Christmas at Home

Today marks Russell's first Christmas! We spent the day at home - our new family tradition is that Christmas day is a day to be home; after all, Santa has to come to our house! We have really enjoyed it.

Yesterday, Russell's PawPaw and Kacki came over to go to the Christmas Eve service with us, have a nice dinner, and open presents.

Kacki and Russell enjoying some quality time:

Our family after the Christmas Eve service (and baby already in his PJs):

Coming downstairs on Christmas morning:

Russell's present from Santa...and Jason trying to put it together:

Russell and alllllll of his loot:

Merry Christmas, y'all! :) We can't wait to celebrate with my family starting tomorrow!

6 months old!

Happy 1/2 birthday, Russell!










6 months have flown by! Here's what Russell is up to now:

~Sitting up - he has progressed from tripod, wobbly sitting to sitting pretty sturdily on his own. Yes, he still falls down sometimes, but usually because he is concentrating on something else (like reaching for a toy.)
~Loves grabbing Mommy's hair...ugh
~Is finally on a nap schedule - hallelujah! 3 naps a day usually, or sometimes just 2.
~Loves all food except green beans
~Smiles, laughs, and talks all the time! It cracks us up to see the things he thinks are funny - and how something can be hilarious one day and not at all the next.
~Has outgrown most of his 3-6 month clothes and is growing into his 6-9 month clothes.
~Has never been sick (knock on wood!) He must have a great immune system, because in the past couple months, I've been sick twice, and Jason once, and Russell didn't get anything!

Russell's 6 month appointment is on 1/4 (after we get back from our trip). Can't wait to see how he's grown :)

Russell's Real Father

Jason doesn't think that Russell looks a thing like him. Well, maybe Jason's not the father...

Could this be Russell's real dad?

Can't you see the family resemblance? ;)

Thanks, Great Aunt Nancy!

Remember the jumperoo from this post? We are so thankful to my Aunt Nancy for letting us borrow it until Tyler comes to NC next. Russell is especially grateful - see how much he loves it? I don't know what we'd do without our friends and family lending us some of their great baby gear. Some of the things Russell loves the best have been free to us!

Another great big smile:

Sittin' Pretty

...or sittin' handsome, I guess ;)

Well, to be more accurate, it's not pretty or handsome yet - it's wobbly, shaky, and lean-forward-y...but he is working on it!

Pics to prove it:

Watching Daddy film him with our new camcorder (thanks, PawPaw and Kacki!):

In front of the tree:

He is really getting stronger every day! It's amazing to watch.

All Bundled Up

Prunes

Don't worry, I won't go into details about why I want to make prune baby food (you can thank me later, as will Russell, when he's old enough to be embarrassed by this.) But I was seriously considering doing it...until the following questions were brought up in conversation with Leigh Anne today:

~Why make prune baby food? Why not use plums? What's the difference? (this is a serious question - anyone? bueller?)

I've looked up how to make prune baby food, and to do so, it seems one must rehydrate the prunes using boiling water. So, I have to buy prunes, which are dried plums, and turn them into un-dry plums again? Crazy much?


(actual baby food label - why "dried prunes?" Isn't that redundant?)

Leigh Anne then brought up this point: I could mix prune juice with other fruits Russell already eats, instead of going through the trouble of making the food! Brilliant!

Which begs the question:
~Prune juice? What is that, even? Prunes are dry! Is it really plum juice? Why don't they call it plum juice?

I'm sure you're glad to know that we're pondering the mysteries of the universe here ;) But truly, feel free to enlighten me!