Thanksgiving Fun

 We got to meet baby Torrance for the first time.  I think everyone there enjoyed her, especially the little girls!

 Joshua loved playing with grandma's cat!

 But I'm not too sure the cat enjoyed it all that much.

 Joshua LOVES all his uncles.  Here's Josh with uncle Jordan.

 Nate, I believe Joshua's second cousin?, really enjoyed playing with Josh.  He was always willing to show him something or take him somewhere.

 And just be goofy together.

 And most of all, Joshua loved being with grandma.  He loved it when she would read to him.  He's finally getting more into books, and that's great!

First Dr.'s Apt

Well, I finally got my first Dr.'s appointment over with this morning.  My actual due date is July 6th, I guess.  But it will probably be born before that...I hope!  :-)  And, although it's still early, I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat!  Now that makes everything seem a little more real.

Joe stayed home with Josh, so he was a little disappointed he didn't get to hear the heart beat, but next time, he's coming with!  He would have this time if I wasn't going to be there so long, and we knew for sure we were actually going to hear it.

Putting Up The Christmas Tree

 Friday night, after we got home from Grandma's, we put out our Christmas tree. 

 Joshua saw his ornament from last year and fell in love with it.  It's a baby Hawkeye Football player.  How could you not love that?

 And his ornament this year...and S;more with a "J" on it.  I think once he tries s'mores he'll fall in love with that one too!

Boxes of Fun!

Did you know that you can save a lot of money on toys because kids really will play with anything?!? (Except balls, you needs lots of balls and then they will be set for anything else around the house)

 It's fun to find the little things that are free, and can provide hours of fun! Props to Stacey for thinking of this one!

 Maybe what this kid needs for Christmas is one of those ball play pins, like they have in all the fast food restaurant play places.

Kitty

 We spent some time with Joe's brother and his wife a few weeks back.  The highlight of Josh's time there was the kitty!!

 Good thing for the kitty, he had a place to rest out of the reach of this energetic little boy!

 But to my surprise, the kitty didn't mind Josh so much.  I have never seen a cat that would put up with a child so well. (Granted, I also haven't been around too many cats in general, thankfully)  But this one I liked! :-)

 Josh constantly tried to give it hugs,

Or use it as a pillow.  I think the cat enjoyed the attention, for the most part.  And I enjoyed the photo opportunity!

Hugs

Jeremiah loves giving Josh hugs.  He's such a good friend!

Telephone, Duke

 Ring, Ring...

 Duke, it's for you.

 No, Duke, the phone, it's for you.  Stop licking me!

He's not available right now, you'll have to call later. 

Pucker Up!

Sit Down

Joshua likes to stand up in his high chair while he's in the middle of eating.  When he does this, we always say, "Sit down, Joshua" or just "Sit down".  And although he hears the words, I don't think he quite understands what they mean.  Now, as he stands up in his high chair he will also say, "Sit down, sit down".  Yes, it's cute, but it doesn't keep him sitting.  I guess that's why they put straps in there!

Also, lately, when I tell Joshua, "No, No"  he stops, points at whatever he isn't suppose to be touching and says, "no, no", and then proceeds to play with it again.  Of course, he usually gets disciplined at this point, and then he figures it out.  It's tough with the little ones.  You wonder if they understand, but either way, you have to keep trying to teach them.  Oh the joys of being a parent.  It is a blessing no matter how you look at it!

More Forts!

Even Duke likes the forts daddy makes. 

Hey, Mom!  No Girls Allowed!!

That's OK, Joshua.  I think I like watching from a distance better anyway.

HuHot

I think I realized why I like eating at Huhot when I'm in the early stages of pregnancy.  Not only is the food SUPER GOOD and always sounds tasty, no matter how sick I feel...When I leave, I actually look pregnant!!  Ok, maybe not a good thing, but it's always fun when you start seeing the baby bump. Even if it is temporary.  :-)

Helping Mommy Clean

 Mom!  Stop taking pictures, I'm trying to work here!

 This is hard work!

Almost Done...

So Sweet

Josh-sized Chair

 Joshua has discovered that it's fun to sit in a chair all by himself. 

 And at grandma's, he found a chair just his size!

 But he still has to climb in, turn around, and then sit down. 

 And it's just so cute!

 And usually doesn't last very long.  Especially when he sees mommy with the camera and thinks he needs to play with it.

A Note From Jeremiah

Joshua got a letter from his friend Jeremiah a few days ago.  He was excited and, well, just in awe!!
Just look at his face!

 Here's what it said:

Well, I hope he likes his new baby too!  If not, at least he has a place to run away to.
That's what friends are for!

So cute!  Thank you, Jeremiah.

And, for the record, Joshua can now say Jeremiah!  Yay!!

Argggg!

 We went to Long John Silvers on the way home a few days ago, and Joshua thought this little hat was quite special. 

 He'd put it on and look around to see who was watching him.

 What a little ham!  Then he'd take it off and "try" to put it back on.  He's still learning that part!

 It looks so natural on this little pirate.