My Son, My Sweetheart

This picture was taken by my father on Thanksgiving day. One of my favorites!!

Today my precious baby turned 13 months old. I can't believe that he is already one month into his second year of life. Like I said before, the change that has taken place between his first birthday and now is absolutely amazing. Besides talking all day long, he is also WALKING!! Not exclusively walking, but he has been walking more and more lately. Tonight he spent the evening walking across his entire bedroom to my arms and giving me a hug, over and over and over again. It's absolutely precious. The look of joy on his face when he reaches my arms and gives me a huge hug is the best feeling in the world. On Saturday he mastered standing up on his own in the middle of a room, without having to grab onto something. I believe he will be walking exclusively by next week. He is also starting (and I mean starting) to obey me when I tell him not to touch something. I can kind of see him thinking about what he is doing when I tell him "don't touch that." I praise him for making wise choices, and for the first time he isn't taking this positive reinforcement as permission to go back to doing exactly what he was doing. YAY!

Jeremiah is becoming extremely affectionate. He will be playing by himself, and then make his way over to me at breakneck speed, give me a hug and make all these love noises. He also is starting to enjoy a half an hour of cuddling and rocking when he wakes up from his naps. Speaking of naps, I hate to admit it but I think the days of him taking two naps are extremely numbered. He took a great two hour nap this morning but then refused to take his afternoon nap, playing, whining and eventually screaming in his crib for an hour (but not screaming for an hour). This isn't the first time this has happened. Oh well....

Tomorrow my parents are taking Jeremiah overnight so that Louis and I can have a date. I don't think we have had one since... September? I honestly don't even remember the last time we went out, just the two of us. I'm so looking forward to a night of great food and a great husband!!

Jeremiah's new TMX Elmo came in the mail today, a mere four days after I placed my call to Fisher Price. This one works like a charm, although Jeremiah doesn't seem all that interested in it yet. I posted the old one for free on Craigslist and gave it away to a woman whose foster daughter is in love with Elmo. The thank-you email I got from the mother after she gave the toy to her daughter was so touching. I love doing nice things for people!

Happy 2009!

Well, 2008 is officially over. Everything Jeremiah experienced last year were his firsts- first Valentines Day, first Easter, first time in the pool.... first birthday... now all of the main annual events are old hat. At least he will be older to enjoy everything more!

So, how did we ring in the new year here at my house? Louis and I were awakened at 12:01 a.m. thinking that someone was pounding on our door, when instead fireworks were going off everywhere in our neighborhood. People shoot off fireworks in our neighborhood all the time- for sporting events, Cinco de Mayo, the 4th of July (of course- craaaaazy night) and even when Obama was officially declared the winner of the election. Anyway, the evening wasn't nearly as festive as I had planned on it being. Louis was tired from starting training for his new (BIG!!!!!!) job that morning; I was tired from running around all day, cooking, cleaning and playing with my son. I made our favorite baked ziti with sausage and meatballs, and a layered lemon cake (courtesy of miss Betty Crocker). However, the ziti was waaaay too garlic-y. If I thought it was too garlic-y then it was definitely too garlic-y. Neither of us enjoyed it very much, to my disappointment. Then, we had neighbors knocking on our door from around 7-9:30, wanting to wish us a happy new year, which was nice but definitely took away the romantic ambiance I was hoping to have. We were planning on watching a movie until the countdown started on TV at 11:00, but wound up watching the latest DVD release of "Family Guy." On our laptop, in bed. Big mistake. We both were asleep by 10:30 and didn't wake up until those fireworks went off. Oh, well!

As for today- we went to Red Robin for lunch, and now Louis and Jeremiah are watching the game. Nothing else is really planned for today. I kind of wish we were at my grandma's house with my parents and a few other relatives, eating my mom's traditional New Years day bean soup, but I can understand how Louis wanted to spend the day at home, relaxing. Poor guy never gets to stay home and relax except on Sundays.

As for my car? Well, we had an opportunity a few weeks back to sell it (or rather, relinquish my loan to since it's not paid off yet) to one of Louis's customers. Last year we acquired a rather old (late 198o's) Mercedes and since then one of his customers was making noise about wanting to take over my car payments. I flat out refused at first, obviously, but after driving the car around for a few weeks while my Kia was having work done on it, I realized that it wasn't the piece of crap car I thought it was. In fact, it runs even better than my 3 year old Kia. So... bye bye Kia! We are now saving up for a larger vehicle. It's nice to have that car payment off of our shoulders. Louis's car will be paid off in a few months and then we won't have any car payments until we get our new car! With Louis's new job and not having my old payment we should be able to save up to flat-out pay off our new vehicle upfront hopefully by June.

That's all for now. Hope you all enjoyed your new year!

Toys from HELL

I find it quite ironic that two of Jeremiah's Christmas presents that I was looking forward to him receiving and playing with the most have given me the most trouble.

First offender: TMX EmoI purchased Elmo from Toys r Us in August, on clearance for $15 when pre-orders for the Elmo LIVE were coming out. I didn't feel that Jeremiah would quite appreciate a toy that told stories and jokes at his age, and would have more fun with this (budget friendly) Elmo. I couldn't wait to take him out and see him roll, laugh, stand up, sit down. However, I was good and kept him in our closet til Christmas morning. Immediately upon Jeremiah opening him, we put in new batteries and waited for the magic to happen. You push his tummy, he does his thing. Or, in the case of THIS Elmo, every four or five PUNCHES he would roll and laugh, or maybe move an arm or a leg. I was PISSED. Even if I still HAD my receipt for Toys r Us, I would not be able to return him because the receipt would have breached the return date, broken or not. On top of it, they don't even carry this particular model any more because of the new Elmo Live. So, I called up Fisher Price today (ironically enough my second call of the day... but more on that later!) and without having to argue a single bit, the very kind operator put in an order for a replacement Elmo to head my way. She told me I could keep the busted one and turn him into a dust mop if I wish. Praise God! (Anyone want a dust mop that's red, fluffy and cute?)

Second Offender: Fisher Price Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle

Jeremiah has had lots of fun playing with this toy at Braden's house, especially now that he is obsessed with balls. He goes nuts over them. When my grandmother mentioned that she still needed a present for Jeremiah for Christmas, I ordered this off of Amazon.com for her. Ever since it arrived last month I have been counting down until I could play with this with Jeremiah. I didn't start assembling it until last night because I wanted our Christmas tree out of the house first. Lets just say that the Toys r Us review for this being an "easy" toy to assemble is a LIE! A big fat lie. I kid you not, it took me an hour last night and another hour today (plus a phone call into Fisher Price) to figure it out. This thing is bulky. It has so many bumps, ledges, poky things, things to twist (in an odd fashion), screws to screw (that don't screw in easily), you name it. However, now it is assembled, minus one screw that refuses to go in. I don't care. For the 15 minutes that Jeremiah was able to play with it before bed tonight, he loves it. Lets just hope that he remains interested in it for a while!

We survived!!

Christmas is officially over! Part of me is always a little sad the day after Christmas because, as tired of snowmen and jingle bells as I am come Christmas Day, it means that the holidays are finished and we have nothing but dreary January to look forward to. I am NOT a huge fan of New Years for that very reason as well. I don't like New Years parties, because well, I am not really a party-going kind of girl. I hate staying up late, I hate crowds, noise, dancing, and getting drunk. And being cold. Louis tends to feel the same way as I do about New Years (minus the dancing and getting drunk part, haha). We have the perfect New Years Eve planned this year, just like last year- we are going to stay home, I'm going to make a fabulous dinner (most likely my baked ziti), and we are going to watch movies on our projector until the countdown comes on TV. And no, we will not be going to the Rose Parade. I went every single year as a kid. To a ten year old, waking up at 5 in the morning and sitting out in the freezing cold, sipping hot chocolate and eating donuts is an adventure. To this almost 26-year old mommy- HELL NO. I don't think I have fully recovered from the one insane New Years my sophomore year of college when Louis, my brother and his ex girlfriend and I all camped out on the parade route New Years Eve. That did me in. Most miserable New Years eve of my life. We weren't even awake for the parade. However, when Jeremiah gets older, we will be taking him. It's something every kid needs to experience.

Anyway, needless to say, Christmas was amazing. Spending time with our family is always a plus- when they are adorning us and our only child with presents- even better! Jeremiah was more than a little overwhelmed with all of the running around (we had 5- yes 5! celebrations starting on Christmas Eve straight through last night, including our own here on Christmas morning). He wasn't awake for the 11:00 p.m. exchange at my MIL's house on Wednesday, and refused to sit still for any of the other exchanges. However, he was enchanted with his "Santa" presents, which I didn't wrap. Those were the Fisher Price Baby Grand Piano (which he wouldn't leave at all during our exchange!), the play-skool swing and score musical t-ball set, Sesame Street rubber ball and Fisher Price laugh and learn vacuum. Our son made out like a bandit, receiving toys galore (toy cars and trucks seemed to be the more popular present), especially since a lot of my relatives gifted him not only his Christmas present but his birthday present as well. I don't plan on taking out all his presents at once; aside from his Santa presents, a new Fisher price musical table from my uncle, and this amazing Fisher Price crawl and cruise musical jungle from my grandma (which I ordered from Amazon for her and have been counting down the days til I could play with it with him!), one other toy will be taken out each week (or as they become developmentally appropriate).

As for me? Well I was quite spoiled this year from my husband. Quite spoiled. I have been dropping hints that I would love a Garmin GPS for my car (which, by the way, we sold earlier this week! More on that tomorrow). I was fully expecting that to be my one and only present, since it was rather pricey. Well, not only did he get me the GPS, he also got me the greatest outfit, shoes, and BOOTS! I got compliments left and right yesterday. My husband has stellar taste. And he loved his presents from me =) I could go on about presents forever, but I will say that I am counting down til next weekend (hopefully) when Louis and I have a date to Outback! My wonderful brother and future sis gifted us with a gift certificate to there and promise of babysitting services, so pending my brother's Target schedule, we will have a night of relaxation and romance coming our way.

Anyway, my camera battery is dead or else I would post pictures. I'm off to delve into the world of "Twilight!" My wonderful Sister in law, Lisa, got me the first two books from the series, because I really want to have them read before I see the movie. Goodnight!

One more day! (pictures!)

Tomorrow's Christmas Eve!!! Even though it's technically Jeremiah's second Christmas, I feel more like it is his first. Last year he was merely three weeks old and spent most of the day sleeping. Now he's bright eyed and bushy tailed, very curious about all the packages I have piled behind the television! (quick side note- he learned how to say BOY on Saturday and has been saying it constantly. Bless his heart!) I still have much left to do- finish wrapping Louis's presents; frost a batch of peppermint meltaway cookies (and make the frosting for them); and clean my house. Oh, and (pout) buy Louis's main present. The item on top of his wish list (a watch from Beach Bums) turns out to be nearly four times the amount that either of us thought it would be. He thought their higher-end watches were around $150, so I was going to get him a gift certificate for that amount so he could choose the one he wants himself. (He's just wayyy too picky). However, their regular watches, ones that look like you could have purchased them at JC Penny's for way less, START at that amount, and go on up to nearly $500. That's what I get for waiting to get his present the day before Christmas Eve! I think I"m going to end up purchasing him a Visa Gift Card for the original amount we were budgeting on so that he can choose another watch elsewhere. There's no way I want to brave the mall. I've had enough of driving around HALF AN HOUR trying to find a space- Saturday at the Cerritos mall to have lunch with Anna, and then today at the Quad (a shopping center in Whittier, not even a mall!). I'm going to run out to Ralphs tomorrow to pick it up.

So here is what our holiday is going to look like:
Christmas Eve:
*I have a Starbucks date at 11:00 with my wonderful elementary school best friend, Ashmi! I rarely see her anymore since she is attending medical school in San Francisco. I am thrilled to see her and have a (very quick) catch up
*3:30ish- off to my parent's house. Dropping off Christmas presents for the next day (so our car won't be loaded down!), having a late lunch/early supper of cold cut sandwiches and potato salad, and watching "Santa and the Three Bears." It was a TV special that I grew up watching and absolutely adore. I found it on DVD on Amazon for just 89 cents! The quality is about the same as it was when it premired back in the 80's but I still love it
*7:00- Christmas Eve service at Louis's old church, Calvary Chapel La Habra. I'm praying that Jeremiah will be okay! I'll have to bring lots of cheerios
*Immediately following the service- Christmas Eve at my mother in law's. Homemade tamales, rice and beans, plus the gift exchange. Their main Christmas celebration is Christmas Eve. we usually get home around midnight or later, but I'm PRAYING that we will get done earlier!

CHRISTMAS DAY:
*Wake up, open presents, eat breakfast
*10:30: Meet at my mom's house for our final Christmas morning with my brother. His fiancee's family primarily celebrates Christmas in the morning, so it's our last year with him for that part of the day. The end of an era.... anyway we will be opening presents, and then...
*1:00ish- off to my Grandpa Harry's house. Our first Christmas without my grandmother. Last year on Christmas Eve, my grandfather nearly died and had to be rushed off to the hospital. He wasn't around for Christmas day and it was very sad and lonely without him... but at least he was still alive! Anyway, gifts and a Honeybaked Ham lunch will take place. And meeting my Aunt Nancy's latest guide dog puppy in training!
*5:00ish: Christmas Dinner at my Grandma Sally's. This is a veeeeeeery crazy celebration because all (30ish?) of us are over there. When we walk in the door people are literally throwing presents at us to open and dinner usually comes out of the oven right we walk in. Chaos, but I love it!

It will be a miracle if I don't die from exhaustion come Friday. But I have to keep remembering that we dont' know how many more years of running around on Christmas day we will have. My grandparents are the glue that holds the extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) together. When they are gone, it's almost certain that everyone will be with their own little families on the holidays. We have to treasure it while it lasts.

Anyway, on Saturday my cousin Paul held his annual Christmas party at his Huntington Harbor house, complete with a tour of the Christmas lights while riding his boat. The harbor is literally in his back yard, and all of the people who's houses are like that decorate the back of their house with lots of lights and decorations. It's beautiful. It was Jeremiah's first time on a boat... we bundled him up cozy in his new leather jacket and the mandatory life vest. Here he is with Daddy and Grandpa David on the dock, getting ready to hop on the boat. See how happy he is? He thought it was fun! This lasted for about 10 minutes.

Here Jeremiah is sitting on Great Grandma Sally's lap, on the boat. Starting to think... hey I don't like this very much! It's cold outside, it's way past my bedtime, I haven't had a nap all day and I can barely move! Anyway, if my computer weren't taking especially long tonight to upload pictures on here, I would include a few more. We ended up going inside the inner part of the boat, where the restroom, stove, bathroom and bed are with Jeremiah so we could de-layer him. We played with him on the big bed, letting him crawl around while we listened to the new Britney Spears album (Louis's favorite) on his cell phone. He conked out around 5 minutes before the tour was over. My poor baby!

Anyway, I best be off to do what I need to finish up. Merry Christmas, everybody!

I Miss This!!!!!

(Picture borrowed from my wonderful cousin's MySpace! From left-right: Josh (Rebecca's cousin); Rebecca (MY cousin!!); Tawnee (Rebecca's cousin), and of course my adorable son.

This picture was taken last year at Rebecca's 14th birthday party. How sweet and small my 2 week old son was! The theme of her party was Christmas, so we dressed him in his holiday best. The hat was way too big for him. Look how cozy he is... I REALLY miss the newborn-ness of him. (Makes me want another.... badly!) Yet I am absolutely loving this age that Jeremiah is at now. He babbles ALL DAY LONG. And he's switching it up from his usual "lalala's" to include "mamamamamama," "babababa," and other cute sounds. He babbles in the backseat of the car. In his crib before he falls asleep. In the bath tub. EVERY WHERE. I just love the sound of his sweet voice! And I swear he's trying his hardest to say "I love you." I LOVE HIM TOO!!!

At least tomorrow I will get my baby-fill when I visit with Miss Sydney! I absolutely LOVE my cousin Paul's annual holiday party!

Cold Feet

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my wonderful husband! He keeps me warm at night and lets me warm up my cold feet on his legs. Please let him know that I don't mean to turn into a monster at night if the blankets happen to come off my feet... or even just one toe... I really have no control over this. Most likely I am still sleeping as I scream at him and steal the covers.
Amen.

It is FREEZING!!!! Even with our heater on I find myself shivering as I write this. It certainly doesn't make me motivated to wrap presents or make cookie dough to freeze for next week. I don't want to do ANYTHING but curl up in bed with my husband and place my icy toes on his warm legs. Because no matter how cold it is, my husband is always warm and toasty. Even if he's shivering he can always make me feel warm. Inside and out. I love my husband!

In other news....
A few weeks ago I installed a program on here that lets me track the location of the people that read my blog. Very cool tool in my opinion. I honestly have no clue who half of my readers are. I try to think "okay, which friend of mine lives in this city that just came up?" I guess half the fun of reading a blog is that you can anonymously be a reader and get to know somebody through their journals without ever having to meet (or talk) to them. I'm the first to admit that I like to peruse the bloglists of my blogging friends every once in a while, avid blogger that I am. I love to read. I love to read about other people's lives (especially those who are married and/or have children!). I love to get a perspective on somebody else's life/situation/etc. Thank you to those of you who faithfully read my blog, even if I have never met you before! I look forward to my bloglist getting longer and longer, so if you read my blog and have one of your own, please share! And comment. That's half the fun of having a blog is to see people respond to it. Anonymously or not, doesn't matter to me. I'm not one to beg and plead for Myspace comments. That I could care less about. Myspace isn't "real"; this is.

Just some food for thought!