First Santa Visit

We were worried when we approached big ole' Santa at Plaza Frontenac that James would cry, but to our surprise he took to him very quickly. In fact, he got so comfortable on Santa's lap that we thought James might take a little nap. I framed this picture in our house and every time James sees it he says, "ho, ho, ho!"

Turning Corners

James and Pa Pa Rich hanging out. Bill and Sandy came down from MI to spend Turkey Day with us. James had so much fun with them and aunt Sarah from L.A. He was really sad when everyone left. He kept walking around the house saying, "Pa Pa?"
Quick messy face pic with mommy.
Feeling good and pigging out! James ate more today than he has in the past week!
Future quarterback???
Touchdown!
Oh, the things you get away with when you're sick.
You'll never get me, copper! Mini mobster!

Poor James has been super cranky, congested, finicky about food and just generally miserable for so long that I couldn't even remember what my happy little baby used to be like. He was diagnosed with an ear infection over 2 weeks ago, and after the first antibiotic did nothing, the doctor prescribed a stronger dose. Twice this week he was sound asleep by 5 p.m. and slept until 7:30 the next day! But then, all of a sudden he woke up happy, healthy and all the sickness was gone! Today I got a call from the babysitter saying that he had yellow puss coming out of his ear. Gross! I took him in and it turns out that his ear drum had burst and the fluids were coming out. The doctor said that the relief of pressure behind the ear drum would explain his sudden mood change. He's like a new person. And tonight for the first time in literally MONTHS he ate dinner. In fact, he ate breakfast, lunch, dinner and several snacks, lots of milk! For the longest time he's been living on practically nothing but milk, an occasional banana and goldfish. He was even starting to look gaunt and his color looked weird. I guess that built up ear infection took a major toll on his well being. But now...he's back! I'm soooooooooooo relieved.

Updates:

• James now has around 20 words and sometimes he puts two words together (uh oh baby!) (he also says: mommy, daddy, kitty, football, ball, woof, moo, shoes, papa, see, car, hoo hoo, owl, key, hi, cracker, mi mi, bye bye)
• He can sign the following (help, more, sleepy, drink, eat)
• He can also blow a kiss, dance and locate his head, nose, feet, hands, belly and hair)
• He weighs 18.8 pounds (hopefully he'll start gaining more now that he's better)
• He sleeps 11-11.5 hours through the night (usually 7:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.)
• He takes a 2 - 2.5 hour nap
• He loves books and will sit and listen intently for as long as we feel like reading
• Sometimes he'll sit and "read" his books alone
  
• He absolutely loves football! Anytime we're around a tv with football on he will yell football, and sometimes he begs me to turn it on by pointing at the tv and saying football.
  
• He's getting really good at puzzles.
  
• He can run now and loves to be chased in circles around the house or play peek-a-boo
• He will sit and watch a dvd when mom needs to get ready for work or cook dinner