Greeting cards have all been sent

Well, with a few exceptions, the cards are FINALLY out and about 50% of the gifts are wrapped. The cookies are a-baking and we are having fun! Just a few more last minute errands...

Merry Christmas, Baby

I took about 100 pictures of my baby boy today. I like to take a bunch of photos every month to showcase his growth. I'm so overcome with love for this baby, it's amazing.

Back to Christmas, I'm curious as to what other people do for family traditions. I'm especially interested in how people focus on the birth of Christ and helping children learn about the meaning of Christmas. Please leave me a comment with how you celebrate Christmas!

Here is a neat book that I checked out of the library and I highly recommend: The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays & Everydays by Meg Cox.

Rockin' around the Christmas Tree

Okay, so the title has nothing to do with what I'm writing but I am due a break. It ain't easy coming up with a new title/Christmas carole every day! And, this happens to be one of my favorite secular Christmas songs and I especially like the Brenda Lee version. It's kicky.

Today is Baby Si's 4-month birthday and we celebrated by taking him for his check-up. His stats are just peachy. He weighs 15 lbs 1 oz (50%) and is 25 inches (55%). The doctor said he looked perfect, very alert and a happy baby. I remain his ever adoring mommy and think all that is true.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

The highlight of our day was heading over to the "other" Denise's for some fun baking Christmas cookies. There were 6 kiddos under 3 (plus one still "baking" and due in February) and 4 mommies. The sugar cookies were so good though I had to watch and make sure Jon David did not eat all the cookie dough (see below). He had a blast!

Her baby, Katie, is so so cute and only 2 weeks younger than Josiah. It's so neat to see our babies together!

We promised to do it again next year - can't wait! It'll be Christmas Cookie Bake '08!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I doubt we'll have a white Christmas this year but every Christmas was white when I was a little girl. We grew up outside Chicago and you could always count on snow. Here is a picture of me when I was about 8 and probably wanting to go inside and get out of my "fur" coat!

You'd better not lie...

Well, I may not lie but I will be "Deceptively Delicious"! Tonight I am working on my purees to make some yummy food for Jon David. He has since graduated from the "chicken nuggets only" diet and will now entertain other foods. Thank you, Lord!!!

If you have not yet heard, Deceptively Delicious is Jessica Seinfeld's new book with lots of kid friendly recipes with veggies and other goodies hidden in the form of purees. So, you make chocolate cake with beets, etc. I plan to try mac and cheese with cauliflower puree.

When he was a baby, I enjoyed making his baby food. It was simple and I got a kick out of feeling like Jon David was getting the best possible food. And for a while, he ate like a champ - broccoli, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, sweet potatoes, etc. I was so excited about the adventurous eater I was helping to shape. Then came his first birthday and all bets were off. So, I am encouraged to start this new eating chapter.

In 2 months, I'll start Baby Si on solids and I'll be cranking out the purees anyway. So, this is just a new way to do it.

Stay tuned to see how the deception goes!

Tuesday morning deception update: oatmeal with canned pumpkin - YUMMY!

To kids from 1 to 92

I dug through the old pictures and thought I'd share last year's Christmas pictures with you. It's amazing to look at my baby boy who is now officially a boy (though some parts still a baby). He was just getting good at walking and a ton of fun! Enjoy!

Christmas card picture. I was pregnant and did not yet know it. :)