Guess What Aunt Linde Got for Christmas

Yep, that is THE envelope...She knows! 

I love it just like last time she left our house and I got a text 0.2 seconds later about how excited she is to KNOW! 

Tis the Season

I love the Christmas season for so many reasons.  One of my favorite is the togetherness celebrated with those we love. 
This week we lost a great member of our family, my cousin Jim.  He was my mom's cousin and I thought of him like an uncle.  He meant a lot to my parents and my family and we will miss him so much.  I hate that his family will be hurting this week when he would want nothing more than for us to be having Christmas fun.  I remember he always made sure all the kids watched the weather on Christmas Eve at their house because Santa would be on the weather radar! 
Anyway, all this to say I know our family is not the only one missing a loved one this holiday.  Please take a moment to say a prayer for them and offer a kind word, it means to much to hear encouragement this time of year.  This season of celebrataing can also be really hard. 
 

Train Train

So, we have already told you that we loved going to the trains at NorthPark and story time with Santa, but I thought you might like some more pictures to know how great it really was!  For starters they have lots of mirrors so if you need to take a peek a boo break, it's not a problem. 

Second, Lou Lou and Aunt Linde come join in the fun if you smile sweetly.  (Really you don't even have to smile, they are suckers)

Third, fun friends like Brady, Claire and Melanie will come from far away to join in the fun!

Fourth, Santa will bring his dog to story time... So cool to the 2 and under set!

Not to mention a conductor's hat, trains to look at and of course more fun!  We are so thankful for fun holiday activities!!!

Guess Who Went to Santa????

AveryMamma

So, Avery I have been so excited to go see Santa this year.  Last year we went to see the Santa at North Park and he was awesome.  Avery was truly awe struck, remember?  He very sweetly sat in Santa's lap and just studied him.  We have had the picture on the fridge from last year and we talk about Santa and all seemed well.....

Until, 2 weeks ago.  Papa was in town and graciously got up early to go get us a ticket to see Santa just after story time.  We went and saw the trains got in line to take our picture and all was well.  Then, we rounded the corner saw Santa and lost it!  Crazy, y'all know my laid back go with the flow boy.  So, I attributed this reaction to some serious teething and thought we would try again. 

We have been talking up the big man, looking at his picture.  I am sad to say this was almost all for nothing.  The only way buddy buddy would see Santa was if mamma got in the picture, too.  I guess next year I will get myself a Christmas sweater vest to match...at least then I won't be in maternity clothes. 

I do have to give a huge shout out the North Park Santa.  He was so nice and helpful.  He talked us through our options this time and last time, too.  I think if we had about 2 more visits Avery would love him.  Of course as soon as our picture time was over Avery wanted to chat him up about Elmo and toys and Santa was more than happy to do so.  I love that they don't rush you!

Merry Christmas from a girl way too big to sit on Santa's knee. :)

The Boy and the BayBay

Just thought I would let you know what has been going on at our house this week!  Monday we went to the Dr. for a routine visit.  I had the pleasure of drinking that yummy glucose goo before my actual appointment.  I am still amazed that something so sweet can taste so bad....  Anyway, I have known for ahwile that Wee can be a little wiggly, but he or she was so wiggly with all that sugar that even Dr. H. got tickled.  I am always amazed how she can pop the doppler on and find the heartbeat so easily, but Monday no such luck.  Dr. H. would find it just for a second and then Wee would take off for another side of my stomach.  We chased this baby all over and all 3 of us were laughing before it was done.  I am very thankful for a strong, baby still cooking, and kicking, where he or she belongs.  I was also suprised to find out that he or she is measuring on the big side.  We already knew we were having a sonogram at our next visit, so we will see if it was just a growth spurt or a big kid on our hands.  I'll be honest, I like the little (within reason) babies.  I hope Wee isn't too much of a chunker.  :)

The boy has had a hard week.  I can't count the number of times he has walked up to one of us and said "teeth" very pitiful and then pointed just like this.  I felt sad enough for him thinking he was cutting his bottom one year molars.  I felt like mother of the year when I was tickling his neck in Tom Thumb and saw that his top eye teeth have also poked through this week....Poor fella, he has not been himself!

The good news is there is a new house being built down the street from us, so I often hear "big truck, biiiiig truck" and find Avery checking out the action on our street!  I think it makes his teeth hurt a little less to enjoy trucks so big and manly hard at work.  :)

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile we were kind of busy last week having so much fun at church! 

This weekend was our annual church family Christmas party, Holly Jolly.  I love how the whole church comes together in different ways to make the night great.  For instance, 40 ladies decorated tables with their own dishes, centerpieces you name it to transform our atrium into a beautiful dining room.  I of course forgot my camera, so you can only see mine with phone pictures, but trust me it was beautiful.  There are some amazingly creative women in our church.  Also, 3 guys at our church cater the meal for us.  It was a feast with homemade lassagna, pizza, sides and bread pudding for dessert. 

Michael and I also had the privledge of helping provide the entertainment after our Holly Jolly dinner.

Our friend, Kelly and her sister Kasey direct our kids in a musical that is amazing.  We got to know these 40 angels over the past semester and were so proud to see them present a precious performance Saturday night.  I love that we started off the Christmas season with our church family remembering what Christmas is really all about!

Thankful

This Thanksgiving I have much to be thankful for.  I am pretty sure these 2 guys top the list!  I am so THANKFUL that they LOVE each other, there is no one who can make either of them light up like Daddy to Avery and vice versa.  I am thankful that Avery loves wearing his boots just like daddy.  I am thankful that I have a fun loving husband who humors me when I secretly dress our son to match him, he even let them match for small group last Wednesday night.  I am thankful for the peals of laughter from Avery as Michael chases him around the couch each night.  I am thankful for the bits of precious prayers I hear as Michael tucks Avery is bed each night.  I am thankful for the great big brother Avery will be.  I am thankful for the great dad of 2 Michael will be.  I am thankful that these 2 guys will have a great day with Michael's family while I am at work today.  I am thankful for so many things today and every day, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! 

Here is the Thanksgiving poem my Papa always read to us.  I think it is a wonderful way to sum up my thoughts today, and remember a man I will always be extra thankful for. 

Drinking From the Saucer

I've never made a fortune

and it's probably too late now,

But I don't worry about that much,

I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,

I'm reaping better than I sow,

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches

and sometimes the going's tough,

But I've got loving ones around me

and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings

and the mercies He's bestowed,

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

O, Remember times when things went wrong;

My faith wore somewhat thin.

But all at once the dark clouds broke

and sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe

about the tough rows that I've hoed,

I'm drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage

When the way grows steep and rough,

I'll not ask for other blessings,

I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy

to help others bear their loads,

Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

-Author Unknown

To Nap or Not to Nap

So usually Sunday afternoons garuntee a great nap for Avery.  He plays, sings and snacks his guts out all morning and almost always crashes before we make it home from lunch after church.  Don't worry I flatly refuse to cook on Sunday lunch, I am a brat.  But, today as we sit watching the Cowboy game we start hearing loud banging noises.  So, Michael puts his shoes on and marches to go get the number to call on the construction workers who are not supposed to construct on Sunday afternoons 2 doors down at the McMansion site!  Don't they know they are going to wake our sleeping angel.  But, don't worry they are not constructing.  So, after careful listening and some tell tell singing we realize that the noise would in fact be the shish (fish) being bounced off of the crib railing.  Love that aquarium and that Fisher Price made it sooo sturdy, it takes a lickin and keeps on tickin our crib maker sure did a good job, too. 
It is quiet now so I am keeping my fingers crossed for a real nap afterall.   

The Bay-Bay

Well, I don't do a very good job of blogging about it, but we are very excited to welcome a new member of our family this March.  Avery affectionately refers to Wee 2 and all babies as bay-bay in his best East Texas twang.  He will sometimes even pat the bay-bay but we keep that to a minimum because for some reason he has decided it is only a valid pat if I lift my shirt up since he likes to lift up his shirt to pat his belly. 

Today Linde, Avery and I went fabric shopping.  It was very fun and exciting.  Soon Linde will know so that she can order fabric.  I love getting to do fun things to get ready for the baby since I usually spend my time being paranoid NICU nurse instead of excited expectant Mamma.

This is the girl fabric.  I love that it has purple in it and is pretty different from a lot of what we have seen.  Linde says she can work some great bold, violet accents in to the room!  Purple has always been my favorite!  Linde found this great fabric at a store near us called Fabric Factory, it is great if you live around here.

These are the boy fabrics we like right now.  We found them on polka tot design website.  I am very excited to get the swatches.  I think these are such fun patterns and we were excited about the orange, we thought that was a fun distinguishing factor from Avery's room but still in the stuff we love.  I am also excited for what Linde decides to put on the walls with these.  She is so amazing.  If you have nursery or kids room needs you should give her a call.  She is booked the last week in January though.  :)

THANKFUL!!!

I try not to get on my soapbox too often I know that all 3 readers of my blog just want to see pictures of Avery, but every now and then I just can't resist.  So here goes....

IT'S NOT TIME FOR CHRISTMAS YET PEOPLE!!!

I mean seriously, 2 weeks ago I was in Academy shopping for the 3 day and they had the Christmas carols blaring. 
I have looked far and wide for Thanksgiving PJ's and shirt for the little prince.  I finally ordered a shirt on-line and gave up on the PJs.  Apparently you are only thankful if you are less than 1 year old boy, not any bigger than that.
Last night there was a Christmas special on NBC and ABC family was showing Christmas movies counting down to their 25 days of Chrismas movies.

IT IS TIME TO BE THANKFUL.....THANKSGIVING!!!!

Don't get me wrong I LOVE Christmas and I will begin belting out the carols and decorating the day after Thanksgiving, but NOT before.  It is too early for Christmas music, decorations, etc.  I HATE that we are so excited about all the gimme gimme holidays like Halloween, gimme candy, and Christmas, gimme presents.  By the way I know that Christmas is not about presents, but do we all know it and remember that???

So, put out a Thanksgiving decoration.  Draw a turkey with your favorite fat little hand and be THANKFUL.  Please!

Thankfully, Sincerely,

Abbe Jo

Best of/Worst of 3 Day 2009 Brownings for Boobs

One of the best parts of the 3 day were the cheering stations.  I was always so glad to see this cheerleader even if he was more excited about the other people cheering and carrying on.

We also were so glad to see these two cheerleaders.  Anderson and Maggie brought us some yummy yummy pre-mixed Gatorade.  This blue gatorade was another best!  We learned that powder gatorade can be a little hard to get just right in mass quantities.  Sorry, 3 day your Gatorade was the worst!Happy late Birthday Mags!

I would have to say another 3 day worst is putting up your own tent.... Seriously...I wimped out and went home so I could take a hot bath, but good grief!  I do not think you should have to walk 20.2 miles and then lug your suitcase to row I site 22 and put up your own pink tent.  The best was when some athletes from Brookhaven College came and helped us.  It was also the best that Annalee loaned us her air pump to blow up our air mattresses!

Although the 3 day Gatorade wasn't my favorite I would have to say that the other snacks were awesome.  My friends Annalee and Tobin who have already done the walk warned me the snacks would be good and boy girl were they right.  I have never been so well fed while exercising in my life.  We had a pit stop where you use a port a potty, WORST, get a drink and a snack and stretch, etc.  At those they had snacks galore.  I LOVED the uncrustable PB & J and of course was thrilled that I was being encouraged to eat lays chips as a snack.  Not the baked ones, the GOOD ones.  SO great.  I also really loved the cold orange slices and grapes. 

It was also the BEST to get so many texts from all of you while we were walking or resting up each night!

It was the WORST to not walk all 60 miles.  It was so frustrating to get on the bus to lunch and have them hand me a pin like it was a treat, I cried.  It was also the WORST our bus driver took 40 minutes to get us to lunch, it was 2 miles.  I had grand plans to get there early and get ahead of my team and instead met them at lunch.  So, then I walked another mile and had dad and Michael pick me up because I wasn't sure if I could make it to the next stop almost 4 miles away.  I know I am 21 weels pregnant yada yada but I was not raised to be a quitter and that is how I feel.  I am still not sure I shouldn't have tried to do more on Saturday, but shoulda coulda woulda I guess.

It was the best to have Dad and Michael take such AWESOME care of Avery all weekend.  Avery had a blast and I loved knowing he was getting tons of attention and play time with 2 of his favorite people.

Everyone's clever Breast Cancer Slogans, outfits and cars were the best...

Here are some of my favorite slogans from the weekend...

Save Second Base!!

Help Heal the Hooters! ( I love alliteration)

BEARS (this was a men's team, they even had a flag) Boys Excited About Racks

A man's t-shirt that just said I Heart Boobs (so honest)

Another poster with two holes cut out that the guys heads stuck through "These Boobs came to cheer you on as you walk for Boobs"

Help Stop the War in my Rack

You Can Do It Put Your Rack Into It
What did one saggy boob say to the other??  Perk up or they are gonna think we're nuts!

There were so many more, too.  It was great!!!

Humbled

I have been thinking a lot about what the 3 day experience was like for me.  I think that humbled sums it up best...
I am humbled that 3,000 men and women raised a minimum of $2300 and trained for this weekend's walk. 
I am humbled that 450 crew members also raised money and then donated their time to support us this weekend at the walk.
I am humbled that all 3 elementary schools we walked by Friday had precious boys and girls standing outstide cheering, clapping, and giving high fives as we walked past their schools.
I am humbled that so many people came to the various cheering stations to spur us on.
I am humbled at the many people who set up impromptu cheering stations in their front yards, back of their vehicles or anywhere else along the route to keep us in good spirits.
I am humbled that Mom, Emme, and Linde walked all 60 miles!
I am humbled that I was able to walk all 20.2 miles on Friday with such great support from my teammates, while the first 15 miles didn't seem so bad the last 5 seemed like pure torture.
I am humbled that I had to get on the bus and be "sagged" to lunch on Saturday after starting at a cheering station instead of the starting line because I knew I was slowing my team down too much.  (don't worry I cried)
I am humbled that after lunch I had to call for a ride home from pit 4, and I still am not sure I made the right decision I think I could have walked further. 
I am humbled that my team was so encouraging and patient as I walked 10 of the miles with them today. 
I am humbled by the women who marched into the closing ceremonies in their pink shirts to symbolize that they are not only 3 day survivors, but breast cancer survivors.  What an amazing group of women!

I am humbled and thankful for the amazing experience that I was able to have this weekend.  Thanks so much to all of you who helped make it possible with your donations, cheers, gatorade, texts and support it has been a wonderful journey. 

Stay tuned it is not all mush the funny stuff is coming tomorrow!

Pink Power...the 3 Day Starts Tomorrow

Well, when I decided to walk the Breast Cancer 3 day it seemed like forever from now.  I thought it would be a great way to stay healthy after stopping the feeding Avery diet and a great way to honor the memories of my mom's mom, Grandma Jo, and my dad's mom, Grandma Linda.  I wasn't at all worried about walking about 60 miles, but was very worried about raising $2300. 
My how things change.  The 3 day starts TOMORROW!  Turns out I am on a whole new, eat everything in sight and claim it is to feed Wee 2 diet.  But, I am glad I was healthy and walking to start this pregnancy.  I am still so glad to honor to wonderful women I wish I knew better, and have learned of so many other neat ladies I can walk for, also.  I am still in AWE of how my friends and family stepped up and quickly donated all I needed and more, helping me reach my goal well in advance of the deadline.  And, I am now VERY worried about walking 60 miles.  I thought I was tough and it was no big deal to push myself, but I am not walking alone... I have Wee 2 to think of. 
So, please keep me, Wee, Mom, Linde and Emme as we attempt to walk the Breast Cancer 3 Day this weekend.  We start early, early tomorrow morning.  I would love your help and support along the way the next 3 days.  Here are some things you can do for us....
Come Cheer Us On.  Here are the cheering stations.

Friday, November 6:

8:00 am - 9:30 am
Haggard Park
901 E 15th St.
Plano, TX 75074

12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Manhatten/ Office in the Park
14831 Midway & 14677 Midway
Addison, TX 75001
Please do not park in front of Ferrari's restaurant or Mattress Giant Corp HQ building.

Saturday, November 7:
7:45 am - 9:00 am
Unity Church of Dallas
6525 Forest Ln.
Dallas, TX 75230

10:45 am - 2:15 pm
Prestonwood Village
5505 Arapaho
Dallas, TX 75248

Sunday, November 8:
8:45 am - 11:00 am
Bank of America - Park Cities
5500 Preston
Dallas, TX 75205

11:15 am - 2:00 pm
Historic West End
N. Market St., from Munger to Ross
Dallas, TX 75202

We plan to have our phones with us if you want to be sure to catch us at a station.
Send us a text, we love encouragement.  We probably won't respond because we will be saving our phone batteries, but it will mean so much!
Say a prayer.  Please pray that we have strength and perseverance, but also good judgement about when to say when.  

I can't wait to tell you all about our journey.  I will keep a journal to fill you in on the play by play.  Until then wish team BROWNINGS FOR BOOBS LUCK!!!!  The 4.5 (Cindy, Abbe & wee 2, Linde and Emme) of us really appreciate it!
 

Can't You SEA it's My Second Halloween

Last night was Trunk or Treat at church.  I have to admit it is one of my favorite things we do!  I did steal the idea from another church and bring it to ours, but that is not why I love it.  I just have the best time watching all the Trunk or Treaters interact with so many different, fun people from church. 

This year we were the recipient of the best hand me down costume.  Our friend Davis wore the octopus costume a few years and I raved and raved about how cute it was.  His sweet mamma offered to share it with us this year!  I still think it is the cutest costume ever!!!!

We decided to embrace the sea theme as well as that this is Avery's second Halloween since we did Guess Who's First Halloween with the Owl last year.  Be nice, I know there aren't ducks in the ocean, but it filled good trunk space.  I even played The Little Mermaid CD. 

Lou Lou was so nice she came to our house so that Avery could nap longer while we went to decorate our trunk and get ready for the fun.  Papa came straight from the airport to join in the fun, too.  Avery had a blast, but he did get hungry and need his snack cup by the end.  I realize Avery looks pretty bratty in this one picture, but I think the octopus cleave was pretty hilarious. 

And as you can tell Momma loves Halloween the most.  I can't help it, Aunt Linde has a really fun Birthday that I love to enjoy. 

Punkin at the Patch

Avery and I had big fun last Friday.  Aunt Linde took time out of her crazy work schedule these days to go to the pumpkin patch with us.  We had a great time.  The pumpkin patch was a really cute one by a church in our neighborhood.  It was a great fall morning to go and we were the only people there so Avery had free reign.  Sorry for the millions of pictures, but I thought it was fun to see him running all over.  Avery had tons of fun with the mini pumpkins.  He loved that they were just his size and he carried them all over the patch.  Aunt Linde even convinced him to kiss the pumpkin as we were leaving.

He also really liked beating patting the pumpkins and touching the warty ones. 

I thought it would be cute to get a picture of Avery sitting in the pumpkins because that was a super cute picture last year.  What a difference a year makes, we were NOT interested in sitting on the pumpkins this year.