Someone Was Good This Year

Little Guy must have been good this year. Santa remembered to bring a sled for him. We have been having lots of fun in the snow.

First we bundle up to walk to the sledding hill at the end of our block.

Then we have fun in the snow.

And when we start to get cold, we head back to the house and drink hot cocoa.

Did This Happen At Your House?

Some of us had trouble staying away from the presents.

Some of us kept rolling right back there thinking we wouldn't get caught peaking.

Some of us found the shining objects too much and had to taste them ourselves.

All of us had a very Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

As the large, white, fluffy snowflakes fall we wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!

Another year started out much the same. Happy Mom endured another grueling busy season, so afterwards she and Big Poppy went on another much-deserved vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Why don’t I ever deserve one? I guess my one job responsibility (this letter) doesn’t equate into a needed vacation. Anyway, they used their timeshare for the first time. While they were gone, the house got a bit of a makeover with all the ceilings being redone. Gone is the outdated popcorn texture, forever replaced by knockdown. I stayed out of the worker’s way by spending the week with GrandB and GrandC. I most enjoy going to their home because I am spoiled endlessly.

Alright, enough with the boring stuff about, Happy Mom, Big Poppy, and myself. For the past several years, Happy Mom and Big Poppy have been asking me if I want a little brother or sister to run around with. Well it took them long enough, but they finally heard me say “yes” and wouldn’t you know it a precious little boy was brought into our lives.

It was a beautiful spring day, so Happy Mom rode her bike to Big Poppy’s softball game and because his phone is smaller, they swapped. Big Poppy had Happy Mom’s phone in his bag and never heard it ring. Happy Mom didn’t recognize the phone number that showed up on Big Poppy’s phone, so she didn’t answer. Next thing you know, Charlie gets the call, as he is the first emergency contact, and happens to answer. I believe he answered thinking he was being called to a storm. Adoption Network is on the line that they need to speak with Big Poppy and Happy Mom, but cannot reach them.

Fortunately, GrandC was in the stands and immediately handed his phone over to Happy Mom. Happy Mom got off the phone about the time the game ended. They learned a special angel had picked them and the kicker was the baby was born a week prior and they need to be in Sacramento, CA, ASAP. In a manner of 24 hrs, I was shipped off to GrandB and GrandC’s again and Happy Mom and Big Poppy were on a plane to Sacramento. Exactly two weeks to the day they left, they returned home with a beautiful baby boy they named Little Guy.

Little Guy was born on May 19, 2009, weighing 6lbs 4oz and measured 18-1/2” long. As I write this letter he is 21-3/4 lbs, 29” long, and growing like a weed. I cannot seem to understand why he gets several meals during the day and I get two! I hover around his high chair waiting for him to share, but so far the little turkey eats the whole serving. I really enjoy having Little Guy around, even when he gives my hair a good yank. I get even though by chewing one of his toys. Little Guy is always in a good mood, except when he is teething. He has a few teeth that have broken the surface and a couple others that are getting ready to break the surface. I wonder if Little Guy will share some steak with me in a couple weeks.

Little Guy gets around by rolling everywhere. It’s only a matter of time before he starts crawling, and then the real fun will begin. At this point I’ve been taking it easy on him, but as soon as he can crawl I’m going to teach him the game of “chase.” He’s also talking a lot and I especially get a kick out of it because I’m the only one that can understand him. Happy Mom and Big Poppy can only wish they could understand what we are talking about.

Looks like I am running out of space, so I invite you to check out our blog, http://www.nothinglessthanamiracle.blogspot.com. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. It is also nice to see you. Don’t be a stranger and stop by for a visit. I wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy 2010!

Love,
Jeter

My Same Goals

I am amazed by people who are able to keep family and friends up to date with their daily lives this time of the year. They must have figured out better planning ahead than I have done. Most years I have the same goals - 1) Get better organization, 2) Lose Weight and 3) Spend more time with family and friends.

This past year I have been able to achieve #3. It was great reconnecting and maintaining connections with those we care for. I am not perfect and have had my moments of failing to keep up. Instead of moving on and trying to find the time in the future I have instead made the time. I can still improve so this will be on my list of items again in 2010. You can never get enough time with your family and friends (now if only I could get some younger family members to be on the same page with me - I remember the days of wanting my friends more than my family so I sympathize but I also want them to be smarter than I was).

Becoming more organized was a double edge sword for me this past year. In order to have more time with family and friends I needed to have everything planned out better. I started in the office. I changed the timing schedule for staff to the drop dead dates to me. I thought it worked out nicely...until I looked closer. Because of the drop dead dates, it meant that changes required needed to happen quickly. While they were given more time on the front end, there was less time on the back end and caused them undo stress. Then there were the times the drop dead date was missed because it took longer than planned. While my time was down quite a bit due to this organization, it really caused unknown stress to others in the office. Which leads me to the changes I'll try this year. Drop dead dates are a thing of the past and staff will know when the date projects need to be to the partners. Then we can work together on deciding the timing that will work for both us. No sense causing them undo stress if it can be avoided by having them a bigger part of the process.

Organization at home - this went out the window in May and I am so happy it did. This will need to be addressed with Little Guy too in the coming year. Perhaps he can start doing some laundry or dishes? Oh wait, he's job is to be a cute and happy guy. So far Little Guy does this quite well. See for yourself.

Losing weight - some day I'll be happy with it all the time. It goes back to home organization and making sure I make the time to workout. Planning is key. Follow through is even more important.

And so, I know the priorities and I make sure they are always number 1. Big Poppy, Little Guy and Jeter are always in the fore front of my mind. They are what truely make my life so wonderful.

Naughty is the New Nice

Little Guy likes to cause trouble sometimes (well as much trouble as a 6 month old can cause - you know, making a mess while eating or pulling hair when he get's too excited).

You can't see "Naughty is the New Nice" very well but I thought seeing him smile while sitting was too cute to pass up.

Dear Santa Clause

Dear Santa Clause,

It was so nice to meet you this past Sunday. You are as warm and friendly as the stories imply. I had a nice breakfast with my Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt and cousin – though it would have been even better if my other Uncle, Aunt and counsin could have joined us, maybe next year.

It sure was nice of you to let me and my family take a look around The Day in the Life of an Elf. It looks like the elf’s get up really early. I’m thankful I don’t have to get up that early every day but if you ever need help making toys or wrapping the presents give me a call.

I have included a couple pictures we took together on Sunday. I know you are a busy guy and I thought this might help you remember our talk. I also included a picture you took with my cousin and her Mommy and Daddy. She was a little scared of you. Next time I’ll make sure to sit with her and hold her hand, then she won’t be so scared.

Thanks again for taking the time to meet on Sunday. I hope you have a good flight and you get a lot of milk and cookies (I can’t wait until I can eat cookies). I am also putting in my top five gifts we discussed, but go ahead and choose anything you think is best for a little boy like me. My Mommy and Grandma will probably make sure I get everything else.

1. Hockey Skates – Daddy thinks it will be really cool if I skate before I walk.

2. Dog Treats – I really love my puppy Jeter and would like to give him more treats during the day even though Mommy says he should only have one or two treats a day.

3. Colorful Lights – One of my favorite things to do is sit and look at the pretty bright lights. Right now there are all kinds of lights inside and outside. It would be nice to have this year round.

4. Bite Size Toy – It is so fun putting everything in my mouth. If I could have a little bite size toy I would be a happy boy.

5. Sled – You remember my puppy Jeter, right. He loves to play outside and we now have snow. It would be nice if Jeter would be able to pull me in my very own sled.

Love,

Little Guy

6 Month Pictures

A couple weeks ago we took Little Guy for his six month pictures. Here's your warning, he is so darn cute you may have difficulty looking away.

Little Guy is getting ready for Santa Clause and seems very excited about Santa Coming to Town.

As many people have commented, Little Guy does not miss any meals. He also likes to keep an eye on his treats but looks like he is willing to share with Santa Clause - this year.

Do you notice the gray socks? Happy Mom failed to plan the outfit change properly. Good thing Little Guy is so happy go lucky.

Sometime Little Guy gets too excited and will not sit by himself because of how much he is trying to look around. The cropped picture looks like Little Guy is sledding down the hill in his Grumpy Old Men hat.

Pure sweetness is all I can say.