Christmas

Christmas has come and gone...it was great! Of course, Keegan was mystified about the opening up of presents...but he sure loved the toys inside of the boxes! His favorite toy he recieved was his new race car. He loves being pushed around the house on it. Since one of his favorite things to do lately is stand and play with toys, Santa gave him a toy walker. Here he is playing with all the buttons while it was still in the box.

Since Keegan did not get the hang of opening gifts, Kevin was right there to help him open all his presents. What a guy!

Probably the most fun part of this years Christmas was Keegans discovery of Scotch tape. He was not really sure on why the wrapping paper was sticking to his hand...actually, it made him kind of upset!!! Too funny!

So, yes...we had a great first Christmas with our little man. No need to show you what Kevin and I got for Christmas, because Keegan is the best gift we have ever recieved...

Sweet Family Traditions

Once Keegan was born I really started to think about all the traditions I wanted to begin as a family. So far, sleeping through the night is THE tradition we are currently working on!!! The one tradition Kevin and I had pre-Keegan was making our annual Christmas cookies. This will be our 5th year making the cookies for our friends. We will make 220 of these scrumptious morsels for this holiday season. Now let me back up a bit and tell you how these cookies came about. My Aunt Cheryl, who is known for her baking, would make these every year and bring them to our family's Christmas dinner. I think she calls them Twix cookies...well my friends call them "the bomb" cookies. They go nuts over them. They are just peanut butter, Ritz crackers, and chocolate!!! But, my friends think they are made of gold. I have even heard of spouses hiding the cookies from one another just so the can have more cookies for themselves. Madnesss! Well, tonight we made the cookies and put them in their respectful tins. Over the next few weeks we will deliver the cookies to our friend's homes. It is a great way to reconnect with friends and wish them a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. The other "sweet" part of this tradition is that after we make the cookies, Kevin and I watch the movie, Love Actually. It is one of our favorite holiday movies. If you have not seen the movie, we suggest you rent the movie, kick back and eat some of our cookies...it will put a smile on your face!!

The Gift of Giving

Kevin is a giver. He as always cared about the welfare of his friends and family. Ask him to help you and he is there right away...no questions asked. I love that about him and I know that he will instill the same quality into our children.
One of Kevin's annual Christmas charities he gives to, is the local bike-a-thon at our local police department. They collect bikes and then distribute them to local children in need. I asked Kevin this year why he likes this charity. He responded by saying that bikes do not need batteries, they get kids to be physically active, and it gives back to the community in which he grew up in. This year he recruited Keegan to help assemble the bike. Keegan did a great job of supervising and the two had fun putting the bike together!

Thanksgiving...it was a success!!

I actually did it!! I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner and it went very well. Kevin and I got up at 3 am to put Tom the Turkey in his brine and then at 11:30 am, Tom went in the oven. The turkey was moist and so flavorful. I was both relieved and thrilled that the main entree was edible and delicious. I feel like I have made yet another passage in my womanhood...I have made the Thanksgiving turkey!!! The dining room table also turned out super fab!! I found this idea for centerpiece candles at another blog spot and re-created it. Martha Stewart should be calling me any day now...

Keegan also got to spend time with two more of his cousins, Madison and Caulin. Madison did a wonderful job playing with Keegan while Kevin and I cleaned up the kitchen. I do not know who giggled more that night, Madison or Keegan. Since we will not see the two kids for Christmas, they got to open up their Christmas gifts after dinner. This was Keegan's first time opening gifts. He was not really sure about the whole experience and needed help from the cousins to get his gifts unwrapped. All 3 kids got wonderful gifts and to quote my nephew after he opened up his Nintendo DS game, "All my dreams came true!" Wow...I guess that sums it all up!

The Night Before Thanksgiving...

Last year, my cousin Sarah, her husband Brian, and their son Henry, traveled from D.C. to Cleveland for Thanksgiving. This year, we were blessed to have them at our house again. They stayed for one night and then left on Thanksgiving, to spend it with Brian's family. Henry is 16 months and full of energy!!! It definitely gave me a sneak peak of what my life will be very soon! We had a great evening of watching Henry play and watching Keegan be fascinated with his cousin. I am sure these two boys will have many adventures during their childhood! It was so wonderful to have Sarah and her family with us. We were saddened to see them go, but we are hopeful to make a trip out east to see them this summer.

Another year, Another Win!!!

Kevin's good friend lives in Michigan. About 3 years ago, we traveled to see him the same weekend the OSU vs. Michigan game was playing. Ever since, we have made it an annual tradition to meet up with him and his wife during the big game. This year, the game was in Michigan, so we packed up our things and headed north. We made sure Keegan was dressed in his Scarlet and Gray for the big game.

I am happy to report that over our 3 year tradition, we are 3-0!! Go Bucks!! Not only did Keegan get to experience a winning weekend, he also got to go to see his first parade and take a walk at a nearby park. We had such a great weekend and can not wait to do it again next year!

Getting Ready for the Big Turkey Day!!!

I love Thanksgiving. It is my most favorite holiday. I love the idea of family coming together to eat and just enjoy each others company. No need for gifts...just being together is gift enough. So, this year, I decided to host Thanksgiving for Kevin's side of the family. I love to cook. I grew up with my mom always having a wonderful hot meal on the table. Every night she did this and I have adopted the same tradition in our home. I have learned a lot from my mom as far as how to make some really good food. So, the idea of making Thanksgiving dinner does not scare me, but making the turkey does! I have watched EVERY foodnetwork.com "how to" video and I have the Food Network channel on all day. I plan on brining the turkey and then roasting it. So, I learned I will need a big stock pot for the turkey to brine it. Kevin brought home this stock pot last night and Keegan wanted to play in it! So...here you have it...our little Thanksgiving Turkey.
I even have had Kevin watching videos on how to carve the turkey. I keep letting him know this a "man's job" to build up his ego and confidence! I know he will do a great job. I just hope the turkey comes out moist! I plan to post pics of the Thanksgiving Day events and hopefully will have many success stories about the turkey. I just keep telling myself that even if the turkey does not turn out well, I make a killer apple pie!

Trick or Treat!!!

First, let me give you some background on Keegan's Halloween costume. My 83 year old grandfather works full time at Lowes. I know...amazing! He recently sent Keegan a package that included a Lowe's work apron, a Lowe's hat, and various wood assembly projects that Lowe's features at their stores. Of course Keegan is too young to assemble any of the toys...but by gosh he sure looks good in the Lowe's attire. So, there you have it...he dressed up as a Lowe's employee.
I can not wait for my Grandpa to see these photos....I can hear him laughing now!!

The other big news of the month is the arrival of Keegan's first tooth. He is pretty proud of his new chopper! And it looks like another one is on it's way....

Keegan's Kickers!

Since the weather is turning colder here in Ohio, we decided that Keegan needed some extra warmth for his feet. So, Kevin bought Keegan his foot pair of shoes...a size 3! Keegan thinks he is pretty hot stuff with his shoes on. He enjoys playing with the velcro straps...great entertainment while sitting in the carseat.

Keegan just turned 8 months old. His current faves are....playing with his cars on the hardwood floor in the foyer, playing with Leggos, and hanging out with mom in the kitchen! Here are a few pictures of Keegan enjoying some of his favorite pastimes!

Swim Classes!

We decided to start swim classes with Keegan last month and it was a great decision. We go every Saturday for 6 weeks. This coming Saturday is when Keegan gets to go all the way under!!! I do not think he will mind, since he is constantly plopping his face in the water to get a taste of the wet stuff.
Kevin and I both go in the water with him and have learned some safety techniques as well as handling techniques. My dad even showed up on the first day and took some really good pictures. Enjoy!

Gently pouring water over Keegan's head so he gets used to water on his face. As long as the thumb is in his mouth he could care less.

Grandpa and Keegan...apple juice after a hard day in the pool!

The boys!!!

A Little Taste of Paradise!

We officially had our first family vacation. And we are planning for one next year already! So, yes, the trip was a success. Thanks to my Aunt Cheryl, Aunt Brenda, and my mom for watching Keegan to allow Kevin and I to have some adult time.
Keegan had many "firsts" on his vacation. He had his first airplane ride. He did well in the plane with only about 15 minutes of crying. The rest of the time was spent playing and flirting with whoever was walking down the aisle! He also had his first experience with the beach and the ocean. He was in the Gulf of Mexico and playing in the sand without hesitation. He spent countless hours in the pool playing with his rubber fish and sitting in his inflatable car. He was able to meet his GreatGrandparents! They were tickled to meet him and loved to watch him play and laugh.
Our overall experience in Florida was such a positive and relaxing one! We hope that every year we are able to travel with family to get away from the everyday grind and really focus on what life is all about...family!

The next Beckham!

Keegan's babysitter is a junior at Copley High School. She loves Keegan and Keegan adores her. We have gone to a few of her soccer games this season. We suprised her today at an away game. I ordered a shirt for Keegan and as you will see in the pictures below he looks pretty cool!Lexi was thrilled when she saw Keegan. I think it really made her day when she saw his shirt. Copley was winning 1-0 when we left at the half and we hope they beat Revere tonight! So, if you are wondering where I got this idea for the shirt...I can not take any of the credit. Actually, it goes to my parents. When I was a toddler they made me a shirt that stated "My dad is... The Ref!" My dad has been a high school wrestling official for over 30 years and that is what I would wear when I would go to his wrestling tournaments. So, the tradition continues....

75 and Sunny!

Yes I love the summer. But I will have to admit that a day like today is not so bad. A day without humidity but with sunshine is a great day. I always thought I would love living in the south. But, after only one year in Georgia I realized I was not the Southern Belle I thought I was destined to be. By living in the heat it really made me appreciate the change of seasons. The change in the weather is like starting a clean slate; writing a new chapter. You change your wardrobe, you change your activities, etc. Keegan apparently enjoyed the day also. He was perfectly content riding in his stroller watching people mow their grass, watching the dogs in the neighborhood, and watching the kids get off the school bus. We took an hour long walk and he was having a great time.

The Six Month Stats are In!

This Tuesday we went to the doctor's office for Keegan's six month check-up. His weight is 18.5# and that puts him in the 75th percentile for weight. He is also in the 75th for height. Once again he was a very brave boy by only crying a short time after recieving two shots.

Keegan continues to not miss a meal! He is eating solid foods three times a day. His current menu of favorites includes: prunes, zuchinni, pears, peas, applesauce, and acorn squash. This week he will be trying sweet potatoes and carrots!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I love the summer and Kevin loves the winter. However, we both love to spend time at the pool! We have been able to go to the pool as a family a couple of times this year. This past Sunday we recently went and had a blast. Keegan enjoys sitting in the water and splashing all around. He does not show any fear; but rather is very relaxed when in the water. We leave for Florida in 3 weeks. We plan on spending a lot of time in the water and I think Keegan will do just fine lounging in and around the pool!

Hanging out with my grandparents!

Keegan has had a lot of company over the last month. He especially enjoys time with his grandparents. The picture with Kevin's dad holding Keegan really shows how big and long Keegan is getting. I can not wait for the next doctor's visit so I can see how much Keegan weighs. The other picture shows Keegan playing with his new favorite toy, a remote control and wearing his favorite shirt...a Catepillar shirt. His Grandpa thought his shirt was pretty cool too.