Life in the Fast Lane!

Wow! Mommy and Daddy have been SO busy lately, so I said that while I was home with Mommy today since she and Daddy had the day off of school, I would write a note to all of you to let you know how big and strong I'm getting and what we have been up to lately!

After Mommy last wrote to you back in November, we celebrated Thanksgiving. We were able to see both grandmas and grandpas, but that meant it was a busy few days with traveling. It was so fun to see all my aunts and uncles though! I didn't get to eat all the yummy turkey this year, but I told them to just wait because I will be sitting at the table with you next year!

When we got home from up north after Thanksgiving, Mommy and Daddy decided it was time for me to spend my first night in my own room and crib, rather than sleeping in their room. I was so excited! I loved being wrapped up tight to sleep, but I am almost the same size as Pooh! Don't worry, Pooh was just there for the picture! I don't sleep with friends next to me!

I look like a toga man! This is how I was when I woke up and Mom came in to say good morning! We needed to find a bigger blanket so I couldn't get out of it!

Mommy was supposed to go back to work on December 1st, and that meant I was going to be able to stay and play with grandma during the day. However, mommy and her doctor decided that she wasn't strong enough to go back to work full time that day and that she better stay home another week. Mommy didn't want to have to have more surgery because she went back to teach the other kids at school too soon. I didn't mind though! That meant I got to spend another week at home with her! We played a lot that week, since I was really starting to get my smiles and giggles going! The next Monday though, December 8, until December 19th, Mommy went back to work for the mornings. This way, she was able to meet her kids, start to learn their routines, and then was able to come home and play and rest with me in the afternoons until it was time for us to go to dance practice. Now that it was December, Mommy was spending six days a week with those dancing girls because they had their competitions all day on Saturdays too. No wonder mommy was tired!

Like I said though, when Mommy went back to work, I got to stay with grandma, which I think is the BEST place in the whole world if I can't be at home with mom and dad. We get to play with Tigger and Tommy the turtle, and I even have a really fun tunnel to play in. We read books and sing lots of songs too and of course, I love the snuggles!

Uncle Mike came home for a week on Dec. 15, so I was able to spend extra time with him too. Then, Aunt Jeanna joined everyone for our family Christmas weekend on Friday, Dec. 19th. However, Mommy had dance both Friday night and Saturday, so it made for a short, fast weekend with everyone. We had a good time though and tried to be in the Christmas spirit early!

Finally, it was Christmas break and Mommy and Daddy were home with me for two whole weeks! We spent some time at home, had Christmas Eve with Mommy's side of the family (Uncle Steve and Aunt Katie were there too!), went to Mass Christmas morning with grandma and grandpa and then had brunch with them and then headed home to be there to see Grandma Joan and Grandpa Bob, as well as Uncle Tim and Uncle Matt. Then we got to go up north for a few days too! I LOVED going up north and playing with Grandma Joan and Papa Bob! They sang songs with me, snuggled with me and played with me too! Uncle Tim and Aunt Crystal were there too, so I had play time with everyone! There were times when I didn't even want to sleep because I was so excited to have all my favorite people around me! However, the fun had to stop at some point and we had to come home early from up north because of some snowstorms that were predicted. What Grandma Joan didn't know is that we REALLY had to get home and not get caught up north because Mommy, Daddy, and I had gotten the house all ready because a bunch of us planned a surprise party for her 60th birthday! She came over to our house on Jan. 3 and thought she was just coming to play with me and have dinner, but we surprised her and had a house-full of people to party with!!

I love giving kisses to my new girlfriend, Minnie!

Mommy and Daddy had to go back to work then on Monday, much to their dismay. They like those kids at school I guess, but they can't compare to playing with me! Mommy went back to work full-time though, so that meant I got to stay at grandma and grandpa's all day. After work, they would rush to pick me up because Mommy had to get back to Waconia to see those dancing girls and help them work on things to get better before their competitions. Then, when Mommy would get home, we'd have dinner, a little play time, and then it was time for me to go to bed and Mommy and Daddy to finish up all those house things they have to do. I don't want to be a grown-up for a long time! I like that I can play all day and sleep when I want to! :-) Mommy and Daddy are both looking forward to having dance done since they have to go to school for their Masters too. Only one year left though and then they are done with that too!

Well, it's about time for me to go to sleep! I'm pretty tired from playing with Mommy all morning, but it's been a blast! Enjoy these pictures of me! I getting so big and old now! I love to giggle, sit up with help, squeal, and watch myself in the mirror or look at pictures of people I know. I can have a whole conversation with the refrigerator! I am even so big now that I was able to try rice cereal for the first time a few days ago. I didn't like the taste of it at all! I took a few bites though, so hopefully I'll take a few more every day! I'll talk to you soon!

~ John