Christmas 2009

Well, this may be a little late, but after ten days of traveling I guess it is to be expected. We started our Christmas 2009 by opening presents from each other the Sunday before Christmas. We were able to see first hand how excited James was with all his presents. Of course he wanted to play with all of them right away, and we were real relaxed and opened gifts and played. It was such a nice, calm evening together. On Wednesday we started our travels. All of James' family gathers in Texarkana for Christmas, and everyone was so sweet to invite my parents as well. We really enjoyed seeing everyone at one time.

Santa came to visit James there, and he brought him three awesome toys. He received two fighting foam swords (that are taller than he is!), Busy Gears, and a Rock n Roll Bull. He was quite sure where these toys came from, but he definitely enjoyed playing with them.

We all we super spoiled at Christmas yet again...everyone thank you so much!!! We had Christmas dinner on the 26th followed by tons of presents. James really enjoyed opening presents. He opened one present that was a book, and he didn't want to open anything else! He just sat on the floor and read his new First Words book. Because the snow up north delayed everyone's travels this turned out to be quite a late night. We drove back out to the farm and James was knocked out. He didn't even get to finish opening his presents! We all enjoyed giving and getting presents from each other, and we saved James' presents for the following day. Let me tell you - it was a good thing we did that because he had TONS of presents! We had to really make him finish opening them because he was just not into it by the end. He really likes all his presents of course. We actually are saving presents where he gets a new one each week or so, and then we take some other toys away. Otherwise our house would be over run with toys and he would be overwhelmed.

We spent the next week with our families. We played outside, went for walks, talked, stayed up late, and just enjoyed being with each other. We cherish our time with our family. We were so blessed to be able to stay for such an extended period of time. We felt like we were really able to see everyone and catch up since we were not there at Thanksgiving.

Our New Year's Eve consisted of being in bed by 10:30 because we were not sure when James would wake up. We had a nice day out to the mall, and we watched some football of course. We look back at 2009 and wonder where it went, and we know this year will be the same. We are looking forward to all the wonderful times ahead and waiting to see what God has in store for us! This year will be fun, and we will try to keep this updated as our lives become even crazier! :)

James was glad when we returned home. He just walked around and looked at everything with a huge smile on his face. Vacation is fun, but it is always good to be home. Well, I will post pictures soon, but there are so many they need a post all alone!

Merry Christmas!

Last night was our Candlelight Service at church. James was such a good boy, but he was sure hyper! He kept trying to pull the lady's hair in front of us, and would giggle at her. She was a Grandma and enjoyed James playing with her. James also got out of the pew and would play peekaboo with her and then run back to us. One time he kept running and Daddy had to chase him down! It was really cute! When we lit our candles, James wanted to touch the flame. I guess he likes fire like his Daddy! After the service, there was a Mug Fellowship where everyone brings their own mug and drinks hot cocoa or spiced cider. We also enjoyed some cookies. James was trying to eat a cookie, drink my cider, and steal an older lady's walking cane! He was borderline out of control!

Today will begin our eleven day trip for Christmas, and we are so excited!!! Last year James didn't even care about the presents or family, but this year I know he will! We are so ready to see our families! I will have to post some pictures (maybe) next week otherwise I will wait until we are home. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Be safe, and may God bless you and your family.

Playing the Harmonica

Daddy taught James how to play the harmonica. James has been walking around the house blowing air out of his mouth, and today at lunch Daddy helped James put that to good use! Daddy held James' nose shut so James would have to use his mouth, and then he started doing it without his nose being held. Here is a short video of him playing it. He likes to blow a couple of times and run away, but I made him do it three times in a row so that is why he looks flustered at the end. But he really enjoys it and it makes him laugh and smile. :)

First Time on Santa's Lap

I wanted to post this picture of James with Santa one year ago. He was only seven weeks old. It is such a great picture...too bad this year wasn't quite a good. :) When I look at this picture it makes me sad because now he is so big.

Santa!

Santa was in town this morning at the bank, so I decided to take James for a picture. Little did I know James would be so scared! He started bawling when Santa held him, and Mrs. Clause calmed him down a little, but he just wanted his Mama. Well, the people there suggested I have my picture made with him...so me, James, and Baby Bob all sat on Santa's lap (Santa's poor leg!) and had our picture made. Here are the end results.

Mrs. Clause trying to console James.

Our first group shot. James is giving Santa the evil eye!

A good picture (minus my hair-yikes!).

Santa gave James a candy cane, but James did not want anything to do with it there, but once we got home he was all about trying his first candy cane!

I thought this picture was too cute. He has that - I am sad, and this might make up for what you put me through today - look. Priceless...

Ultrasound Pictures

Boys Boys Boys

We are having another boy in April! We had our ultrasound last Wednesday and decided to find out. Baby boy is measuring a little big, but the doctor said that is completely normal and nothing to worry about yet. I have pictures from the ultrasound, but we cannot post them yet because our internet where our printer is does not work. I will keep trying to get it fixed...we'll see. We are really excited James will have a little brother so close in age to play with and hopefully be best friends with. I am just thankful everything in the ultrasound looked wonderful and he is healthy!

I am about to start my 20th week, and everything is going great. I have gained 8 lbs. and my blood pressure has been good so far. I am growing rapidly, and I might just post some pictures of the belly, but for now you can use your imagination! :)