Off to Grandma's (and Grandpa's) we go ...

Mike and I are packing ourselves and David up to head east to visit Grandma and Grandpa Price. It's so nice that we get to go for 8 days since in the past, all of my jobs I've had have kept me from being able to head home for the holidays. Although I blame my willingness to make life difficult and Mike's lack of paying attention for booking a 6am flight with an infant. But we'll make due and prosper.



We'll be seeing some friends, spending time with Donny and Jamie, creating new traditions whilst reliving old ones and hopefully getting to make a snowman.

Merry Christmas!!!!

David seemed to enjoy his first Christmas ... he did get to open his own presents since he mastered paper ripping just days before!!! He made out like a bandit and just proved how much he is loved!!

Christmas Eve we headed to St. Bonaventure's Church for the children's mass and truly enjoyed the pageant. Even with standing for the whole ceremony with David traded off in our arms. Then we headed over to Annie and Michelle Mankewich's house to enjoy some California Family time. Barbara lovingly knitted stockings for Mike, David and myself!! Then we headed home for the traditional Civello Christmas Eve dinner ... pasta. Then to see uncle Jimmy where David got to open the first of his Christmas gifts. And boy or boy did the Beall's spoil him!!! Homeward bound with an exhausted David ... Mike and I couldn't wait until the next day to celebrate his first Christmas.

Christmas morning we opened presents as a family first at home. For the first time in many years, I quite literally got everything on my list. One present will not ship until January 11th but I cannot wait until I get it ... the Harry Potter hardback box set. And David really seemed to like his gift from Santa ... and I can't wait for him to play with it more!! Then on to Grandma and Grandpa Civello's for the rest of the festivities.

We opened presents and got ready for the Zachary's to come over for dinner. A yummy crown pork roast, turkey and all the fixings later and we were all stuffed. A few more guests came over for dessert and we headed home stuffed, so happy and feeling blessed for all the wonderful gifts. I can't believe just 6 months ago David graced us ... and here he his in all his glory getting bigger and bigger and more and more fun.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!!!!!!!

We have another ...

David's second tooth just came in!! The first one was his bottom right (his right). And the second one came in so fast after!! The one that just came in was his bottom left tooth. He had his 6mos check up just yesterday and we didn't even notice it!! Nor did the doctor who checked out his first tooth. :) Yea David!!!

6 month check up

David had his check up today. He's doing GREAT!!

Height - 27" = 75%
Weight - 17lbs 10oz = 50-75%

He's hitting all of his milestones and Dr. Yu is pleased with him. We asked about his nails since they seem to have lines in them ... said its fine and doesn't show any signs of deficiency. Just likely that its just they way his nails are (Mike's are a little like that). Asked about the sweating (he sweats as he's falling asleep but has no fever) ... said that he's had a few other parents note the same issue but everything he's read doesn't lead him to an answer. So not to worry since there's not a fever that accompanies it. Asked about oatmeal/baby yogurt ... said that it won't add any additional nutrional value ... he's already getting enough from me and his fruits/veggies ... but it would be good to add a different texture. Asked about needing an iron supplement (I've read that at 6mos babies lose their iron reserves and those that are breastfed will need a supplement) and he said he's never had to give a bf baby an iron supplement that was under 1yr old. He said we can add meats (no fish) starting at 8mos. And to keep adding new fruits/veggies 1 every week-ish. I asked about when to start adding water and he said we could but to offer it AFTER he's nursed. Because he'd rather that David get his liquids from the breastmilk since it has nutrients and water doesn't. We have to go back in a month for a flu booster and then back in 3 months for his 9 month check up.

He's still only rolling from front to back but can be on his tummy for up to 20mins. David is even beginning to "swivel" on his tummy to get to places. He's really liking his play mat and is definitely growing out of the bouncer and even his swing. He's working diligently on sitting up like a big boy but the Bumbo seems to be a bust because he wants to check out what's below him. Even though he can sit up nice and tall in it.

David's Baptism

This past weekend, we went up to South Lake Tahoe for David's Baptism. Grandma and Grandpa Price came into town for the special yet very small occasion. It was just the grandparents, us and David. It was truly a special time and we're so happy we were able to put it all together. Rev. David Beronio, whom presided over our wedding also honored us by performing David's baptism. We all blessed David with some very special holy water. This holy water was used in a time of great need and healing ... of our dear friend Jimmy Beall. It brought him back to us from the brink of death so it was the most humbling gift we received from his mother. Then Rev. Beronio used blessed water from Lake Tahoe to baptize David. Even with the water going in his eyes he was a star and didn't let it bother him. Below you'll find photos of the special day as well as two poems and a note for David that were used during the ceremony.

Your Baptism - Michelle Lowndes
You’re taking this step of faith
In obedience to the Lord
To be baptized in His precious name
And Heed the Master’s call

To rise up with faith in God
And go where He may lead
To share God’s love to everyone
And touch them in their need

May God pour out His blessings
Upon your life today
So you may walk in His abundance
As you commit to Him your way

Keep on trusting in the Lord
No matter what you face
And keep your eyes on Jesus Christ
And live in His sweet grace.

The Dash: Linda Evans

I read of a reverend who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth… and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own; the cars…the house…the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.


So think about this long and hard… are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range.")
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read with your life’s actions to rehash... would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

Words for David ...
Our wish for David is that he live his life to the fullest; with love and no regrets. That he experience fun filled moments which he never forgets.

That he see the world, try all that he can and frequently laugh til he’s short of breath.

We wish he will cherish his family and friends who embraces his quirks. That he never lose sight of those who love him most; his mom and dad of course!

We wish these things for David, so that at the end of his full life, he will say with satisfaction that he enjoyed his “dash” with little strife.

Exciting news!!!!

David has his first tooth poking through!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were playing and practicing sitting up like a big boy when he decided to chew on my fingers. All of a sudden I realized that something hard was also hitting my finger. I rubbed his gums and could feel it!!! It took another minute for him to let me actually LOOK in his mouth and there it was ... the top of a pearly white tooth staring at me!! I had to share the exciting news with everyone!!! Our little man is growing up so stinking fast I can't get over it!!!!

Santa!!!!!!!!!!!

Today we went to the Livery in Danville to see Santa today. And what a great Santa he was!!! We got David all decked out for the special occassion on this drizzly day. The best part of seeing THIS particular Santa is that we got to take our own photos without having to pay for anything. He did great (was there any chance he wouldn't be?) and seemed to get a kick out of Santa. Is only fuss was when Santa questioned his intelligence by saying "you don't even know presents are". It was quite funny and he soon quieted back down to enjoy Santa some more. It was a special day for Mike and I ... realizing how much time has already passed and just how quickly.

The tree is up ...

I wanted to ensure we got to enjoy our Christmas decorations as long as possible ... so the tree and all other decorations went up this weekend ... I'm so happy that we have such a beautiful home to decorate ...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We celebrated David's first Thanksgiving with the Zachary's, Auntie Joyce, Jim/Tami and the girls (Lily and Ruby) and Keving/Noelani and Ian. As usual ... the food was delicious and plentiful. So much to be thankful for this past year!!

Solids ... mmmmmmmmmmmmm

David had his first attempt at solids and he did fairly well!! He spit out less than I thought he would and although he kept trying to eat his hands at the end ... he really seemed to enjoy it. A few times reaching for the spoon itself as well as leaning in for the spoon!!! I wasn't sure if he'd be able to swallow all that well at first since that is actually a "learned" reaction to food. But I'm so proud ... he really ate it!! He sure loved the pears (that I made) ... thanks Jaime for the suggestion to start with pears first. :)

Go BUFFS!!!

Sadly Coach Hawkins continued to show that he just couldn't run the show at CU. He was fired and Assistant Coach Cabral is leading the way for the rest of the season ... David was ready and rootin' on Cabral and the Buffs ... and they WON!!!!

And we're rolling ...

It's official ... David is R O L L I N G!!! From back to front but not front to back yet. No matter what ... if you lie him on his back ... he will roll. Even if as soon as he gets to his stomach ... he gets upset and cries. It's all about the movement ... he's so happy that he can get a new view. I guess we're really in for it now ... this is the only beginning of "movement".

David's First Halloween

We had just gotten David all situated in the carrier on Mike when the doorbell rang for trick or treaters. Mike excitedly went downstairs to answer the door with David in tow. Mike held the bowl of candy in his left hand whilst his left arm was wrapped in front of David to ensure he was secure there. Mike used his right hand to pass out candy. I came down the stairs to see the cute little trick or treater that replied "I'm Adam" when Mike asked who he was for Halloween. Of course he was only 4 so he said HIS name instead of who was for halloween. Lol!! They all looked so cute and their parents were so proud. Mike closed the door and when I turned to look at him I noticed something hilarious ... David had snatched a bag of Skittles out of the bowl when Mike was handing out candy!!!! He then proceeded to try to EAT it. He brought it up to his mouth but the flap of the "drool catcher" on the carrier got in his way so his hand went under it and he bit down on the flap!!! It was too cute ... maybe he's ready for food?

Mmmmm feet ...

David has FINALLY gotten his feet in his mouth ... its so funny!!!

Giants are in the World Series!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Price's visit

We got to hang out and relax ... and even go the Pumpkin Patch for the perfect pumpkins and carve them too!! It was a fast trip but a good one at that. And even Missy came out ... albeit for a job interview but nonetheless we got to share some time with her!!

Month 4 Stats

Our little man is growing!!!!

Height: 26 inches (90%)
Weight: 15lbs 3 oz (50-75%)

The doctor was impressed with David's chatty ways, his ability to hold his held so well, he LOVED seeing his leg strength and enjoyment in standing for so long and of course his temprament. Solids can be started now and they provided me with some info ... but it was so swept over that I'm sure they feel its best to start later. But we'll see ... David seems so anxious to start. He's whinning at us when we ate and he's already been fed. He watches our every move when eating and drinking and even grabs for our plates, utensils and even our glasses.

We can't believe how big he's getting ... and it's so fast too!!!

Happy Birthday Mommy ...

My parents came out to visit me for my birthday ... this was the first time we'd spent my birthday together since 2003!!!! Now it's time to live my last year in my 20's!!

Super Franks!!

Yesterday we went to Super Franks with Nicole and Kaitlyn, Jaime and Lucas and Amy too!! This was David's first trip to Super Franks and he sure seemed to like it even though we couldn't do much. There was LOTS for him to see and I think he really liked it when mommy's white t-shirt was GLOWING because of the black light in the Fish Tank room!! We can't wait to go back again!!

House Warming at Josh, Jaime and Lucas' house!!

Yesterday Josh and Jaime had friends and family over to celebrate Halloween since they'll be down south for Halloween. Lucas wore his costume and Jaime encouraged all the other little ones attending to do the same. Mike and I think David is the cutest pumpkin ever ... even when he's just in his hat!! We're still trying to decide if we want to try to actually Trick-or-Treat with him or not. He certainly won't remember it but we will!!

Here are a few photos of David in full and partial regalia as well as his friends Kaitlyn and Lucas!!