Christmas Tree Day!

I'm kind of a Christmas tree nazi...see here and here for proof.  But, due to hubby's drill schedule, the first available time he had to drive an hour to my authentic tree farm wasn't until December 10.  Absolutely not!  That's almost half way into December, I'm not waiting that long!  (Funny that growing up I never wanted our tree up until after my birthday on the 8th.  Didn't want to share the spotlight.  Proof that once you become a mom, or maybe just once you start getting old, your birthday no longer matters)  So, during hubby's lunch break yesterday, we hit up a couple of small scale tree farms...aka the parking lot of the commissary, farmer's market turned tree vendor, and Lowe's. 

I know buddy, I know.  It's just not the same is it? ;)  Really, it was perfectly fine.  We came home with a gorgeous Frasier fur.

Hubby only had time to drop the tree off in the garage before heading back in to work.  We were having what I fear might be our last taste of nice weather, so we spent most of the afternoon outside waiting for Daddy to get home so we could put our tree up!

I am lousy at keeping photographs organized.  I did a haphazard job of putting pictures in albums during C's first 3 years of life.  And since I started the blog, I can count on one hand the number of pictures I've actually printed.  I don't totally suck at preserving memories though...I did a stellar job on C's baby book (pat on the back) and I have kept up with this Christmas tradition.

I love unpacking these ornaments each year and lining them up to see how he's grown.  It is something I plan to continue, probably until he graduates high school. :)  And look who is making his Christmas ornament debut in 2011.

Next year he'll have 2 ornaments on the tree AND he will be home!!! And when he starts pulling all the ornaments down or yanking the Christmas train off the tracks...I will NOT get frustrated! I will remember how badly I wished he was here this year and I will be thankful that my toddler is home and able to wreak havoc during the holiday season. :)

Merry Christmas Tree Day!

Bye bye beach :(

Always so sad to see the end of a vacation.  Especially one that was this much fun!  Just wanted to get the last of the photos from our trip on here.

Progress Report!

I got a fun little surprise in my inbox this afternoon.  An update on all the things peanut's been up to lately.  According to his progress report done at 14 months he...

* He weighs 22.2 lbs.
* He is 29.5 inches tall
* He drinks both milk and soy milk and still takes formula as well
* He eats rice, but doesn't like chewing food (the Korea program coordinator has warned us that many children come home from Korea and can hardly chew!  That's because the foster moms mash everything up real good for them and they just aren't used to having to use their teeth.) :)
* He takes one bath a day and enjoys bath time
* He takes one 2 hour nap a day and sleeps from 9pm-6am
* He says "No" meaningfully (Ha!)
* He says "umma" (mama) meaningfully
* He shows understanding of words
* He gives toy to familiar adult spontaneously
* He displays tantrum behaviors
* He imitates adult behavior
* He plays ball cooperatively
* He turns pages in books
* He scribbles with a pen
* He puts 3 or more objects into a container
* He brings spoon to his mouth
* He holds and drinks from a cup with some spilling
* He finds hidden objects

When we get a report like this, there is a long list of developmentally appropriate behaviors with a box next to each one.  So, if he has mastered that skill/or displays that behavior then they just check the box.  That's what everything I listed is from.  There is also a section for written remarks.  Before now, we've never had any additional remarks on peanut's reports.  Here is what we learned from the remarks section of this progress report...

* He likes to have books read to him.
* He can stand on his own without being held or holding onto something
* If his hands are held, he can walk (this obviously means he's not walking independently yet...which is fine with me!  C hit the ground running at 10 months and hasn't slowed down since!  Take your time peanut.) ;)
* HE BABBLES A LOT AS HE LOOKS AT THE ADOPTIVE PARENTS' PHOTOS.  Love!!!!

Beachy keen

Friday was a gorgeous day here at the Outer Banks, and we thoroughly enjoyed it!  Beach time in the morning, Thanksgiving leftovers for lunch, and some playtime in the hot tub.  A girls-only outing that included lattes, a local craft fair, and a little shopping.  More beach time!  An extra soak in the hot tub, an early bedtime for the littles, and carryout for the grownups.  I didn't even have my camera with me most of the day, so there could've been even more pictures. :)

Love me some little baby feet.  Technically, they are toddler feet, but compared to my five year old's prints they are teeny tiny.

Cutesy foot prints brought to you by this guy. ;)

A shark, by C.

Aunt Net working on a sand slide.

Guy time in the hot tub.

Only one more night at our beach house. :(  Better make the most of it!