a few favorites.........

I haven't posted many updates about the Gman lately, but here's a few things that I most certainly don't want to forget!

• I love that when he's doing something fun (like sliding a car down a banister or something), that he tells himself "again" and then does it again!
• I love that he loves letters and love to hear him at the fridge with his letter magnets saying m, t, p, l, o....and then see that he's saying the right letters!
• I love that he loves to read and we frequently hear around here - "I read, I read........"
• I love that he is very into the "K" sound right now and loves to emphasize milk, (s)nack, book......
• I love that he identifies a "mess" when he sees one! Even though he is often the instigator of the mess, he always takes me to show me the "mess". He also doesn't like to have messy fingers and insists on having them cleaned off then they are a "mess". 
• I love that instead of the whining & grunting of previously, he has finally gotten the concept of saying "hep" (help) when he is stuck on something.
• I love hearing him play with his mountain of stuffed animals on his bed after he wakes up.
• I love that he has started "pretending"! He makes a small whimpering sound and then points to himself and says "baby" (his impression apparently!). He also like to pretend he's a kitty or a bear!
• I love that he asks for an "orange" at every meal. We're currently eating grapefruit every morning for breakfast! I am so glad his cravings are in sync with his preggo momma's. :)

• I love that he LOVES doing the Advent Calendar and never lets us forget to do it!   

A few of my non-faves  - lest you think we live in a perfect world - let me assure you, we don't. :)

• When riding in the car, his current practice is disrobing of his hat, gloves, boots & socks. grrrrrrr....after all the work of putting them all on.
• After getting the nasty flu, I could barely get him to eat anything for several days! Thankfully, we're getting back on track finally! 

our favorite stocking stuffer.....

Less than 2 months till you're 2 years old!!

last few pics of 3............

Some of you will be receiving this one in your Christmas card! I was excited to take part in a blogger Shutterfly promo where I received 50 free Christmas cards. I thought that would be plenty........and I ran out with too many left to send. :( But we're still sending our Christmas greetings to all our friends and family!

.................and in 10 weeks a new little face will be added to the picture!

cookie decorating!

We were having some of our neighbors over for cookies and coffee, so the 3 of us had fun with graham's first cookie decorating experience!

 evidence of a little sampling.....

Holiday Fun

We are loving the holiday season! And I have a plethora of pics that have been waiting to be shared. :)

This holiday is extra fun because as Graham sees it, kind of for the first time, it is SO fun to see his amazement. He is in love with it all!

He's picked up a lot of new words including snow, snowman, & Christmas tree! And "whoa" has become a much used word as well!

Andrew & I got to take one of our date nights to Pittburgh's Light-Up Night where they officially light up all the trees downtown. It was lots of fun!

I told Graham that daddy was bringing home a tree. He wasn't sure what that meant, but when Andrew brought it into the house he just kept saying "whoa"!

 here he is "helping", of course!

 Next was the annual Christmas Macy's parade. FREEZING, by the way! But Graham just adored it!

 He loves music, so the bands were his fave, especially the drums. After something would pass by that he liked, he kept saying, "again!" Sorry buddy, that's not how it works! We went inside to warm up and his poor hands were like ice, but he actually cried when we left and all the way home he kept saying "more", "again"....so sad!!

 loves wearing Santa hats!

 3rd and final (so far!) trip downtown to check out the holiday displays!

tree and skating rink

 gingerbread houses and train route

 the coolest tree of all...

 waiting to go on a free carriage ride! again, so cold, but he was a trooper!

 I can't even tell you how much he loved it! The entire time we were on the carriage, he kept saying "ride" over and over again! Now every time he sees a horse he tells me about the ride we took! He just loved it. It was perfect, cozy in the carriage and with snow flurries falling. A perfect family outing!

 Someone's in the Christmas spirit for sure!

drumroll please......

Lucky #14 - Kristin Blumer!!!

Thanks to all who entered and for my new followers. :)

the big day

Well, turning 30 was not too traumatic! Maybe because my day was so jam-packed that I didn't have time to have it fully set in. As far as feeling older? Well, I am 7 months pregnant, and so yes, I feel like I got hit by a train, but I don't think my old age is the factor here. :) In fact, as I write this, it is 4:30 am :-/ after I've laid awake for 2 hours. My most unfavorite part of being preggo!

My day was lovely. Thankful for so many sweet messages, so many phone calls, and a few unexpected surprises!

First awaking to this lovely sign. Thank you (?!) dear hubby!

Then I had a coffee date with my good, good friend Thresa.
Then we headed to our local indoor playplace. Because a fully occupied child, is more than a gift for me!

I also loved finding little sticky notes with sweet messages all thru out the day from Andrew!

After picking up Andrew from work, we headed to Red Robin for my free birthday burger. :) And to my surprise, discovered some unexpected friends there!

For those who remember my wish for Thai food for my birthday, I did receive a "coupon" for a later Thai date. :)

Coming home to a few more surprises.....A lovely cheesecake sampler, yum-o!!

Graham loved the candles. After we blew them out, he commanded "again"!

And my biggest surprise was a giant package on our front steps. A gift from all my siblings and their special others - a Coach bag! Loved it! 

And so did Graham as he immediately confiscated it. :)

Thank you hubby for all the ways you made my day special!

And thank you friends and family for all the special gifts and love!

As I was reminded by a friend, 30 is going to seem so young at 40. :)

Birthday Give-A-Way

It's time for my annual birthday give-a-way!!!
Yes, I am officially 3-0, but am excited to send YOU a present. :) I enjoy finding little treats throughout the year that I think one of my friends will enjoy in my birthday basket!

and FYI, hubby of mine who left a comment on the post last year....you, my dear, are excluded from entering! But everyone else, friends or family, is eligible, but please live in the good 'ole usa. :-)

It includes something for............

your pampering
your mug
your face
your toes
your warmth
...and maybe a surprise or two.

I hope you'll enjoy it!

To enter.................

• leave a comment stating where you celebrated your 1st Christmas. :)

Mine was in Virginia Beach, VA where I was born!

For a 2nd entry......................

• become a "follower" of my blog and leave another comment stating that you are.

Be sure I know who you are or how to contact you. :)
Entrys are open for one week - ending Tuesday, December 7th.

Good Luck!