Christmas Program & Santa

*I aparently have not taken the pics from Thanksgiving off my camera so I am going to jump around a little bit in my posts.

Ava's preschool  had the most adorable Christmas program and we were so excited to watch Ava "perform" in her first ever school program. She doesn't have many milestones these days but I am going to count this as one!

Here she is with her friend Mason. It looks like they are holding hands but they weren't. Isn't she precious though?! She couldn't wait to wear her Rudolph shirt I made her. That shirt got lots of wear over the month of December.

When did my little girl grow up??? She's getting so big. :(

I was actually a little nervous for her. She could not have been more excited for us to watch her sing with her friends but I was afraid when she saw all the parents staring back at her that she would freeze up. She didn't at all! When she walked out in front of us I waved to her and she said in a loud voice, when the whole sanctuary was quiet, "Hi Mommy". Everyone giggled and it was so cute! My shy little girl surprised me for sure. 

Singing Away in a Manger

She kept telling me days before the program that they were going to wear animal masks and I knew from prior experience with silly things on her head that that was not going to be ok with her. They sang the cutest songs about the animals in the manger and my little donkey just stood there silent in embarresment.

When the animal song was over those donkey ears came off immediately and she was good to go. At the end of the program the kids sang Go Tell it on the Mountain and shook their jingle bells. :) I was a proud momma watching my little girl in her first performance!

A few days later we put the Rudolph shirts on again to visit Santa. We waited about 2 hours to see the big guy. Anything for the Munchie. I kept trying to bribe her with cookies to leave and come back tomorrow when there would be less crowds but she didn't have it.

Santa's wonderland was a huge advertisment for Ice Age and ,being that is one of her favorite movies, she loved it!

Playing in the "holding area" with fake snow

It was almost his bedtime but Connor hung in there and did great while we were waiting. I was ready for tears though when he sat on Santa's lap....

but instead of tears we got a SMILE! I love my kids!

She told Santa she wanted princess makeup. :)

9 months old

9 months old already?! I can't believe you are just 3 short months away from being 1 year old! I really wish I could freeze time and keep you this little forever! This past month has been lots of fun. I feel like you are starting to look more and more like a little boy than a baby. You are thinning out some, thanks to all that crawling that is burning calories, and your hair is starting to grow more. Your cheeks aren't as chubby but they are still so kissable! ;)

*You weigh 22 lb.s 8 oz. and are 30 inches long.

*You are wearing some 12 month clothes but mostly 18 months. You still wear size 4 diapers.

*You are pulling up on everything now and have started to stand unassisted. Such a big boy!

  *No real steps yet except for when we hold your hands or when you are pushing your walker toy. I can tell by that sweet grin of yours that you are so proud of yourself when you take steps.

*You are still such a happy baby. You smile back at people all the time and you finally started babbling. Had me worried for a little bit. ;) You say "ba ba ba" a lot and also like to make cute little spitting sounds with your lips. I think you are trying to copy your sister who does this often when yall are looking at each other in the car.

*You give the sweetest "kisses", especially to Daddy and Ava.

*You had your first case of the nasty stomach bug recently. Seeing my babies sick is one of the worst feelings ever. I enjoyed the extra snuggles and time I had just holding you but it made me sad to see you so sick.

*I think it's safe to say that I can classify you as a picky eater. You will not eat any finger foods other than puffs and mum mums and the only soft food that you will eat is yogurt (your absolute favorite), rice cereal or oatmeal, and bananas. I don't know if it's because your stomach still isn't back to normal but you wont even eat foods such as sweet potatoes or butternut squash, two things that you loved last month. Hopefully this will all change in a few weeks and you will be willing to try, and actually like, some new foods.

*I nurse you about 4 times a day and you eat 3 solid meals a day. I am noticing that you can go longer between feedings now and I might start dropping one of the middle feedings soon since you only 3 more months till we are done nursing. :( Bittersweet time for your mommy.

  *You still take 2 naps. Your first nap is always great and your second nap is usually about an hour. You sleep with your blankie but I think the majority of the time you are chewing on it or sucking on one of the tags. You like to carry it in your mouth, along with other toys, which always makes me laugh.

  Connor, my life since you has been such a whirlwind but I hope you always know that every minute of my day that I spend with you is filled with priceless memories. Changing countless sick poopy diapers, feeding you food that you spit out in disgust, carrying you around on my hip everywhere because it's just easier, watching you play on the floor next to your sister, seeing you snuggle with your daddy when he comes home from work.....I take a 100 mental pictures a day of every moment with you sweet boy. I love you more and more each day! Gosh, I'm lucky to be your mommy!

xoxo,
mommy

 

Best Friends Reunited

*Updated pics and video of the best ever knock knock jokes!

At the end of November our best friends Brinley and Amy came in town to stay with us for a few days. We had the privilege of meeting the newest member of their family, sweet Cason! Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures (seriously, what is happening to me?!) but luckily Amy did so I stole these of her camera. Guess we didn't snap any of Mr. Cason but he is as precious as they come. Myself, along with some other close friends, threw Amy a Sip and See that weekend so that her friends in the DFW area could meet the little guy.

Ava and I were on cloud 9 to have these dear friends in our home for 2 whole days! These two beauties could not have been more kind or loving toward each other. They had the best time playing dress up, watching Sofia the First, giggling at each other's knock knock jokes in their panties (during dinnertime...couldn't get the princess dresses dirty!), playing at the park and mall play area, and celebrating Simon's first birthday.

We bought Brinley some sparkly shoes to match Ava's and they had the same idea because they gave Ava this pink shirt so the girls could be matchy matchy. Friend shirts! :)

We love you Amy, Brinley, and Cason (and you too Rocky!) Thank you for the absolute best few days we have had in a long time. Please come again!

Time with Gigi and Bpop

Way back in early November (or maybe it was Oct???) Gigi and Bpop came to the Dallas area to run in a Foam Fest 5k. We were so proud of Gigi for running in the race after being so sick and unable to do much for months and months. We made it just in time to see them finish!

 

Ava was the perfect little cheerleader for her Gigi and Bpop!

 

They ended the race with a slide into the foam! So fun!

 

While we were waiting for them to get cleaned up after the race Ava and I played on the tire swing.

 



After the race we took them to the new Klyde Warren Park in Uptown. It was super crowded since it was the second opening weekend. It's crazy that this park is built over the highway centered between tall buildings. It's neat but I couldnt really appreciate it much do to crowds and warm weather.

We always love our time with these two special people! Thanks for coming to visit!