Milestone Alert- Spoonin, Cribbin, Schoolin

Move over Gerber baby...

So it was time.  Over the break, Blake hit several fun milestones.  First, he moved out of the cradle that GP Bartolomei built and Nana hand painted, which was used by Vanessa and Tanya when they were babies.  He is now in his crib in his own room and loving it.

 His next milestone involved building the high chair.  It was time for him to try some cereal.  We didn't exactly have the manual out on techniques to feeding your child, but Blake helped us through.  He acted like he had been spoon feeding for years.  We had so much fun feeding him for the first time.  He continues to bless us with his happy demeanor.  He is happy from the minute he wakes until the late night tickle session on the changing table.  So what's next on the menu?  Grandma Willems suggested moving from rice cereal to some baby back ribs.  I wouldn't put it past him.  Do they make a Leche marinade?

Blake's final milestone over the recent month was starting school.  We have him registered in the UCLA extension program for advanced Calculus and introductory Art History.  Well, not that yet, but he did start full time daycare.  How else are we going to expose him to the needed germs for developing immune systems?  By the way, this milestone was also shared by Mom and Dad.  Just to report, both parents successfully made it through the week and have not quit their jobs just yet.

Blake's First Christmas- 2011

 Blake was blessed with spending time with family over the holidays.  We first started out with Christmas at GnG Bartolomei's.  He's 5 months, and figured out something fun was going on.  He didn't even mind his Santa outfit.  Hope you enjoy some pics of Blake's first Christmas...

This was his first Christmas gift.  Of course the wrapping was as exciting as anything.

We then traveled to Arizona to meet up with the entire Willems family.  He had a blast seeing all of his cousins at GnG Willems' house.  Of course mom put on a spectacular display of food and treats.  We were all surrounded by love and happiness.  Cousins Molly and Kayla were so good with Blake, and made him laugh and smile at every opportunity.

 All the cousins- Kayla, Johhny, Selma, Molly and Blake.

 And we even had a special visit from Santa himself.  But that winter outfit was a bit much for the nice weather in Prescott.

So, after enjoying Mama's special dinner, we all were slowing down.  It was about 8:30pm and people were starting to close an eye or two.  When all of a sudden Dad through down the gauntlet.  It took a while, but he fired everyone up and organized a ping pong tournament.  And of course he stepped right up to even out the bracket.  We all had a blast laughing and cheering and owe it all to Dad.  That night would have past us by, but not with JKW around.  What fun.

Boy are we thankful for our little Turkey!

Blake's first Thanksgiving!  We had a wonderful time at GP and Nana's for turkey, 2 different types of cranberry made by AunT and Gigi, mashed taters, and all the fixins.  Nana's table was beautifully adorned with neighborhood leaves she had collected and dried.  And of course we enjoyed pumpkin pie and some pumpkin bars for dessert.  We were stuffed (not in the English way)!

We had plenty to be thankful for this year, but it was hard not to stop and concentrate on what we are all so thankful for this year... Thank you Lord for our wonderful son.  He is such a blessing, and has created a different view on life for us all. It's impossible to imagine a world without him.

We had such a nice time on Thanksgiving.  Blake is already well on his way to learning one of life's most important lessons... THERE IS NOTHING LIKE FAMILY.