First Birthday and Christmas!

Well, let's see here. As time flies on, we're getting closer and closer to both Christmas and Braxton's first birthday. Chris and I spent most of the day today doing shopping. Our normal Saturday grocery shopping, along with some birthday and Christmas shopping. Mostly for Braxton.
He's getting a new car seat, forward facing (YAY), a V-tech Sing Along Piano, a plush Cookie Monster, a little garbage truck, some Baby Einstein books, and a snow suit. He'll also be getting at least one other toy, and some snow boots, but those have to wait til we get paid again.
Oh, last night was Chris's work Christmas party. Anna babysat for us so we could go and have fun. It was a total BLAST! We went and played Blackjack for most of the party. We started out with 1,000 dollars a piece and by the end of the time, between us we made about 100,000. Too bad it wasn't real money. ~_^ Then they did the door prizes and Chris won an IPod Shuffle. One of the REALLY little ones. Hopefully he'll be able to keep track of it. He tends to lose little things like that...
Now for updates on everyone and upcoming plans...
Chris is working really hard on a new project at work, and so is having to stop "working" from home on Wednesdays until it's done, but that's ok. He's feeling much better, got over the swine flu and we were lucky enough to catch it before it gave him pneumonia or bronchitis. He's still playing Dungeons and Dragons on Wednesday nights with Mark and his friends. He's also thinking about starting his own group here in the neighborhood, because he would like me to try playing.
I am doing well. Busy with Braxton most of the time, and that seems to be about it. I've been reading as much as possible when he sleeps or is otherwise occupied. I've mostly been reading some new young adult series, about vampires for the most part. If anyone is interested in a good quick read, they should check out Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series. Or The Morganville Vampire series by Rachel Caine. Both are really good. I have been spending lots of time with my new friends Dorie and Kamis. It's really nice having girlfriends again. I didn't realize how much I missed that support and love you can only get from another girl.
Braxton is doing amazing. He weighs about 22 pounds now and is about 30 inches tall already. He's a tall little boy. He's walking without a problem and talking up a storm. He knows about 20 words now, the newest one being "that." He walks around pointing at stuff saying "that, that that." He's learning to be really soft with the kitties and with us as well. We're constantly amazed at how fast he is growing and changing. I can not believe he is going to be a year old in just a few days. We switched to cloth diapers (I know, kinda late in the game) in an effort to save a little money every month. I have to say that I really like them and I'm really glad we changed to them. They haven't been as much of a hassle as I thought that they would be. Braxton seems to like them as well. They certainly provide more padding for those rare times when he does fall.
Upcoming plans...well, on Thursday the 17th, we're throwing Braxton a party for his birthday. Nothing too big, just a few people, presents and some cake. He's getting a chocolate cake, cause that's his favorite. Then that Friday, we've been invited to the ward Christmas party here. Don't know yet if we're gonna go, but we'll see.
That Saturday, Chris is going to hang out with Scott and his friend Carl. They are going to do "man things." On the 22nd, Anna is headed to Washington to be with her mom, so I'll be running her to the airport. Then on the 23rd, I get to do all my Christmas shopping for Chris. I hate that it has to be 2 days before Christmas, but what can you do? We don't get paid again until then.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are going to be normal for us, we're going to spend time as a family and have a nice dinner, then open presents.
After that we're heading to Cedar for a couple of days to spend time with mom and my friends down there (if they are around). That's as far ahead as we dare plan right now.

We hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy and we love you all.
Here's a little video of Braxton's newest trick...