Gearing Up for Someone's First Christmas!

The holiday buzz landed in our living room just a few days before Thanksgiving.  We usually wait to put up our tree until after turkey day, but since we would be gone for the weekend, we did so just a tad early.  We've taken Troy to see some lights and even let him tell Santa what he'd like for Christmas.  He loves to tug on the tree a bit and dances along with the singing Xmas tree and Winnie the Pooh's sleigh.  Having Troy in our lives is by far the best Christmas present.  He's such a joy!

Troy and I checking out the lights at the Festival of Lights

Merry Christmas from the Langan's!

Dancing with the talking tree

Admiring the lights

Still admiring....we do this almost everyday!

Hmmm...who is this guy?

Ok, I've had enough!

Happy Half Birthday, Troy!

I CANNOT BELIEVE TROY IS OVER HALF OF A YEAR OLD! I put this in all caps as this is so inconceivable to me!  Along with turkey and stuffing, we celebrated Troy's 6 month birthday on Thanksgiving.  That following week the doctor confirmed is amazing growth by stating that he has almost reached 17 pounds and is 27 inches tall.  He also has a pretty big head, but that's for his very large brain of course!  At his check-up he received four shots and an oral vaccine - poor guy.  He handled it pretty well and was smiling before we left.  Here are some shots of his 6 month of life.

Too cool for school

Loves to give Pooh Bear kisses

All smiles!

camo bandaids from too many shots

Still flirting

Big Boy in the tub!

TBone's First Thanksgiving!

So, I am a little behind in the posts, but I haven't forgotten all of the wonderful happenings of the last few weeks.  We've been looking forward to the holidays and couldn't wait for Troy to wear his Gobble Gobble Gobble outfit!  He was indeed the cutest little turkey!  We spent the Thanksgiving holiday at my mom and grandma's house in Lexington.  Throughout the weekend, we were able to visit with lots of family and friends - quite the blessing.  We also managed to squeeze in some lunch outings and shopping trips that weekend too!

What was even more fitting was that Troy tried his first vegetable, sweet potatoes, that week as well.  He loved them!  Since then he has tried peas, squash, avocado, bananas, oatmeal, apples, and pears.  He hasn't turned his nose at too much, but is definitely a fruit fan.  He currently eats twice a day - breakfast and dinner.

Yummy sweet potatoes and big boy in the high chair!

This high chair is from Matt's childhood.

Turkey bottom!

T-Giving at Granny's house.

Hanging with Aunt Trisha

Have bottle will shop!

Playing with cousin Wes

Favorite Toy.....this week

Troy is truly enjoying his Johnny Jump Up these days.  He babbles away in there and is actually jumping more and swinging from side to side.  I recently attached some toys and he takes the opportunity to stick those in his mouth as well.  Over the last few weeks, we've noticed refined hand eye coordination and his ever growing exploration of things with his hands. 

Hanging with Cousin Ethan

Just last weekend we ventured to Lexington for a few happenings, one of which was to finally meet baby Ethan!  Ethan is just a month old and as cute as can be!  The day prior I went wedding dress shopping with my sister - too bad I can't post pics of that.  It will be very fun for Troy to have a boy cousin his age.  I think about all of the fun they will have together....and most likely all of the trouble they will get into.

Look Who's Up!

Everyday Troy is perfecting his sitting skills.  He is actually doing quite well and can sit independently for a little bit.  We've found that he loves to sit in the boppy pillow and now in his little tent that we popped open in the dining room.  I've noticed lately that his preference is to sit up with us rather than to be held like a baby :(.  Time goes too fast.  However, I am glad to see him growing.  He definitely seems to be enjoying his new found perspective on life.

Hugs with little lamby

Weekend Visits

Troy loves to spend time with family.  Just a few weekends ago, we had several visits from grandparents.  We love that we live close to family and can make these visits happen frequently.

Playing with Grandpa Goode and Miss Emma

Entertaining Granny Lucy

Playtime with Aunt Trisha and Cousin Sydney

Quiet Time with Dad

One of the greatest parts of the day is quiet time right before Troy goes down for the night.  More often than not, Matt takes this opportunity to sit with Troy and talk about his day.  We read books and say our prayers.  Although Troy LOVES his paci, we have caught him checking out his thumb every now and then.  I believe he found is thumb in the picture below.

Favorite Recent Pictures

As usual, we have taken quite a few pictures over the last few weeks.  I can hardly pick which ones I like the best, but I've chosen some highlights.  He grows so fast and each day brings something new.  Troy is such a joy and his smiles brighten our days.  His giggles and babbles are quite contagious as well.

Checking out his feet rattles

little bald spot

Our Little Owl

Meetin' another girlfriend.....

Towards the end of October, Troy and I had the pleasure of meeting Shelby Martin.  One of my college friends had a baby just a few short weeks ago, and they ventured to Lexington for an outing.  I know very well how a little trip out and about can do one good!  We were thrilled to have them with us for the day.  Troy is indeed the ladies man these days!

Troy and Shelby

Dragon Makes it Through Trick or Treat

Given the fact that even 7:30 proves to be too late to keep Troy up these days, I wasn't sure if he'd be around for any of the trick or treat festivities.  Fortunately, there are lots of little kiddos in our neighborhood and they started making their rounds around 6pm.  Troy was very content in his dragon costume strolling up and down the street and then perched on our porch in his stroller.  The temp. was a little cool, and his soft fleece dragon kept him warm.  What a cutie he was.  At the end of the night, he was indeed tuckered out.  Troy barely made it through the bottle and passed out on dad (which doesn't happen often these days).

Out shopping on Halloween

Strolling

Passing out candy

Taking it all in

Too much fun for this little one

Yum! Cereal....

I can't really say that I understand why Troy loves his cereal so much, but he does.  I tasted it and thought it was pretty awful.  However, I can't say that I'd enjoy baby milk either.  Something tells me I couldn't have protested too much though about thrity years ago.  Troy has been chowing down and enjoys cereal for breakfast and for dinner.  I'll be interested to see what he thinks of other foods once he turns six months.

First Bites....

Grandma's turn

Yum!