Holly Jolly Christmas

December has been a very busy month full of wonderful memories.  TJ & Mommy were lucky enough to spend 9 days in Colorado before Christmas, and Daddy was able to join us for part of the trip.

It was an action-packed fun filled week.  It was so nice to spend so much quality time with Grandma & Grandpa... TJ was in heaven.  He was SO happy... even a cold couldn't bring him down.  Aunt G also spent several days with us.  And TJ & Mommy were able to spend a few days visiting friends in Denver.  Susie and Jack (TJ's best buddy) were gracious enough to let us invade their home for a few days.  It was so much fun to watch the two crazy boys play superheroes together (it definitely gave us a glimpse of what live with two boys is going to be like), and Mommy enjoyed some girltime with Susie and Baby Emily. 

We were also able to see the rest of the Parker girls and some of their kiddos at our favorite hangout Kunjani.  Then, we braved the snow to drive into downtown and have lunch with Anne before visiting folks at Mommy's old work.

After picking Daddy up from the airport, and meeting up with Aunt G, we headed back to Buena Vista & Grandpa & Grandma's house.  On the way, we stopped in Colorado Springs to meet up with Mommy's college friend who has become our family photographer.  Adriane has taken our pictures ever since we were expecting TJ, so we had to take advantage of our time in Colorado and get some quick pics for our family including maternity and TJ's 3-year-old photos (even if they were one month early).  As always, she did and amazing job.  You can check them out at www.amnphotography.com

Since Mommy had to get back to San Francisco to work on Christmas Eve, we decided to have an early Christmas at Grandma & Pa's house.  TJ was spoiled rotten by his grandparents and Aunt G.  If it weren't for the Lightning McQueen suitcase Aunt G got him, I don't think we would've been able to bring all his presents back home.  Santa even made a special, early stop in Colorado for TJ... bringing him a GIANT fire truck!  Ga & Pa also spoiled Baby Frankie, Mommy and Daddy. 

We were sad to leave Colorado, but excited to get back to San Francisco in time for Santa to come to our house.  TJ had a party at his school on Christmas Eve, and when Mommy got home from work, we made cookies for Santa and set out carrots for Rudolph and his reindeer team. 

TJ slept just fine that night, and when he woke up at 8 the next morning, I had to remind him Santa came.  He then took off running for the Christmas tree, and was thrilled Santa brought him "just what he wanted."  He was so excited to play with his RoboCar Poli Rescue Center, Mommy had to open most of his gifts for him.  And... there were a lot!  Between Nana, Bill and his friends and family... it looked like a toy store in our house! 

While it wasn't quite the Christmas we were used to spending with family, the three of us were together and TJ was the happiest little boy, so that's all that mattered.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas full of laughter and smiles!

BOY oh BOY!

That's right... we're adding another boy to the Martin family, and we think we're ready for this adventure!  TJ is very excited to have a baby brother, and we can't wait to see the boys grow up together.  They'll be the best of friends, and hopefully, Mommy will be able to keep up with all these boys in the house!

The big reveal was a family affair.  TJ & Grandma joined Mommy & Daddy for the ultrasound.  All this time, TJ had said he was getting a baby sister, but on the way to the hospital, he changed his mind and told us all, "Um... I think it's a boy."  And boy was he right!

We weren't sure how TJ would do during it, but he was awesome!  He was very excited to see the baby, and he talked excitedly about his baby brother.  He even asked Daddy if the ultrasound tech was a doctor.  Frankie told him yes, and TJ turned to her and said, "How you gonna get my baby brother out?"  TJ lasted about 20 minutes before he got bored, and he and Grandma left the room to go play.

The little guy is quite the mover, just like his older brother.  It was so fun to watch him squirm around.  He's also very healthy, and everything is growing just as it should.  For that, we are grateful.  Since TJ his named after his Grandpa, we've decided to name his baby brother after Daddy -- Robert Frank Martin, Jr.  For now, we'll call him Baby Frankie.  Although, we had to explain to TJ his name isn't Boy like he had been calling the little guy.

Grandma was able to stay with us for a few more days after the ultrasound.  Unfortunately, she was here for the five straight days of rain in the Bay Area.  We couldn't get out to do much, but that didn't matter to TJ.  He had fun staying home with Grandma, playing cars, drawing pictures, playing puzzles  and tearing the house apart!  We did manage to get out of the house to show off TJ's new gymnastics skills and have Mickey Mouse pancakes at the Blvd. Cafe.  It was a great visit, and althought TJ was sad when Grandma left, we're excited because we'll be in Colorado in just a few weeks to celebrate Christmas early.

Playing Catch-Up

Since it's almost Thanksgiving, it's probably time for a blog post about Halloween. Between the exhaustion from the baby and the busy time during November sweeps, Mommy hasn't had a moment to sit down and post an entry.

The end of October was packed with fun.  Mommy, Daddy & TJ drove down the coast to Half Moon Bay to find out pumpkin at this great little farm.  Not only were there pumpkins to pick out, but we were able to take a train ride, play in the bounce house, and ride a pony.  TJ was so proud of himself that he was able to ride the pony all by himself. 

On the Sunday before Halloween, TJ's school hosted a party for all the kiddos.  They had a bounce house, music, pizza and snacks.  It was so much fun to see all the little ones dressed up (and in Daddy's case, the big kids dressed up, too).  We enjoyed watching TJ play with his friends and have a great time.  His teachers and the parents there kept asking if TJ's second language was Russian.  Apparently, he's quite the little talker when it comes to speaking Russian with his friends and teachers.  He even sings Russian songs in music class, and his music teacher says he understands what it means because, "he sings with such feeling."  So funny!  After the party, we headed over to the SF Zoo for Boo at the Zoo.  We were all a little tired, but TJ managed to grab some candy, see some animals and play at the park there.

Halloween was a real treat this year because both Mommy & Daddy were able to take TJ trick-or-treating.  Our Toy Story trio managed to get in about a half dozen houses on our block before the rain started falling and we headed back to the house.  TJ had a great time getting candy, but I think he loved handing out the candy to the kids even more.  He would dump overflowing handfuls of candy into their buckets, and when they left, he'd turn to his and say, "I want another kid to come to my house and get candy."  He was so cute!

The past two weeks, we've been busy with visitors, much to our delight.  We get lonely up here all by ourselves, so it's nice when we have a houseful!  TJ loved spending time with Uncle Justin & Auntie Ann, and it was fun for Mommy and Ann to share pregnancy stories since our due dates are a month apart.
We took them to Pier 39 for lunch, some shopping, carousel riding and sea lion watching.  Then, Daddy and TJ took them over to Alcaltraz.  It was such a fun weekend, and we were all sad to see them go.

Last weekend, Uncle Rocky was in town for work, so he stayed a few extra days to visit.  Mommy loved having him around on Saturday.  He was such a huge help with TJ, and we think he needs to come up every Saturday and "stand-in" while Daddy works his 15 hour day at the Pac-12 Network!  TJ loved having Uncle Rocky read to him and play hide-and-seek with him.  On Sunday, the four of us made the trip across the bay for the Saints-Raiders game. Uncle Joey was gracious enough to get us four tickets in a suite, so we didn't have to deal with the crowds.  It was TJ's first Saints game, and although, it was in Oakland, we did get a win... and had a great time!

We're spending Thanksgiving at home, just the three of us, because Mommy has to work.  We will manage to get a turkey dinner in, courtesy of Daddy.  :)  This weekend, Daddy is heading to NOLA for the Saints-Niners game, and Mommy & TJ will get ready for Grandma's visit.  She flies in on Tuesday evening.  Then, the big reveal: Wednesday morning we find out if this little one is a boy... or a girl!