Rocco's 1st Birthday and Birthday Party

It's so hard to believe that my baby boy is 1 year old. His birthday was Friday, Jan. 14th. I know he doesn't really get all of the hoopla behind turning the Big 1 but I think it all went fabulous! :) Thursday night me, Nathan, Graham and Rocco went to Red Robin. I counted that as his birthday dinner. :) Friday night we had Rocco open his gifts from us and then just hung out at home.

Saturday I took Rocco to a free trial class at The Little Gym. It was OK but I don't think it's worth the money at his age. He had fun crawling around on the mats but he wasn't into participating in the specific activities. He was more about exploring rather than sitting in the circle. But it was something different to do, especially since it was his bday weekend.

Sunday was his party. We held it at the community room where my mom lives. The theme was Baby Sesame Street Characters. We served little smokies, meatballs, White Castle type sandwiches, chips/dip, veggies/dip and fruit/dip. After we ate, it was time to open presents. Rocco got a lot of cool toys and even more clothes. It's nice that he got some clothes for spring and summer. Next was the big event - the presenting of the birthday cake. I knew he would not hold back and really go for it and he didn't disappoint. Anyway, thanks to everyone who came and/or gave him a birthday present. I think he had a lot of fun.

Opening Presents on Rocco's Actual Birthday:

Birthday Party:

Rocco's First Hair Cut 1-12-11

I hated to cut off Rocco's curls but his hair was starting to get out of control - especially after taking off his winter hat every morning. My mom stayed for dinner after she babysat last Wed. (1/12/11) and then she trimmed Rocco's hair for me. He kept reaching out for her to pick him up so I tried my best to distract him and get him to sit still by singing any and every kiddie song I could think of. At one point I sang, "This Little Piggy" and he preceded to take his socks off so I could do it right! He did better than I expected and now my baby looks less like a baby and more like a toddler.

Here are the Before and After pictures.

Before:









After:








Love it!

-Dawn

Christmas Extravaganza 2010

Christmas was extra special this year since it was our first with Rocco. It was a long holiday season filled with many parties and celebrations. Our Christmas started out this year with the Rocco Family Christmas party on Dec. 12th. It's always a good time to see extended family that we only get to see once or twice a year. And since our family reunion was canceled this year due to weather, it was the first time many of the Rocco family members got to meet Rocco. Here are some pictures from the day:

Graham

Rocco with his 1st ever Christmas present!

Josh and Tiffany

Me and my cousin, Amanda

Rocco & Graham waiting to eat!

The following weekend on 12/19, was the Meyer family Christmas. We always do that one the Sunday before Christmas and it's so much fun. For some reason I can't get the pictures from this party to upload. I may try again later.



The following week we went to my Aunt Kathy and Uncle John's house on 12/23 for a Christmas get-together with my mom's siblings and their families. It was fun to see Rocco and Alec, his 3rd cousin who is 2 months younger than him, interact. They mostly just stared at each other but it was still the cute all the same. He are a few pics:

Alec

Rocco

Rocco with Grandma Rose Ann

The next night was Christmas Eve and my mom, brother, his girlfriend, Tiffany, and my Uncle Joe who was in from Ohio, came over to our house. Graham was with his mom but the rest of us ate dinner, hung out and exchanged gifts. Graham did come back to our house about 9 pm and was so excited about Christmas day that he had a hard time sleeping. He woke up at midnight saying he could not sleep. I told him he'd have to try because we still had about 7 hours before we could open presents. Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve:

Rocco opening his gift from Uncle Josh and Tiffany

Rocco getting the hang of this opening presents thing!

The next day was Christmas and it was kind of ironic because Graham who usually sleeps in until 10ish, was up at 7 am ready to open gifts. Rocco who is usually up first, slept in until 7:30 so we waited for him to get up. It was so fun having 2 kids opening presents this year. I know that Rocco doesn't understand "Christmas" but he did enjoy opening presents and playing with the toys and the packages they came in. Later that day we went to my grandparents to spend time with my dad's side of the family (Graham went to his mom's house to spend the rest of the day with her). After my grandparents, we went by Nathan's parents' house to see my sister-in-law, Heather, and her two kids who came in from Texas. I don't have any pictures after Christmas morning unfortunately.

Rocco with his new Firetruck/Walker

Graham showing off a new shirt

Graham with new Ping Pong paddles since the old ones are worn out!

Graham with his new Blues shirt

The following weekend was New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. Nathan and I went to the Blues hockey game on NYE and were in home and in bed right after the ball dropped on TV. We're party animals - I know! :)

This past weekend was our last Christmas party. We celebrated with my father-in-law's siblings and their families. Rocco and Graham each got more gifts to add to their already-abundant haul. It was nice to see everyone at this gathering too. We got to see Baby Max who is 7 months old and doing so great after his heart surgery last month.

So, Friday is Rocco's 1st birthday (which is CRAZY!) and his party is this upcoming weekend. So basically this kid gets parties and gifts for 5 out of 6 weekends in a row in Dec./Jan. I think we need a bigger house!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here's to 2011!

Resolution #1: Stop worrying and feeling guilty so much about things pertaining to Rocco. He will turn out just fine even if things aren't perfect!

Resolution #2: Get rid of the unused clutter in the house!

Resolution #3: Update/Fix the things in the house that need to be updated/fixed to get it in selling condition!

What are your resolutions?

Love,
Dawn