TJ's First Christmas

Who knew Christmas could be so special... and so much fun! TJ definitely gave our family the best Christmas ever. TJ was spoiled rotten by all of his grandparents... Aunts and Uncles... Mommy and Daddy... and of course, Santa!

Christmas Eve, we had our traditional fish dinner. Only this time, it was in a non-traditional way. Instead of Grandma Reno making the dinner, we all went to Red Lobster for our fish and shrimp. He ate so much we thought he was going to pop! TJ loves the cheddar biscuits there. He wouldn't stop eating them. Then, he chowed down some broccoli and mashed potatoes before the waitress brought him out a little cup of ice cream. He dug into it with his hands and was a sticky mess, but a happy boy at the end of dinner!

After dinner, Mommy, Daddy and TJ went to Mass. TJ was a little hyped up from his little sugar rush and was a wiggle worm. We ended up sitting in the cry room so he could move around a bit. It was past his bedtime during the service, but there was no fussing for him... he was perfectly content. TJ passed out on the way home and it was straight to bed for him.

Christmas morning came at 6 a.m. when TJ woke up. Grandma had warned us he may be overwhelmed and disinterested in his toys. TJ was anything but. We came down the stairs, and it was like he knew everything under the tree was meant for him. He played with his Rody horse and Race Track set before watching Mommy open his other presents. He played with each toy as it was opened, and by the end... he was ready for a nap!

Grandma Martin got him a cool Guess bomber jacket, and Grandpa & Grandma Reno got him a Radio Flyer Wagon. So, after his nap, we put on his jacket and took him for a ride in the neighborhood. It was near 60 degrees on Christmas Day, so it was a perfect day for a stroll with a wagon!

Our cousin Ross joined us for our prime rib dinner, and TJ was ready for a nap in the middle of dinner. It was great to catch up with our cousin.

This morning, Jonas and Nathalie were here from New York, they were visiting on their way to a ski trip. TJ had fun playing with the blocks they gave him. After they left, we headed down to Canon City to have a spaghetti and meatball dinner with TJ's grandparents and aunts and uncles. There were more presents to open... and TJ loved playing with his cousin Izzie. It was so fun to see Chloe and everyone who's visiting from California.


It was a busy weekend, but full of family, laughter and wonderful memories. Merry Christmas!

Li'l Rams Fan

Yesterday, TJ went to his first CSU Rams basketball game. Daddy has been working on an all-access show with the men's basketball coach for three seasons now, Mommy had a day off and CSU was playing Mommy's alma mater, the UNC Bears, so we couldn't pass up a chance to take TJ to the game.

TJ loved it! His eyes were so huge when he sat on the sidelines and watched the Rams do their warm-ups... and he was hyped up all game long. I was a little nervous about how he'd do throughout the whole game since it was just me & TJ in the stands while Daddy worked. TJ was a rockstar. His bedtime is typically around 7 p.m.; it was pushing 10 p.m. and he was still going strong. He smiled, screamed and bounced up and down entertaining those around us. He even smacked kisses to the high school girls sitting behind us... and he made his Jumbo-tron debut... dancing to "Shout!"

TJ also got a kick out of Cam the Ram. This surprised me because he was so scared of Santa! Not Cam... he even fussed when he walked away. So, Cam came back and TJ "petted" his "fur", played with his horns and scratched his nose... it was too cute!

So... back to Santa. TJ was not a fan! He was totally into Santa while in Frankie's arms... the second he was put on Santa's lap, TJ turned into a screamer! We managed to get one photo of him just crying and not screaming. Still, it was so sad! Hopefully, next year we can find a Santa he likes. :)

This weekend, TJ turned 11 months old! Mommy went through TJ's closet and swapped out all of his 9 month clothes for 12 month clothes. His shirts and pants were getting a little too snug around his chunky belly! I can't believe how fast he's grown... our little man will be a year old in less than a month!

Mommy & Daddy are both back to work, but we'll be off for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We'll have plenty of pictures to post then!

I've also updated his photo site with new pictures... the link is at the bottom of the page.

Deck the Halls!

Tonight, TJ helped Mommy & Daddy decorate his first Christmas tree. We had been so busy working lately, we didn't get around to decorating the house until today. It was totally worth the wait. Of course, TJ has no clue what was going on, but he had fun helping us "trim the tree."

Christmas definitely got a lot more special this year. We're so excited to start our own family traditions as well as pass along family traditions on to TJ.

Tomorrow, we're taking TJ to go see Santa... we'll see how it goes. Whether he's screaming or smiling -- the picture will be priceless! :)

This past weekend, we went to TJ's friend's birthday party. Logan is the youngest of a long-time friend of mine, so we headed to north to Greeley to celebrate his 4th birthday. TJ had an awesome time, and he was konked out on the way home.

We're still running around after the crazy little guy. He's cruising a lot and using his push walker to walk around the house. Lately, he's abandoned the push walker and started just pushing his music table around the house.

He's also turning into such a love. He loves to cuddle his Puppy and other stuffed animals... giving them love. He also snuggles his blankie, which is something new. The attachment came just a few weekends ago... it's so sweet.

First Thanksgiving

It's been more than a week since TJ celebrated his first Thanksgiving, but it's been a little busy in the Martin household, so finding time to update the blog has been difficult.

Anyways... TJ LOVED Thanksgiving! I guess we really shouldn't have been surprised... the kid loves to eat, so why wouldn't he love a holiday that's all about eating?! He ate everything -- turkey, yams, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, jello and of course, pumpkin pie. And boy, did he love that pie. He totally dug in... with one hand and pulled out a fistful of pie. We all thought it was so funny, we let him eat it just like that. He had about five fistfuls before Grandma Reno was able to cut the pie for the rest of us. :)


We were thankful TJ was able to spend the holiday with all of his grandparents. Grandma Martin flew in the Monday before Thanksgiving and was able to spend some time with the little guy. He loved getting to know her. On Thanksgiving day, we all drove down to Grandma & Grandpa Reno's house. TJ was so excited to have everyone paying attention to him, he didn't take a nap all day. By the time 6 o'clock came around, he was pretty tuckered out.

On Friday, TJ, Mommy, Daddy and Grandma Martin went to downtown Parker for the O'Brien Park Holiday Lighting. It was pretty chilly, but we bundled TJ up and stuck around to see Santa and visit with TJ's friend Jack and his parents, Susie and Chris.


Other than the holiday lighting, we didn't get out of the house much. TJ was diagnosed with an ear infection and sinus infection on Saturday morning, so we just spent a few days having some downtime. Grandma Martin flew out on Monday morning, and we were so glad she had an entire week to spend time with TJ.

The little guy seems to have bounced back from his illness. He's back to being his happy, active self. In the past few days, TJ has started to use his walker... pushing it around the house. It's only a matter of time before he's walking on his own -- don't know if we're ready for that!

This weekend, Mommy & Daddy have to work, so TJ is spending a few days at Grandma & Grandpa's. He's having a blast being away... Mommy and Daddy on the other hand feel a little awkward without him around. We can't wait for him to come home tomorrow afternoon!