merry christmas

Our first christmas with Fisher was great! Since we didn't travel and didn't have any visitors, it was very relaxing and quiet at our house. So, we made sure to get out and get a little Christmas excitement. Christmas eve we went to Kelly & Mike's house and had dinner with them and Aunt Barb, Uncle Mike, Andrew & McKenzie. Fisher was pretty crabby since he got 4 shots the day before, not the best timing but luckily he woke up happy on Christmas morning. We spent Christmas morning opening presents and hanging out at our house and then headed over to Aunt Holly & Uncle Dale's house for dinner and games. Mike, Megan, Olivia, Maddie, The Simon family, Wendy, & Kris were all there and it was fun to see the kids run around, they are all growing up so fast! I can't believe that Fisher is going to be right there with them next year!!!

It was so nice to be with friends and family for Christmas, it makes the holidays that much more special. We did miss our parents, brothers & sisters, and nieces & nephews this year though.

We hope everyone had a great Christmas!

playing with Chopper's toy
not a very good one of me, but so cute of fisher

the best present of all!

working hard on opening the gift he did really good with sitting up and opening the presents!

his first tie

handsome boys!

so happy!

andrew wanted to hold the baby

sitting up

i've been meaning to post this all week and just haven't gotten around to it. fisher has started sitting up all by himself. he can usually make it a couple minutes (sometimes seconds) before tumbling over. he's growing up so fast! tomorrow he's going to be 6 months old! it sort of makes me sad how fast the time has gone, but excited for how much fun the next 6 months are going to be.this one below is my favorite

Santa & other pics

Fisher & Santa

he fell asleep while playing this morning

Visit to PA

Here are some pics of our visit with Gigi, Papa, and my grandpa and his girlfriend. It was nice to see everyone, Fisher had a lot of fun!

Papa, Chris, Fisher, and Pap
Tiedie, Fisher, & Pap

Fisher(with a mohawk) & Gigi

eating Gigi's scarf

recent pics

rolling over

here's a video of Fisher rolling over. He is so proud of himself when he does it, it's really cute. He's also been rolling over in his crib a lot and has gotten his leg stuck between the bars a couple of times. It's sad to see him stuck but kind of funny at the same time!

Random thoughts

This might not be too interesting for many of you, but it's one of those days where I have to write out the words in my head. I'll add a few new pics of Fisher soon for those of you waiting.

I've been up since 4:45 and so I feel like I've already accomplished more today than I do on most full days. Fisher has finally started sleeping through the night again and going to bed like a champ. For instance last night he ate his bottle and as I sang "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" to him (it's the only song I know all the words to-good thing it's Christmas time!) he reached up to grab my nose or eyes, or whatever he could reach and laughed at me, or maybe my singing voice. I thought for sure that he was not going to go down because of how awake he seemed. But I forced myself to end our one on one time-one of my favorite moments of every day-and put him down to sleep. He was silent, not a peep. What a good boy!! Now, if we could just work on the time in the morning that he gets up we would be on a good road. Anyways, by getting up at 4:45 I got things done that I needed to do and had been putting off. I desperately needed to vacuum since my hair is coming out in handfuls and is all over the carpet, and I organized the milk in the freezer-you'd understand if you saw our freezer.
So, since I was being so productive I let Chris go to work early and offered to take Fisher to the sitters house (he usually drops off and I pick up). So, I have the car warming up, dogs in the cage, bags packed and loaded. I pick Fisher up out of his exersaucer and smell a little something. Come on, seriously! Full blow out!! Whenever he's in that thing the poop travels all the way up his back. . . what a way to start the morning, elbows deep. At least I made the sitter happy by telling her that she avoided that one!
So, basically all I'm saying is that I deserve that $4 Starbucks drink that I bought myself this morning. (I'll just bank on Fisher getting a college scholarship to make up for all the other mornings!)

home

As much fun as Denver was, it's always nice to get home and relax a little(very little with a baby in the house). The sleeping situation was a little off on vacation so we are transitioning Fisher back to sleeping in his crib all by himself. Believe me, this is not an easy task. Hopefully a couple of bad nights will have him back on track!
Other than the sleeping situation, he's been such a happy guy lately. He laughs and smiles all the time. My favorite new thing that he does is nuzzle his face into your chest. It's so cozy and sweet! Now that we have to go back to work it will be hard to not spend all our time with him, but Christmas is just around the corner!

a much needed nap for us!

Thanksgiving in Denver

I think as I get older and have a family, I've started to appreciate my family much more. It's not that I didn't appreciate them before, because I did, but I now see all the great things about them that maybe I just took for granted before. Chris, Fisher and I are truly lucky to have such great people in our lives, even if they live far away.
I have two awesome sister-in-laws that I look up to(even though they are both younger!) both as moms and people because they are so kind, patient, and loving-I could learn so much! Both my brother and brother in law amaze me with how hands on they are with their kids, you see a lot of dads that don't take the time to do the little things, but both of them are actively involved teaching, disciplining, playing-whatever it may be. The result is sweet, polite kids that are so fun to be around.
Both sets of grandparents have been so great, letting us figure things out on our own and offering advice only when asked :) I know we have so much to learn from them, after all look how great we turned out! Seriously though, it's awesome to see Fisher with his grandparents because it's like he knows them so well even though he's only met them a few times-the power of family! Our parents have been great role models for us-working hard to give us the best opportunities in life. I only hope that Fisher will love us as much as we love our parents.

I also have a wonderful sister and although I didn't see her on Thanksgiving, I am thankful that she is in my life.

Below are some pics from the trip to Denver.

Mara & Fisher

Mimi, Papa, & the grandkids

Fisher & Dad

Zack, Josie, & Gigi

Gigi, Papa, & the grandkids

how cute?!

wind chapped cheeks

the boys sleeping

youngest sheriff in town

our fam

Emmy doing the YMCA with Papa W

nice and cozy for a stroll in Keystone

Fisher and Emerson "playing"

baby Brooklyn

big girl holding a chunker!

bathtime

Ella playing with Fisher

first veggies, yummy!

nice and comfy on the plane ride there

dear fisher,

Our first big holiday together was a success! Traveling to Denver, seeing all your grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins was so much fun. There was so much to do and so little time, like always. It was so fun to see how big your cousins have gotten and to meet your little cousin Brooklyn. You're not the baby in the family anymore!! I can't wait until you all get bigger and start to be friends, it's going to be really cute. Emmy was already trying to show you the ropes by teaching you how to squeal. I'm just glad you waited until after the plane ride to show us that new trick. All of your cousins are great kids and you are lucky to have them to look up to.
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what you have and your dad and I are especially grateful for you this year. You make our lives so full of joy and love. We are also grateful for our wonderful families who we don't get to see enough. They love you and will always be an important part of your life.

love,
Mom