Tommy does Laundry!

I was doing my makeup the other day, and noticed Tommy taking clean clothes out of the basket and putting them in the washer. It was so cute I had to get it on video, but as soon as he noticed me, he stopped! I think he's been watching mommy pretty closely! 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was fun! We had our friend Angela over. She spent the night so we could get started on the turkey bright an early, but her and I ended up staying up all night so it was really hard getting up at 6am. Luckily she's 8 months pregnant and can't sleep anyway. :) She is a great cook. It was a great day. 

Tommy is walking! He surprised us by just getting up and walking across the room, totally out of the blue. He just decided he was ready I guess. We went out to dinner the other night, and Tommy was playing with the people sitting around us. He would wave and say "hi!", then hide his face with his hands. We had a few people come up to us to play with him, it was so funny. 

We have been having so much fun here in Germany, we are so thankful to get the opportunity. And we are very thankful for Justin's job. It's been a wonderful financial move for us. Justin is getting promoted really fast and he and I are both able to go to school without student loans and fees. When Justin gets released from the army, he will be able to get the career he's always wanted. It was a huge risk for him to join, but we are so happy we made it.

Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for what you have, so count your blessings! ♥

Fun in the Snow!

Should have been a video, but here's some pictures.

I'm not able to upload videos for some strange reason, I've been trying for 2 weeks! So here are some pictures instead of Tommy today. I video him every couple of weeks, then put them all onto a DVD so we'll always have them. He grows so fast it's hard to document it! I don't like the pictures because it's hard taking them without blur because he is constantly moving! So here are the best ones. Isn't his smile contagious?

Halloween

We had a lot of fun this Halloween. Justin didn't have to work much, and we went to a HUGE costume shop and had fun looking around. We couldn't find anything in Tommy's size (which was surprising because the place must have had a thousand costumes) but we eventually found a reindeer outfit that he already had and it looked really cute on him. 

                            

We baked some sugar cookies and decorated them together, while taking turns greeting trick or treaters and handing out candy. Our neighbor came by with her son and as soon as Justin opened the door, he dumped his candy bag out to show him how much candy he had. He's become Tommy's best friend. When Tommy sees him he gets so excited and will even hug him. 

Tommy had so much fun seeing the other kids and eating cookies. After he went to bed Justin and I stayed up and watched What Lies Beneath. It's tradition in my family to watch a scary movie on Halloween. Justin was a big baby and had to shut his eyes a few times. But I love him anyway! :) We look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Holidays are really fun in Germany.

For Tommy, with Love ♥

One thing in this world is always true,

I will always be here to comfort you,

my love you for you, it has no end,

I'll guide you, teach you, and be your friend.

Many thoughts go through my mind,

where are the answers I cannot find?

will I have strength to carry on,

teach you life, and right from wrong?

I'll be there when you scrape your knee,

look for monsters you're sure you see,

read to you before you sleep,

my heart is yours, for you to keep.

This world is such a beautiful place,

take your time, there is no race,

go to college and save your money,

and plan for times that won't be sunny.

I love you more than words can say,

with you I will always stay,

forever you'll be my baby boy,

my hope, my strength, and greatest joy.

Tommy's Happy Birthday

Today was Tommy's first birthday!! Despite it raining outside, he had a blast. Unfortunately, daddy was working all day and he won't be done until tomorrow morning, but Justin did get to come home for breakfast, lunch and dinner so we squeezed his party in. I just can't believe our baby boy is one years old. It seems like he should only be a month or two at the most, even though we both feel he's been in our lives forever. I can't remember life without him. He keeps us busy every second of everyday (except for when he's sleeping) but he has brought us more happiness than we thought possible. After getting married to Justin in 2006, I didn't think it could get any better. Tommy proved me wrong! 

So now Tommy is officially formula free. He eats what we eat now, and I've had an easier time because I'm not making a lot of bottles throughout the day. He is a really good eater, and his favorite things to eat are string cheese, any type of pasta, and carrots. When he is full he shakes his head no, and when we say "Good boy Tommy!" or "Yaaay!" he claps his hands. He is such a smart kid. We are so proud of him. 

He took his first steps without us holding his hand a couple days ago!! We caught it on camera, so I will be posting it if my computer lets me today. Our upstairs neighbors came down and gave Tommy some warm gloves, and jacket and a talking book (that will drive me crazy until it runs out of batteries...) and we got him a soccer ball (so he can be like daddy), a CAT caterpillar, and some mini cars. So far he likes them a lot, he will even let me leave him in his room to play for a few minutes. Usually he follows me everywhere, so I was surprised! 

We are now excepting donations to the "get our family to Germany" fund!! We miss all of you!! Enjoy Tommy's birthday videos and pictures! (: