SEASON'S GREETINGS

Such a busy time, but what a good time. KJ, Kurt and I were flying all around Michigan, through horrible weather and navigating bad roads, to spend the Christmas with our family and friends.

We took a trip up to Almont on Christmas Eve following mass at St. Clement's to celebrate with Kurt's family. KJ was trying to crawl down the aisle at church and kept laughing at his toys during the homily. It was cute, but a bit embarrassing. He was a good boy, just full of it. Thank goodness that Father Steve had us in and out of church in under an hour. He opened his first gifts at Grandma Schuster's house. He liked to eat the wrapping paper more than he liked the presents, but I have a feeling that the presents will grow on him.

We decided to leave Christmas Eve, since KJ was sleeping so soundly, to travel back to Kalamazoo for Christmas Day with my side of the family. KJ was excited to wake up Christmas morning to open gifts from his uncles and grandparents. Santa did not make the trip to Kalamazoo this year-- roads were too bad. He was sad that he couldn't play with his Uncle Brad since he was sick, but made sure to get lots of kisses from his Uncle DJ.

8 MONTHS OLD

KJ turned 8 months old a few days ago. He is getting more fun by the day and I think that this is my favorite age so far. He is really starting to interact with us, show affection and act independently now that he can move.

New things the little man can do this month include crawling, pulling himself up, lots of sounds (he is talking in some language, we just don't know it), he knows his name and he is eating all kinds of big boy foods like toast, pancakes and noodles with his 6 teeth.

FIRST VISIT WITH SANTA

Kurt and I took KJ to visit Santa Claus on Sunday. Kurt and I had a great time, but KJ was a bit freaked out by the big guy in the red suit. It wasn't until Santa gave KJ a candy cane to chew on that he warmed up a bit to him. He loved sucking on that plastic wrapper!

We found Santa at a local nursery, Sherwood Forest, and it was a great setup. Santa had his own little cabin, the line to see him was two people deep and we could take as many pictures as we liked. After we visited, we went into the little Christmas Shop and bought a few ornaments to commemorate the trip. Count the coffee we bought before the visit and it was a perfect Sunday.

SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER

We did a small photo shoot for Christmas for KJ's card. He loves pictures. Before we took the pictures, he was whining and crying. As soon as I got the camera out and told him it was picture time, he was all smiles. What a ham!

In his church outfit...

On the good list, for sure...

Kurt wouldn't let me put this on the card, but I loved it...

TURKEY DAY

The family traveled back to Kalamazoo to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Nordquist clan. We sure do have a lot to be thankful for this year, highlighted by the center of attention the entire weekend, KJ.

He was an absolute gem, soaking up the play time with his uncles, loving his first taste of turkey (I loved it too, he slept like a rock Thursday night) and getting presents during day after shopping.

EATIN' MACHINE

KJ just learned how to chew and will be eating us out of house and home soon.

NO STOPPING HIM NOW...

Some days it is hard to believe that KJ is already 7 months old. His first Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years is just around the corner. Then a quick couple of months and our little baby will be one.

KJ is a world of growth and change. In the past month he has made some big strides. He is a complete flirt, smiling at strangers and giving kisses to anyone who will pucker up and ask for one. Granted, it is just a slobbery open mouth, but it is the sweetest kiss you will ever receive. He is on all fours, rocking back and forth and pushing himself backward across the floor. Forward mobility is just around the corner! He mimics noises, gives fives, plays peek-a-boo and loves to rough house with his dad. KJ is also working toward eating solid food. He is getting his 4th and 5th tooth and eating tons of finger foods by himself with a crooked chewing technique that is adorable. The box of Cheerios was the best investment yet.

I just stare at him in amazement everyday. I might be insane, but I am really looking forward to giving him a sibling and experiencing the craziness again.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

KJ had a great time on his first Halloween. He dressed up as a tiger, trick-or-treated with his dad and helped his mom hand out candy for a few minutes. We were so lucky to have AMAZING weather for the evening, so KJ was able to walk around and get some candy that we were going to keep for him until he was old enough to eat it, but since that will be a long time, Kurt and I are going to have to take care of it for him.

He didn't really like his costume, as you can see from the pictures below. We later discovered that the zipper was scratching his chin. Apparently KJ has already learned association because every time I pulled the costume out, he started to cry. Such a good mom, I just kept putting him in the suit thinking he was stubborn.

HAIR CUT AND HALLOWEEN

After being mistaken for a girl for the 1,000th time (seriously, I dress him in football shirts and cargo pants), and my parents and grandparents constantly asking me, I finally gave in and cut KJ's hair. I miss it already. In fairness to the people who wanted it cut, it did need to be tamed and you can't just trim a baby's hair with ease or use product. So, off it went. I can't wait for it to grow back into a big ole mess of hockey hair. Did I mention that I miss it?

Before: After:

On a different note, KJ is excited about his 1st Halloween and wanted to wish everyone a safe and fun Halloween!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY

6 months and we have a little boy, quickly turning into a little man. We headed to the orchard last week during our Indian Summer for family pictures and got a few of KJ too. I have to go through the lot of them to pick out his "official" picture, but here a couple of him taking in the beautiful fall day.

SOME CANDIDS...

Aunt Kim setup an awesome "photo shoot" for KJ. While we had to deal with cough syrup spills and peeing on fur, she got some great pictures during the shoot and after.

JUST CHILLIN...

A few pictures of the little man as the fall comes in...

Getting ready to eat cereal for the first time
Relaxing on the fur, loving life
Putting KJ to bed or the other way around?
Check out KJ's teeth in his exersaucer