O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Ever since I was a sparkle in my parents eye I have received 1 special ornament each year to commemorate that year and things I had accomplished. And of course I have several from each year including gifts from friends, school projects and random ones picked up along the way. My mom started a list documenting each one and the year I received them which I continue to add to each year. When I moved out on my own my mom gave me a huge box with all my ornaments for my tree so I can continue on the tradition in my home. It was wonderful to start out my own Christmas tree with this precious tradition that I hold dear to my heart.

When I met Gus he didn't have one ornament so I have spent the past 5 years collecting them for him and giving them to him in his Christmas stocking each year to celebrate him, his accomplishments and interests that year. I think he is more excited to find ornaments than I am sometimes and he picks them out in the most random places all year long.  Now that we are married we buy combo ornaments and most years we collect several, this year we have a few, one remembering our trip to San Francisco, and pretty soon we will have one arriving to celebrate our 1st year as parents (it's on order).

It is my extreme pleasure to start this tradition for Taylor and to commemorate each year of his life with special ornaments. This year he had 2, both which were given to him by my mom before he was born. His first is a small white rattle with "Baby's 1st Christmas" and his second is a Dr Seuss stack of books that came with a stack of books for him at my baby shower! Gus and I made sure they were among the 1st to go on the tree!

The Babysitter

INTRODUCING OUR NEW BABYSITTER!

Taylor loves loves loves his Christmas tree and will sit and stare at it for 30 minutes cooing and talking to it! He loves the lights and pretty colors and draws his eyes to it every time he is in the living room. As you can see his other babysitters are the twins, they love him and always need to know where he is. If I am not right near him Chaela sits next to him, she is his protector. Jordan sits over my shoulder on top of the couch and he stares at her when he is eating, it's so cute! He is all smiles for his girls, what good big sisters they are!

Santa Baby

  Mom took me to see Santa today in my new Christmas jammies.  I don't have a list of things I want him to bring me yet so i just cooed at him and then I took a big nap.  What did you ask Santa to bring you???

Merry Christmas!!!

 

The Playmat

If you have an infant you must get one of these playmats! It's Taylor's favorite thing to do and he will lay in it for almost 30 minutes talking to the toys and the animals on the walls. The only problem is that Jordan and KK love it too! They fight over who gets to lay in it and I usually have to kick one, or both of them out to lay Taylor in it. Yesterday I just put Tay next to Jordan and he was all smiles for the camera! I love his little smile, it brightens my day!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was so much fun! We all gathered at my parents house for 4 days and had some great food, laughter, and fun! My Brother and Sister both drove out with their families from AZ and got to meet Taylor and spoiled him like crazy.

We took some family pics, nothing fancy just some fun to remember the occasion!

After pics we all rode the carousel, and Gus and I had the best seat in the house, a rocking bench!

I am so thankful for all the memories we made, the blessings Gus and I have received this year and all our wonderful friends, we love you all!

Kalea Pauline November Shafer

Little miss Kalea Arrived Monday the 22nd, 3 days before she was due, she shot out of April so fast that she didn't even have to push one time, LUCKY!!! She came out with brown hair, which is a shocker to us all! We are betting that it will fall out and come in blond one day tho :) I couldn't take Taylor to the hospital so Gus was there to represent the Lombardo Fam but 2 days later Tay and I made a field trip to meet her! She is adorable and has the daintiest little voice, even when she cries. Van loves her so much and introduces her to everyone and Brody is not too sure, but he will figure it out soon.

The day after Kalea was born her Great Grandmother Pauline passed away in the same hospital. Pauline was my great aunt (aunt Mary K's mother) but she was always a Grandmother to me. She will be dearly missed, but she is home now with her wonderful husband Keith who we lost 6 years ago. Mike and April gave Kalea her name in honor of the wonderful woman and role model she was to all of us.

I Love My Bed!

After a long 3 weeks of trying to get Taylor turned around I think he finally has gotten the hang of it! He had his days/nights switched up and we worked very hard to get him on a normal schedule that will keep him sleeping at night. Gus and I spent several evenings walking and rocking our awake boy in the wee hours of the morning and he would only sleep if he was on me in our bed, but we have pulled thru! He has slept the last 2 nights all night only waking for feedings (on time as well) in his bed. We started napping him in there at 2 weeks to get him used to the environment but at night he was still sleeping on me. I miss my little snuggle bug at night and sometimes get a little sad that he's not all cuddled up on me anymore, but then again I am really happy to have my bed back, and be able to sleep any way I want and get some good rest in to be ready to start the day with my little man!

Mike's 40th Birthday Bash

Saturday Cousin Mike turned the big 4-0!!! We took Taylor up to celebrate with all his cousins and new friends.

We had a really fun time and would have stayed longer but my poor hubby wasn't feeling too well and we found out that he had a tiny umbilical hernia. So we came home and went straight to the Dr. Sunday and they took care of him. It's not emergent, surgery is an option to repair the hole in the future if it becomes a problem. Gus is feeling much better and we are hoping this doesn't become a regular occurrence otherwise he will have to go under the knife!

Grandma and Grandpa to the Rescue!

I am SOOOOO thankful for my parents who drove all the way from SD Saturday to rescue me and let me get a nap and some things done around the house. Well I think they actually came to see Tay, but hey I LOVED having them here last Saturday! Thank you M&D, you are life savers, LOVE YOU!

I'm 2 weeks old!

Since I have my Dad's fancy camera I was playing a bit last week to see if I can get some professional "looking" shots of Tay. These turned out pretty cute and I am gonna experiment more this week, I'm also gonna make a JC Penny appointment just in case LOL.