Favorite Gift

Out of all of his Christmas gifts, I think Sam was most excited about the toothbrush that he got in his stocking! He instantly knew what to do with it and started brushing his own teeth. We have been brushing his teeth, up to this point, with a 'gum' brush thing that fits over your finger. This one is a real, baby toothbrush. We take turns doing it for him and letting him do it himself. He is getting so big!

Day After Christmas Recap

Today we had Luke's family down for a Christmas celebration. We had a nice afternoon playing with all of Sam's toys, catching up and then Sam finally got to open his stocking.

Practicing walking with his new toy

Opening his stocking with Grandma Good

A Good family tradition...an orange in your stocking

Sam's stocking made by Grandma Good

Christmas Day Recap

Reading the story of Jesus' birth in Sam's Bible

We got up at 6am on Christmas Day so that we could have our family time before heading to church for their morning service. Luke and I got up first and opened our presents (we just did stockings this year) and then woke Sam up. Sam was so excited when he saw the tree with the presents underneath. He was pretty good at opening the gifts but in order to get through all of them, I had to hide the opened ones behind me so he would open another one. Poor Sam! A hour or so later we had to leave Sam's stocking unopened and head to church. Afterward we spent the day at my sister's house opening more presents, eating good food and playing some games. Of course I took a ton of pictures wanting to capture every moment of my baby's first Christmas!

First present he opened, he was really excited about tearing the paper

Sam loves wearing slippers...these ones are elephants

He was most excited when he opened books...he loves to read

We made this Koala (we named him Wally) at Build-a-Bear for him

Opening presents at my sister's house

Christmas Eve Recap

Grandma and PapPap Galand's Grandkids
Aly (14), Alex (12), Nik (9) and Sam (11 Months)

On Christmas Eve we went to the family service at church where the kids put on a cute pageant. Sam was more interested in all of the adults around him, but I enjoyed it. Afterward Sam and I (Luke had to work the later service) went to my parents' house for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of fish, macaroni and cheese, and pierogies. After dinner all the kids take turns finding the Heinz pickle ornament that is hidden on the Christmas tree. When they find it, as a prize, they get a Christmas ornament that Grandma picked out just for them. Sam was so excited that we were not only letting him touch the ornament on the tree but that he actually got to pull it off. He got a cute bunny ornament holding a blue candy cane. Soon after that we left to head back to our house for the night.

For unto us a child is born (Isaiah 9:6)

For the past few weeks I have been reflecting on the fact that Jesus came to us in the form of a baby. I marvel at how God chose to knit together his son in Mary's womb and that she came to deliver him in a stable. My friend reminded me today that we tend to like the baby Jesus better than the man Jesus who dies on the cross for our sins. I can't help but think how true that is. Luke 2:25-35, which is found right after the story of the birth of Jesus, reminds us that this baby will grow into a man who will be hated by many and will cause his mother unbearable heartache. This of course talks about the ministry of Jesus, the controversy that ensues when he claims he is the Son of God, and ultimately his horrible death on the cross. So while we rejoice this Christmas in the birth of our Savior, let us not forget what, as a man, he did on the cross on our behalf.

May you all have a blessed Christmas.

A Picture with Santa...Pricey!

So I figured it was time to take Sam to see Santa. I was not looking forward to this visit because I was sure that he would hate Santa and I would have a picture of a screaming Sam on Santa's lap. I mean, what do you do with a picture like that?! After sitting in traffic for 20 minutes just to get to the mall we were relieved to see the Santa line was really short. I figured that they would charge a small fee for a fancy picture with Santa but almost fell over when I was informed that the pictures START at $19.99! I'm sure most of you are thinking...Trisha, just take pictures with your own camera. Well, we thought of that, but there was a big sign that said you could only use your camera WITH the purchase of the minimum picture package. I have to admit I complained the whole time I was in line, getting other moms to commiserate with me but, like the stupid consumer I am, I paid the $20 and got the picture taken. Other than the cost it was a positive experience...it was a great looking Santa (and by that I mean "real-looking", not "attractive") and Sam did not cry. He was fascinated by Santa and while we didn't get pictures of him smiling on Santa's lap...we don't have pictures of him screaming on Santa's lap. And really...what more could you ask for?!

Brainwashing?

Yesterday my sister watched Sam for me while I went to Luke's work Christmas party. When I went to pick him up my sister laughed as she told me of her adventure with Sam in the mall. Apparently he was fine in his stroller when they were in the main mall area...but the moment she went into a store Sam started crying, loud crying with big tears. After a few more attempts with the same results she left the mall and didn't get her shopping done. Well today I was determined to finish my shopping and I needed to get an outfit for Sam so I went to the shops down at the Waterfront. There was no way I could shop and hold him (he loves to sit in shopping carts, but they don't have those at these stores) so I put him in his stroller thinking that he would be different for me (don't us moms always think that?!). Well he loved his stroller as we walked around outside but as soon as we got in a store, he started to cry. This happened at all three of the stores that we (quickly) visited. Finally I just had to grab a few things and get him back in the car. I am thinking that Luke brainwashed Sam into thinking that clothes shopping is the scariest thing in the whole world and that he should scream and cry every time I take him into a store in his stroller. He probably told Sam that the clothes can come alive and gobble up small children so the only way he is safe is for mom to hold him. This way I am exhausted from carrying him and quickly leave the store realizing that I don't need anything that bad. I am onto you Luke...time to fess up! :)

Fun with Elmo

A friend let us borrow this fun Elmo toy and Sam is really into it. It helps him practice his standing which he is getting really good at. This morning though he leaned too far into Elmo and they both took a tumble. There were no tears from Sam, just a good thumb sucking. Elmo didn't seem to mind and kept on singing (at a very loud volume) and bopping his head side to side. This toy might disappear once the new Christmas toys arrive :)

A Very Rosie Christmas

I love Christmas music. The day after Thanksgiving until Christmas day it is usually all that I listen to. I have a few favorite songs and every year I try to buy a new Christmas cd from my favorite artist. Unfortunately, there is a not much creativity when it comes to Christmas albums...same songs, same arrangements. Well, this year I have found a cd that will be my favorite for many, many Christmases to come! One of my favorite artists, Rosie Thomas (we did our first dance as husband and wife to one of her songs), finally released a Christmas cd. Not only does she have a beautiful voice, but she included a few original songs that she wrote and she did some amazing arrangements of a few standard Christmas hymns. My favorite "Why Can't It Be Christmastime All Year" not only captures my sentiments exactly but it is a clever, catchy, toe-tapping tune that you will be singing along to in the car. Visit her website to read about the album and hear my favorite song.

Cookie Extravaganza

My mom, sister and I spent about 11 hours today baking 9 different kinds of Christmas cookies! It was lots of fun and it is really nice to finish our Christmas baking in one day. After awhile we had trouble remembering our measurements and we did get a few recipes slightly wrong. Oops! Luckily we only had to throw away one batch of cookies. Here are some pictures from the day.

Three cookies done...six more to go.

Almost done, icing the sugar cookies.

Alex, Aly and Buster entertaining Sam.

My share of the cookies!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Saturday we took a trip to Reilly's farm to pick out our Christmas tree. It was super cold but Sam loved being outside in the snow and didn't seem to mind at all.

Sam is fascinated with the tree...he wanted to help decorate it.

This is Sam's first ornament. I am planning on changing out the picture every year. Although, this picture is so cute I might just keep it in there as long as he will let me!

The finished tree and Sam. I am sure that this sparkly tree with all of it's dangling ornaments is a real temptation to my curious boy. Let's hope it stays standing through Christmas!

10 Months

It is hard to believe that Sam is almost a year old. It wasn't until I looked at these pictures that I realized how he looks more like a toddler every day. Sam is a still good eater (he really likes turkey and black beans) and loves to play ball. He is getting around a lot more these days in the form rolling, army crawling or scooting on his bum. Sam also likes to stand up holding onto something but can only pull up to his knees on his own. If I hold his hands and walk with him, he takes some shaky steps...mostly on his tip-toes! He is continuing to sign (when he feels like it) and will do the sign for eat and milk now too. His latest thing is giving mama a kiss when she asks for one and clapping when mama tells him to. It is amazing to me that he understands what I say and, at least for now, does what I ask of him :) We are so excited to celebrate Christmas with our little man...our most precious blessing.

Keeping Warm

It is really cold tonight in Pittsburgh so Sam and I are keeping warm in our cozy slippers. Thanks to the Bonchaks for Sam's cute ducky slippers. They stayed on his feet even though he spent lots of time trying to rip them off!

Celebrating the holidays...elf style

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Mommy Recommendations

We are interested in purchasing a backpack carrier for Sam and I am asking for recommendations from all of my mommy friends out there. I am sure that Luke will wear it most of the time when we are out together but I would like something that is good for me too and will take some weight off of my lower back. We would use it for light hiking and other family outings (Christmas tree hunting, fairs, craft shows, zoo, etc.). I would appreciate some tips on maybe finding it second-hand too because I know that they can be pretty expensive. Thanks for your help!

Thankful

At this time of year I like to reflect on all of the many blessings God has bestowed upon me. I do not deserve these blessings and yet I have many. What a loving God we serve! This is my first Thanksgiving with Sam and I am especially thankful for him. I am so grateful to Luke who works hard so that I can stay home with Sam full-time. This little boy fills my heart with more love that I could have ever imagined.

Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends...I hope that you are counting your blessings too!

New Look

So as you can see the blog has a new look. A big thanks to my super talented and creative husband for giving it some much needed personality! Hope you are enjoying it.

Samuel loves to clap

New Tricks

Month 9 has been a good one for Sam...he is like a sponge and is learning new things everyday. He is learning to clap, give mommy a high-five and is bouncing along to the music that his toys make. I have also been trying to teach Sam a few signs, but I have not been very consistent with it. The sign I do the most is 'more' at meal time...well today Sam signed 'more' numerous times at dinner! I would ask him if he wanted more and he would make the sign (which is bringing your hands together in front of you). At one point he made the sign without me asking for it (he was eating applesauce so I couldn't shovel it in fast enough). I was so excited and gave him lots of praise but it must have been too much for him because he started to cry. After that he wouldn't sign anymore because he was afraid I would yell again. Oops! Here are a few pics of Sam learning to drink from a cup...I told you he was learning a lot of new things lately.

9 Month Dr. Visit

Today we went to the pediatrician for Sam's 9 month check-up.
Here are his current stats: 17 lbs, 15 oz. and 27 inches

Sam was pretty squirmy by the time we saw the doctor (who was running 30 minutes late) and he wasn't happy at all when she looked in his ears. Overall it was a good visit and he is doing great. Even though he feels really heavy to me, he is still a little man only in the 10-25 percentile. We got the go ahead to start adding meat to his diet (how do I prepare meat for him? help!) and to teach him how to drink water from a cup. We won't see the doctor again until he is one year old which is only three months away!

Self-Feeder

Sam has finally mastered the art of feeding himself! Those puffs make it a bit challenging because as soon as they get wet they stick to everything...mostly lips and hands. Sam persevered and now he can eat them like a pro.

What a monkey!

Waiting for the kids. Luke and I had fun carving the pumpkins. I did a monogram "G" pumpkin. No silly pumpkin faces for me!

Good choice Sam...my favorite candy bar too!

Sam helped us pass out candy to the neighborhood kids tonight in his super cute sock monkey costume. Disclaimer: I do not wear this sweater everyday as it appears in this blog! (see the past couple entries)

Puffy Hair Day

Hard to see in this picture...like a subtle mohawk!
Sam inherited his father's hair. In the morning when he wakes up and after naps he usually has puffy hair. It is just adorable and it makes me smile when I find things about Sam that reminds me of his dad. I love both of my boys and their puffy hair!

Sam's "cheese" face