Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

It has been nice to have some time off over the holidays to enjoy family and time with Colin.  Colin is growing, growing, growing and learning, learning, learning about everything.  We have enjoyed every stage along the way and life with an almost 16 month old is no different. 

A few special Christmas "moments" to share:

I put a little Christmas tree in Colin's room this year, thinking he might enjoy the lights.  Before Colin saw it for the first time, I plugged in the lights while C walked into the room holding Colin.  Colin looked at the tree, opened his mouth wide, gasped and said "Ahhhhhhhh".  His eyes and mouth were smiling.  He was wowed and it was such a fun moment.  He has continued to enjoy the lights.  When I put him in his crib at night, he goes to the corner nearest the tree and waits for me to turn the lights on.

I was a little nervous about putting up our Christmas tree this year.  I think the catalogs showing pictures of child gates around Christmas trees scared me.  I decided to cover the "reachable" parts of our Christmas tree with jingle bells and candy canes while putting other ornaments a bit higher.  This worked out well.  Colin enjoyed being able to play with the ornaments within reach.  When I hung up the ornaments, Colin picked up some of the bells and wanted to help decorate like mom.  His approach was different than mine but worked well.  He would toss the bells on the branches of the tree.  Some would catch on the branches.  The best part was after his work was done, he would stand back and giggle, admiring his work. 

Colin loved tearing the paper to open his gifts.  He also enjoyed realizing something fun might be inside.  He would giggle and anxiously wait for us to help open the surprise.  Especially exciting gifts got a reaction of Colin's hands waving in the air while he moved up and down squealing and giggling.  Family and friends were so kind to Colin and he has been very busy playing with his new toys.  Below are a few pictures of Colin enjoying his new slide.  Climbing up the slide, sliding down on his belly feet first and throwing objects down the slide seem to be especially fun. 

Of the many wonderful Christmas gifts, one was a membership to the children's museum!  We visited last week and Colin had a wonderful time.  He loved people watching (and waved at everyone who passed by), seeing Christmas decorations (the giant snowflakes suspended from the ceiling were especially eye catching), watching trains, and splashing in the water.  Below is a picture of Colin sitting on a sphinx.  He is waving at a little boy sitting on a sphinx directly across from him (photo taken by C).

A walk in the snow the day after Christmas with Colin and my mom, his grandma.  Colin was all bundled up and walked and walked and walked.  He wasn't sure what to think of the snow but he sure had fun quickly walking along the sidewalk.  My mom started throwing snowballs at the trees and Colin became interested in finding a snowball.  He was having trouble holding a snowball with his mittens so he finally got the mittens off and held the snowball in his hands with great satisfaction.  When you're a 15 month old trying to learn about a snowball, there is no better way to get to know what you're holding but to taste it!  Colin held the snowball up to his mouth for a long time, smiling at his treasure.  Finally, we were worried he might get too cold so the mittens went back on and we continued our walk. 

Colin is imitating us a lot right now and learning new words every day.  One day when we were in the kitchen, I began singing "Jingle Bells".  I sang the dashing in the snow part complete with the laughing all the way ha ha ha part.  Shortly after, Colin said "ha ha ha".  It was so cute.  I sang it again to be sure I wasn't imagining things and yes, he was indeed repeating that part of the song.  It really got my heart and helped me get in the Christmas spirit.  : ) 

Wishing you many blessings and a wonderful 2011!