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.