New Year's Dreams

We are thankful that Grandma and Grandpa Faiola drove up from Olympia to watch Jamisen so Chris and I could get dressed up in our finest (he wore a suit!) and go out. This was the latest we have stayed up since before the baby was born (yawn).

Jamisen tips his hat to all of your goals, dreams, ambitions and wildest imagination for an amazing 2012. May this year bring you love, laughter and fulfillment beyond your wildest dreams.  Me? I'm just hoping to complete my manuscript for publication by the due date of 2013 - that's about all the dreaming I've allowed myself to do! =) Once that's done ... it's all gravy!

We enjoyed a wonderful evening with close friends (Jody Bergsma hosted an amazing party for 18 people - it was quite a feat!) and made it home to kiss our sleeping son and crawl under the covers before the clock struck midnight. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow to an entirely new year with all the excitement a clean slate brings.

Baby Love

We so love our little baby Jamisen. Everything (yes, including walks) is more fun with him around. His little laugh is infectious and we love to hear it.

Play time with Jamisen - always a joy, always full of love and laughter. 

Baby's First Christmas

Jamisen's first Christmas was a memorable occasion for us all. We started our holiday weekend with Christmas Eve service (which was really a morning service coupled with a delicious brunch) at Grandma and Grandpa Faiola's Seventh-Day Adventist Church. I have never seen potatoes prepared so many ways than at the SDA brunch! Jamisen was happy and had such an easy going attitude the entire time. He was passed around from person to person and he was sure to favor them all with smiles and drool. There were two childrens' stories and he sat patiently through both of them.

It was a very special Christmas for Jamisen. Santa chose our house to make a personal appearance! Just check out the look on his face as he sees the jolly man in the red suit - it's a mixture of terror, wonder and curiosity. That blur at Santa's feet? That's nephew dog Toby, protecting his family against the intruder. We were thankful for his 38 pounds of ferociously adorable protection.

He warmed up plenty quickly to our honored visitor. He especially appreciated the gifts that the red-suited man doled out. He became quite adept at unwrapping and loved to play with the paper of each gift.

Between his two sets of Grandparents, Jamisen is going to be the best dressed little boy in all of Bellingham. Chris and I are thankful for the love and support of our family, both during the holidays and as we continue our new role as parents.

Merry Christmas

We are spending the holidays with the Faiola family in Olympia (and celebrated Christmas with the Renoud family a few days ago - hopefully those photos are coming soon).

Jamisen was very interested in the idea of canned baby food since he has never eaten anything but freshly prepared meals. Once he tried them, he realized that there really is no place like home. He was not a fan. This smile signifies the end of the meal and his happiness to move on to his bottle.

Jamisen is happily scooting around the entire floor, showcasing his neck and arm skills. He has started rocking back and forth on his haunches. Crawling is coming soon. He is already a master scooter.

Not a Fan

 

Poor Jamisen looks rather terrified in the arms of the Grinch. 

School Applications

Believe it or not, even though our baby boy is a mere 7 1/2 months old, it's already time to apply to schools! We like the Little Sprouts program at the Montessori school system so even though it is not the closest school to our house, we've chosen to apply for the Class of 2012 for Jamisen. I filled out the essay questions this week - everything from how we discipline, to the emotional needs of our child, to the desired scholastic outcomes - and we did the official tour. We're hopeful he makes the cut!

Our Happy Boy

Jamisen is such a happy boy. We have taken him out to dinner numerous times in the last two weeks and each time, he is smiley and delightful. Everyone marvels at his sunny and easy-going disposition. Let's hope it sticks around! According to my parenting books, temper tantrum storms are ahead. Hopefully, Jamisen continues this happy boy path he is on. He is a joy!

Salvation Army Shopping Spree

Baby Boy Jamisen joined the Bramble Berry team at Fred Meyers this year to shop for 5 different Salvation Army adoptee families. We had 25 individuals to shop for (everything from adults to a 5 month baby boy) and Jamisen did his part to pitch in. 

He helped to pick toys (Glow Worm anyone?) and was especially fascinated by the Elmo Drum Sets  (dear Lord, please no ....). He was in a cheery happy mood and let everyone hold him. I was particularly proud of my easy-going son when he smiled and coo'ed at almost every Bramble Berry team member. 

It's no surprise that Jamisen is a lady killer. That smile? Those dimples? Killer combo!

Here, Jamisen demonstrates his delightful and fun ability to crash toys together. It took a few tries but he did it. Yay for coordination! 

FSE Holiday Party

We went to the FSE Holiday Party this weekend. It was a joy to bring Jamisen, who stayed happy and absolutely joyous the entire time.

The second his Grandma Renoud walked in, we immediately pulled her in for a little family fun feeding time.

Anamarie (is she Jamisen's Aunt then?) was also on hand to help and was happy to keep helping the rest of the party. I was thankful for her responsible, kind way with Jamisen. She's a great Auntie.

There was also a brand new baby there - Sage - who was only 3 1/2 weeks old. Jamisen was fascinated by the new baby.

Chris held onto Jamisen during his speech. Jamisen was his lucky charm! And Jamisen smiled the entire time and was happy and patient during the entire speech.

After the party, we went to an after party ('cuz that's how we roll) at Grandma and Grandpa Renoud's. Grandma Kelly held Jamisen and he loved hanging out with her. When he was ready to go home and nap, he let out a couple warning little squeaks and laid his head down on her shoulder. We left soon thereafter and he slept all the way home. It was nice of him to communicate so gently and sweetly and especially nice that Grandma Kelly paid attention! All in all, it was a successful day and we were proud of our little boy for remaining cheery and happy for the entire day. He's our social butterfly =)

Photos from Chris's Marathon

We are so proud of Chris for finishing his first Marathon. Jamisen and I (plus Grandpa and Grandma Faiola) were on hand in the rain (blowing sideways) to watch him finish.

Jamisen was THRILLED to participate but does admit that he got bored at the finish line and started vocalizing his frustration rather loudly. He was certainly dressed warmly enough!

We were all so relieved when Chris finished, injury free (!!) and we were back on the bus to the hotel with other race finishers.

Someone got tired and took a little nap:

And when he woke up? It was all about the view! Jamisen had never been so high up and he was fascinated by the view.

It was quite an amazing weekend - all because Chris had a great idea to run and train for a marathon and then, complete it! We're all very proud of Chris, including his littlest fan, Jamisen.

I'm 7 Months Old!

Annnnnnd, not so much into letting the sticker stay on his chest. He peeled it off his chest and proceeded to eat it. It was adorable though did make for quite the difficult to achieve photo shoot.

Jamisen and the 'Stache Hat

I bought this off of Etsy and Jamisen doesn't love it but he sure looks adorable on it. If you want one for yourself (they make 'em in adult sizes too!), you can buy them here. 

Daddy?

Chris left today for Saudi. It's a quick trip. He'll be back by Monday, just in time for me to take off to DC to lobby Congress on behalf of my industry.

Today, I said to Jamisen, "Daddy is on a plane right now. He's flying and is missing you very much but he'll be back in five days."

The second I said "Daddy", Jamisen's head was like a little swivel stick. He looked for his Daddy for at least a couple minutes as I said things like, "Ooooh right. You don't understand the meaning of the word 'plane' do you? Riiiiiiight. Uuum-kay. Um. Yeah." Pause. Pause. "Um, do you want to eat?" Swivel swivel. "Book?" Swivel swivel. "Um, binky?" Swivel swivel. This went on for at least a couple minutes with Jamisen craning his neck to see his Daddy.

It was soooooooo sweet! He knows the word Daddy and misses him already. That makes two of us.