The Godfather

Mike (Randy's best friend), Thomas's godfather

 Last weekend we finally got to see the Scott family!  This was the first time that they were able to meet Thomas.  We all went out to lunch and then visited over at Mr. Scott's house (Mike's dad's house).  We had such a wonderful visit and hated to say good bye.  We really hope that someday we can all live in the same state so we can see each other more often.  Seeing them just reminds us how much we love them all.

The kids
Jordyn, Deuce, Greyson and Thomas

Greyson playing with Randy
He is so cute and loved playing with Randy

Best of friends
You know that you are best of friends when you can go a long time without speaking or seeing each other, but pick right up as if you spent no time apart when you see each other again.  We are so blessed to be a part of Mike and Carrie's lives.  We love you guys!

Christmas Lights

 Last weekend we took Thomas to see the Norfolk Botanical Christmas Lights (my favorite).  Before the lights we took Thomas to his first bar (Cogan's Pizza) with Uncle Mike and Aunt Ashley.  We didn't know it was a bar and we went at 5pm so it didn't really matter that it was a bar.  :-)  After dinner we drove through the 2 miles of beautiful lights.  Thomas loved seeing all the lights, but I think he loved playing with his Aunt Ashley the best. 

Multi purpose bowl

After we feed Thomas and sometimes while we feed him, we let him play with a bowl and his sippy cup.

More brown rice pics

In all of the magazines, books and online articles they recommend to feed your baby 'new' foods for 3-4 days in case they have an allergic reaction to it.  This will help you to know right away which food it is that he is allergic to.  We did the brown rice for 2 days and switched to avocado.  I asked Thomas's pediatrician about what, when, how much to feed Thomas and he said "whatever we are comfortable with".  He was super laid back about the whole thing and actually said that he only fed his boys new foods for one day.  Thomas's pediatrician is so wonderful, he has such a laid back approach that helps Randy and I keep calm.  Anything we bring to his attention is 'no big deal'.

First solid food - Brown rice

Got the Baby Bullet from Nana last year for Christmas.  This was the perfect gift because I will be making Thomas's baby food.
First on the menu....Homemade brown rice cereal

We put it on his tray to play with and he made the funniest faces when it got on his hand.

He did ok with the brown rice.  He doesn't seem to like the texture of it too much.  Maybe I didn't grind it fine enough so I will try even finer grinds next time.  Next on the menu is avocado.  Stay tuned....

AZ pics I forgot

My cousin Alicia and her son Trig that is 1-1/2 years old

View from the plane on the way home

Also our view on the plane (I like this one much better)

Thomas's First Christmas

We all had such a wonderful Christmas this year in VA.  On Christmas Eve we had a nice, intimate evening with Grandpa Barney, Grammie Deb, Uncle Mike, Randy, Precious, Thomas and I.  We opened lots of gifts and had a yummy lasagna dinner.  We did miss Aunt Ashley, but she had a nice Christmas at home in Ohio.

On Christmas morning, Thomas woke up to his jumper and gifts from Santa (mainly stuff for eating solids).  After opening gifts and getting ready we went over to Bela's house for Christmas dinner.  We had a yummy pork roast with all the trimmings, opened gifts and had a lovely day.

We didn't think Thomas was going to be able to open gifts this year, but we were wrong.  He could open them, but seemed to care more about eating the wrapping paper.  :-)  I am sure next year will be a different story.  This was by far the best Christmas we have ever had.  Christmas is no longer about Randy and I (of course it is about the birth Jesus), it is also about watching our little boy light up with family traditions, gifts, love and celebration.

For pictures from Thomas's first Christmas, click HERE

6 Month Check Up

Thomas had his 6 month appointment on Wednesday. He is 28-5/8" tall (97%) and 18 lbs 4 oz (80%), healthy, ready for solids and we are going to take him off his reflux medicine!  He cried a little on the 3rd shot but that was it. Thanks be to God for such a healthy, sweet, loving and good baby boy!

I Love Santa

Happy Birthday Jesus!

and Merry Christmas to all!

Wishing you many blessings and much love,

The Mars Family

Also, Happy Birthday Nana!  We love you!

Surprise Grandpa James!

For my dad's 60th birthday we decided to surprise him by going out to AZ for his party.  The surprise went perfectly!  We put Thomas on dad's doorstep in his stroller with a sign that said "Happy Birthday Grandpa" and rang the doorbell.  Dad was very surprised and kept saying "this is great!"  We were able to spend a week with him including his party on Saturday and his actual birthday on Tuesday.  We had such a great time and feel so blessed to have had that time with Grandpa James and our family and friends in AZ.

Click HERE to view pictures from the trip

Almost Christmas!

I'll take a visit from this Santa any day!

All I want for Christmas is my......

two front teeth!!

Daddy noticed on the way out to Arizona that Thomas's front left tooth was peeking through.  By the end of our trip, both lower front teeth were ready to bite.  :-)  They are moving fast because just two weekends ago I checked for teeth and nothing.  Four days later, there was the one.

I will post on AZ as soon as I get time to figure out how I am going to post all the many pictures.  We took over 200!

Crab Wreaths?

Thought these were cute!  In our town each tree along the main street has one of these on it.

Parade

This weekend our town had their yearly Christmas parade.  We went last year thinking it wouldn't be that great since our town has a population of about 12,000 but we were pleasantly surprised.  This year we couldn't wait to take Thomas.  We knew he would love all the lights, noises and people.  I think this year was even better than last!  Of course our company was definitely better.  :-)

By the end of the parade someone was a little sleepy, especially since it was past his bedtime.

Tummy time

Thomas loves his tummy time.  As soon as we put him on the floor on his back he rolls over to his tummy (from left side or right side).

First Christmas Tree

Ornament from Auntie Em

Thomas loves to look at the lights and likes to pull at the branches.  Luckily for us he isn't crawling or walking yet so we don't have to worry about him pulling it over.  Next year will be a different story though.  :-)

Tuesdays with Grandpa Barney

On Tuesdays Randy doesn't get home until about 9pm because he goes to our church group right after work. So...we have picked that day for Grandpa Barney to spend with us.  We go for a walk, play and/or go to dinner and have a wonderful time together!  Thomas loves his Tuesdays!

Big Boy stroller

We are no longer putting the infant car seat into the stroller for our walks.  It is so funny because Thomas is in such awe looking at his new world that he doesn't make a peep so I keep checking him to see if he fell asleep.  Ha Ha

Thomas in the hoody

Love this picture.  I think his eyes just may be getting darker.  Brown possibly?

Thomas loves to pinch Precious's cheeks and Precious loves to sniff Thomas and tries to get a lick in until mommy breaks them up.