BIG NEWS.....Collin is army crawling

We have some exciting news to share with everyone...COLLIN IS FINALLY ARMY CRAWLING. Yes, we know most babies his age are already doing it but our little man has finally mastered this skill and he is on the go. As soon as we put him on the floor he takes off to find a fun toy to play with. We have even caught him leaving his playroom to chase Sweetie underneath the dining room table. We are so relieved Collin has finally mastered this skill.

Collin's 1st Christmas

Collin had a great first Christmas! The day started at 7:00am when Collin woke up to find his playroom filled with presents from Santa. He was a bit overwhelmed by everything in front of him but seemed to gravitate towards the Fisher Price Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle. He played with that toy before even looking at anything else. We can definitely tell it was his favorite. He also received a Fisher Price schoolhouse, stacking cups, a Tonka truck, Sing and Dance Elmo, and tons of books from Santa. After looking at all his gifts from Santa, we opened presents with Grandmommy and Granddaddy, and then got ready for the rest of the family to come over. As you can imagine, he got tons more presents from the rest of the family. We then had a nice, southern meal of BBQ, stew, mac-n-cheese, and baked beans, and relaxed for the rest of the day. Although it was a difficult Christmas with my mom not here, it was wonderful to be with family on this special holiday and start traditions with Collin. We cannot wait for the Christmas's to come when he understands a little more and has a true sense of what is going on.

Christmas Eve with Collin

Although tonight is Christmas Eve, we started things a little early in the Hardy household. Last night we read the Christmas Story to Collin and lit candles to symbolize various ideals from the story. This is a tradition Patrick's parents did with him and I am excited to carry it over to Collin. Grandmommy read the Christmas Story out of the Bible to all of us and we lit a candle at various points. The story was a little long for Collin's attention span so we cut it short. The tradition is that the youngest person gets to snuff out the candles, so Mr. Collin got this job. With Mommy and Daddy's help, he got all the candles out then opened a special present that was an ornament of Baby Jesus in the manager. Although he is young now, we want to instill within him the real meaning of Christmas from a young age.

Tonight Collin got to experience his first Christmas Eve. Unfortunately Daddy had to work this morning so we hung out with Grandmommy and Granddaddy (Patrick's parents). Around noon, Daddy came home and played with Collin so Mommy could get everything ready for Christmas Eve dinner. We had Papa, Uncle Jon, Aunt Brittany, Grandmommy and Granddaddy over for dinner. I made Stuffed Shells, Caesar Salad and bread for everyone, along with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup trifle for dessert. Unfortunately, Collin couldn't have any of the food but joined us at the table with a Mum-Mum cracker in hand and a few Puffs. After dinner, Collin got decked out in his Christmas pajamas and headed off to bed so Santa could come. All the adults played several games then got the house ready for Santa to come. Although Collin does not fully understand what is going to happen tomorrow, I cannot wait to see his face when he sees all his new toys and all the presents and paper everywhere. It is going to be so much fun!!!

Collin's 1st Christmas Present

Last night I went out to dinner with two of my best friends, Katie and Crystal. We all went to Berry College and were in the education program together and have remained close friends since. While we were at dinner, Katie gave me a present she and her husband got for Collin. The next morning when he woke up I put the present in front of him and he became very excited. He was very interested in the bow on the front and touching it. I got him started with the unwrapping and he did the rest. He was so happy to see a big alphabet book from Miss Katie (yes, teachers know how important early literacy is). As soon as I moved the paper, he started looking at the book page by page. What a little bookworm! Needless to say, I think he is going to love Christmas.

Collin and Santa

Collin went to visit Santa again Saturday. This time we went to Victoria's Childrens Boutique in Cumming to see him. It was so nice. We had an appointment at 1:30 and Collin got to spend ten minutes with Santa. Just like last time, Collin LOVED sitting with Santa. He looked at him and smiled, then decided he would kick back and lounge on his fluffy beard. It was too cute! Collin also decided he would say "hey" to Santa about ten times. The funnest thing was when Santa had to cough to clear his throat. Mr. Collin loves to fake cough and used this as a perfect opportunity to fake cough to mock Santa. Everyone in the store got a kick out of it!

Collin's New Word

We are excited to report that Collin has learned his second word. It was so cute. Saturday morning we heard him stirring in his crib around 7:00am. Patrick went in to get him and as soon as Collin saw him he started saying "Da-da-da-da-da-da". That's right, he is now saying "Da-Da". This made Patrick beyond excited! He repeated it several times throughout the day and would look at Patrick while he said it. What a smartie!

Collin Is Nine Months Old

It is official, Collin is now nine months old. We have no idea where the time has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were coming home with our newborn baby. Papa (Brooke's dad) was lucky enough to go with Collin and Mommy to his 9 month appointment. He was such a big help considering I am still in a wheelchair. Collin now weighs 20 pounds, 7 ounces (50%) and is 29 inches long (75%). The doctor said he was right on track with his height and weight and seemed to be developing well. As many of you know, Collin is still not totally crawling on his hands and knees. He is still doing the "swimmer crawl" as we call it. The doctor said that Collin really should be crawling by now and starting to pull himself up. Since he is not doing this, we are supposed to watch his progress this month and report back to him in 6 weeks. Since I have been confined to a wheelchair over the past 6 weeks, the doctor thinks that may have something to do with his disinterest in it and his wanting to be near Mommy all the time. We are hoping so and praying that it is nothing more serious. His doctor did note that Collin appears to be a very intellectual baby and is more interested in studying a particular toy or item to see how it works rather than crawling from toy to toy. Daddy said this trait must come from Mommy:)

The doctor also said that Collin's red cheeks were not in fact eczema but extremely sensitive skin. He said most babies outgrow this once they hit about one year old and that the heat also dries him out, making them appear redder.

Despite not crawling, Collin has made a great deal of progress this month. He is now able to sit up on his own completely and play with his toys for 15+ minutes independently. He has also continued to babble nonstop. His first, and only word, right now is "hey". He says it all the time and anytime a stranger at a store looks at him. Occasionally he will wave too. He has not figured out to put his hand up high when he does it, so you have to look down lower to see it. Collin has also started eating and enjoying a few finger foods. He LOVES Mum-Mum crackers and Gerber's Peach Puffs. Every time he sees the yellow peach puff container on the table he opens his mouth like "Give me some now". It is so cute! Collin is also able to hold his sippy cup and drink out of it if the water is filled up to the top. Collin is also starting to pick up on some baby sign language. We have been working on several everyday signs and Collin has picked up on "ball" and "book". If we lay all his toys in front of him, and ask him for the ball or book with the sign he can get them for you. This month we are going to add a few more signs to his repertoire.

We may be biased, but we feel the Lord has blessed us with one of the cutest baby's ever. Despite all the circumstances we have been through this month, Collin has remained a happy and healthy little boy who simply loves life. What more could a Mom and Dad ask for!