How Big is Gideon?

Well officially at his nine month check up he's now 19 lbs. 10 oz. and stands 30 inches tall. Which means that he has graduated to a big boy car seat. The doctor was amazed at how ahead of the curve he is developmentally. He confirmed that the munchkin will be walking any day now. (Especially when I told him that he's already taken a step on his own a few times.) And because of all this, he not only gets to have a big boy car seat, but he gets to face forward now. (That's been really fun for him.)

But even big boys get tired.

He also discovered the live Christmas trees really don't taste very good. Go figure.

Goodies from Grandma Peggy

Okay, my grandma totally rocks! This isn't even half of the toys and goodies and fun stuff she sent!

Yes, the stocking is handmade! She's 83 but she can still see to do bead work like this! WOW!

We love you grandma!

Gideon's Favorite Christmas Acitivity

REDECORATING THE TREE!

(Just ask Aunt Hillary who we visited on Saturday night.)

And you thought I was weird...

...Because I like my presents under my tree to coordinate and so I do a "theme" each year with my wrapping. But that's nothing compared to my mother-in-law. See the pictures for further explanation.

(Okay in all fairness I should tell you that while she's used this white tree with one color decorations for four or five years now, this is actually the first time she's ever wrapped all of her packages to match the tree.)

Guess the Munchkin's Favorite Food

Yep, that's right! It's pickles! He can't get enough of them!

The Munchkin Seal of Approval

You know he likes something when it finds it's way into his mouth.

Yep, I think this one will do.

Our mantle is now complete.

In other munchkin related news, he's been really sick the last two days with diarhea and throwing up. He's had a couple of really bad nights and two days where he won't eat anything but can't stop pooping or throwing up somehow. It's not been easy on mom either. Thank goodness for grandmas.

The Second Best Sporting Event

Yes that's right, high school wrestling season kicked off last night with Madison's opening matches agains North and South Fremont High Schools. (Madison won both.) Cody is still convalescing from his broken hand and butt, but the family still turned out in full force to support the team and Cody, who is this year's captain.

The good news is, he's been cleared to work out with the team and coach and the doctors expect him to be wrestling by the end of the month. Until then, we'll still go to the matches to cheer on the rest of the boys.

Gideon did pretty well at his first wrestling function considering I scared him by yelling so much I think. And I may have squeezed him just a little too tight once when I was yelling for Shuyler to pin his guy. Oops. After that, Grandma had to take him and move to another section for a few minutes. But it was giving him a sucker that really calmed him down. (You know how he loves suckers!)

This cracks me up! Mom and daddy are so intense and Cody wan't even on the mats!

Oh well, it's fun! We're looking forward to a great season!

No explanation necessary

Santa's Little Helper

We are quickly learning that decorating for the holidays is a whole different ballgame when you have an active eight month old running around.

And we haven't even put out half of our decorations this year because they're breakable.

Gideon's stocking has been ordered, we expect it to be here any day now.

For those curious about my wrapping theme this year....here's a little peek.

And yes I managed to find a place out of reach for at least a few of my villages this year. Although next year I have no idea if I'll be able to display any of this.

Happy Birthday Grandma Peggy!

My only living grandparent celebrates her 83rd birthday today. Happy Birthday Grandma Peggy! Two things my family swears I inherited from her: My organizational skills and my gift wrapping ability. Thank you grandma Peggy!

PS - Yes it's a little freaky just how much my sister Cami resembles grandma Peggy.