Time flies...

We just finished celebrating Tommy's first birthday (a week early).  I can't believe he is almost a year old already. Tommy's birthday is Christmas eve, so we celebrated on the 19th so Tommy could have his own special day.   Last year at this time, I was overdue and feeling ready to pop. Of course, I was still working full time up until the day I went into labor.  I actually started my contractions at work (at the hospital) and went home and came back later with J.R.  Tommy made his grand appearance approximately 24 hours after our arrival at the hospital. Most of you know about my challenging delivery, but now it is all a distant memory (Although I am sure J.R. and I will tease Tommy throughout his life that he practically killed me).


Now onto the fun stuff...the PARTY!! J.R. kept telling me I better UNinvite people because that many people could not fit in our house.  I am not gonna lie, it was tight, but it was great.  So wonderful to see how many people Tommy has touched in his one year of life.  We had to set up tables in the garage and a heater (yes I know it is the middle of December) to handle the overflow.  We had tons of food and lots of fun.  Tommy's favorite part was the cake.  Being a child that loves food, this was a dream come true.  Enjoy the pics!!

   The cake, post Tommy attack!

I can't believe a whole year has passed.  Tommy is no longer just a baby, he is a little boy.  He has so quickly stolen our hearts and made our lives complete.  J.R. and I can't get over how much we love him.  Until you have that child in your arms, there is no way to comprehend the love. 

Change can be good...

As some of you know, I am changing jobs.  I love my career as a speech pathologist, but my job was not what it used to be.  I have been with Pinnacle Health for 6.5 years, and Monday is my last day.  I can't believe it has been that long, time sure does fly when you are having fun.  I have learned so much from all of the staff at Harrisburg Hospital and will miss many of them dearly.  I would never be where I am today without the help of the nurses, doctors, and other therapy staff.  I haven't ruled out returning to Pinnacle at some point, but for now, I am looking for a change.  I am looking for a challenge, for something new.  I love to learn and feel that there are opportunities out there for me to explore.  Those opportunities are starting at Hershey Medical Center.  I sort of fell into a Per Diem position there, which turns out to be working the same schedule I was working at Pinnacle.  I am starting in outpatient therapy.  I am excited for something new and different, a new staff, and new management.  I think this will be good for me.  Change is not easy for anyone, especially me.  I like to know what I am doing, and do it well.  I am confident that I will easily pick up on a new system and excited to start something new!! Here's to positive change!

11 months old and Thanksgiving

Tommy turned 11 months old on the 24th.  I can't believe he will be one year old in a few short weeks.  While we were out in Pittsburgh, Tommy figured out how to army crawl with speed.  He now follows me down the hall and into the kitchen, etc.  Of course, this meant that we had to install a baby gate.  Tommy also inherited cousin Hannah's walker.  He gets some speed in that baby!! Watch out! He will run you over and thinks nothing of smashing your toes!  Growing up too fast!! 

We made the trek out to Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving.  Michael (my brother-in-law) made an AMAZING dinner.  Tom, J.R. and I ate a ton.  Tommy, of course, loved it all, including the pumpkin pie with whipped cream.  Cousin Hannah had a great time playing with Baby P.J. (aka Tommy).  For some reason, we can't convince her to call him Tommy.  When you ask her what "Baby P.J.'s" name is she always responds "Tommy," but still hasn't gotten around to calling him that.  She is at the most adorable age right now, 3 and a half.  She has the best comments and never stops talking.  She reminds me of an auctioneer.  If you listen really closely, you know what she says, but otherwise you hear the first and last words.  She loved showing Tommy all of her toys and didn't quite understand that he wasn't big enough to play the way she wanted to play.  She would say "No Baby P.J., not yet" or something of the sort, every time he knocked over her tower.  By the end of the weekend she would tell him "you aren't big enough yet to do ..."  She was gentle and kind, and more than once asked if he was a brother.  Cousin isn't quite comprehensible to her yet.  We hung out at Joan's Friday and then went to dinner with the Smith's.  After putting Tommy to bed, we went back and hung out with Jess and Chris for awhile.  J.R. and Chris could talk for hours about cars, tractors, etc.  Jessica and I have a good time just chit chatting about daily life.  Saturday was uneventful until Hannah came to Joan's for a sleepover.  She and Tommy played until he went to bed, and she was up waiting for him in the morning.  She was so sad to see Tommy head home with us.  I wish we were closer so they could grow up knowing each other a little better.  We promised to be out again soon to visit for Christmas and so that she could have another play date with "Baby P.J."  The only downside to the weekend was that we all came home with colds, which are still lingering around.  Oh well... Now time to prep for Christmas!

Aunt Leigh's visit

We had a great time with Aunt Leigh's visit.  Leigh is my college roommate from both Bloom and Emerson.  During her visit we spent some quality time with Tommy and then enjoyed our Speech Pathology convention.  The best part of the convention was the FOOD!! YUMMMM... Chinese, Indian, Greek, cheesesteaks and fondue! We enjoyed it all! Last Tuesday was Tommy's last swim lesson, so here are a few pics of him showing his stuff!  He did so well and now thinks nothing of going under water.  If he could walk, I am positive he would have been jumping in!  As it was, I would sit him on the edge and he would throw himself in ASAP.  He will live up to the nickname of "little Fish." 

Exciting week!

Exciting week here at the Fisher household! Aunt Leigh has come to visit! Leigh, my college roommate from both Bloom and Emerson, is here to visit and then head to ASHA with me.  Even though we only see each other 2 or 3 times a year these days, we still get along just like old times.  So far we have just enjoyed some downtime relaxing and shopping.  Tonight, we have plans to visit another Bloomsburg friend, Mandy.  Thursday morning we will head to Philly for a 3 day speech therapy convention.  Time away for me!! J.R.'s mom is coming to help hold down the fort here.  Tommy will love that!  Tommy is really beginning to turn into a big kid.  He now says "he-wo" (for hello) when he waves and does his own version of the sign "more" when he wants more food or to be thrown around.  Pictures to come soon!

Fall days

J.R. is Tommy's favorite person these days.  All J.R. has to do is walk in the room and Tommy reaches his arms out and starts squealing with joy.  Dad seems to be more fun to play with while Mom gets the job of making food, bottles, changing diapers, etc. (Although J.R. does do these things when I am not home, and very well might I add!!).  I had to work this weekend so they got a lot of bonding time.  Here is Tommy helping his dad wash my car!  Before long Tommy will be helping with this task!

More Halloween Fun

Tom went to visit his buddy Olivia the day before Halloween.  Lex and I dressed them up, but Tommy was not too happy about it.  I love the expressions on their faces!

 
I think the last one is the best.  I think they are saying "Can you believe they did this to us?!"

Trick or Treat

Our first year of trick or treating...J.R. can't wait for next year when Tom actually gets candy! Tom was the most adorable dragon/dinosaur you have ever seen!  We started our day out visiting the Langs and the Leiberhers around lunch time.  Tom did NOT like the hood of his costume, but what kid likes hats?!  After Tom ate dinner (Tom doesn't do ANYTHING without eating first!) we headed to the Snyder household.

  Luckily, Aunt Tina was visiting for the night, so he got to see her too.  He got his first Reese's PB Cup.  I know, I am a cool mom...candy at 10 months old.  He loved it! Unfortunately for him, I only let him have about 1/4 of it.  After that we headed to Aunt Shelly's house.  She got him all kinds of fun stuff...Maple teething biscuits, new kicks, a hat and an animal puzzle that makes animal noises. 

Our last stop was at Matt and Elizabeth's house where Tommy played with an extra cell phone.  He LOVED it.  I don't know what it is, but kids love electronics and things they are not supposed to have! We were all tired by the time we got home.  Can't wait for next year!

Ten months...already!

Our weekend started out with a trip to Grammy and Poppi's house for Olivia's 1st birthday.  Liv looked adorable and Tommy had a great time taking in all the sights and eating (of course).  I think Tom and Olivia were so overwhelmed that by the end of the night they ended up playing with each other's socks instead of all the cool new toys...Oh well, whatever makes them happy!

Liv took the laid back approach...hands behind the head, just taking it all in.  Tom had a great time with Poppi getting bounced all around and just doing what Tommys do with Poppis.

Grammy gave Tom some cake...he LOVED it.

 After much convincing (a little sugar high) Olivia got into eating her cake.  It was a long day for these little guys!

On Sunday, Tommy and I headed home to see J.R..  He, of course, was out with the guys from work watching the Steelers game.  Don't worry, they won!  For those of you who don't know Tommy that well, he is famous for his love of paper.  He loves to crumble it up and eat it.  This makes my monthly picture taking quite a task.  As you will notice, the sign is awfully wrinkled and even chewed on.  Good thing he is so cute.  So here he is...10 months old.  October 24, 2010

This was also the day Tommy learned to use a straw.  I have been trying (as all SLPs do) to get Tommy to use a straw for months.  Well today he had the motivation he needed.  Aunt Shelly brought Smoothies from the Smoothie Cafe and Tommy was determined to have some.  Wouldn't you know, he learned to use the straw!

 

Weekend away

J.R. and I went away for the weekend (2 weekends ago) to the Poconos to celebrate my 30th birthday.  We first went to Bushkill Falls and had a nice hike (J.R. was so excited that we did a jog/hike through the woods) The views were amazing!

We stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast called The French Manor.  Gorgeous views and great food! Of course, like any new parents, we were saying "I wonder how Tom is doing, I miss him, etc. etc."  He survived, just as we expected!

New Blogger!

Well...I am going to jump on the bandwagon.  Selena and Tina, you are my inspiration for this blog.  I've realized how much I enjoy reading other people's blogs, so I figured other people might enjoy hearing about "Fisher Family Fun" (mostly Tommy, but I can pretend people still care what J.R. and I do!).  Hopefully, I will update this at least once a week with a few Tommy stories and pictures, but we shall see.  Hope everyone enjoys it!