Tis the Season (3 months old)

It's the holiday season and Rick Enzo loves all his Christmas toys: Rudy from Aunt Kelly, mom's gingerbread man from Busia, Santa Flamingo (Larry the Bird's dad 😄), and a jingle bell from Santa Clause himself!  He can actually hold onto the jingle bell for a little bit now!  Ricky also still loves his binky 😏, and now likes to suck on Larry bird's beak.  He is talking even more, especially in the evening with Daddy.  I am sure he's just recapping his whole fun day. Ricky is making more and new noises, too.  His laughs are louder and we have full babbling conversations.  We can't wait to find out what he is actually saying, but his voice is heaven!  He is still amazing us with his strength, trying to sit up and lift his head.  We probably have a future athlete on our hands; We are trying to play "catch" with him already (see the video), but it's more just like "throw".  He is sucking on all his fingers and it's drool city over here!  Ricky can now grasp his hands together in front of him and is reaching out for his toys.  We are working on that grip, coordination, and just starting to try sitting up in a little tripod position.  His legs are kicks higher and stronger, so I am sure he will find his feet soon. 

Ricky is becoming more social and made a friend, Luke, at Mommy's breastfeeding group; they are the same age.  We went to our first birthday party when Bennet (Ricky's cousin) turned one this month.  Mommy went back to work 1 day a wk, and guess who cried ....not Rick Enzo!  Gigi and Daddy took good care of him, but mommy snuck in to peek at Ricky in his crib when she got home.  We are still going to Daddy's basketball games to cheer on the Jaguars, and Ricky loves all the action and lights.  One of the most exciting events this month was Ricky meeting Grandpa!  Once he laid eyes on Grandpa's happy eyes and gray beard, he was all smiles, and of course Grandpa could not stop making all sorts of silly sounds to make Ricky laugh.  They are quite a pair. 

Since our Christmas tree got ruined in the basement this year, we took Ricky to American Sales a few days before Christmas, and he picked out a beautiful tree for our family.  He loved all the lights in that store!!  Daddy picked out new stockings for our family of 3, and they are up on the mantle.  With the help of Busia & Grandpa, we made Ricky's first ornament using his hand print on Christmas Eve morning.  Christmas was a 3 day marathon visiting all sides of the family.  Of course Rick Enzo was showered with gifts and attention.  He was so excited he barely slept the night before Christmas... must have been waiting for Santa. 😴 So, Mommy & Daddy gave each other Starbucks Christmas morning.  Rick Enzo got a big boy bath tub and an adorable, appropriate onesie (pic to come) from Mommy & Daddy.  Santa brought him some toys to help him learn and grow; we will see which ones become his new favorites.  

We are so grateful for all the affection from family and friends.  This year has been the most exciting, by far.  It is truly amazing how much a heart can grow to accommodate the overwhelming amount of love we have for this little boy.  Looking forward to the adventures of 2019!

Mommy's favorite Ricky Moment: laying on the play mat with Ricky and kissing under his chin where he is so ticklish because he screams in laughter.  Also how he still holds on tight to mommy's shirt with one hand, and gently rubs my side with the other hand while nursing.

Daddy's favorite Ricky Moment:  playing catch for the first time, although Ricky still needs to work on his skills, the laughter was rewarding enough

BLOOPERS: daddy not snapping onesie under pjs.

EXTRA TIDBITS: Mommy & Ricky's song  "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"  Frankie Valley  ....on mommy's labor playlist, now we sing & slow dance to it in the morning.
Lots of pictures this month.  If you click on the first image, you can view it larger in a pop up window and just scroll through them from there instead of looking at small images here.

Happy Birthday Gigi!