Santa's Workshop

I am somewhat of a toy Nazi. I like AJ to have a few toys that he really likes rather than a roomful of stuff that he sorta likes. And I like natural toys- wood, fabric, safe plastic or metal. I like things made from sustainable materials and that have non toxic paint. I dislike too many battery operated toys or things that make too much noise. I think a toy should be 90% kid and only 10% toy. So when he received just a few good things for Christmas, I was very pleased. He LOVES his new ride on truck. Even though it is REALLY LOUD, he turns on the little radio and dances to the music. He loves the siren and the horn. He puts Blankie in the storage compartment in the seat. Too cute... definitely the 90/10 I am looking for.

Another great toy is one he got from Grandma and Grandpa P. The set of magnetic blocks are safe plastic, dishwasher safe and you can take them in the tub. I recommend them!

His friend Jillian gave him a great birthday present- it is a giraffe with these little spinny things that you put in the giraffe's mouth and then they sort of spin down to the bottom. He can't quite get the things in the right place, but he loves to watch it and laugh.

AJ loves toys and it is a blast watching him learn about the world as he plays. He figures out what sounds things make, he tastes them (he loves chewing on metal, go figure) and he tries to spin everything. He takes some of his faves to bed for naps and tries to take them to the dinner table. I hope that he does not develop a love for sitting on the couch and continues to have fun with little things that we can tell him were made in "Santa's Workshop".

Merry Merry Christmas!

AJ got two toys for Christmas. One is a vacuum cleaner and the other is a ride on fire truck. Both make noise. But he likes them. Mike had to assemble them. He had fun, too.





Uncle Joe and Uncle Chris came over, too. Lola and Lolo brought a fabulous dinner and I ate two. That's right, two dinners. Two prime rib dinners. In one day.

AJ played and played and played and then fell asleep during a diaper change. After a long nap, he was raring to go. He was not, however, a willing participant in many photos. This was disappointing, but rather humerous too.

Uncle Chris and AJ

Silly Daddy

My uncles look funny...

Bad Christmas sweatshirts- yes, I have 2.

His little hat looked so cute. He kept it on for about 2 minutes.

He was cranky in the morning and felt icky. I resurrected the Ergo and he slept in it for about 2 hours. He is really getting too heavy.
Lolo and Lola!

You Know You Got Em'

Ugly Christmas clothes, that is. Sweaters, sweatshirts, tee shirts...They come in all sizes, colors and fabrics. And many (if not all) of us have them stashed in a closet somewhere. Can you hear them? Their little cheesy bells and Santas are calling you- come on and put it on. You know you want to.

My cousin Catherine is responsible for me meeting Mike, so really she is responsible for AJ being here, too. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She touched many lives and brought many people together. In fact, we really should rename that game and call it "Six Degrees to Catherine Schriever".

The days to come will be filled with sorrow, but in time I hope we can look back and laugh when we think of you and again roll our eyes at some of your dirty jokes. Until then...

The Albandias wooped it up big time at the district Holiday Party last night. I had a hard time finding an outfit that looked presentable and worthy of accompanying my "back in black" attired husband- but after 3 or 4 attempts, I found something- er - comfortable"ish".

We ate meat, potatoes and brocolli (all very good) and talked a little shop, a little life, a little gossip. Ask me about Crazy Side Hair...please. I channelled Jan Palumbo and had a Kalhua and cream after dinner. I danced with people, Mike made some boy dates and a fun time was enjoyed until the tireds took over and we headed home to bed. Here are some shots (I regrettably missed some of my favorite picture subjects like the Gorzynskys and Jen B in her rocking SIZE 6 dress...) but my 3 fans may enjoy a peek into the night.

Kathy and I and Mary, Mary, Barb and Louise

Jason and Rachel Cole

Kathy and Aldo Risolvo

Diane Randolph and Noah Phipps

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AJ's fans ( all 3 of them) were screaming for pictures. Here are the highlights.

And lest we forget, the Albandias send a "Hello there and Welcome!" to Anthony Choudhary, born on Friday, Dec. 5th. His parents and all his friends sure are glad he's here and healthy!

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AJ turned one on December 3rd. I spent the day remembering what I was doing a year ago and how much has changed since. He spent the day at Miss Melba's having fun times and a little party with his daycare friends. He had no idea it was a special day and just enjoyed the extra kisses (2000 instead of the typical 1000) from his mama.

Having AJ certainly has changed many things about me, Mike, and the 2 of us as a couple. I remember how people gave me unsolicitaed advice (as people do) about having kids and what to expect, but nothing really prepares you for it until you live out 12 months in the company of a little person. Nothing prepared me for the amount of love I would feel for him or the pride I wouls feel for Mike. On the flip side, however, I was not prepared for the feelings of depression and intense anxiety I began to feel as he got a little older. Now that those feelings are getting less "in my face" I can look around and feel pretty lucky that I share my space and my time with Little AJ (I guess I can't call him Baby AJ anymore...).

Looking back to early December 2007, I was overwhelmed and tired, but couldn't get over how perfect the little bundle was. In early December 2008, I am still overwhelmed and tired, and STILL cannot get over how perfect my big bundle is.

In the coming year I am looking forward to watching him grow and learn, but I think what I am most looking forward to is the possibility that I may once again be able to use the bathroom in private.

Family Picture

The family went to church to have our picture taken for the directory. We got a pretty good shot, although AJ was not too keen on the photographer. Here we are in all of our Albandia glory.

Gobble Gobble

Happy Thanksgiving!


Mike, Joe and I are sitting around digesting a great dinner. AJ is sleeping, and the grandparents are on their way home. Lolo was sorely missed, but he is under the weather. We sent a care package. Here is some video of the night. All worked out well, but there was a little turkey issue and some problems with a crabby baby. And my cold has had an adverse effect on my senses of taste and smell. I was told the turkey I cooked for 5 hours smelled and tasted great....

Yum Yum!

Walking II

It is too dark to video him I fear. Here is all I got so far!

Walking

So apparently AJ can walk now. He had been doing it a little while holding onto our hands or the table or along the couch. I think he was practicing in private because on Saturday, he decided to let go and has been toddling all over ever since. I have been trying to get good footage, but he will not cooperate. Stay tuned...

Happy Halloween

AJ had some jolly good Halloween fun this weekend. On Friday night we went to the Community Center for "Halloween Boo-Nanza". We went on the hayride (that term is to be used loosely for this experience) and we trick or treated at Safety Town. Our little Yoda received many compliments on his awesome costume. Although some people thought he was supposed to be Shrek.

Saturday night we traveled to Gurnee to go to the Huffman's party. They do it up real big over there so we got all dressed up and took off. AJ thought I looked pretty funny. He wanted Daddy to hold him. We ate big and played with the decorations and then came home to go to bed.

Speaking of bed and how lovely that extra hour of sleep was SUPPOSED to have been, I did not realize that with a little baby you don't get that extra hour and in fact, you get less than you did before you turned the clocks back. Can new parents get an exemption? We're always late places now, anyway.

Warming it Up in Little Brick-E

My friends Diane and Noah finally bought a house. It is a fabulous little place in Brookfield. They had a grown up party last night. I say "grown up" because there was lots of food in pretty serving dishes and candles were lit. That is the sign that you have graduated into real parties. However, we took AJ. Now AJ loves to party. He likes people, getting into things, and trying to eat stuff. He also is pretty felxible which makes him a good guest. Although AJ and Mike are flexible, their mother/wife is not so much flexible these days. So when AJ wanted to have dinner and I just wanted to talk to my friends, I found it hard to unwind.

But after some dinner and visiting willing babyholders, AJ konked out in the upstairs bedroom like a champ. He snuggled in his fleece jams under his blankie and we heard nary a peep from him. So I unwound by eating a million pieces of cake, cheese, shrimp, little cupcakes, noodles, crackers and stuff, veggies, deviled eggs WITH CAVIAR (I know, right?), meatballs, baby hot dogs wrapped in bacon, hummis, and some things I can't recall. I chatted with peeps I like a lot. We celebrated and laughed. If felt good.

The Risolvos, Albandias and the Randolphs were the hangers on, just like old times. After eating, drinking and good times, Noah ended the night with the most profound observation about Kanya West. (I apologize to his fans that I don't like him enough to find out how to spell his name, however.)

I was forgetful enough to miss taking any pictures at all. Bummer. You will have to imagine the soiree in your mind...

Check My Head

Mama and Grandma Betty went to a craft show. Look what Grandma Betty bought me. I like to wear it. I look good.

The Great Pumpkin

AJ, Mike and I went to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm on Columbus Day. AJ wasn't too sure of the whole idea. The pumpkins seemed to scare him a little. After he was packed up in the backpack, he felt more secure. Here is our little goblin. (10 months and 2 weeks old!)

Wild Man of Borneo

I finally caved in and AJ got a haircut. He went to The Final Cut and Karen made him over. He had fun. No tears, no complaints...he looked around a lot and even let her use the clippers around his ears. He looks different but the same. Here are a few shots of the day.

The "after" shot with Karen Wade
Overall, it was a raging success, although I felt a little sad that he needed a haircut. My little bundle is almost a year old. I can't believe it. It feels like just yesterday that looked like this:

My Linus

AJ loves his blankie. It is silky on one side and furry on the other and it brings him comfort. He takes it to the store, to Grandma and Grandpa's, to Miss Melba's...by the end of the week, blankie stinks. But AJ MUST have it for naps and bedtime and sometimes he just has to have it to love.

Ye Olde Good Tyme

We went to the Renaissance Fair in WI today. We had a long and dusty day among many people who really get into that sort of thing. We couldn't believe how detailed the costumes were and how hot the "actors" must have been. One of Mike's employees works there on weekends and he stopped to talk to us for a minute. He did not break character at all. And he was wearing white tights.

Here are some pics of our day. The weather was perfect, although a bit warm. Most of the place is in the shade, so we did ok. AJ was out from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm and did not cry once. He just giggled, smiled, observed, and slept. He is the best baby ever.

Mike, AJ and "Lord Bath"

They looked hot. Temperature wise, not...never mind.

We were not overly impressed with "The Mud Show"

My boys

AJ was more interested in me than the camel.

After a walk around the crystal shack, AJ had enough and fell asleep. I ate my ice cream and tried not to drip on his head.