Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was a long but fun day. We started out visiting with Melissa's Grandma McCartney for a little while, then traveled to Aunt Connie & Uncle Bob's house for lunch, where we had enough food to feed an army. Jon and JD surprised everyone with a brief visit (They were down for the week visiting Danielle's family) It was great to see them and for Uncle Jon and JD to meet DJ! Then after visiting for awhile after lunch, we headed to Tim's parents' house for dinner. Tim realized later in the day that DJ had seen all of his great grandparents and grandparents in that one day, something that very few children have an opportunity to do! We are so thankful for all of God's blessings this year, especially DJ! We are thankful for our new niece, Lucy Abigail Rutig, who we can't wait to meet at Christmas! We are also thankful for our dog Penny, who got to enjoy her first Thanksgiving turkey scraps!

DJ's Baby Dedication

Today, DJ was dedicated to the Lord before our family and the church. It was a special time and we truly appreciated that many of our family members could be there to share this special day. We also know that other family members were there in spirit and prayers even if they couldn't be here in person. We then had a huge lunch at our house afterwards, because no event goes by in our family without food!! DJ had a full afternoon with his family, and was passed around between different aunts, uncles, cousins and of course grandparents. Throughout it all he was his good natured self, just sleeping or talking to whoever was holding him.

DJ at 3 months

I can't believe its been three months since this wonderful child came into our lives. Everything has changed so much, but in a good way! Every day brings new joy to our lives through him. He is constantly laughing or "talking" I just enjoy every moment hugging and kissing him.

DJ has learned to "kiss" -- it's really him just opening his mouth and trying to lick me when I kiss him on the cheeks.

He also can roll over. When he gets to his stomach he is both surprised and not too happy, but when you roll him back, he just does it again. This means no more leaving him in one spot (although with all his moving, he has been scooting himself around for quite awhile now)

DJ's first few weeks at First Baptist WPB Child Development Center have been wonderful. While it was difficult the first few days (and it is never really easy to leave him), Miss Betty and Miss Lourdes are wonderful. They truly love their children. If he is sleeping in the morning when I drop him off, Miss Betty just cuddles with him while he sleeps. One of his class mates is Lucy. There is only one more baby in there until after the new year, so DJ gets lots of attention. Grandma has also been checking up on him on a regular basis.

They do crafts with them (using their hands and feet to make prints for trees and wreaths), they read to them, sing to them and by the time he is 1 year old he will know a few words of sign language. It really is the best place for him.

Halloween 2009

DJ celebrated his first Halloween! He was of course Tigger -- since mom loves Tigger so much it was fitting. The costume was not Florida friendly (since the weather did not cooperate and give us a cold front), so he was only in the costume long enough for pictures with grandma and grandpa, and then we put it on him again at the neighborhood block party. Even Penny dressed up as a jester!

The block party was great again this year. We really are blessed to live in such a wonderful neighborhood where the kids can just trick or treat without any fears. We gave away 4 bags of candy to about 20 trick or treaters (who came in three groups).