Santa Picture

I finally braved the mall today to pick up Nathanh's Santa photo.  Not bad, but next year I think I will make a point of going in early December!

Nathanh's First Christmas!

What a wonderful Christmas this was, celebrating with our very own little guy!  Really, for Erwin and I, Nathanh was the only gift that we needed...but it didn't stop us and everyone else from spoiling HIM!

Nathanh loved the little bell on his stocking!

The 6-12 month soothers were a hit...and he knew exactly what to do with them!

Santa brought lots of books!

Getting a helping hand from daddy!

Paper...and I am allowed to rip it!

SOME of the loot!

Pulling out the paper was good fun too!  Nathanh loved his little truck, thanks Auntie Sharon and Dev!

While I stayed home to roast a turkey and do general clean up, Nathanh and Erwin had the chance to go visit Erwin's Aunt and Uncle.

Christmas...Part 2...More Gifts!

and more gifts!

This one was even bigger than him!

Nathanh and Robyn rockin' the Chistmas Cracker Crowns!

The Cousins!



Nathanh's new little snowsuit!  Now Mama can take him for walks in the stroller without worrying that he will get cold!  And, we are prepared for snow pictures if we get any more snow!!  Thanks, Auntie Jennifer, Taylor, Connor, and Robyn!  Not to mention that it gives you an idea of what Nathanh would look like with HAIR!

Thank you to everyone for all of the gifts and for being there to help us celebrate a VERY special Christmas!

Eating

I mentioned before that we have started Nathanh with rice cereal...peas are next on the list but here are a few shots of Nathanh enjoying his second meal!

Christmas Eve

On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, while Nathanh was napping, Erwin and I were setting up for our big Christmas dinner the next day.  We had to move Scooter (bunny) from her usual spot in the dining room to the den so that the extra tables and chairs would fit.  When Nathanh came downstairs after his nap he sensed that something was missing and kept looking at the spot where Scooter's cage usually is located.  So I took him to see Scooter in the other room.

Nathanh is still mezmorized by Scooter!

Here is what surprised me...as we were sitting and looking at Scooter, Nathanh tried pulling himself up to a stand using the cage!  He didn't succeed and just after this picture landed back on his little tushie.  but it was the first time he tried on his own.  Typically he will stand using my or Erwin's hands for support.

He got his bum off the ground!

On Christmas Eve it is our family's tradition to go out for Chinese food and this year was no different, except we had to fit a stroller in!

Heading out for Chinese dinner with those cute little antlers!

Hangin' with his cousin who insisted that it was not right to make Nathanh look goofy in reindeer antlers!

Big Day!

Today was a VERY exciting day for Nathanh!  Today was the day that Nathanh got to try eating rice cereal for the very first time!  We have been trying to give him positive experiences with his highchair, bib and spoon over the past week and today was the day that we added in cereal!

I have to say that I think it went quite well.  Like all babies, the first spoonful basically came out but he was eager to try this new texture again and by about the third attempt he was swallowing and opening up his mouth for more - always a good sign!  Unfortunately I do not have any photos as Erwin was video recording the whole thing and I am not talented enough to take still images from his recorded footage.  I made one Tbsp of rice cereal mixed with his formula and Nathanh ate about 3/4 of it.  So all in all I think it went well...we'll see how he sleeps tonight and how much he eats tomorrow!

The next big event in our day was going to visit Santa.  We had not been yet and I was anxious to fit it in before the season passed us by.  We went to a small shopping centre as I thought the wait would be less.  As it turned out we arrived just as Santa was going for his dinner break.  Since Nathanh was asleep in his stroller, I decided to just wander around the shops and have a coffee while we waited for Santa to return with a full belly.  I lined up 15 minutes before he was due back and was still about 10th in line.  In the end I had to wake Nathanh just before our turn.  He does not usually sleep that long at that time of day...perhaps it had something to do with his rice cereal filled tummy!  The Santa photos will not be ready until Dec. 26th so I will post then.

In between our 'big' moments we had a bit of time to...what else...play!  At my shower way back in October, I received a special gift for Nathanh that my brother-in-law picked out, he was sure that Nathanh would love it.  And right he was...here are a few shots with one of his favourite toys!

Nathanh loves to pull the string and have Froggy come closer to him!

Nathanh was not sure how he felt about sharing his soother with Froggy!

This was taken right before bed and it is not posed at all.  Nathanh was lying on his back, I had just changed him into his jammies, then he rolled over and landed with his arm around Froggy.  Luckily my camera was right beside me because I thought this shot was priceless!

Thanks for my Froggy Uncle Peter, I love him!

Just Pics

Nathanh sporting his cool vest!

Nathanh and Mommy

Growing Boy!

I had to do another size comparison photo.  I just can't believe how much Nathanh has grown since we were in Hanoi.  His clothes are starting to become less roomy, shall we say. 

Photo taken November 13, 2010

Photo taken December 21, 2010

I sure hope Santa brings a few more sleepers!!

Christmas Reindeer!

Okay, I had to share these pictures...they are rediculously cute!  I started off by buying a Baby's First Christmas santa hat.  But I think it was made for a premature baby or a baby still in the womb because it was nowhere close to fitting.  So I settled on the reindeer antlers.  Enjoy!

The other fun thing to do is to show Nathanh himself in the mirror with the antlers on, even he chuckles at himself!  And when I put them on he also laughs away!!  I told Erwin I thought we should invest in a family set!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We had lots of fun decorating the Christmas tree this year...Erwin even stuck around to help!  But I think I had more fun taking pictures of Nathanh discovering Christmas.  Sorry that I have uploaded so many pictures but I just couldn't choose which were the cutest...but consider yourselves lucky because there are probably 30 more saved on my computer!

Why is there a tree in my living room?

Are those sleigh bells I hear?

Lights!  My favourite!

Nathanh hanging his Baby's First Christmas ornament (from Nana, of course!)

Thanks Nana!

Family Christmas Gathering

Here are some pictures of our family gathering at my parent's home.  This is the first of a few gatherings to come!

Hangin' with Jason

Admiring the tree with Robyn

Nathanh loves this little mouse.  When you push its foot it sings "We Wish You a Merry Christmas,"  dances, and her little cheeks light up!  What could be better!!

Family Christmas Picture

The "squish"  (a little game we like to play!)

I really do need to get better at taking pictures.  Nathanh spent time with everyone and was showered with love and attention!

Meeting the More Family

My sister and her family finally made it over from the Vancouver Island to meet Nathanh...and attend our annual family get together..but I am sure meeting Nathanh was the highlight!

Meeting Auntie Kim

Cousin Shaylene

and checking out Cousin Jason

Not sure why I do not have one of Nathanh and Uncle Peter??  Perhaps one will magically appear in my inbox!
They came bearing gifts and Nathanh got to open an early Christmas present, specially picked out by Uncle Peter!

Nathanh thinking that this Buzz guy is pretty cool, especially when all the lights flash!

Here I am sure Nathanh is thinking - did you guys not read the package label?  I am not allowed to do this until I am 1.

He loves his toy though and I think he will be walking behind it by the time his first birthday rolls around!  Thank you Phillips family.