Swimming

Over the winter, we did a fabulous Sunday activity - took swimming lessons at Milestone.  We took six, 30 minute sessions - a doable committment for this busy Mommy.  We had so much fun.  The first lesson, Jude was very calm, and adjusting to being in the water.  He held tighly to Mommy, but wasn't frightened.  But the second week didn't go as well.  He was at an age where he picked up on all the moods around him...if you laughed, he laughed.  If you cried, he cried.  Unfortunately, week 2 had several crying babies, and Jude cried right along with them.  After that week, he got really good at it, and loved it!  He would go under water, hold onto the wall by himself, kick his legs, try to play with the other kids, and really adapted to the water.  I was sad when our six week session was over, but now that Summer is here, I'm putting his Polliwog Certified skills to use.

Kicking on his kickboard

Blowing bubbles

Just coming out of the water

Hanging out

I loved spending this time with him

His own pool, aka, the bathtub

Christmas!

Okay, I'm only six months behind now...I'm catching up!  Our first Christmas was such a treat.  I tried not to go crazy with presents, but I failed.  I couldn't help it.  I wanted his Christmas tree to have lots of gifts -- I've learned my lesson for my second child.  While watching him open his presents was fun, it wasn't the thrill of his life like I expected.  And now we have WAY too many toys! 

The Christmas season started at the Gardner household the day after Thanksgiving.  We had such a fun Christmas season.

We spent lots of time bundled up at home.

 We ventured out very little, but we did make it to Oxmoor Mall to see the big Christmas Tree.

Jude helped me wrap some presents.

We have such a happy boy.

And curious boy.

And Mimi got him a Santa outfit :)  That's my boy, holding onto his coffee like his momma.

On Christmas Eve, my parents continued the Stevenson tradition of getting a stuffed animal and PJ's for Jude.  I have many fond memories of opening up this gift when I was a child.  My sister and I would put on our new pajamas, hold onto our new stuffed friend and prepare milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.  Here's Jude opening his first set of Christmas pajamas with Debbie and Mimi.

We went home and got in a quick nap before heading over to the Austin's for their wonderful Christmas Eve dinner.  And they got Jude a fun pop up toy.

Then we headed off to the Gardner's for a fun, late night Christmas Eve celebration.  Momma D and Pappa G got him the coolest tent with tons of balls in it.

Uncle Jon Jon and Amy got him the ultimate sports center toy!

 Check out those moves.

Jude was such a good boy!  We were there after 10pm, and he was being so good...until this moment.  Okay, time to go!  We had a big day ahead of us.

On Christmas morning, I was so giddy with delight.  It was my baby boy's first Christmas and I wanted to make it the longest day possible.  I captured everything.

Good morning baby, Merry Christmas!

Snuggling while he had his Christmas bottle (I know I'm a dork).  

Merry Christmas Daddy!

A White Christmas - yes!  Checking out the snow with the girls.

Opening his first gift.

We then headed over to K Pa and Mimi's to celebrate with them.  He live his Kitty.

And his K Pa.

Our 1st Christmas as a family :)

His first pair of Nike's - thanks Mimi and K Pa (and Kitty for helping to pick them out).  I think he likes them.

Check out those cute, little teeth.

What's that on your face Uncle Waller?

Cool toy Kitty and Waller!

Nice raincoat for Ireland.

Kitty and Waller's gift was so special.  It was a drawing by Waller of Jude.  It means so much to me and Lonnie - we love it!

But, the best gift of all also came from Kitty and Waller.  They announced their pregnancy to Mimi and K Pa!  They told them by getting them an ornament that read "Christmas 2011 - Waller, Whitney, baby."  Mimi caught on right away, but it took K Pa awhile.

We then headed to Momma D and Pappa G's for more fun.  Jude got a rocker that used to be his Daddy's.  Pappa G's working on it a little bit more before we take it home, but as you can see, he loves it.

Thanks Pappa G

Playing some more with Uncle Jon's gift.

We had some more yummy food and me Jude took a fabulous nap at the Gardners.  I loved snuggling with my little buddy!  We headed home to open a few more presents and play with Jude's toys.

And we called it a night for Christmas.  We had such a wonderful day, and it exceeded all my expectations.  It was perfect, and I can't wait for many more.