All because two people fell in love...: Christmas Time is here!!!

Yes, I just sang that as I typed it , haha... Paxton has a Charlie Brown book that Matthew bought for him that he loves! Its full of Christmas song buttons that you push and they play and that is one of the songs. I actually hate the song and everytime it comes on I always say "I hate this song" but, I sing it anyway, haha.

So, I hope I am not the only one who feels like Christmas came out of nowhere this year. Maybe its because life seems so fast paced lately that it just snuck up on me but, wow. These past few days I have finally been able to stop and take a breath because I have been home sick with the flu AND strep throat. Who gets both at the same time, really?? I got a flu shot this year but I guess God had a different plan and used this as a sign that I needed to slow down and relax a bit. The hardest part has actually not been how crummy I feel but not being able to interact with my boys. The last thing I want is for my Pax man to get strep or the flu so I have had to be hands off and that has been so hard. You take care of your baby because you have too and unfortuately for some, that is all. But, I take care of him too because I love it. I love walking into his room when he wakes up in the morning greeted with a gummy smile, and playing with him on his changing pad while I quickly change his daiper, or just toteing(is this a word??) him around with me as I get things done around the house. Sitting back and watching Matthew do it all is one, a blessing that I am married to a man who is a wonderful daddy, but also very hard because I WANT TO DO IT! I can't imagine being paralized and not being able to hold your child, or even being handicapped in any way that would inhibit interacting with your child. It is killing me not being able to cover him with kisses, but I know soon Ill no longer be contagious and all will be back to normal. It just makes me appreciate my role as his mommy so much more and how blessed I am to be able to care fom him myself.

Paxton is growing and changing so much lately. I look so forward to picking him up everyday and playing with him. When I pick him up from Ms. Jenny's house in the afternoons I look so forward to her daily reports of how he did. We are really blessed to have her as Paxton's caregiver. She writes down when and how much he ate, when and how long he slept, his daiper changes and most importantly, to me, what he did that day! She writes details of what they read, what they sang, what he played on, what possibly made him upset or frustrated, any developmental milestones, etc. I am keeping everysheet because at the end of the year I am going to compile them into a little memory book. Silly to some, I know, but what better way to capture the first year of your childs life than a daily documentation of it. It is just so nice to have that small piece of paper contain such a large amount of information. If I am not with him all day to see it and experience it, I am at least grateful that I can read about it and remember it.

Paxton is rolling over now (yay!), he talks and talks and talks and talks .... its so funny because we will be in a store or even church and he will start talking so loud... its so precious but at this stage I can't get him to stop so I just have to politely apologize and keep on truckin! I love it though, because I know he is learning that he has a voice and that is the first step to making words and talking! He "stands up" with help and loves to be pulled from a sitting or laying down position to a standing one. Its a whole new world to him now! He loves to sit in his bumbo and bouncer and is learning how to get our attention with short outburts or squeals, little stinker. EVERYTHING is in his mouth. I have to be super careful what is around him and where its been because it will end up in his mouth. He has favorite toys now and loves to play. Everyday gets more and more fun as he is learning how to play peek a boo and patty cake. He is laughing now.... oh my gosh... melt my heart. He laughs so easily but his favorite things to laugh at are high pitched sounds hence matthew and I looking and sounding like idiots 90% of the time in hopes of getting a giggle, his rocket man toy we play with in the bathtub, getting undressed (who knows??), peek a boo, and momma dancing silly :). He is doing some funny things with his mouth lately that he has never done before either... sucking on his bottom lip, blowing razz's, kissy faces. They are so funny! His sleeping habits are amazing... he goes to bed around 8:30 and sleeps through the night until about 6:30 in the morning. I pick out his clothes and start to feed him then give him a kiss and pass him to his daddy as I walk out the door for work. Matthew drops him off at Mrs. Jennys house and I pick him up at 3:15 (most days). In terms of food, well... we have attempted rice cereal, oatmeal and oatmeal bananna and so far HE HATES IT.... he literally gags when I give him a little taste. Oh well! (the picture below is deceiving because he is smiling with oatmeal all over his mouth... I get him to smile so he wont cry :)) His little personality is shining through so strong... he is such a sweet boy and I am not just saying that. He loves to snuggle and cuddle, gently caresses my hand when he nurses or drinks his bottle and is so tolerant and patient (this used to not be the case but now he is:)). He is full of piss and vinegar (says Shannon Griffith). He is crazy when he is happy and playing... kicking and swinging his arms, wont sit still, flirts like a mad man, and constantly has to be busy. He LOVES to smile... of the hours a day he is awake he is smiling 90% of the time. I just love it because I know he is so happy. He is so curious and is always turning his neck, arching his back, scooting with his feet or turning on his side to see things or touch them. Boy are we in trouble when he starts crawling and walking!

We are just so in love with this kid and Matthew is already talking and asking me about when we can have another one. : ) Once my half marathon is over in March and Paxton is at least a year old we will start talking... for now, I literally spend my days just trying to soak him in and teach him everything I can. He is such a little blessing and the greatest gift we could have asked for this year!

BTW - he will be 5 months old in 4 days - ahhh!!!

Enjoy some pictures and videos!

Here is a video of Pax man talking!

Here is a video of him and his mouth discovery! :)

Here is a video of his sweet laugh and you can hear my high pitched "tell me"! :)

I love my doorway jumper thingy....