Christmas is Almost here!

Hand Bells

 

To get us into the Christmas spirit we started December off with a little hand bells at Frisco's Merry Main Street!  It was a family ordeal, with Jeff directing and his mom and sister filling in as some of the bell ringers.  Anders and cousin Jane were some of the bundled up spectators in attendance....it was probably one of the coldest nights we had in Texas all year, burrr.....but it really made it feel like Christmas.

Christmas Tree Decorating

 Anders is the best gift we could ever have!

Thankful!

Yesterday I bubbled in my last testing scan-tron, and finished up my first semester of nursing school.  It was a good yet challenging semester, of which I am so thankful to be done.  A special thanks to my loving husband and supportive family- I couldn't have done it with out you.

Here is a reflective picture from my first day of clinical...I was so nervous; but 10 weeks later I am feeling more confident and much more like a nurse.

So this morning I woke up feeling like a new "free" women, ready to take on all the things I love doing but didn't have much time for during school, one of which is blogging.

Catching up on Anders

I am very thankful for my healthy and happy little boy.  He brings such joy to our lives!  Anders turned 9 months on the 21st.  His appointment with Dr. G showed the following stats:

Weight- 20.4 lb (50%)

Height- 29.5 in (95%)

Head- 18.5 in (95%)

Anders currently loves: to make people smile by clapping his hands, taking baths, eating, playing with his cousins, standing- with Mom and Dads help, and singing (listening to us sing and then adding his version).  He also is trying out a new move that we call the "push-up" (pictured below)...this may mean that he will be crawling soon.

 Bath time- 1st mohawk!

 

Mom Larson

This past month we celebrated with my mother-in law on her birthday.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful mother-in-law, who is such a help with Anders and a great example of a positive and joyful person. 

 
We celebrated Thanksgiving at their place and I was one of only two Americans in the room.  Canadian thanksgiving is in October- so I am a lucky girl that get's to celebrate my favorite holiday not once but twice!

Jeff's Wheels- on his way to work!

 

Reasons Why I Love the Fall

• Weather- it is perfect 60/70 degrees (really- nothing beats it).
• Colors- I love nature's green; but mix in some red, brown, and orange- BEAUTIFUL!
• Warm clothes- Sweaters, scarfs, hats, slippers... fall accessories are so fun.
• Warm drinks- Apple Cider....smells so yummy and taste so good.
• School year begins- it's the time of year to learn new things.
• Thanksgiving (Canadian and American)- so much to be thankful for and you can't beat the food.

Mr. Independent

Our little man is becoming Mr. Independent. He just recently discovered that holding the bottle himself is way better then having someone hold it for you.

He also loves swinging by himself at the park!

As well as reaching and "talking" on my phone. Love this picture because it shows off his great stocking hat hair! Comb anyone?

And making many funny....

and sweet baby boy faces.

Like many moms, my camera is flooded with pictures of my baby, but if you were to scroll through my recent pictures you will find a little diversity. Here are some of my most recent "study A&P" pictures from school- the lung and a histology slide of Alveoli. The more I learn the more I realize that the human body is amazing!

Nursing school is keeping us all extra busy around here, but I have high hopes to catch up on blogging during the upcoming holiday breaks.

8 Months Old

Wow, another month has flown by and our little man is now 8 months old. New things with Anders: clapping hands, standing with help and enjoying a great new view, eating (3 times a day), being outside, dogs (loves Chaco- Uncle Erik and Aunt Yurikos' black lab), pulling all toys out of his toy basket, and sticking out his tongue. He also has 5 teeth with the 6th on the way- it really makes him look like a little boy. My baby is growing up!!!!

Here are some favorite pictures from this past month.

Love this Harley outfit from the Files family.

Grandma Judge brought Anders a warm winter coat when we were in Ohio.

Mickey Mouse time at our Fall Festival!

Playing Outside.

Parker

My nephew, Parker, was born this past Saturday- October 17th! We all had a chance to meet him over the weekend and got the chance to congratulate Preston and April.

Happy New Parents.

Proud Grandma Lana.

All the guys hanging out.

Parker's first car ride home.

The Family.

This little guy is so adorable- welcome to this great big world Parker, we love you!

Can I Have a Napkin Please

Dinner tonight was peas. Peas have not been a favorite this past month, however by adding a secret ingredient, fruit (thanks for the advise Jana), Anders loved them! Tonight was an especially fun dinner because on top of eating a healthy green veggie, making me a happy mommy, Anders got to try and feed himself, making him a happy baby. This new found independence did mean peas everywhere- on Anders, on me, in our hair, on the wall, on the floor...but overall what fun!

Happy Birthday Elwood

Today is my father-in-law's birthday! We are so happy that we can help him celebrate here in Texas (August marked their one year anniversary as Texans). I love this picture of him.

Mr. Ima Hurt- Nursing School Patient

Please let me introduce Mr. Ima Hurt (love how my professors have a since of humor), one of my patients I had at nursing school this past week. The real live patients begin on Monday, when I start my clinical rotations at Medical Center of Plano- patient care here I come!

While I am in school Anders spends some time with Grandma and Grandpa Larson, Aunt Karin, Aunt Eraina, or his Daddy. Here is my favorite picture of the week, Anders is "helping" Grandma and Grandpa Larson in their garage.

7 Months Old

Anders is 7 months old today -so hard to believe! He is a busy little guy, doing something from the minute he wakes right up until his next nap. We love him very much and are so thankful that God blessed us with such a sweet, healthy and good little baby.

7th Month Recap:

• Sitting up
  
• Developing stranger danger- crying at a new face
  
• Eating vegetables: peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash (only really liking sweet potatoes)
• Discovering hands and being fascinated
  
• Rolling...rolling....rolling
• Jumping....jumping...jumping in the jump-a-roo- especially while Daddy plays the piano (a little rhythm- maybe?)
  
• Building our immune system by having a cough/cold (off and on) for 4 weeks
• Loving attention and being around people
  
• Holding a sippie cup
  
• Playing peak-a-boo and laughing until we got the hic-ups

Anders- We Love You!