2009 in Review by Tater

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Everything!!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? What's a resolution?

3. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A later bedtime… and maybe more toys!

4. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Taking some steps on my own.

5. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, Mama and Dada had to take me to the emergency room in September for a double ear infection, which we fought on and off for 1.5 months. Then, we made another trip to the ER in December because I had trouble breathing because of croup. They put this awful mask over my face with funny air to breathe and then gave me medicine. Yuck!

6. What was the best thing you bought? Yogurt melts.

7. Whose behavior merited celebration? Apparently me - Everyone cheers when I show off my tricks. Mama & Dada for giving me so many hugs and kisses. Auntie Rachel for babysitting me so much. My grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!


8. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Oh my gosh, so many things! Cell phones, ladles, computers, swiffers, hammers, balls, bananas! OOO, and yogurt – man is that stuff good.

9. What do you wish you’d done more of? Mommy and Auntie were talking about toilet training. Wonder what that is…. Must hear more.

10.What do you wish you’d done less of? Sit in a car seat. I hate that thing!

11. How did you spend Christmas? With family. Tryin to stay far away from that scary Santa guy.

12. What was your favorite TV program? I don’t really find the TV that interesting.

13. What was the best book you read? My Swedish book, "Vilda Djur", and Bedtime Bunny.

14. What was your greatest musical discovery? My voice. And The Black-Eyed Peas.

15. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Meeting my relatives in Sweden and Chicago.

16. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Whatever Mommy dresses me in, but she tries to keep me stylin’. We are waiting for me to get more hair, so we can do a mohawk. Yea – that will be awesome.

17. What kept you sane? Sane? I am a wild man!

18. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Elmo!

19. Who was the best new person you met? I have met so many great friends and family and am looking forward to meeting more in 2010!

20. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Life is a lot easier when you know someone is there to help you clean up your s@*t.

Christmas Day

Christmas lunch at MawMaw and PawPaw's....

Listen up, guys. Hey, is this microphone working?

PawPaw, Big MawMaw and MawMaw enjoy dessert.

Uncle Brandon and fiancee Trulisa finish up dessert while the kids look on eagerly awaiting presents.

Hey Mimi, did you get my picture?


Uh. Uncle Jason said I look like a peppermint in my Christmas outfit. What do you think - do I look okay?
Hey girls, is there anything good over there?

Aunt Danielle, maybe we should go find Uncle Jason. He seems to elude the photographers.

MawMaw, what do we have here?

Hey Mormor and Morfar, check out what MawMaw and PawPaw got me. How do you play?

Did someone lose a dolly? Don't worry, I found her.

Let's do this again next year. What do ya say?

Christmas Eve

Celebrating Christmas at Mormor & Morfar's house....

Santa's first delivery. What's this? Christmas jammies!

DaDa, you're silly. Those are my jam-jams.
Oh my! All for me???

Wait. Are there more presents in here?

Gotta get in here and see what we've got.

Mommy, Mommy. Look. I got a bow.

DaDa. Don't get too comfortable. You've got toys to help me play with.

OOOoooo. Pretty paper. Wonder how it tastes?

I like you much better than that Santa guy. Hold on. Let me check that beard.

Time to play, Auntie.

Awe. I love my Mormor and Morfar.

Mommy and Deddy said I'm the best present ever.

Larsson Claus

The Naughty Elf.

Nice.

Just plain funny. Where did he learn to make all these funny faces?

The Snotty Elf

Four Eyes

photo courtesy of Dorothy

2 Cute

Larsson and BFF Austin rock playtime.

Christmas Card Tidings

Let's Start Over Santa

Dear Santa,

I think we got off on the wrong foot. I know that our first two meetings were a little uncomfortable... and it was my fault. I didn't mean to cry.

Perhaps we can give it another try?

Mommy and Deddy are taking me to see you tonight at Atlantic Station. What do ya say?

Love,

Larsson

P.S., I think one of your elves has been living in my room in a white box at the edge of my crib. I can see his green eye looking out into my crib watching me sleep at night. I'm on to you, Santa. :)

Bad Santa

The Homeless Guy on My Christmas List

About a year ago today, I headed over to Starbucks to start my morning. I ordered my usual chai tea and pulled up to the drive-thru window. As I handed over my card to pay, the associate informed me that the person in the car before me bought my beverage and wished me a "Merry Christmas." I looked up and they were already gone. I was speechless. I didn't even get to see or thank the person. Obviously, it was not a huge gesture - just a couple of dollars, but that someone was willing to spend their money on me - someone they didn't know - went a long way.

Not to be outdone.... AND because I wanted someone else to feel as good about the world as I did at that moment, I bought drinks for the next person in line. And then I did a couple more similar things... And I hoped the beneficiaries would catch the spirit and pass it on.

I was reminded of last year's experience this morning when listening to the radio, as a local radio stations has launched a "Pay It Forward" campaign. I just love this idea because rich, poor, or somewhere in between, I think the world would be a better place if more people experienced and participated in more giving.

So, this morning as I listened to the radio, I revisited my Christmas shopping list. Then I added a couple items for "Pay It Forward," and my mind drifted to think about who was missing from my list.

All of a sudden, I thought about the homeless guy that hangs out near various corners, businesses and establishments in our area. There are periods of time when I see him every day - walking down the road, sitting on the pavement, or occassionally holding a sign for food. I don't know really know anything about him, but I felt compelled to add this homeless man to our Christmas shopping list. We have certainly been blessed this year, and I would like to pay it forward to help someone else have a Merry Christmas.

Teething Bling

I found teething bling necklaces in a boutique last year when I was pregnant and have regretted not buying one then, as I have not found them since.... until now.

For moms like me who have babies that pull on your jewelry and chew on everything in sight, this is perfect and completely safe. Thought I'd share!

BTW, they have a giveaway this month as well - sign up to win!

It's a Girl

Hey Larsson, did you hear the news?

You are going to have a baby girl cousin - arriving in April.

Yea, that's pretty cool!


Congrats Aunt Danielle & Uncle Jason!

October Photo Fest - it's about time!

Sunday Segments

I haven't had much time recently to write, so here are some notes on what is going on in our world:

• We enjoyed a HUGE Thanksgiving meal as we do every year at Justin's Aunt Sandra and Uncle Joel's house. A house full of Turner's and an overflowing room full of food, including fried turkey, more casseroles than you can imagine, rolls and desserts and much more. Needless to say, you need the stretchy pants for this one.
• Then we had another Thanksgiving feast at my parents house and talked about what we were thankful for. Topping everyone's list is the newest addition to the family. Larsson has changed all of our lives for the better and given us so much for which to be thankful.
• I can't believe we are in the holiday season. We started our shopping on Black Friday and scouted out a few good deals.
• I love the Christmas holidays. When Justin and I first got married, I told him Christmas was going to "throw up" in our house every year. I bought trees of all shapes, sizes and colors, and endeavored to create a Christmas wonderland in every room. It was a lot of work but always worth the effort. Unfortunately, our decorations will be minimal this year, as we are still showing our house.... and because keeping the little man out of the decor may be more than we can handle. He is always BUSY.
• Our house is still for sale, although we have not made any headway on where we will live if it sells. But on the up side, we have been making a lot of improvements - a new roof, a fresh coat of paint on the outside, and lots of little changes on the inside. It is looking good, but there is always more to do.

We have another house showing tomorrow, so I will sign off for now and promise to be more consistent in my posting going forward.

Giving Thanks

What I am thankful for on my first Thanksgiving:

• Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends who play with me and try to keep up with my boundless energy.
• A treasure trove of toys and books. My favorites are things that roll, like my wagon that holds my mega-blocks, and my truck. But even with all my great toys, I sometimes find inane things just as fun - a paper towel roll, pots and pans. Now if I could only get my hands on all those things that mama and dada keep putting out of my reach.
• Bananas and my new favorite Gerber yogurt melts (Dada calls them fairy turds) that I can feed myself.
• The sweetest laugh and smile that warms my mama and dada's hearts and lets me get away with.... everything.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Larsson

Na-na Na-na Boo Boo!

Happy Birthday, Autumn!

Happy 4th Birthday to the Little Princess,
Miss Autumn!

Thank you for letting us celebrate with you at your birthday party this weekend. We enjoyed it. Hope you are having lots of fun with all your new toys. And Larsson appreciated you letting him play with your balloon.

Hippo Hopp

Trick or Treat?

Definitely Treat!

After his first Halloween, Tater practiced his growl and scary face for next year.

63 Candles

What's this smile saying?....

Happy 63rd Birthday, Morfar!

We enjoyed celebrating with you this weekend over lunch at the 57th Fighter Group.

Hope you had a great day!

My (Fan) Favorite

Have you voted yet today? Follow this link and then click "Vote":
http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/SweetTaterBaby/25198551/

Vote daily through November 17th for Larsson for Fan Favorite in the Gap Casting Call (ID: 25198551)!

Happy Halloween!

"Tater Tot."

Deddy was "Ore." Mommy was "Ida."

Mommy and Tater at our neighbor's party, aka "Hud's Haunted House."

Tater and his girlfriend, Kes, who was dressed as a ladybug.

Auntie Rachel and Tater.

Dante (aka Spiderman) and Hudson (aka Transformer).

Mommy, Tater, Julia, Kes, and Lou.

Ghostly treats!

Spooktacular decor.