Santa's Wonderland!

Santa's Wonderland was one of the first real "dates" Trey and I went on when we were in college.  I still remember getting hot chocolates and being the first to christen his brand new Acura with my drink.  Opps.  He still won't let me live it down!  It was fun to bring our own children to visit 11 years later.  Mark was in town for work so he met us too!  Jack was quite attached to his "Uncle Markie".  The petting zoo was the favorite - we fed camels, deer, pigs, a cow, goats, a llama, etc.

Command and Conquer

"Popsicle"

Hands down, my favorite thing to combat new teeth...the fresh food feeder + ice cubes.  Jack calls them popsicles.

Jack's School Christmas Program

I've been giddy about this day...I'm serious, GIDDY!  Crazy right?  There was just something about my shy little boy getting up on stage with his class, standing on his blue line, singing about Jesus/tea pots/Christmas trees/etc, and doing his little motions as best as he could follow.  I expected he would just stand and stare at the audience.  I knew he wouldn't be "the crier" - it's just not usually his nature.  But my Jack gave shy smiles that made me melt and sang his little heart out.  And the squinty eyes picture - that's how he prays. =) The program was followed by pizza, cupcakes, and crafts - he cried when we took him home.  I'd say that was a good day...

In January of this year we had to make the decision to start school or hold off until the next year.  Jack wasn't even really talking yet, and I really had a hard time with the decision when he was every bit still a "baby" to me.  Now that we've finished our first semester, I know it was the best decision for not just Jack but our whole family.  Jack LOVES school.  He LOVES his teachers.  He is always talking about his friends.  When I pick him up in the car, he is an instant chatter box about things he has learned.  For me, I get a little breather to run some errands.  But mostly for Sam, he gets to have my attention.  All of my attention.  For all of these things, I am grateful for school.

Journey to Bethlehem

A local church near us has a really amazing outdoor, walk through type experience called "The Journey to Bethlehem" to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I looooooved it last year, but of course Jack was a little young so I was even more excited to take him back this year.  Despite the biter cold wind, even my parents tagged along for it.  As expected, Jack was most excited for the animals - camel, baby goats, chickens, sheep, etc.  The last stop of the walk was the nativity scene, and Jack kept wanting to get "closer" and "see his face".  I pray so hard for the day that my sweet boy "gets it"....  For now, I savor each opportunity to discuss the true meaning of Christmas.

Michelangelo's

I have no idea the first time Trey and I had a date to Michelangelo's, but we have been going every year for as long as I can remember.  It's fun to splurge and even more fun to go out on our own, which doesn't happen very often given the two little ones that keep us busy at home.  I will say it helps to go out when you have such great babysitters =)

Happy 7 Months, Samuel!

Sleep, glorious sleep!!!!!!  It's amazing how much our standard for "good sleep" has changed after we survived what we did for the last two months.  Sam's new teeth hit him hard and we were up A LOT...like most of the night between the two of us.  But we survived, we never cried it out (much), and Sam has his two bottom teeth fully in (he ran a 24 fever recently some I'm suspecting the top ones are near...). 

This month I did decide he wouldn't nurse at night anymore, until we hit the 5am mark.  The first night was rough, but once he realized that he wasn't fighting to get fed he started rolling right over easy.  But don't take this as "sleeping through the night" - I loathe that phrase.  It means something different for everyone.  For now every night is different, I'm a much happier mom, and Sam is a much happier baby now that everyone is a little more well rested. =) 

He is certainly just like the acorn on his shirt -  Little guy with big potential.  I love watching him grow....

7 Month Highlights
-boy LOVES his food (just like brother) - we have made it through most of the first foods and I'll probably start making some of my own when we get back from the holidays
-Two teeth and with a 24 hour fever recently I'm suspecting the top ones are nearby...
-Social to the max...refuses to be left alone with toys or in front of the tv - wants to be interacting constantly
-Sitting like a champ and loves when we stand him so he can hold onto things
-Laughs the hardest in response to Jack...the longest running ones were in the bath together and while Jack was playing the harmonica
-Loves bath time!

Ice Cream Sandwich

Avocado

I'm a sucker for a little Sam vs Jack comparison.  Just like the love they share for green beans, they share the same distaste for avocado (we have since learned that Sam loves them but only in the fresh food feeder, not from a spoon).  I'm guessing it must be a texture thing. 

Caleb turns five!!

It's hard to believe that Caleb turned 5 - I still remember Trey talking to Abbey after he was born!  While they are so close in Waco, we try and take every opportunity to see them and let the cousins make some memories together.  So we woke up the boys early Saturday, left them in pjs and made the journey for Caleb's birthday party at the "jumpy place" as Jack calls it.  Long trips with littles never go quite as planned, but even though we were a bit late, Jack had a BALL!  We also were able to spend some time at their house after for a yummy lunch and afternoon before making the trip home during nap time. =)  The boys did great in the car and even I got to have a snooze on the way home!

Happy to be in PJs!

It's rare that I let Jack leave the house in his pajamas with a pacifier (it's a big battle for us...), but when we have a long, morning car trip ahead of us it's a pretty big treat for him.  Can you tell by his face??!

Thanksgiving Recap

We had a wonderful few days in The Woodlands with my family for Thanksgiving this year!  I still am blow away when my mom can pull off such an epic meal for so many people.  She tries to give us credit - "you made a dish..." "you helped with the appetizer...", but even when we bring over a dish, she still has to get it hot again!  For me the timing is always the hard part!  This was our first Thanksgiving without Kimberly, which made me sad. =)  We also realized this was our first married holiday to not see both families - Trey's family went to Kansas City this city.  As exhausted as the holidays are sometimes logistic-wise, we are so lucky to have both sets of families in the same city.