We've created a Cereal Monster

It was Dave's turn to feed Jaxson tonight so I mixed up some milk and cereal, warmed it up and off they went. Dave found a bib and a hat that matched. Because it was set Dave thought it was mandatory to use both even though the hat was WAY too small. At least it made for a good laugh. Then they were off eating, giggling, eating, giggling. All I could do was sit back, laugh and video tape. You will notice we may have created a cereal eating monster. Enjoy the video

I think he wants more!!!!

From Dog's Eye View

So they go and get pregnant a little over a year ago and life as I knew it was all over. They wouldn't let me in the spare room, what they decided to call the nursery, they wouldn't let me jump on the bed with them in the morning to lick them awake, they even started putting blankets on the floor and I wasn't allowed to step on them. Yes, on the floor, which I thought was MY area. And the worst part, they put toys on the floor on this said blanket and I am not allowed to touch those either. That can get tricky as they do look an awful like my own toys. On top of all the rules I get woken up early from crying and I get fed late if the kid sleeps in, awful just awful.

Now we are six months in, I have started to get used to the changes. I have learned to jump over the blanket that lays on the floor and I can smell his toys a mile away and I steer clear. But last night things just got a little more exciting. They gave the little squirt food. The best kind, people paw-lickin' food. And he was messy, yes very messy and I was standing by watching every spoon full get half in his mouth, and half on the table. I was always on top of it when it dribbled from his chin right on to the table, even though I am not supposed to do that. They were so caught up with ooohs and aaahs with him spitting some sloppy food around they didn't even notice. So life as I have come to terms with has just gotten a tad bit better. With this little rascal throwing food around it might be easier to deal with the screaming at night, the late breakfasts, and a few tugs on the tail once in awhile.

Bring it on kid, I can handle anything you can throw at me. We can become allies, you don't want to eat those veggies, I will do all the dirty work for you.

Sincerely,
Bandana (the yellow one)

Get while the lickin's good

Drop some little grasshopper, drop some

Family Shot

Future career?

Dave and I think our gravy train rolled into town as soon as Jaxson sat down behind Dave's new set of drums from the rock band game. Jaxson just grabbed the drum sticks and went crazy with a huge smile on his face. I had to help him this first time because when we let him loose by himself it seemed a little dangerous with the sticks flying left and right, but almost always hitting the drums. But he did seem to have some natural talent on his own and he certainly enjoyed it when I was helping him! Enjoy the videos

Is that Baby Jesus?

The Harrison kids, Avery 7, Addison 2, and Fischer 4 (Correct me if I'm wrong on the ages) took a trip to church on Christmas Eve and learned about Christmas. So when Dave and I arrived with Jaxson they were convinced that Jaxson was Baby Jesus that they had learned about the night before. Then it finally dawned on me to catch it on video because it was so darn cute. Unfortnately, once I got the video rolling he had been told one too many times that is was baby Jaxson, not baby Jesus but the video is still cute.

This is Fischer convinced Jaxson is baby Jesus. I guess Jaxson does have extra soft skin.

Say Hello to Christmas Jaxson..

Christmas morning, the one day that you don't have to set an alarm clock, and don't have to wake kids with a broomstick because they wake up with a smile. For kids it is about all the new fun stuff they can play with and enjoy, and for adults we get to watch their faces light up and get to spend time with family. Jaxson only being six months wasn't quite as excited as some of the other kids but was certainly as cute trying to rip open presents. We started the day at home with just one gift. Jaxson opened up his rice cereal, although food is one of his favorite things he was more excited with the sparkly paper. We started with practicality and got to the fun stuff later in the day!






We then got ready and were off to Beth and Lukes for the Williams get together. They just finished their brand new house and Christmas marked the two week anniversary of moving in. So it was a great way to break it in having our bunch over for food and a good game of White Elephant. We had tons of food, ham and turkey, and all the extras of course. I think my deviled eggs were better this time around because there were none left over as there was at Thanksgiving. White Elephant was fun as usual. The hot items this year were some gift cards of course, a shark vaccuum, and lottery tickets are always a hit. We ended the night with a gift card to walmart that was hidden inside a handy book of need to know US facts and a hand painted bird feeder. I will also mention, the family best known for conspiring to get the best gifts, the Fitch's were pointing fingers left and right at little old Dave and I. I guess we need to get as good as them and be able to do it telepathically. Do you guys give lessons in the off season??

Good work Addison and Avery (and Fischer.. just dont tell Ben) They put Addison's new hairstyling station to good use on the hairstylist in the family Anna.

The Fitch family, aka White Elephant Dream Team

The annual grandkid picture, which now includes granddogs and great-grandkids

Then we were off to Christmas with Elaine and the Barry/Ellis's. We had half the people but just as many gifts as everyone brought a little something for everyone else. We enjoyed the best ham EVER with grilled pinapples.. mmmmm mmmm good. And to follow that up I had a homemade Oreo Truffle of Elaines, also known as heaven on earth dipped in chocolate. Wow, those are good! We then went around the room and had everyone open gifts with Jaxson going first and pictures and video of nearly every gift. Grandma Elaine had the perfect wrapping because he couldn't keep his eyes off the shiny ribbons and wrapping (or out of his mouth). It was a great time that didn't end until nearly midnight. Unfortuntely for Jaxson we weren't able to find time in between dinners and gifts and socializing to make him his rice cereal. Something to look forward to seeing on the blog shortly!

You guessed it, those are all his!

Wait, this isn't part of the present??

Wow, great track list. Good choice, I love it!

Christmas Eve with Aunt Sue and Bob

Wow, I can't believe Christmas is over. I remember thinking when Jaxson was born about his first Christmas and I also remember thinking how far away it was. How wrong I was. We first enjoyed Christmas Eve at Dave's Aunt Sue's house. We had the most untraditional Christmas Eve dinner, but definately a good one, of potstickers and fried rice. Those potstickers are tricky little things, they seem so small and innocent and you find yourself eating your 9th one and so full you can't see straight! Needless to say, I ate alot!

Gifts.. Gifts.. and more Gifts

A little something to wear on January 1st

Uncle Bob and Jaxson

Gidget and a Cigar?? (Just a dog bone)

Making their debut

I realized that I have never posted our pups on the blog. I actually got them to sit and stay, and then actually look at me, at the same time so I thought it would be blog worthy!

Bandana is the yellow dog on the left, an Niley is on the right.

Christmas comes early

On Saturday we visited Larry's to celebrate Christmas with everyone. Dan, Anne, Kenny, Michelle Wall, Larry, and Michelle's sisters were all there. Jaxson fell asleep and was passed out on the floor for a while, but of course woke up right when it was time to eat.
We had tons to eat, then even more for desert. We enjoyed hanging out, everyone taking turns with the baby of course. Before we could open presents the boys decided to blow a fuse trying to put in a dimmer switch. Must be a guy thing! All four of the boys all joined in the fun. You would think it was a remodel going on, but we then had the perfect lighting to open gifts with. Thanks for the good food and fun afternoon!

A little hairier than Jaxson is used to but didn't stop him from slobbering all over Grandpa Larry's arm.

Look what I can do!

Jaxson has been trying to sit up but has always weebled and wobbled and eventually fell over in about 10 seconds. We have practiced and practiced and he finally sat up on his own and stayed there, for a minute, then another minute. Then was still sitting up after I ran to grab my camera to get his first time sitting up without any help! He seems like a pro now but it is so exciting to see him do something for the first time, and then to catch it on camera is even better.

A Timeless Toy

As you walk down any aisle at a store full of baby toys they all light up, yell and sing at you. Some take time for even mom and dad to figure out. While visiting Grandma Elaine's Jaxson was able to play with a toy that will never get old, doesn't matter what decade it is.

Remembering a Birthday

We all celebrated Paul Knapp's Birthday in our hearts on Friday. He got one year younger, and probably enjoyed a round of golf in the clouds above us. I am sure that he was able to eat a whole plate of chicken fried chicken for lunch, then some amazing spaghetti and meatballs for dinner all with as much real salt as his heart desired with Taz and Silvey by his side as he relaxed into the evening. Our hearts were a little heavier knowing that we couldn't enjoy his favorite things with him on this day.

Happy Birthday Paul, we miss you.

Oh Christmas Tree. oh Christmas Tree

Better late the never was our motto this year. Last Sunday, Dec 14th we decided to finally go get a Christmas tree. Expecting it to be a 20 minute trip to a tree farm set up in a parking lot, pick one out, tie to the car, and off we go. Not that easy we found out. Every year in the past we have went at the beginning of December or end of November and we always had plenty of options. Not this year! Every place we went to had absolutely no options, and after the 4th place I wanted to give up. We went to Menards and they had so few options left they were all in a pile outside for 5 dollars. I figured as long as we have enough decorations and lights it will be ok. After 10 minutes of rumbling through the pile they had outside the door just to find one that was half way decent we decided to go back to where we were originally. We pulled up to Home Depot and just went in and asked for the display tree. Luckily, we had just talked to Carol and she had mentioned Ben getting her the display tree from Home Depot in West Des Moines. So finally, two hours later, and back at the original store we went to, we had a tree strapped to the top of the car! It was the perfect size and perfect height and it fit perfect in the corner.


Then it was off to decorate it! Once it was up and decorated it was all worth it because to see Jaxson amazed at all the colors and to watch his eye light up makes me smile everytime.