All I Want For Christmas, Part II

(James got a Tigger rocking horse for Christmas--he likes to pet it but doesn't quite get that he's supposed to sit on it and rock.)

James' new teeth missed Christmas by just a few days. The little pipsqueeker is 13 months old today and finally got himself some teeth! Well, almost. As of Tuesday, there are two little top canines poking through his gums. Usually the bottom teeth are the first to arrive, but not for James. The little pipsqueek will look like a vampire for awhile, but probably not for long since his front two teeth are also getting ready to make an appearance. So he'll be getting four teeth almost all at once. Awesome. No bottom teeth in sight though. That's okay. He's making some progress and that is good enough for me.

Also of note, for the first time in his life this kid is finally fitting into clothes that match his age. He's always been at least three months ahead in clothes size. When he was three months old he wore six month clothing, when he was six months he was wearing nine months, etc. He's finally been wearing 12 months for awhile and his growing seems to have slowed down a little, thank goodness. I've been kind of sad lately that my little boy is growing up so quickly (not sad enough to want another kid right away though), but he's sure at a fun age and we are loving it. Yesterday he said "popsicle" for the first time (we've been giving him some to help with the sore gums) and it may have been the cutest thing I've ever heard him say.

Christmas was good to us this year. My parents and awesome sister flew into town and there is nothing like having family around for the holidays. I loved it. James loved it. Brian had to work most of the time but I know he loved it, too. His grandparents wore him out, so on a trip to see the UT football stadium, James could no longer keep his eyes open.

He loved storytime with his Grandma.

He loved stealing his Grandpa's baseball hat.

Of course we had to get a picture with everyone in their Giants World Series gear (his Grandpa kindly bought James a t-shirt to commemorate the occasion).
Lastly, Andrea made our annual Candrian year in review video, so here it is. Enjoy!

All I Want for Christmas . . .

I've long ago stopped thinking "Any day now he'll get a tooth." It's amazing to me how our little boy could walk by 10 months, but still not have a single tooth (and still not a ton of hair) by one year. I kind of feel bad for him. I know he'll enjoy those pickles he so loves a whole lot more when he can actually crunch them with teeth instead of his gums. Poor kid.

Here he is on his first b-day, loving the balloons his dad bought him:

Cake time! Obviously he loved it.
Loved it so much that he thought he needed to smash it around on his head so that his hair could also have a taste.

James is a talker. He talks and talks and talks and makes me laugh all day long. Sometimes it sounds like he's Italian, other times Australian, and other times he sticks his tongue out in between each sound and the gibberish that results (something like "chuckaluckaluck") is just so darling that I wish I could freeze time and keep him this way forever. He can repeat almost anything we say, loves dogs, definitely knows who his dad is (whenever Brian is at work James walks around the house calling "Dad? Dad!?"), loves to wrestle with him, loves to be chased, and absolutely loves to play catch. Last week he took a ball to Brian and said a very articulate "Catch" and has been doing it multiple times a day ever since and is always so proud of himself that we understand what he wants. He loves to walk up to you, make sure he has your attention, smile really big say "Hey" and then start laughing hysterically, run away, turn around and repeat 3-4 times. He also walks around most of the day repeating "Good, good" over and over. The one thing he is not so "good" at, however, is obeying. He can be a little rascal. He thinks "No" and "Stop" are hilarious, even when I shout them with anger or alarm. When I swat his hand away from the Christmas tree or an outlet, he thinks it's a game. If I pick him up and remove him from the problem area, he runs back over laughing. Kids get over that, right?

Sometimes he is the friendliest kid I've ever seen, wanting strangers to pick him up, waving at everyone in sight, and other times he is so shy he won't even look up at a stranger and will bury his head into my shoulder and cling onto me until they leave. It'll be interesting to see what way he actually ends up--super social or shy? If he's anything like his parents, he is doomed, since both Brian and I tend to be more on the anti-social side.

At his 12 month appointment last week, we found out our little pipsqueak, who has been in the 75-90th percentile of most things his entire life, has now fallen to the 40th percentile in weight and only the 60th in height. It looks like he finally shed some baby fat with all that walking he's been doing the last few months. Despite the lack of weight gain, he still eats a TON and makes a mess each and every time. I probably sweep and mop our kitchen floor at least 3-4 times a day. But how could I be mad at this face?

The last couple weeks he has outright refused to nap. Not a single nap, not the morning or afternoon one and that has resulted in some majorly long days. At our ward Christmas party last week we had to leave early because we could tell he had reached his limit. The second we put him in the carseat he was out:

So, the adventures with a one-year-old continue and hopefully next time I post something, James will finally have some teeth.

365 Days

(His face still looks just like this when he cries. I think it's adorable.)

Exactly one year ago today, my belly the size of Texas and my ankles resembling bowling balls, I went to the hospital to be induced. We all know that didn't go so well. Over 24 hours later, James finally arrived via c-section, screaming and hollering. 365 days later, on the eve of his first birthday, he is screaming and hollering in his bed refusing to go to sleep for the night. Happy birthday to you, James! I can't add anything to what has already been said about being a first-time mother, so I won't re-hash it here. I'll just say that screaming or not, I sure do love my little boy and can't imagine the world without a James Brian in it.

Those were the Days

I am ashamed to admit that since living in Knoxville, I find myself watching a lot more TV than I used to (obviously I need to get a life and actually make some friends!). I've never been much of a TV person, probably because I always associated TV with being lazy and I never wanted to fall in that category. However, back in the day I must have watched an awful lot of TV because the other day I was reminiscing about all the TV shows I used to watch and how awesome it would be if they made a comeback. They sure don't make television shows like they used to. Remember any of these?

Ghostwriter: He's a ghost. He writes to us. Ghostwriter! Brian made a good point that this same story concept in today's era probably wouldn't work. Ghostwriter would probably be some child predator hacking into kid's Internet and tricking them into thinking something cool was going on.

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?: I swear almost every thing I know about geography, I learned from watching this show or playing the computer game version.

Reading Rainbow: It's a crying shame that this show isn't on the air anymore. Kids these days could use something to motivate them to read more.

Square One's Mathnet: "The story you are about to see is a myth. The names are made up but the problems are real." I secretly loved this show even though I hate math. It actually made you think. Are there any shows out there that still do that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C_1okhAu5o&feature=related

If there is a smart TV producer out there who wants to figure out ways to connect with the early 80s generation, they would figure out a way to do remakes of some of these. If these kind of shows were still on the air, I wouldn't be so afraid to let James watch TV!

How is it November already?

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The crisp air and colorful leaves make me so so happy. One reason I am so grateful to be living in Tennessee is that the autumn is awesome here. I was so sad when we left Virginia behind because I was afraid I was going to miss out on the amazing autumn scenery there, but fall here is just as amazing. Tennessee looks incredible right now. Looking out on our back deck at the view of the river (picture coming soon--I'm too tired to upload anymore right now) is stunning and one day when I feel motivated enough to retake up oil painting, I vow to paint just how it looks right now.

My favorite place in all of Knoxville is Concord Park and right now with all the fall colors, it is spectacular. Last year when we were in Knoxville for Brian's very first residency interview (if only we would have known that was the only one he had to go on, we would have saved so much money and stress), my in-laws introduced us to this awesome park near their house. In fact, here I am almost exactly one year ago . . . crazy that I was ever pregnant. And gross. That is not something I am anxious to re-experience anytime soon.
Anyway, I am not the biggest park fanatic, but put it next to the water and now we're talking. Brian and I both fell in love with this park last year and we now go almost every week at least once. It's beautiful, has great pathways for strollers and a cute playground that James is now all about--and the view, check that out. There are always tons of boats out and Brian spends a lot of time daydreaming about the future . . .

Seriously, how beautiful is this?

In other ventures, we made a last minute trip to Utah last week and James had a blast spending time with his grandparents and playing in their backyard. Unfortunately, the little pipsqueek got really sick while we were there so we didn't get to do/see as much as we wanted to in the short time we were there. But here he is enjoying the leaves before got sick:

Growing up, my mom used to take us to Wheeler Farm all the time. I hadn't been back there in at least 15-20 years (I feel so old saying that). I have so many memories there. When my dad suggested we take James there, I had forgotten the place even existed and all those memories came flooding back. Really random ones. Like the year I was 10 (maybe?), every time we had company from out of town my mom would take them to Wheeler Farm. We must have had a lot of company that year because I remember going there an awful lot. I remember thinking the place was huge and there was so much to do we could stay for hours and hours. It's funny how perspective changes as you get older. Fast forward 20 years and the place was so much smaller than I remembered and after walking around for about ten minutes, we'd had our fill and were ready to go. James will probably like it better next year when he's older (and not sick). Although, it was entertaining watching him smell farm smells for the first time. He kept wrinkling his nose and looking around all confused. Gotta love manure.

I sure love my boy. I can't believe in two weeks I'm going to have a one-year-old on my hands. I don't recall ever giving him permission to grow up so fast. Who does he think he is?

Birthday Wishes!

(Taken yesterday in Atlanta, Turner Field, Home of the Braves)

(Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta)

Happy Birthday to my darling husband! May the last year in your 20s be your best year yet!

Flying Advice?

I'm not sure how many people actually read this blog, but I need some advice about flying with an 11 month old. Don't be shy--please comment! I know I've asked this before, but that was back when James was six months old. The kid has changed drastically in the last five months. So, anyone out there have some good ideas? (Besides drugging him; the last time we gave him Benadryl, it had the opposite effect intended. And besides a portable DVD player. We haven't graduated to luxuries like that yet.). He's a typical 11 month old: he won't sit still, he wants to walk everywhere, and the last time he fell asleep in my arms was probably on the flight five months ago, in which he fought big time when I tried to rock him to sleep. Needless to say, I'm getting quite nervous about flying with our little wiggle worm.

Specifics are helpful, too. If you think books are the best thing, what books did your kids like at this age? What toys keep them entertained for longer than five minutes? What are some specific tricks that worked to get through a long flight? Etc., etc., etc.

Thank you!

Like Father Like Son

James loves to play with Brian's tennis rackets and he chases tennis balls all around our house. Even if I put the rackets away, he still manages to find them. Last weekend after Andrea and Nicki showed up (an awesome surprise), we took him to the tennis courts (I wish I had pictures of it). I thought he'd get bored and scream after five minutes, but he loved every second of it.

Yes, the kid still loves the binkies that they give the newborns at the hospitals (we're already in the weaning process, don't worry). Although the rackets are still bigger than he is, he drags them all over the place.

James is also fascinated with teeth. Probably because he STILL doesn't have any. He pokes his fingers in our mouths and likes to feel around whenever he gets the chance.

If he shares any of my interests, they are not readily apparent. We'll work on that.

For my mom and sisters

Since my mom and sisters are constantly spoiling James with awesome outfits, I figured I better post some pictures of him in some of them so that they can see how cute he looks.

Also, in other updates, the little pipsqueek is officially 10 months old and started walking last month. He takes a lot of tumbles every day but has slowly but steadily increased his confidence and pace. I am proud of him but it also makes me kinda sad that he is already to this stage. Sigh.

Practicing his new walking skills in his new fall church shirt (still a little big):
His polo sweat suit Aunt Amy bought him when he was born--it's finally cool enough here for him to wear it, and just in time--he's already almost too tall for the pants.

His Nike sweat suit from Andrea--I swear, he looks 2-years-old in this outfit.

And, finally, he just got these winter jammies in the mail today from his grandma--just in time for cooler weather.

Stop Obama

Nearly every stop sign around our neighborhood has been slightly altered (It wasnt me! I swear they were this way when we moved in!). Normally, I would consider something like this vandalism. In this case, though, I'll just call it freedom of speech.

Home

I've been trying for awhile now to sum up my feelings on my new "home," this new place I live. I've never sat down and actually written something out, which would probably make the most sense. Instead, I just think about it. A lot. The truth is, I'm still figuring it out.

Some days I actually quite like Tennessee. Other days, I don't dislike it, per se, I just like it less. Knoxville isn't a large city. In fact, it's quite small. Some days it feels too small. The other day I was listening to Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" and the phrase "My little town blues are melting away" hit me and I let out a big sigh when I realized that maybe I had the "little town blues" and that part of the "like it less" days are a direct result of missing the bigger city life (which I know I haven't lived in awhile, but has never quite left my system). Sure, there is something charming about lesser populated areas, but I found myself missing the hustle and bustle of city life: taxi cabs honking at each other, the sounds of the horns reverberating from buildings; watching people get off the subway and make their way to work in their suits and fancy shoes, etc. That's not Knoxville. Not at all. (Although I have noticed that there is a large group of women here who dress up super fancy just to go to the grocery store. I think those are the same women who just came from a day of tennis at the local country club, which there seem to be plenty of. Now that's Knoxville. There are definitely the stereotypical country folk here, but there is also major money and I can't figure out where it comes from and how people have so much of it, but that's another story. . . )

But in the end, it's more than just big city life that I've been thinking about in trying to decipher my feelings. I'm not good at being "the new person" no matter what city I'm in. The feeling of being new and out of place doesn't sit well with me. I get stir crazy living in a new place. So every day I try and make an effort to get out of the house. Probably more for my sake than JB's. So in between morning and afternoon naps, my little boy and I go somewhere. Anywhere just to get out. And after an hour or two, when it's nap time again, I always say, "Okay, James, it's time to go home." And without fail, every time I say those words I feel a twinge of sadness and uncertainty. Home. Let's go home. Are we home? Is that what this is? Home? And that's been the hardest part for me. I think I feel the furthest from home I've ever been. A million miles away. So it only makes it harder when your sister and dearest friend come for a visit. A visit that is so refreshing and just what you needed (to be with people who truly know and get you, that connection usually missing by being in a new place). And, of course, as all good visits go, it goes by way too quickly. And so even though it feels like they just got here, the time comes to drop them off at the airport and say goodbye. And as you drive away and say the words "Okay, James, let's go home," you realize, looking through the rearview mirror, that "home" is standing on the curb waving goodbye to you. And then on the rest of the drive back to your house you cry because you are a baby and that's what babies do.

August

What we've been up to (okay, what James has been up to) . . .

James finally traded in his pack 'n play for a real bed, or at least a real crib. Yes, that's right, our little boy has been sleeping in a portable crib his entire life (don't judge). He probably would have been fine sleeping in it for another few months but we always said as soon as we got to Knoxville we'd get him a real crib, and, well, here we are in Knoxville. The little rascal learned to pull himself up last month and let's just say that naps have become a little trickier since then. I usually have to go lay him down several times before he'll go to sleep. He thinks it's a game. Yeah, real fun, James!

Here's his new bed. I think he likes it, don't you?

Sometimes little Jamers wakes up from naps sad. When he does, it breaks our hearts. . .

This is James' chair. He's made good use of it since he was about one month old. We don't put him in it any more, and haven't for months, for obvious reasons. The boy can't sit still and wouldn't even sit in it if we tried to make him. But back in the day, it was the only way I could get things done. Let's compare then and now, shall we?:

Eight months ago:
Yesterday:James, why are you getting so big so fast? Trust me, growing up is not all it's cracked up to be! Speaking of growing, everyone told me once he started crawling that the baby fat would just melt off. Melt off like butter, they said. Nothing but lies! It's been almost 6 weeks now since he started crawling and some way, some how, this little boy has figured out a way to become even chubbier since then. Can someone please explain that to me? I can't complain too much because I wouldn't trade in those cheeks for anything, but I can't help but wonder if he's destined for chipmunk cheeks and double chins forever.

Chubby cheeks or not, he absolutely loves to look at himself in the mirror. I think he finally gets that he's looking at himself and it cracks me up watching him laugh at himself. I sure do love this little boy!

Coming soon: Pictures and thoughts on Knoxville.

A few of his favorite things . . .

The little man has a thing with shoes lately--especially sandals and Nikes--so this morning I finally pulled out the Nikes my parents gave him months ago and let him try them on. They still don't fit but they sure looked cute. I swear, he's looking less like a baby and more and more like a little boy every passing day (he's finally getting hair, but still no teeth). He has started pulling himself up onto things (anything!) and trying to stand. This results in a lot of falls, which don't deter him at all, but consequently result in half a dozen or so mini heart attacks for me.And, of course, I had to throw in a shot of his classic lower lip bite . . .

His favorite foods seem to be sweet potatoes and a pear/rice cereal combo. I love giving him new foods to try but since he'll eat absolutely everything we give him, I can't wait until he can tell me what he actually likes. The little rascal is so hard to feed these days. Every time I point the spoon in his direction he grabs ahold of it as quickly and tightly as he can and then I have to fight him to get it back. By the end of the meal, we are both usually covered in baby food slime. Fun times. I have finally concluded that kids are just messy and there isn't a lot you can do about it at this age.



But messy or not, if this boy is happy, so am I!

Pipsqueek

My handsome little pipsqueek is 8 months old today. He finally started crawling earlier this week and always wants to be on the move. The kid is so curious and is trying so hard to be independent. He feeds himself, wants to hold the books and turn the pages when we read, and last night even played ball with his dad (obviously he can't throw too far yet, but still, he made a good effort). Every day it seems he has a new word/sound up his sleeve and he giggles like crazy these days. I love being this little boy's mom!

Home Sweet Home

Before I get back to Knoxville and spend every waking second of the next few weeks unpacking (because there is a LOT to unpack), I thought I'd post a picture of our new house. I can't even begin to describe how excited I am to live in a real house with an actual garage, plenty of storage space, and a yard of our very own (which also means someone will have to mow the lawn . . . guess who that will probably end up being?).

If anyone has any lifelong dreams of visiting Dollywood or Davy Crockett country, now is your chance. We've got lots of room for visitors!

What We've Been up to and Any Advice?

James and I have spent the last month "at home" in Utah. While James and I miss Brian terribly, spending this much time with my family has been a little piece of heaven. The last time I was at home for longer than a week or two was when I was in high school. Both James and I have been spoiled rotten while we've been here. James has family members lining up to play with him, hold him, feed him, rock him to sleep, etc. I'm pretty sure when we get back to Knoxville next week and it's back to just hanging out with me all day long, he's going to be bored out of his mind and wonder where all of the fun people went. Sorry, James!

One thing I've realized by being at home with an infant is that anyone with kids who lives near family has got it made. Seriously, having so much help at your fingertips almost seems like cheating! Somehow, Brian and I make it work on our own, but I know I'm going to have some major adjusting to do after we leave here.

One more thing on my mind this evening is that next week I have to fly completely on my own on a four hour plane ride back East. Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep a seven-month-old entertained on a plane for that long? Ideally, somehow I will manage to get him to sleep for at least half of that. But realistically, that is more than likely not going to happen. I would be so grateful for any advice anyone out there has.

Lastly, I leave you with these pictures from the past couple weeks:

James is learning how to wave "bye-bye." I swear I did nothing to teach him this. He just started doing it on his own. Smart boy.

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This boy is precious. That is my only comment for this photo:
Amy got married last week. Weird. Here is the beautiful bride with her two adorable nephews. Apparently Rob and Lorena undress Michael every time they feed him, which explains why he is naked here. Smart on their end, but with as much as James likes to eat, that would be too much work for me!

All the Candrian kids together again. This photo was taken the night before Amy's wedding and the night that Rob and Lorena arrived from Sweden. I don't think Rob was pretending to sleep.

We thought it would be fun to give James and Michael a bath together. Apparently neither James nor Michael agreed with us. Michael is very territorial about his bath space and didn't like James invading it.

How I got such a chill kid, I will never know. My dad set up a swing in our backyard for the two boys and they both love it. James could probably hang out in it all day just as content as can be.
This kid still has no teeth but is constantly chewing on his lower lip so I keep thinking any day now a tooth will poke through. But I have been thinking that for about 2-3 months now and still nothing . . .