Christmas 2010 - Part One | Colorado

Hello All!  I feel like I've been gone for so long.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday (whatever it is you celebrated)!  For us, it was a wonderful Christmas.  We had a very busy few weeks and have lots to catch up on.  Hence the "part one" post.  It will take a few posts to get all of my pictures out.

As always, we kicked our holiday season off with a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado.  We go every year to visit my husband's family and always enjoy our time with them.  This year was extra special since it was our very first time bringing Maddyx. 

I'm not gonna lie.  I was really nervous about traveling with Maddyx.  Mainly the plane ride and the sleeping someplace outside of home.  Since we didn't have anything close to a good plane ride home from Korea, and since this was our first trip since Korea, I was expecting the worst.  Well folks, Maddyx was AMAZING in every sense of the word.  He was such a trooper.  Both flights (to and from) were great.  He played and ate snacks on the way over and slept the entire flight home (thank you Jesus!!!).  I mean what more could I ask for?  Oh, I know, a son who slept through the night *every night* and took two naps a day.  Yep, that's right.  Perfection!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be running out and booking another trip any time soon.  The reality is it's a HUGE pain in the butt to travel with a toddler.  You can never relax.  EVER!  So much work.  So much STUFF.  As much as I enjoyed our time in Colorado, I am definitely glad to be home.

Here is this years Christmas card photo.  I just LOVE this picture of my boys!

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Oh yes, we're not in San Diego anymore.  We've arrived in Colorado.

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Temperature upon arriving in Breckenridge.  Brrrrr!

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Just a fun shot of a house in the town of Breckenridge.

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We're here!!!

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The house our family rented.

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Decided to take Maddyx out in the snow to see what he thought.

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Offered him a bite.  He wouldn't take it.

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Offered him the chance to do a little walking in the snow.

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He was fine just as long as he didn't have to touch it!

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We played lots of poker.

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The signature tongue.  I don't know, maybe we have the next Michael Jordan....hmmm...

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The Fam.

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Testing out more snow.  Still doesn't want to touch it.

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I think Dad might have pushed a little in his face.

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Waiting for our shuttle to downtown Breckenridge.  This kid is heavy!

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All of Maddyx's cousins on his Dad's side.

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So this picture was really great.  Until Maddyx slid off of the ice bench and hit his head!  Dad's idea...not mine.

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Our nieces.  This was a HUGE tree decorated in lights right in the middle of town. So beautiful!

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After dinner we had to catch the shuttle back to the house.  But first we had to find the shuttle.  Lets just say we did a lot of walking.  At night.  In the snow.  With a baby.

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There was something hysterically funny about watching the hubby push this crappy stroller through the snow, all over town.  In the cold.  Let's just say he wasn't laughing.  But I sure was!

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Still walking.  Boy the hubby was not happy.  At all!  But still so funny to watch. I think he was more irritated that he couldn't find the darn shuttle stop.

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In the midst of all of that walking in the freezing cold, I thought I should at least capture a picture of my favorite little town at night.

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No bathtub, so we had to make do.  Sure made for some super cute photos!

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Let's just say Maddyx DID NOT like sledding.

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OK, so he does look mildly irritated here.  Probably because he wasn't being held.

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 Me and my cutie!  Notice the irritated look is gone.  That's because I'm holding him. Lol. 

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The Hat

I just had to get some photos of Maddyx wearing his new hat (you know, the hat I talked about in my previous post), well, because, that's just what I do!  And it's just too cute not to.  I know someday very soon he'll no longer amuse Mommy by letting me dress him up and do these fun little photo shoots.  But for now, I'm enjoying every moment of this little ham!

Here we are in our full get-up and snow ready.  He actually doesn't mind wearing the hat.  Or the huge jacket.

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Don't mind the huge scratch on his nose.  Never ending battle between Maddyx and his finger nails.

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Ooops, we're not totally ready.  Forgot one thing!

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And then the meltdown.

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This face is just too cute for words.   We can't help but giggle when he has his little meltdowns.  Luckily they don't last long and they're few and far between.  At least for now.

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I Survived....

So I survived three WHOLE days all by myself with Maddyx.  I know, it sounds kind of silly..... but looking back on our first two weeks home, I just about DIED when the hubby had to leave for *one* night.  Like literally.  He walked in the door and I instantly broke down in tears and said "don't leave me again.  it was too soon"....Hee..Hee...  How things change!

But this time, we did just fine all by ourselves!  We missed Daddy very much, of course.  And someone did get a little whiny and cranky yesterday, on day three.  And for the record, that someone was not me!

We went to the mall, we had lunch with a friend, we did some grocery shopping (all of which I typically choose to do alone.  Obvious reasons, people), and we did some holiday stuff around the house.  Like wrap presents and shop on the internet.  Lol.  I do need a re-do of the mall though.  Seriously.  Have you ever shopped with a 16 month old boy?  It. Is. Not. Fun.  At. All.  There's something about putting that boy (in his stroller) in a great retail store, that just brings out the worst in him.  Like loud annoying screeches, worst in him.  And then I can feel my skin start to heat up and get red.  In fear that everyone around is staring right us (I hate drawing any sort of attention to myself).  So needless to say, I had to speed-shop through all of the stores only getting the absolute essentials.  No browsing.  At all.  Yes, I need a re-do.

Oh, on another subject.  I had to buy Maddyx a winter hat (we have a trip planned) and did you know that this kiddo needs a size 4-5yr old hat?!?!  Seriously?  He's 16 months.  Good lord.  He must have a really big brain inside that noggin.  Just wait til you see the pics of him in it!  Here's a hint.....it has some sort of crazy little dinosaur spikes on top.  Oh yeah, adorable. ;-)  Gotta love the Gap.

Here's what we tried on....

Tried this one, wasn't quite what we were looking for.

Loved this one. Actually, this was my favorite but they didn't have the very large size that we needed!

And then we found this little guy.  Perfect fit!

Looking Back...Three Months Home

I can hardly believe it, but December 1st was three months that we've been home and together as a family.  Three months as parents.  Three months as a MOM!  Wow, what a difference a month makes.  Looking back, I can say that the first month was one of the hardest months of my life.  Without a doubt.  The second month got easier, but was still hard.  SO HARD.  But the third month, aaaah yes, that is where it's at.  The third month is where we got 'our' groove as a family.  This is when we really all started 'getting' each other.  Not so much struggling, more just living and enjoying each other.  You know, just day to day stuff.  

I thought it would be fun to look back on some of my very first moments with Maddyx, as well as some fun current photos from December.  Just reminisce a little.  I think it's good to remind myself of where we've come from.  And just how very far our little Angel from South Korea has come. 

 The very first time I met my son, Maddyx. 

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Thank goodness for this bracelet.  It was my saving grace.

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 The first time my hands touched his.  I will never forget this moment. It was the most exciting and most frightening moment I have ever felt. 

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 He still LOVES to put EVERYTHING in his mouth. 

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 The first time I ever held my son in my arms.  So surreal. 

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He was so curious.  He was taking in every part of my face.

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Our very first moment as a family.  In the van riding away from Eastern, and everything Maddyx knew.

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My first "Love" (as we call it now) from Maddyx at the hotel in Seoul.

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We're home!

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First week home.  Cooper was still pretty unsure of our new family member.  Maddyx lovcd him from the start.

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His first time cruisin' in his car.  He still LOVES this car.  Dad takes him everywhere in this thing.  He's getting an upgraded version for Christmas.  Shhhh...don't tell.

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Today.  It's December, and Maddyx is now 16 months.  Wow, time really does fly.

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I can't forget Cooper.  Cooper, you are still my first born! I'm still as crazy about him as ever.  Maybe even more.  If that's even possible?!?

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Remember I said he still puts everything in his mouth?  I really meant EVERYTHING!  Yep, even leaves.

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He loves his snacks.  He loves his crackers.  Animal, graham, wheat thins, ritz...he loves them all!

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Continuing to make progress in the walking department.

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Aaaaah, the look.

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Now walking away.

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We've done some Christmas tree decorating.  OK, not we.  Just me.

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My attempt to get some cute photos of Cooper and Maddyx.  Attempt failed.  All outtakes..

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Cooper's eyeballing my hand for the cheese I was bribing them both with.  Usually works.  Not this time.

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Except for this very handsome shot.  Cooper, I can always count on you for a great pic!

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Current favorite book.  His book of colors.  He loves purple and brown.  And he sounds so darn cute saying puuup and baaawn.  So cute!

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What?  You can't read your books upside down?  This boy has got talent.

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Couldn't resist.

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Trial run of the snowsuit.  Didn't go so well.  However, one of the hardest laughs Mom has had in a long time!

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OK, I think I've got my balance........

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Whoa, no I don't......  *side note* take a look at those toes!  Cutest thing I've ever seen!

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Papa & Grandma Cooper celebrated their 20 year wedding Anniversary and we did some flower arrangements for their party.  Ok, again, not really we.  Me.

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And last, but not least, we're working on our utensil skills!

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Sure, why not use both your spoon and fork.  At the same time.

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Success!!  Not really.  There was nothing on that fork when it entered his mouth.

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Alright, back at it again.

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And when all else fails, use your fingers!!

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