my work and he ran around like a little dragon would do. We left my work and headed to the mall. We thought that would be a safe place for him to run around and exert some of his dragon energy. Enjoy some pictures of our little dragon!!

Outside of daycare with daddy

Outside of daycare with mommy

Inside daycare with mommy

"ROAR!!"

At home with daddy

At home with daddy (no, he's not falling asleep... this just seems to be his normal picture face)