Happy little man...

Has anybody seen my baby?? I think I lost him in all those rolls. :)

I wanted to post some of our favorite new photos. Rory has been SO unbelievably happy at times in the past few weeks (at other times he's a grouch, but more often he's the happy man). He's been doing arts and crafts at school, so we already have paintings up on the fridge and are starting a book of his artwork, like the proud moms we are. He loves his Johnny Jumper, but has to be closely watched to enjoy it because he tends to swing himself sideways into the door frame more often than he jumps, but as you can see from the photo, he has a blast in it.

We are already experiencing our first daycare teacher leaving, which is super sad. We really liked her and felt like she had a good connection with Mr. Rory. He lights up with a big smile when we walk in and see her. Alas, the high turnover in daycares is always an issue because its a very hard job, physically and emotionally and they just don't make enough money to make it worth most people staying long term. I'm sure we will experience several "teacher turn-overs" in his daycare days, but this one is particularly sad since she was his first teacher and clearly loves him.

On a fun note...we are starting him on solid foods this weekend. He's going to try sweet potato. Its very exciting for everyone because he eats so much that I worry he's going to run out of milk sometimes at daycare, so this will give us another food option. Also, it gives Mama Bev a chance to be the food-Mama for a change, which she has been super excited about. We like to say is was her cooking for me when I was pregnant that contributed to him being such a healthy baby to start, and her way of getting to share in the "growing" of the baby. Now she'll get to once again be a part of "growing" our little boy. We'll let you know how it goes.

Happy New Year!!!

Rory's first New Year's Eve celebration was a snowy fun weekend at our friend Smooth's family house on a mountain in Jackson, NH. Its the perfect place to hang out with wonderful friends, play games, go sledding or skiing or snowshoeing or some days all 3. Cooper loves to run free through the snow and to chase people down the hill in the yard as they sled down. As you can see from the photo above, Rory had a great time too. Some quality time with Aunties Smooth, Michelle, Em, Court and Heather and some play time with little friends Ryan and Jack was the best way to start his first New Year!! Hope everyone else had a fun and safe holiday.


I'm totally loving our new Nordic Cab. Rory is snug as a bug in there and usually goes right to sleep when we start skiing. We've used the cab 3 or 4 times already and the snow is only just beginning.


Mama Bev giving the new x-country skiis their first workout in NH.


Rory all bundled up in the Nordic Cab pulk sled. If its cold, we tuck a warm sleeping bag around him too and then he's supre cozy in there. It actually looks so comfy in there that I sort of wish they made them in adult sizes. Then I could have Bev pull me around when I got tired. :)


Rory's first big accomplishment of 2010...Roly Poly. He rolled over for the first time on New Years Day up in Jackson. I had him playing on his tummy on the floor and I turned away to tend the fire for a minute and when I turned back, he was on his back looking thoroughly shocked and amazed at the sudden change of scenery. Then, he got a big, proud smile on his face when he realized what he had done. It was priceless. He did it again a few times that morning, and had done it 4 or 5 times since then. Its so amazing to watch them learn and figure out the world around them and what they can do in it.

Football Sunday

Rory loves relaxing on the couch on Sundays watching football...even if the Pats are out of the playoffs.

First Christmas...

Rory's first Christmas was as busy and as fun as expected. He is very lucky to have such wonderful and loving friends and family to celebrate with. The following string of photos is just a clip of excitement of the holiday I hope you all enjoyed as much as we did. Merry Christmas!!



Bev sewing Rory's stocking. She made one for his cousin Cadam as well and I embroidered the names onto them both. Fun Christmas project.


Santa Cadam enjoying a nice, clean, Christmas diaper. Some of Bev's family drove to our house to celebrate Christmas a bit early.


Granny and Rory in their Christmas best.


Lesley and Cadam doing a little Christmas dance. Grampa Gabe also came to celebrate with us but eluded the camera that day. We missed seeing Nic, Kim, Chris and Odin, but we hear that Santa was good to all of them too.


Rory's completed stocking and he in his reindeer sweater couldn't be cuter.


A fun pre-Christmas visit from Mike and Ella. It was their first time meeting the little man and he was showing off his smiles.


Christmas Eve Eve...It was Ryan's first time meeting Rory as well.


Auntie Nicole did eventually share him. Papa and Mr. Rory enjoying the rocking chair by the woodstove.


Uncle Rick chillin' with the little man.


Ninna getting some big smiles and giggles.


...and Auntie Nicole steals him back for some Christmas Eve snuggle time.


The big Christmas Eve party at Carol and Buck's house was as crazy as ever. I think we counted over 60 people there throughout the night. Rory handled it well and even got in some quality time with Gramma before all the guests arrived.


His first Christmas stocking. Somehow Santa knew that Rory loves socks just as much as his Mom. He is actually helping to open his first stocking gift here.


I think he got the hang of this wrapping paper thing.


Whew...Christmas morning is tiring. I think I'll take a nap under this nice tissue paper blanket.


Rory was very excited to wish Uncle Mike, Aunt Lisa and his growing baby cousin a Merry Christmas.


Rory is telling Aunt Tara some big stories about his day...


...and more stories for Uncle Mike. Or maybe he just has a yummy finger to chew on.


WOW...Christmas time is fun and getting to spend so much time with all my family was the best part (although, I certainly enjoyed all the fun presents too). We can't wait to put him in some of the cute outfits he got and we've already read many of the books several times. We are all so thankful to have such amazing loved ones to share his first Christmas with.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Rory loved the Christmas decorations. The lights on the tree were especially entertaining. We would have loved to have taken that necessary photo of him in his stocking, but he's so big that he'd never fit into it.