The Hulk

Declan is so strong!  He is constantly moving things around the house if you take your eye off of him for a second.  He is constantly moving chairs, tables, his toy chest, the ottoman, to name a few.  I'm amazed at his strength!  He really is just like his Dad :-)  Declan is also enjoying climbing over and under things.  I have some good ideas for Christmas...maybe I should get started shopping!  Uh oh!  Just kidding...I always shop when I get out of school for break   I work way better under pressure.  Anyway, I busted him today with one of the bar stools in our house.

Christmas Decorations With A Toddler

We definitely got into the Christmas spirit this weekend.  We put up all of our decorations, got our tree and my wonderful husband even put up lights outside the house.  For any of you that know him, know that he is a bit of a Grinch.  It meant the world to me that he was in the spirit with us this weekend.  Christmas should be the happiest time of the year for Declan and we intend to make that happen for him always.

He had a blast pulling out the decorations and helping me.  He was really into it!    We put a miniature fiber optic tree in his room and he LOVES it!  He "hi tee," every time he walks into the room and kisses it.  We have a small house so there is not a lot of room to put up decorations, but I think I did a pretty good job.

It is definitely different this Christmas now that The DEW is mobile getting into everything.  Check out the pictures :-)

 Not sure if the reindeer family and snowman will make it this year...

 A wreath that my grandfather made.  Old school, but I love it!

 Our little house all decorated.

 WAR EAGLE!

 Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree has taken over part of Declan's playroom.

 Ornament...

 Declan was decorating the floor.

He kept saying "hot" and then finally stopped touching them.

Tomorrow I go back to work.  I have missed my kids in my class and I'm sure tomorrow will be challenging for them to get back in the routine of things.  It will be hard for me to leave Declan too.  I LOVED being at home with him for the entire week.  Good news though...I get to do it again in 3 weeks!

Thankful

I'm very thankful for so many things daily, but it is nice to take a day and really think about how blessed we really are.  We are not having the best of luck these days, but we definitely still have a lot to be thankful for this year. 

I'm thankful for...in no particular order
-Jason.  He is my rock, best friend, soul mate and the world's best father and husband.
-Declan.  My happy and healthy little boy is my world.  Thank God for him and his good health EVERYDAY. 
-My Mom.  One of my best friends.  The strongest woman I know.  So much admiration for her and want to be just like her when I grow up :-)
-My Dad.  The hardest worker on the planet with the biggest heart.  He truly inspires me...nothing can knock this man down.
-My sister.  For the relationship we have formed over the past couple of years.  Definitely one of my best friends.  Never passes judgement on her little sis and is there for me whenever I need her.
-Peter.  For his delicious salads and always willing to help out with The Dew.
-Gavin. His inquiring mind, artistic ability, and always there to give me a hug.
-Owen.  His smile, his dedication and determination, his huge heart, always willing to help.
-Kara.  My little princess.  Her carefree personality, the love she has for Declan, and how she is such a girly girl with a ton of spunk
-Kendra.  My best friend in the entire world.  20 years is a long time!  Always knows when I'm down and out and knows exactly what to say to get me out of my funk. 
-My amazing girlfriends.  You all know who you are.  Could not have made it through so many things without your love and support.  We may not talk to each other on a daily basis due to all of our crazy schedules, but I'm so thankful for all of you.
-My job and my students.  Waking up and being excited to see my kids at school.  My most challenging year of teaching has been this year, but I would not change it for the world.  I love what I do and love the kids in my class now, and previous students, as if they were my own.  I also love the people that I work with.  Very blessed.
-Debbie/ Maw Maw Deb.  My parapro, but also one of my best friends.  Love working with her all day and could not do what we do everyday without her love and support...and Nancy too!  We are one hell of a team.
-Chris and Lauren.  Adore my brother-in-law and his girlfriend.  Love the bond that we all have with each other.  We have become very close and that is so important to me.
-Our little bungalow in the city.  Easy to clean and decorate and the coziest place around.  Love looking outside at the skyline of the ATL.
-Dixon and Mr. Sims.  As annoying as they can be I love snuggling with them and they are so precious and have become the best of friends with Declan.
-My extended family.  We don't see each other nearly as much as we used to and I miss it, but I love you all
-Our Health.
-The Auburn Tigers and Cam Newton


Things I am NOT thankful for...
-One car
-A broken camera (why you aren't seeing any Thanksgiving pictures)
-The crappy economy and no job stability for my husband
-Alzheimer's...that is taking over my Grandmother


*See there is so much more to be thankful for than NOT to be thankful for.

Help Yourself...

Busted!

 Maybe she doesn't notice...

 Ha ha!  I'm that cute that she is going to let me have them anyway!

 Thanks, Mom!

 What a mess!

I walked in to find Declan in my boots!  So cute!

We have baby proofed most of the cabinets now...but not the pantry.  Biscuit boy tends to go in the pantry and grab from his shelf when he feels it is time for a snack.  I took these pictures after dinner and after a long day out.  He just cracks me up.

The Pink Pig!

 Dancing!

 Taking a break!

 Loved the interactive mat!

 Anxiously awaiting to ride the pink pig!

 I love his expression...really this is what we have been waiting for?

 Thank God for Cyn Cyn!!!  She is a trooper and definitely Super Grandma...and Mom :-)

 Okay...this is kind of cool...

That's it?  He kept signing more...bless his heart.  He is such a good boy!

My mom and I decided to take Declan to ride the infamous Pink Pig at Macy's on Tuesday.  This is a tradition for many families and I have heard wonderful things about it.  Our experience was quite a different one.  An hour and 20 minutes for a 3 minute ride, was painful, but Declan's face after we finally got to ride Priscilla was priceless.  Let's just say we did it, but don't think that is a tradition we will take on.  We did however have a wonderful day with Cyn Cyn and made many memories. 

Talking a lot!

This post is really for family...I say that so you can save 3 minutes of your time and not be bored.  I'm trying to get Declan to say some of his words.  He talks a lot during dinnertime, so I figured I would try and capture it on video.

List of new words...

all done

all gone

bye bye da da

shoe

sock

door

bath

up

Funny, Funny Boy!

Declan is definitely into EVERYTHING these days!  He is VERY busy and very verbal in letting you know what he wants and does not want.  We tried to go to dinner this evening and Declan let us, and the entire restaurant know, that he was ALL DONE!  His new favorite word :-)  We are probably not the world's best parents either...pretty sure he was not feeling well and we should have stayed home.  He is pulling on his ears and running a fever, so he is on Amoxicillin and of course Tylenol.  I have one more day of school and then I'm off for an entire week.  I cannot wait!  I'm so looking forward to spending time with my family and friends.

 Peek a Boo!

 Shutting himself in the fridge as I put the groceries away.

 Brushing his teeth.  One of his favorite things to do...takes after his Aunt Staci :-)

There is nothing cuter to me than a little kid in footed pajamas.  I could just eat him up!!!

Jason also purchased a truck this evening!  Yay! I have to admit, I will kind of miss carpooling as a family and being chauffeured.  Ha ha!

Auburn Vs. Georgia

 Declan decided to rearrange his room, while I was putting away laundry.

 Silly boy!

 Still loves to sit on the stairs and hanging out.

Getting braver!

 Ummm, mom leave me alone...don't you know what I'm doing?  Apparently this is a good place to poop.  Ha ha!

 Loves his blanket!

Our little Lionas (spelling?)

Jason and I were lucky enough to score tickets to this weeks Auburn/Georgia game in Auburn.  It was so fun to be back in Auburn!  It has changed so much since I graduated in 2002.  We tailgated with friends and enjoyed the game and a night out.  My parents were kind enough to keep Declan for the day and night.  I miss him like crazy when I'm away from him, but it is so nice to have some quality time with Jason.  He is definitely my best friend and I have so much fun with him!  We picked Declan up early on Sunday and lounged around the house.

15 Months, SE and Nicole :-)

Declan had his 15 month check-up yesterday.  He was a trooper through his vaccines and his flu shot.  I was very glad to have Jason there with us!  Declan remains in the 50% for weight and height, and is still at the top of the curve in head circumference.  He has pretty much stayed consistent every visit.  Dr. Elliott said he was perfectly healthy and looking great.  He also asked about his language and was quite impressed where he was developmentally and said that he is where he should be at 18 months already!  That's our boy!  He did notice that Declan had some fluid in his right ear, so he gave The Dew a prescription to Amoxicillin, but told us not to use it unless he needed it...the fluid could just be a sign of the onset of a cold, so make sure he needed it before we gave it to him.  Other than that it was an uneventful visit!  Yay!

 What an absolutely beautiful little girl...just like her Mom!

Playing with Uncle Jason!

After the doctor, Nicole and Sawyer met us at the house and Nicole and I took the kids out for dinner.  It was great to catch up with one of my BFFs.  She has had a REALLY rough year and I am amazed at how strong she still remains and what a wonderful single mother she is.  I could not even imagine doing it on my own.  She is way better off without the D Bag ex-husband, but I know it has not been easy for her!!!  SE and The Dew had so much fun playing together.  Thank God Sawyer has her mother's laid back and wonderful personality!  She is so fun to be around and Declan adored her.  I took a couple of cute pictures!!

Cold and Cold Weather

 Snack time!  He looks like such a big boy in this picture!

 I LOVE this picture! 

 Raspberries!!!

 Lays there until he is calm...after tantrum

 During tantrum.  Looks pathetic doesn't he? This is what happens when I don't let him run the front loader washer all day long with nothing in it.  I'm such a mean Mommy!

Declan has not been feeling that wonderful this week.  It seems to be a little bit of a cold. He is not eating as much and has been a little cranky and definitely clingy.  The stomach bug is going around my classroom again and I'm praying I don't bring it home.  He built up such an immunity from staying with my sister and being around other kids, that I swear he is not getting as sick as quickly.  He was sick for close to 3 months this time last year.  He is sleeping through the night still.  I went back and looked at the blog and Declan has been sleeping through the night (12 hours) for 10 months!  We have been blessed with such an "easy" little boy...I can only imagine what the teen years will be like...ha ha!

He is still very loving and kissing and hugging everything.  It is adorable.  He has also started laughing when we tell him "no," and will throw a fit if we move him away from what he was doing after we tell him "no."  He falls to the floor very dramatically and kicks his feet for all of 15 seconds.  We try not to laugh because he still looks so cute even when he is having a tantrum.  So far the ignoring is working.  Hope these don't last long, but I'm sure this is not the end of them :-)  He is still very chatty and repeating and imitating everything that he can.  He has also added "help" and "yes" to his sign language vocabulary.  It amazes me how much he takes in...the other day he was walking around the house saying "oh shi"...ummmm, I think we need to start watching what we are saying.

We had a nice weekend as a family.  We pretty much stayed home and out of the cold weather.  We played around the house and built the first fire of the season.  Declan thought that was so much fun.  There is NOTHING better than a weekend with my boys.  I'm so in love with them and love to watch them together.  Jason continues to amaze me at how wonderful he is with Declan.  He is such an incredible father.  Declan is back to being obsessed with his Dad (how can I blame him).  Declan is definitely Jason's mini me.  Ha ha!  We also went to Minnie and Al's to celebrate the October birthdays.  It was great to see the family.

Ready for yet another work week!  Declan has his 15 month checkup on Thursday, so I will update after that.  Not looking forward to the shots :-(  It did not bother me so much when he was a little baby, but I have a feeling this visit might be a little rough for Mama!