Christmas 2010

Oh December, you came and went so quickly. You are a blur.

The beginning of the month was hectic with work (me) and scrambling to get in the holiday spirit. I didn't think I'd be able to pull it all off, but looking back I fared well. My only setback was extreme tension in my neck which cause severe pain and stiffness for 5 days.

We started the the holiday festivities by celebrating with all the Nesbitt's. We wrapped gifts for our Adopt-A-Family then played the annual Nesbitt dice game. Six boys ages 1, 18 mos, 22 mos, 3 1/2, 6 and 9 caused most of the chaos and entertainment. It was a memorable time.

The day before we had a blizzard in Minnesota. Christos, Me, CT, Thea Mags and the pups all ventured out in the Subie to drive to Big Lake for a photo shoot for holiday pictures. It was an adventure. We made it there and back safely. The pictures were worth it!

Every year growing up all the Nesbitt's would meet downtown for dinner at Cafe de Napoli. After we'd all go to the 8th Floor auditorium at Dayton's. Times have changed. The Nesbitt clan has grown so large over the years that it's become complicated getting everyone together to carry on the tradition. So our immediate family has started a tradition of our own. This year we walked through the 8th floor auditorium at Macy's (A day in the life of an Elf.) After we enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant and following we watched the Holidazzle parade from our heat seats. Despite CT being under the weather that weekend, he had a lot of fun running free in the skyways with his cousins. It was fun.

Christmas was low-key. With our families being close we didn't have to travel far. We spent time with each of them celebrating the holiday. CT received many new fun toys to learn and explore with. On the evening we celebrated with his cousins, he was very interested in what they were doing and opening. When Christos received golf balls from his parents, they were an immediate distraction for CT. He ignored his remaining unopened gifts and played with the balls for a long time. It was a very lovely white Christmas filled with magic and love. And although our tree was up, it was never decorated with ornaments. That didn't matter though. We were together and happy and we made new memories.

CT surprises us every day. He laughs at us, with us and at himself. He is SO much fun right now. Our ability to communicate is getting better each day. Although he is still only saying a few words (Mama, Dada, More and animal sounds), he fully understands what we are saying to him. The other night we were visiting some friends when he filled his pants. We asked him if he had gone poo and without hesitation he retrieved his changing pad from his diaper bag and proceeded to lay down on the floor in preparation to be changed. Christos and I looked at one another in awe. As every day passes, he becomes less and less of a dependent baby and more of a little boy. I'm reminded of this each night when I put him to bed. I cradle him in my arms and sing to him. He is getting so heavy and awkward to hold. I know the days are limited that this nightly ritual will be able to continue, so I try to soak up every second of it.

He is still so tall and skinny. Despite how heavy he seems when I'm holding him. I suppose all the winter layers make him heavier. His 18 month check-up was this morning and his stats are always so fun to hear. He stands 33 1/2 inches tall. That puts in him the 75th percentile for his age group. This comes as no surprise. He can now grab things off the counter and table. A new level of child-proofing has just taken effect in our home. He's also able to pull himself up on the kitchen table chair. He and Drew played cars at the table one evening. CT was so proud of himself playing like a big boy.

He's grown out of 12 month pants, it's mostly because of his length although his belly is slowly filling out. He weighed in at 23 lbs this morning. I thought for sure he was up to 25 lbs. He feels heavier than that to me. This puts him in the 10th percentile for weight.

He is a good eater and sleeper. He'll try pretty much anything we offer him. His still prefers fruit and I've learned that I have to wait until the end of the meal to put it on his plate or it will be all that he eats. He's sleeping most nights from 7:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. And on most days taking two good naps totaling anywhere from 2-4 hours.

Teeth Count: Still holding at 8, but his pediatrician could see his upper molars are close to the surface and I felt one of them tonight.

We are excited for what 2011 holds. It's bound to be a year full of growing, learning and making memories. We're ready!