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!

Snip Snip

TJ turned 10 months old today, and to celebrate, he got his first haircut! TJ did awesome -- didn't even cry when she brought out the trimmers for his neck. Mommy held him for the first part and he enjoyed looking at himself in the mirror, then we put him in the chair. Daddy held TJ as the stylist finished up and trimmed his neck and around his ears. He was such a good boy for his first haircut, and of course, he looks adorable! :)

TJ's babbling is becoming more of a way for him to tell us what he wants. Uh - means wants up. We ask him where his balloon is, and he points to it. He also points to his cat and dog. This morning when pointing out Bo he said "cat." Frankie and I both looked at each other like, "Did he just say that?!"

TJ is becoming a little wild man. It's been about a week and a half since he started crawling on his hands and knees, and Mommy and Daddy are getting a crash course in having a "mobile" child! He's become quite fast in the past few days, and Mommy is getting her exercise chasing after him. He's so dang cute when he crawls, too... Mommy can't help but giggle every time he takes off. Buggy Fitness and Storytime are whole different worlds now. I get an extra workout at buggy chasing him around. At the same time, it's so fun to watch him become more independent. Monday, he wasn't clingy at all, and he had a great time following his friend, Asher, and moving around like a "big boy." Today, it was the same story at storytime. :) Last time we were there, I was so proud because he sat still and listened to the stories and songs. Not the case this time around. We spent the entire storytime moving. TJ especially loved the fish tank at the library, and he constantly gravitated towards it.

TJ is transitioning well in his new room at day care, even though you can tell he misses Miss Alissa, he's getting used to his new teachers. Wednesday, he didn't even cry when I dropped him off. Sitting him next to a cute little girl may have had something to do with it -- TJ definitely knows how to flirt. Each day it seems he learns something new, and each day he brings more joy into our lives. We can't believe his first birthday is right around the corner.

Movin' On Up...

Tomorrow will be TJ's first day in his new classroom. At his school, the infant rooms are separated into two rooms - non-movers and movers. Mommy's kinda nervous to see him move up. I'm excited he's developing well, it's just I hope he adjusts well. He absolutely loves his teacher, Miss Alissa. The two have become quite attached, and I think it's going to be tough on both of them.

Despite all that... Last week, they decided to move TJ because he's able to get around so well with his army crawl. Little did they know, how perfect the timing is -- TJ started crawling on his hands and knees tonight!

In true Italian fashion... it was a plate of Mommy's pasta that got him to do it. He was moving pretty fast to get to my food! I don't know how consistent it will be, but TJ was so excited -- he screamed in excitement the rest of the evening!

It was a big night for TJ -- he also started to pull himself up to standing. I don't think Mommy can handle two milestones at once, but TJ sure had a good time tonight! :)

TJ is also finger-feeding himself more often... and really, he'll eat just about anything at anytime of the day! It doesn't matter if he just ate -- he will eat more if you're having something and willing to share. He especially loves the cheddar biscuits at Red Lobster.

This weekend, Mommy & TJ went to Grandpa & Grandma's house since Daddy had another long day at work for College Football Saturday. TJ had a blast playing with his grandparents and auntie! It was so much fun watching them... and everyone agrees he's getting pretty difficult to keep up with!

It's been unseasonably warm here lately, with temperatures in the 70's. We took advantage of the warm weather and played with leaves in Grandpa & Grandma Reno's front yard. TJ wasn't a huge fan of having his toes in the grass. After unsuccessfully trying to keep both feet out of the grass, he settled for just one. It was hilarious... he wouldn't put his second foot down!