Posada #2 & #3 Cont.

Here are a few pictures from the Posadas

Life Lesson #2

Don't leave a 10 1/2 month old in the bathroom by himself for even 10 seconds once he figures out how to open and close things. Water is very fun to play with, especially when you can reach it...like in the toilet! GROSS!!!!!!!!!

Posada #2 & #3

Jaden went to another Posada at San Pablo on Wednesday and one in Mexico on Thursday. A few things were different, a lot of things the same. Here are some pics....

This is the Posada song....or at leat a part of it. This is the song that gets repeated at every house along the way.

This is one of my favorite songs that the marachi does for Christmas. It's not so traditional but it's really fun.

it's taking forever to upload these videos so I'm goign to have to finish tomorrow...

Life Lesson #1

Okay - so this isn't the first lesson I've ever learned in life...but it is the first one that I'm blogging about. Thanks to the idea from a friend. I guess this way we'll keep count of the dumb things I do (at least, the ones I'm willing to tell you about!)

Lesson #1 DON'T rip a hole in the bag of dried beans before you get over the bowl you want to dump them into!

Good thing the floor was clean!

First Posada (play by play)

Jaden went to his 1st Posada yesterday (OUTSIDE of the womb that is). Posadas are the topic of my MA Thesis so I've been doing some research. One person told me tonight, "Oh, nice choice of a Thesis topic! For research you just HAVE to go to a bunch of PARTIES!!!" Of course, a posada is much more than just a party. For the WHOLE story you'll have to read my thesis (WHEN it gets done of course). But, for a brief description, here you go....

First Posada

At the party, the mariachi played. They played Jaden's favorite song. He can't help it. It's in his blood. He just HAS to dance!

Getting Around and around...and around....and around....

We are keeping busy. Jaden keeps being as cute as ever. He LOVES playing with Grandma! I'm getting lots of things done, but kinda miss just hanging out with the little guy! Here is a bit of what we have been up to the last few days....I still have catching up to do from when my dad was here...but we'll get to it sometime!!

Jaden has found a new way to get around.

The first time he tried it, one of the brakes on the stroller was locked so he LITERALLY got around - and around - and around - and around. I think he was doing it for at least 5 minutes before I got the camera out. As you can see, he ended up a bit dizzy!

But he is fearless. About 10 seconds later, he was back up for more!

Here is a fun picture of us at Roble's (a local Mexican Restaurant). Daddy and Jaden were having fun entertaining each other!

Jaden has been hanging out a lot with Grandma these last few weeks and, like Grandmas do - she's been finding some fun toys for him. We happend across this Rudolph on sale and she had to get it. He sings and his nose lights up with you press his ear. Jaden likes him a lot and claps every time Rudolph sings. But, Rudolph is also nice and soft and makes a good partner for a nap.

Awwww....

Tonight, as Jaden was playing just across the room I couldn't believe how different he looked. With his hair getting longer and as he does more and more things, I realized that he looks OLDER. I don't know if this picture captures whatever I saw that made me nostalgic for his 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, even 9 month days...but it sure is a cute one!

Pumpkin Update

Okay everyone....so thanks for all of the wonderful ideas for pumpkin! I just wish I had enough time to actually MAKE all of those yummy things!!! Really, these days I'm not making ANYTHING. My mom has been here and has been doing the cooking (and pretty much everything else!!!) while I study. I just have a few days left of her help so I have to take advantage of it and get as much done as possible! That also explains the slacking on the blog entries!

Anyway....I thought I'd throw out a little update...I did make Pumpkin Waffles. Nutty Pumpkin Waffles with Pumpkin Maple Sauce to be exact. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Nutty-Pumpkin-Waffles/Detail.aspx TRUST me...they were GOOD!!!!!!!! Some of the comments on the recipe say to forgoe the sauce - but DON'T - it is SO good!!!

Even the toughest critic liked them. But, lest you think I am a terrible mother for giving my child something so wierd....his didn't have nuts or syrup...just think of all of the wonderful things he has to look forward to! :-)

10 months

So, today was Jaden's 10 month birthday. I can't believe that 10 months has gone by this fast and I can't believe how much he is learning and doing every day.

Here was a picture from today....
For example
Yesterday we came out to the living room in the morning. Jaden loves to pull ALL (or at least MOST) of his books off of the shelf. Every once in a while we get through a whole book when we read but most of the time it is more like 5 pages or less. Since he was pulling all of the books off of the shelf I asked him if he wanted to read, picked up a book, and began reading it to him. When it was finished I asked him if he wanted to read more. He has learned the sign language for "MORE" but has only ever used it in relation to food. He signed more to my question so I said, "can you bring me a book?" and pointed to the pile that was across the room. He looked at me, looked at the books, crawled over, picked one up, and crawled back to me holding it out. We read that whole book. Again I asked "do you want to read more?" He signed more, so I said "okay, can you bring me a book?" this time without pointing. He looked at me, looked at the books, went and got one and brought it over. We repeated this FIVE times! Not only did he bring the book each time but we read the WHOLE THING each time! I couldn't believe it.

Another example. I guess Jaden is learning to shake his head NO. We try not to use the word "no!" too much but, there are few key things that we have been teaching him. Like...
-no, you can't play with the electrical outlet.
- no, you can't pull the lever on the water cooler and dump water all over the kitchen floor.
- and no, the roll of toilet paper is not a toy.
well, yeseterday he was in the bathroom and my mom was in there. He was playing with a few toys in the dry bathtub but, then, he looked at the roll of toilet paper, looked at my mom, and shook his head. Then he would go back to playing....then look at the toilet paper, look at my mom and shake his head no. I guess he gets it! Of course, it's important to note that when he shakes his head it is hilarious. It's like the whole upper 1/3rd of his body shakes, not just his head!

He's also trying to put big Legos together, he walks behind his Tonka truck, and Stephen is SURE that he repeated "garbage truck" this morning as they watched out the window. Probably something a little more like "ga-a uk" but it was pretty close!

As for me, I'm just trying to figure out where the time has gone. I look at pictures from even a month or so ago and can't believe how little he was. I can't imagine him any other way than how he is right now but I also remember thinking that a couple of weeks ago when he couldn't do all of these things yet, or when he was tiny and couldn't even sit yet. One thing I know for sure, he has me hooked.

The Singing, Guitar Playing Baby

I don't know why this one didnt' get posted the other day when I uploaded the video- but here it is now....


What can I say - he's multitalented....

Pumpkin

So, I got a free pumpkin. I decided to go ahead and cook it so I could use it for something. Here's the process.....

Raw - waiting to go in the oven (after getting covered with foil)

Cooked

Pureed

and bagged - 8 cups to be exact (and enough leftover to see if Jaden likes pumpkin tomorrow).


My only question.....NOW WHAT??????

I'm thinking of trying to make Pumpkin Empanadas.

Any suggestions????? We're tired of pumpkin pie.