merry christmas, ya filthy animal

Testing out a gift from Uncle Casey and Aunt Jessie.  This was part one of opening gifts, when he first woke up.

We received this picture Christmas morning and I don't know what it is about it, but I absolutely love it.  Probably because I love the little boy in it so much.

Planning his escape out of his ball pit.

So much to take in, not even sure where to start.

Practicing his standing skills while learning a few numbers, colors, and alphabet letters.

We also own these pajamas. 

Outfit number two into the PJ's Santa brought: after a diaper change.

This was honestly one of the funniest moments I have witnessed in regards to Declyn.  He was sitting in his highchair eating his dinner, when he started to slowly close his eyes, then pop them open, then close them again (this went on for about a minute) and then finally the head fell sideways and he was out cold. I was able to catch the tail end of it on video, but everyone - my mom, dad, grandma, myself, and Mike - were all hysterically laughing.  He has never fallen asleep while eating, at least not in his highchair.  

*Outfit number three: he had to take a nap halfway into give opening, and we didn't find time to open the rest until right before dinner.

Mike can't fully comprehend the concept of Elf on a Shelf / thinks the doll looks creepy, so he put this little guy in Declyn's stocking to start the tradition next year, just with a less scary-looking elf.

My parents got this for him, and he quite enjoys it.  Little jokester won't let me take his picture.

You have to love his tired, swollen eyes.  Nothing like the face of a sleepy baby.

'twas the night before christmas

My mom bought all her grandson's matching pajama's, and so desperately wanted to get a picture of all of them together.  Out of the literally 20 taken, this was one of my favorites.  In 75% of them Declyn is just grabbing onto James and poor James is just in shock (although I'm not sure why -- Dec does it to him every time James is within reach.)  This may be a glimpse into the future: Declyn going after James, James taking it / not sure what to do, and Brent just hanging out while it all it takes place.

Similar pajamas here.

Ignore the bottom (blue) half of this picture -- you get the idea.  Gorgeous tree, by the way.

Teething is taking over Declyn's life -- this is what it's like all the time now; his poor finger in his swollen gums of a mouth.  Again, Brent just minding his own business.

Top left: people watching nonstop (just like his mom).

Bottom left: chatting up a storm while at dinner.

Right: "reading" his book. 

Sweater :: H & M
Shirt :: Carter's / OshKosh 

James was more interested in Declyn's toy then Declyn was.  And of course Dec wasn't having that.  He wanted to be doing what his cousin James was doing.  What that was, he didn't know, but he was determined.

Similar (plaid) cabbie found here.

Playing with his fresh toy while sporting his new hat.

Clockwise from bottom left…

1. Using his hammer to open his presents.  Surprisingly, he knew how to open them with his hands, too.

2. Stoked about the wrapping paper -- and not afraid to let us know.

3. He couldn't decide which one to go for, so he went for them all.

4. My mom had put each grandchild's gifts in neat piles, so Declyn just tackled the first one he saw.

5. Caught.

6. James coming over to tell us that Declyn is just storming the presents with his body.

Poor kid.  Every time he went to sit up, he'd get hit in the face with a tree branch, so this was the best we could get.

Learning how to climb the one step to get to the bulbs on the tree and/or pull at a tree branch.

spoon-age

On the weekends you never know what you're going to get in the morning…

Therefore, it was no surprise when I rolled over and was met with these two spooning.  I know Declyn looks like a toddler, but I promise it's just the angle.

Car pajamas are here.

The last home game for our season tickets.  When we left at the beginning of fourth quarter, they were winning.  I guess we were their good luck charms, because they ended up loosing by one point.  Too bad we had a neighborhood Christmas party to get to, otherwise we may have beat Dallas.

Declyn getting acquainted with Meagan's boyfriend, Dan.  A little up close and personal action.

[Thanks, Lyss, for the photo you don't know I borrowed.]

Mustache sweater -- similar (ish) one here.

blue skies & a green coat

This playground has become our jam.  The best part is it's right next to the dog park, so when we go as a family we get a little two-for-one deal.

Rain coat :: Janie & Jack

Pants :: H & M

Similar shoes are here.

He is obsessed with the swing. The higher he goes, the happier he is.

maverick

 

 After dinner we heard crying coming from the dining room -- little lady had gotten stuck under the table.  All the chairs were pushed in, and apparently she didn't think to go under any one of the four.

 Declyn's Godfather, his Uncle Drew, had gotten him these aviators when he was first born.  Mike thought it appropriate to walk downstairs with Dec wearing them.  You never know what you're going to get when he takes Declyn upstairs to his nursery.

Top is here in multiple colors.

what does the fox say?

Our journey through ZooLights.

 

  Riding the train.  Don't mind my bug-eyes, I guess I was excited.

 

I don't care how blurry or dark this picture is, it's maybe one of four family portraits we have together, so I'll take it.

 

 He was in love with the carousel -- first he rode the cheetah.

 

 All bundled up for 30+ degree weather.  Poor kid, you don't even want to know how many layers he has on.

 

 There's something about white lights -- classy, yet whimsical.

 One of the only exhibits open -- a mama and her baby.  They were even intertwined while they slept.

My aunt / Godmother was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.  She is absolutely obsessed with elephants, so we knew we had to take a picture in front of this display and send it to her.  It was just a little reminder that we're thinking about her, and continuing to pray for her.  Luckily, her heart was found strong enough to complete chemotherapy, so she starts that around Christmas.  We know that she will beat this disase and we continue to pray for a speedy, and not too painful, recovery.

 His favorite display was one where lights lit up to the beat of music.  Just another indication that he is indeed related to my brother.

All smiles during a diaper change in the car.

 Mike (left) and I (right) taking turns going down the tire slide.

 

 Declyn's second animal of choice?  The fox.

joyriding

 

 My brother was kind enough to give us this Jeep Walker.  Almost immediately after getting into it for the first time, Declyn was cruising through the halls.  If he isn't ripping off the rear-view mirror (top pictures) he's crashing into corners, chairs, pretty much anything that gets in his way.

Fleece zip-up is here.

 

 A boy and his dog having a moment.

Watching to see what Cali will do next.  Fenway knows how this story ends, and therefore isn't interested. 

 Caden was also a huge fan of the Jeep.  The cutest part was Declyn was holding onto the back while Caden was sitting in the front and every few seconds Caden would turn around, smile, and touch Declyn's face, sort of as a way to check in and make sure he was still there.  Declyn would of course reciprocate the favor.  Kristen predicts this is going to be the same thing we'll see 16 years from now.

 

 Caught.

red-nosed reindeer

 

 Now that he is much more mobile, his Jumperoo is being used not just for jumping in, but for hiding under.

 

 My nephews were over for some holiday crafts-- an activity I did at my playgroup.  Using their thumbprints, we made reindeer ornaments.  I got the idea from here.

sandwiched

We met friends downtown at The Arsenal  and this little one squeezed right between us for lunch.  The best part, and why I love this picture so much, is that with his right hand he was holding Mike's hand and with his left he was holding onto the end of my shirt -- completing the Three Muskateers.

Sweatshirt :: Carter's.  Similar one here.

 

 Using my left hand, I was showing Declyn how to spell his name.  I thought it looked kind of neat with the sun shining through the back, so I decided to take a picture.  Clearly I wish I would had used my right hand and written neater. 

newsies

James was explaining his snowman to me.

Time at CC's = arts and crafts.  How cute is this homemade snowman?  I would put glue on a piece and tell James the general area where to put it, and this was the result.  Adorbs.

Just a nanny and her great-grandson sharing a moment.  Declyn loves to reach for her earrings every time she holds him.

Similar (plaid) suspenders here.

Dec's jeans (12 months) fit perfectly in the length, but are big in the waist.  I don't have a belt for him, so instead I opted to use his suspenders.  I know he didn't have the hat to complete the look, but he looked so much like a newsie to me.

Take 1: shock & goofiness

Take 2: smiles

It doesn't matter where Declyn is, or what he's doing, James always chooses to be by his side.  I have noticed, however, that he's starting to regress sometimes, meaning he'll talk in baby talk or crawl around on the floor.  I knew this was possibly going to happen at some point, but it's funny to see it play out.  It gives me a heads up on how Declyn (and our other children) may be with younger siblings as they arrive. But the love he has for him… oh the love.