A Wonderful and Happy Holidays

We had such a wonderful past 2 weeks filled with lots of activities and time with family and friends. Having Kimmy and her family in town was especially fun, even though it was crazy crazy crazy most of the time. It is always very hard to see her leave.

It seems like Wright grew up 6 months while his cousins were in town. He picked up lots of new words and actions. His new thing is that he is SO stubborn. He throws his body all over the place when I try to change his clothes and diaper and he has decided he HATES his car seat. That combined with learning to say "no" (and shaking his head violently while he says it) have been a true test of patience for me. I am hopeful that these actions are merely a phase he is going through and not signs of his true personality.

As always, it is a little hard that Christmas and New Years is over and tomorrow is back to reality. I am so used to constantly having stuff going on and people around me that hanging out with just Wright feels a little lonely. Plus I am getting a little nervous about job searching in the next couple of weeks and what all that will bring. That being said, I am confident that the Lord has a plan for us and will keep to His promise to provide and take care of us, especially during this time when money is tighter than normal. My biggest prayer is that I will find a job that is a great fit for me and has child care for Wright. Sometimes that seems extremely daunting, but I have complete faith in an awesome and powerful God who has proven time and again that he can make the seemingly impossible reality for those who believe in Him.

Some pics of the past few weeks...

The Chous were back in Dallas and we met them for lunch at Snuffer's.

Trains at Northpark.

Cathy, Jeano and Sarah relaxing at Melanie's during our family Christmas White Elephant party.

We laughed so hard that Bill won the shabby chic bird cage.

The Lipscombs got a new dog - Charlotte.

Lanie and Wright taking a wagon ride on a nice 70 degree December day.

Wright and Molly playing on New Years' Eve at the Akhtar's house.

Newt and Jeano are bonding on New Years' Day.

Wright was not too sure about this big slide.

The cousins (and me) on the bounce house.

Our First Case of the Missing Glasses

Melanie and I went on a walk today with Wright. He was doing so well all day with wearing his glasses that I decided he could keep them on while we were walking. When we got home, he did not have them on and one of the lenses was in his stroller under him. I started freaking out because the glasses are only about 2 weeks old and they cost $300! We knew that he had them on at about the mid way point of our walk so we jumped in the car and drove over there. Then I began to retrace our steps while Melanie followed me in the car. After about 10 blocks and much prayer, I found them (thank the Lord) in the street all bent up. But the good news is that the other lens, which is the most expensive part, was still intact. I am thinking he took them off, was playing with them, popped out one lens and chunked them in the street. Needless to say, I am headed back to the eyeglass place tomorrow to get him some sort of glasses gripper that will keep him from being able to take them off so easily as I am sure that was just the first of many such incidences.

No More Morning Naps

Well, we have officially dropped Wright's morning nap. I have been putting it off for about a month even though he has not been sleeping well in the am, cause I thought it might just be teething. But, when we dropped it this week, he has been happy and awake until at least 12:30 or 1, so now I know he was definitely ready. It is probably more of an adjustment for me than him, considering I have to reorganize my day to make up for that lost morning free time. Showering before he wakes up is a whole new world! Overall, it has been a success though and I am excited about the morning activities we will get to do now.

Big Red Wagon

Wright LOVES his new wagon. We went for a ride around the block yesterday and he smiled the whole time.

Aunt Megan

We had a Christmas lunch and gift exchange with Aunt Megan the other day. Wright had the best time playing with the purse we gave her and the paper bag that she brought all the gifts in.

Cousins Come to Dallas

We have all had so much fun with Kim, Newt and their kids in town.

Wright and Porter are starting to play together.


Making music.

Wright likes to follow Porter and see what he does.

Porter waiting patiently for mom to make his waffles.

Brew and Wright.

Silly Cannon.

Cannon and Wright playing with puzzle books.

Brewer on the fort - probably a little too big for this toy.

First Haircut

This is pretty cool so far.

Ok, not so sure about this...

That is a lot of long hair to cut.

Now I am getting bored.

So handsome.

Christmas 2008

We have had a fabulous, whirlwind Christmas this year and Wright has loved every minute of it. My sister Kim and her family came in town and Melanie and her family stayed in Dallas, so Wright has had a blast with his 5 older cousins. He follows them everywhere and just watches what they do in amazement. They are all so cute with him too.

Christmas Eve, we all went to the pseudo kid friendly service at PCPC and then came back to our house for a pizza party. Everyone made different pizzas (including the kids) and we voted on whose was the best - Patrick's prosciutto and egg pizza won.

On Christmas morning, we woke up and did Santa at our house. Then we headed over to Melanie and Patrick's for the big family gift extravaganza. That took several hours, so we came back home in the afternoon for much needed naps. We went back to their house for a wonderful Christmas dinner to end the festivities.

Wright got a big red wagon, small red chair for the play room, a giant teddy bear that he can lay on and a grocery cart with a bunch of fake food as his big gifts. He LOVES everything and has been having so much fun playing with it all.

The giant bear from Gigi and Papoo is super soft and we all love to lay on it.

Jumpin' around in the wagon.

This chair is just my size.

What a great case for all my movies.

How does a puzzle work?

This book is sooooooooo funny!

Let's go shopping!

Dressed for Christmas dinner, glasses and all.

I love these crab things.

All I Want for Christmas is...Glasses?

About two months ago, we started noticing that Wright's left eye was crossing slightly and it only got worse over time. So a couple of weeks ago, we went to a pediatric optomologist and found out that he is "extremely farsighted." The dr. said that he probably has a hard time even seeing the food on his tray when he eats. Brendan and I were shocked because neither one of us have ever had any serious vision problems. Regardless, he was fitted for his first pair of glasses that day and we picked them up on Christmas Eve. Good thing he looks pretty cute and he seems to be adjusting to them well.

Ruthie's Party

Wright had the best time at Ruthie Grissen's first birthday party at Little Gym. It was his first time there and he loved all of the mats and climbing on everything. He also enjoyed the loud music and was dancing up a storm!

Santa Claus Came to Our House!

Last week, Santa came to our house and Wright got to meet him for the first time. Plus, Max and Luke were here to sit on Santa's lap. It was a lot of fun. Wright was not scared of him like I thought he might be, probably because we were in his comfort zone. His favorite part was the candy cane Santa gave him. He also got new Christmas PJs.

Let it Snow!

We woke up today to snow all over! Funny thing is that it was literally 80 degrees on Sunday, 20 on Monday and snow on Tuesday. And our neighborhood was covered in snow, but Wright's school only 1/2 mile away had none. Only in Dallas...

Winter wonderland.

Christmas with the Mitchells

We went up to Frisco on Saturday night for a Christmas celebration and gift exchange with the Mitchells. They are going to Taos for Christmas and we will be with my side of the family. We had a great dinner and fun hanging out and drinking wine. Wright's favorite part was the wrapping paper.

Tiger and me posing for the camera.

Two of the three red heads.

Wright and the wrapping paper.

Dee loved her serving dish.

HORRIBLE pic of me, but it shows Wright opening his gift.