I remember lots of Christmas traditions from when we were kids. Rhea and I weren't allowed to open anything until Mom had her cup of hot water and Dad got "decent" (aka- combed his hair!) Rhea was usually the first to rise in anticipation and would come jump on my bed, then we'd head into Mom and Dad's room and shake them until they got up. We always started out with our stockings which had funny things in them we always "needed"- some Pantene, a lotto ticket or two, tic-tacs, Rhea's jumbo candy cane, etc. Usually Rhea got to open a gift first, since she was the youngest. We always had one BIG gift to open--one year it was waterbeds, another was nice Nikon cameras, in college we each got a DVD player and television. Christmas was full of traditions and surprises!

As a young family, Trey and I really wanted to kind of meld our own traditions. The two of us started out eating fondue on our first Christmas together. Last year we ate Monkey Bread on Christmas morning.



Aunt Rhea bought us a fun family traditional thing that I had once heard of but had never seen anywhere. We promised her that this year we would start the tradition and would do the Elf on the Shelf for Reece because it seemed like so much fun!
Reece and I read the book tonight and decided to name our elf "Oodle". Oodle will jump onto various shelves or hiding places each night and will report to Santa any trouble that Reece has been in from now until Christmas. The book is so cute and explains all about the elf and why he is in our house. Each night I'll put him in a new spot and Reece and I will look for him in the morning. Of course as he gets older this will become a fun game. There is one stipulation, though: Oodle must never be touched. If he is touched he cannot fly up to the North Pole and report back to Santa.


Thanks, Aunt Rhea, for giving us the gift of tradition...we will certainly have fun with this one!

Thanksgiving was so much fun this year! Last year in a blur I hosted Thanksgiving dinner with a 2 1/2 week old, my family and Trey's family. It was not one of my most brilliant ideas, but it was a good time (I think it was anyway!)

This weekend Reece and I went to Meaghan and Chris' wedding on Siesta Beach. To some of our "northern" friends and family, this seems unfair. I suppose I won't tell them I was wearing a sundress, either, on the 22nd of November. Because I was entertaining a one-year-old-sand-eater a majority of the time, I wasn't able to get all the pics I wanted.

Reece and I didn't stay for the reception because it was naptime and there was a LOT of sand in the cuffs of his pants, in his pockets, around his mouth and on his hands. There is now a LOT of sand in my Jeep. Siesta Key sand. White, powdery-sugary sand everywhere.

Wonder if sand tastes good with a little cheese...

You know about Reece, Trey, and Joanna. Meet the furriest members of the Lanum clan....Riley and Calvin! You can find out more about other pets on Kelly's blog.

This is Riley...

Riley is our "first born", she will be 10 in January. Riley is 100% sweetheart, and 100% spoiled. She is an apricot pug, which you don't see too often! I got Riley when I was with my ex, she was pretty naughty but always loved to sleep above your head on your pillow. This was a battle I was never willing to fight and one that we still havn't fought to this day! Riley can always be found sleeping on the top corner of the couch or begging for food at your feet. Her breath smells terrible, she snores when she sleeps, and her claws are sharp, but she is the squishiest, most lovable pug you'd ever meet.

Riley hates it when we dress her up. One year at the Pug Parade we put a shirt on her that said "Does this shirt make me look fat?" and paraded her down the runway. She won "Most Physically Fit Pug" after she jumped up on the judge's table. What a sight. We've got the trophy to prove it....

Riley has been a dream with Reece, she constantly watches over him and lets him head-butt her. Today while he was sucking his lollipop he put it right in her furry armpit. She didn't mind one bit. It's so cute. When he was first born she would sit on the bed and watch over his bassinett.

This is Calvin. Calvin is a Boston Terrier with the coolest dispostion ever. I bet if he could talk he'd sound like Eeyore. Everyone loves Calvin.

When I first bought Calvin, I bought him as a playmate for Riley. The two of them absolutely love each other and got into enough trouble together during the day that I had to crate both of them in a large crate for most of their lives (especially when we lived in a condo!) Calvin once ate a nice-smelling candle and is occasionally known to get into the trash. He's 100% terrier- trying to figure everything out, being inquisitive, and sometimes being naughty. He can jump higher than any dog I've ever seen and has a tongue that is faster than lightning! If you're not careful you'll get a doggie kiss or twelve.

Now that we have our own house they've pretty much got the run of the house--though they probably sleep all day---and for the first time we have a YARD! The days of walking them endlessly on leashes is over, and we love it!

Ri and Cal were our first two babies, but they've graciously made room for Reece. It is really nice that only one of our babies is in diapers....but they all still drool!

This week Reece is sick and tired.

Dear Reece,

A whole year has gone by since we met you, baby boy. I can't understand how time has flown by. This week I looked at pictures of you when you were hours old. Why was your face so squished? Who did you look like? Where was your hair? Could we take you home....now? I couldn't wait to start my life with you in it. It's been a year, and I just can't believe it!

In the past month you have shown us many new things. Your new favorite games are "take the DVD's out of the cupboard, spread them all around" and "take every book off the shelf and throw them". This is a very fun game for you, but not so much for Mommy and Daddy. When we try to put things back away you swat our arm and pull everything back out. I love your persistance.

You started eating new foods and are becoming a really good eater. You will eat veggie burgers, veggie nuggets, fish sticks, mac and cheese, sausage, and chicken for dinner. Last night we found out that you were a huge fan of scalloped potatoes. MMMMM! Pancakes and muffins are new faves for breakfast and fruit cups and blueberries have been added to your fruit repertoire. Good thing, because we were about to go broke buying fresh strawberries. During the off-season they are about $3.98 per quart. OUCH! Anything for you though, baby boy!

This month you headed up to Atlanta to visit Aunt Rhea with Mommy and Daddy. There you learned how to climb up stairs on your own, and that it's okay to talk about boobs...as long as you're in the company of the 3-Day walkers. You made Mommy a sign that said "I love my mommy's boobies" and cheered for her in the walk. Mommy loves that you did this.

Your hair has started to grow a tad bit and you still have only 2 teeth. Actually today we noticed that you have some teeth that may be making an appearance soon. You'll look like such a toddler then. Hold off on those teeth and that hair, would ya? Your hair looks like it's going to be blonde. We're not sure where you got your gorgeous blue eyes and bright blonde hair, but we love it. On second thought, Daddy was a blonde until he was in middle school, so I think you're following in his footsteps.

You're not walking on your own yet, but you seem interested. You actually havn't been able to stand without assistance...though we know you can. Right now you're content pushing your Tonka walker all over the house....though we're eagerly anticipating those first steps, we're in no rush. Take your time, because before long we know you'll be running! Today was your first birthday party and you didn't feel well. Your theme was "Anchors Aweigh, I'm ONE Today", and you had a t-shirt to match! The wind was blowing like crazy, but the company was great! We have tons of gifts that we opened, and we'll pull them out of the closet as the year goes by. You also received $150 which will be used for your Florida PrePaid College Program. What a great head-start! Grandpa Davis began his "dollar a year" birthday gift, so you got a crispy new dollar bill. It was so much fun! While you hated your smash cake, we were able to salvage it and save it for another day when you might enjoy it. I'm sorry about the sticky frosting, Bug.
I love your toothless, cheesy smile. I love that we have to force you to go to sleep because you don't want to miss anything. I love that you snuggle with your blanket when you're tired. I love that you race to me when I pick you up from school. I love that you "help" me with the dishes in the dishwasher--you're so domestic! I love when you point at me with sticky fingers and put them in my mouth. I love that you could probably survive on Yogurt Melts. I love your opened-mouth kisses and how you lean your forehead into me when you want a kiss. I love how you head-butt the dogs. I love finding all the "treasures" you squish into the pad on your high-chair. I love when you're sick you sleep with your hiney in the air. I love how you say "HA" to get our attention. I love how you now call everything a "ball".

I love you, Reece Alec Lanum...

...more than you know!

Love,

Mommy

It's November. Time to show gratitude for everyday things. Time to show thanks for family, friends, food and fun.

A year ago, I was 3 weeks away from having a baby boy.

A year ago, I was washing the last of baby clothes, installing the carseat into Trey's car, and cleaning the house in nesting mode.

A year ago we could hop in the car and go somewhere, carry only our wallets to dinner, and "run" to the store.

A year ago we could fall asleep when we wanted, have ice-cream for dinner, and take the boat out on the weekends in 90 degree heat.

A year ago we were a family of 2.

I took this picture exactly a year ago today, November 2nd.

A year ago, I was feeling HUUUUUUUUGE and going to doctor's visits each week. A year ago they told me I was not dilated, not effaced, and not ready to have a baby anytime soon. A year ago I honestly thought this little stinker would be late.

As cliche as it is, I cannot believe how our lives have changed in a year!

Time does fly when you're having fun...and being a Mommy...and being a working Mommy...and watching your little one learn and grow...and taking care of a house and dogs and dinners...

Our lives have changed from a year ago...but I wouldn't want it any other way!