So… I’ve been quiet on the blog (and twitter too) for most of December for one big reason. We’re moving! Beau got a new job in Houston, Texas and we’ll be heading down there the first week of January. Fast, I know.

Moving away from our family and friends will be incredibly hard, and I know the moment we leave our driveway and begin our trek down I-35, I won’t be able to hold back the tears. But it’s a great opportunity for us for a number of reasons. One big one for me: Staying home with Ephram every day – and no. more. overnight shifts.

In an attempt to catch up on the month of December and what Ephram’s been up to, here’s a few photos of Ephram decorating the Christmas Tree. He’s been quite obsessed with the ‘pree ights’ (pretty lights) all month and asks for ‘more, more!’ every time we drive by a lit up house around town. When arriving home each day, he insists on running into the yard and touching all of the Christmas lights we’ve had in the bushes and trees. Good thing it’s been an unbelievably warm and snow-less December.

Also, you’ll note the Halloween costume making an appearance. He asks to wear his puppy costume at least three times per week. I never expected to get so much use out of it, so I’ve gladly let him run around dressed as a puppy. I suppose it’s the equivalent to having a daughter who loves princess dresses?

In case you’re wondering, we decorated the tree like normal this year, but kept the bottom third of the tree more Ephram-proof by putting the felt ornaments here. Overall, he left the tree alone all month, but from time to time he’d take the felt ornaments off. I think I got these at Michael’s a few years ago. Perfect for toddler hands.

*posting may be sporadic as we attempt to quickly pack our life up and head south. but I promise to share as much as I can once we get settled in*

If there’s one food growing up that I’ll never forget, it was my mom’s mac and cheese. The perfect blend of noodles and Land O Lakes American cheese. I promise you, the Kraft version just doesn’t even compare.

Ever since I moved out on my own I’ve been attempting to make it myself, and while it never really tastes quite the same, I think I got pretty close last night.

Ephram scarfed his down faster than I’ve ever seen him eat before. I think that means it was good. Or, he was just that hungry. I’ll go with both.

Okay, I might be biased (juuust a little bit), but I swear he is the cutest boy on the planet.

I mentioned on Monday that one of Ephram’s most frequently used words lately is see.  He asks to see what I’m cooking.  To see the garbage truck, or any loud vehicle for that matter, when it passes by our house. To see the lights in our yard and across the street.

To save our arms some trouble, we’ve moved a few of the dining room chairs next to the windows so Ephram can ‘see’ whenever he’d like.  Unfortunately he still favors us holding him.

I love his curiousity in these photos.  Something so sweet about a boy figuring out the world around him.

ps. If you’ve been missing my Ten on Tuesdays (all two of you ;) – you can find a new, similar feature on my photography blog each Tuesday.

Over the course of the weekend, I think Ephram surprised us with about 10 new words. I think it’s safe to say the real word explosion has begun – and I’m loving it.

Ephram, would you like more milk? “Yea” (followed by a sign for please). Ephram has known “No” for quite awhile, but yes just came in the last few weeks.

Pointing the cupboard and saying,”sna?” (snack)

I walked downstairs while Ephram and Beau were eating in the dining room. Beau swears Ephram said, “where is she?“

After pulling out his Elmo notepad from the toy drawer he said, “coar?” (color)

He spotted a sucker in my latest WHCC shipment, “boon!” (he thought that it was a balloon – and I guess that makes sense when you’ve never felt what a balloon really feels like)

Christmas decorations. They are probably his favorite thing right now. He wants to “see?” them all the time. When we pass them while driving he wants “more?” and he describes them often as “peee!” (pretty!). Oh, and lights is pronounced “ights” in this toddler’s tiny world. And he will grab our hands often and drag us from the living room to his room and back to see each Christmas tree we have up and expressing his delight in seeing them with a “Woah!!” each time.

“Cookie?” (cooking) is still a strong favorite as well. Just last night while I made a cheesecake, he pulled out 4 different pots and pan and brought them one by one to the living room coffee table, stirring each with a spoon.

A few other new words: Cacker (cracker), Uh (up), Ah (on/off), Fan (though the n is mostly silent ), Fishy (the fish in the fish tank downstairs – and the snake he saw on the tv) and Bego (we’re not even sure – any ideas?)

edited to add: “Tank oo” (Thank you)!! I wasn’t sure he was really saying it this weekend but he definitely spoke those sweet words each time I filled his snack cup today.

This vocal communication, using real words, is quite wonderful.