Getting ready for Christmas

I've never been the type to go super crazy decorating at Christmastime.  I get the essentials done.  I don't spend days baking or anything like that.  I like those things, I just don't really get to them. 

This year has been a little different.  I still haven't gone crazy baking or anything, but I've really started to notice things around me that matter more. 

1.  It is very important that there is a nativity seen around.  I want Helen at ask about it and know that actual reason we have Christmas.

2.  We still need some Santa at Christmas!

3.  I don't think I will ever have a creepy Elf on the Shelf.  First of all, kids should be good all year round.  I'm sure Helen will always be an angel :) Anyways, that puts a lot of pressure on the parents.  Every night I'm supposed to figure out some crazy and creative thing to do with him?  I would FAIL!  25 days of that?  No thank you.

4. I was really nervous about Helen and a tree, so she has her own little tree in the living room.  It is has things she can't break or choke on.  YAY!  She likes it.  Every once in awhile, she walks/crawls past it and pulls an ornament or 2 off.  She hasn't crawled under it or knocked it over yet.  I'm sure that will happen soon.

5.  We put our "normal" size tree in our bedroom.  So far, the best part of Christmas has been laying in bed with my little family, right before Helen is ready to go to sleep.  Everything feels perfect then.

Tipsy even made it in a couple of pictures

p.s. she doesn't sleep with us, she just cuddles sometimes.

ooooooohhhhhh aaaaaaahhhh

Visits

We love having company.  This weekend, Pat and Cat came to see us. We got a lot of shopping done too. 

Happy times.

I came home from work tonight and Helen decided to get up.  Look at these 2 being goofy :)

Pumpkin fun

We had a lot of family come to visit the weekend before Helen's birthday. The highlight for everyone was the pumpkin patch. 

Grandma and grandpa Martel with some of their grand kids. 

Auntie Jamie had a lot of fun!

This is Helen's first petting zoo. She thought it was pretty interesting. 

Mike couldn't get helen off of this old/vintage mcdonalds toy. 

Enjoying one of our last nice days of the year.  

Lawn

Apparently mowing the lawn is incredibly entertaining.  Helen and Murphy spent a long time watching Mike.  It was so nice out on Wednesday.  At least we all got outside :)

Daddy went around the corner

nosey

checking out the flowers

Mike has quite the audience

agh!  look at those green feet

the lawn got a little long

Everyone says

Everyone says, "they grow up so fast."  Wow were they right!  Helen turned 11 months old this week.  It honestly seems like she was just a tiny baby, learning how to roll over on the floor.  Well, here we are, almost walking.  

1.  Helen waves "bye, bye"

2.  She talks all the time.  She can be quiet and sweet and and super loud.  She likes to say mamamamama, dadadadadada, babababababa, or just aaaaggggghhhhhhh!!!!

3.  OMG she already has 6 teeth!  

4.  Sometimes, when she doesn't realize it, she stands up in the middle of the room.  Once she notices what is going on, she sits.  I think she secretly walks, late at night, in her crib.  

5.  I'm still loving the fact that she naps 2-3 times a day.  Everyone tells me that it doesn't last long.   

6.  She constantly is challenging us.  When she gets into something she knows she shouldn't be in, she turns back and looks at us with a sweet little smile.  Oh no.

7.  Started to clap her hands!

8.  Helen plays fetch with Murphy.  Usually, she just tries to hand him the ball.  Also, she shares her mum mums with him.  She takes a bite, then Murphy takes a bite.  :)

9.  Dancing is her favorite.  Whenever something has any sort of beat, she sways and sometimes starts singing.  

10.  We've been putting her on her potty before her bath, just so she's not afraid of it later on.  She's peed in it twice!  woo hoo!!!!  Hopefully, when the time comes to potty train, it goes well.  

always on the move

playing

not a fan of mornings

she loves to swing!

classic

helping with dishes

another one of those early mornings

picking out outfits for her 1 year pictures

just chillin' and having some breakfast

 

My baby is growing up

Helen has really shown me a lot in this past year or so.  I have learned to appreciate all the little things.  I'm not saying I'm perfect or anything.  We all get frustrated and sometimes just want a moment to ourselves.  This usually comes when it's 3am and I'm awake with a teething baby or it's 11pm and she won't go to sleep.  I have really come to realize how lucky I am that I have those times with her.  She's getting close to a year old and it already feels like she's growing so fast.  One of my friends, Megan,  recently told me Helen is losing her "baby" look.  What?!?!  She's still a baby :)  I suppose she's right.  I'm not really good with change, but I'm going to enjoy all the crazy little moments we have.

This picture just makes me laugh :)

so many expressions

sitting in the big girl tub

always keeping us on our toes

working on her motorcycle