Wright's Eye Surgery

Today Wright had surgery on his strabismus (eye crossing). They basically went in underneath the eyelid, cut the muscles and reattached them so they would stop pulling in the wrong direction. It is supposed to help with double vision and improve depth perception. The hope is that by the time he is 7-12, he won't even need glasses.

So we told him last night that he would be going with Mommy and Daddy really early while it was still dark to the dr to get his eyes fixed. We told him that none of us would have anything to eat or drink beforehand but he could have anything he wanted after. His only questions were "Will they take me from my mommy?" and "After I can eat breakfast?"

He did great this morning. The facility was wonderful and completely made for kids. They had tons of toys, puzzles, books, etc in the waiting room. Then, when he went back he got to pick his own video from at least 100 and they gave him a portable DVD player to watch it on. He was in heaven. Around 6am, they gave him some "silly juice" which made him lose his inhibitions (and balance ;). When the nurse took him at 6:25am, he was completely fine to go with her. We were back with him at about 7:25am. He was very sleepy and out of it. About 30 minutes later, he woke up enough to eat a popsicle and then we went home. In and out in less than 3 hours! The amazing part is that by 12:30pm, he was back to normal as if nothing had happened. And tonight he was bouncing off the walls like his same old self :) He does have some bloody cut looking marks in his eyes and a little swelling that should be gone in 2 weeks. All in all very minor though. We are so thankful that he is doing great and hope this helps his vision a ton.

In the waiting room before.

Asleep right after the surgery.

Passed out on the way home - the sunglasses are because his eyes were very dilated.

Christmas with the Mitchells

On the 26th, we drove out to Frisco to celebrate Christmas with the Mitchells. Dee made some yummy burgers and we had a great time catching up with everyone. It was also wonderful to see Sean again who is doing really well.

Seany - he is looking so old!

Ryan got all ready for bed in his comfy pjs.

Wright had the best time playing with Bredan's hat - love this pic :)

Aunt Dee and Spence.

Christmas Dinner - The Lipscombs'

We had a wonderful Christmas dinner at the Lipscombs' house. Patrick cooked a fabulous prime rib roast and Melanie made awesome side dishes. They got a precious new kitty (name TBD) that was a huge hit with the kids. Wright had so much fun getting to play with his cousins all afternoon and night. We attempted letting him have a slumber party and stay in the room with Max and Luke. He came out about 10 times in 15 minutes with different things to say, so at about 10:30, we decided it was time to go home. He was super tired the next day, but it was worth it. :)

Dr. Lipscomb aka Papa Doc held Spencer a bunch. You can also see the sweet new kitty here.

Our hosts - this tee shirt is so Patrick. And I love how Mel is all dressed up and he is wearing that, so fitting ;)

Brendan and Charlotte.

Little Spencer loved crawling around amidst all the action.

Wright had a blast immitating his big cousins with their new Paper Jamz.

We attempted a pic of all three. I love this because it shows how hyper Wright was, how Luke would not put down his new iTouch and how funny Max was with his Paper Jamz.

Christmas Eve and Day - Our House

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. Wright is at the perfect age to start really getting it, and Spencer is at the age that tissue and wrapping paper provide hours of entertainment. We went to Christmas Eve service at PCPC at 5pm and it was wonderful. The whole service was geared towards the kids, even the sermon and it made it so enjoyable. Wright loved singing the Christmas carolss but was said that we did not sing "Glor, or, or" (aka Angels We Have Heard on High). After church, we had Melanie, Patrick, Max, Luke, Mimi, The Lipscombs and our family for a casual dinner at our house. Brendan and I made lasagna that was a huge hit.

Some Christmas highlights this year were:
- Driving around looking at Christmas lights
- Lots of play time with cousins
- Mimi spending the night on Christmas Eve
- Putting out reindeer food and cookies and milk for Santa
- Singing and learning all of the Christmas songs
- Learning about the birth of Jesus with the Little People nativity
- Getting to eat one chocolate "alendar" a day (Advent calendar)
- Putting an ornament on the tree to count days to Christmas (another Advent calendar)
- Making Christmas cookies
- The trains at Northpark
- Meeting Santa at the Harpers

On Christmas Eve, Brendan had to go out in the cold and rain to clean off Wright's jeep car that we gave him - we bought it from Melanie and Patrick so it needed a little TLC.

We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house - this is my table.

Wright was on his best behavior as he put out cookies and milk for Santa and the reindeer.

The display of gifts after Santa came.

Wright's face was priceless as he came in and saw that Santa had been there.

Here's Wright checking out his batman cave or as he calls it "batman house".

Spencer got the PB chair like Wright from Santa.

And they both got the Jeep car from Mommy and Daddy.

Pre-Christmas Celebrations

Making gingerbread pops for Wright's buddies.

Wright was so proud of how he decorated these all by himself. Funny side note - when we were out delivering, I was trying to teach him that Christmas is also about giving, so I let him go up to the doors of his friends' houses to give them their cookie. After two houses, I realized this was probably not a good idea. It took us about 30 minutes at each house because Wright would just walk in the door and make himself at home. At Cade's house, I found him inside with his shoes off watching shows. The kid cracks me up!

Our best attempt at a family photo at the NP trains.

Wright was enthralled with all of the displays. He especially loved the State Fair one.

We took some walks bundled up in the cold weather. Wright liked to practice singing his Christmas songs while we were out.

Sweet Spencer - almost ONE!

I am in shock and maybe a little denial that my baby is about to be one! It is really weird to think back on where I was a year ago. Getting ready for Christmas, family coming in town, knowing that my blood pressure was spiking and testing it like crazy, dreading a bed rest sentence and unknowingly only days from our second baby! What a crazy time.

Here are some updates on Spencer, our mischievous, active and very happy little boy:
- He is walking behind his push toy all the time and will stand without holding on to anything but when he realizes that is what he is doing, he immediately sits down.
- He loves to get into things that he is not supposed to (ie dog food, plants, Christmas gifts, tearing apart the train table) and when we say "No!", he just turns around and gives us a huge, dimply smile.
- He has gotten to be a much better eater, but he still does not love fruit and hates scrambled eggs - as in gets bright red mad and screams when I try to give them to him. It is hard to come up with good protein options for him for breakfast when he won't eat eggs, doesn't really like sausage or yogurt and can't have PB! So I try to load him up with protein at lunch and dinner :)
- We have been working on sign language but he has yet to really pick it up (or chooses not to do it). When he is done eating, he just rips his bib off and throws it on the floor with a big smile. He knows this drives us crazy! I try to teach him "all done" but he won't do it and just gets made when I push it.
- As probably already gathered, he is very stubborn. I think this is a big reason he does not talk much. Over the past several months, he has said many sounds but he will not repeat them when we ask. "Spencer, say mama" - nothin. "Spencer, say bubba" - nothin. He might be one of those kids that hardly talks until he is like 2 and then suddenly speaks in complete sentences.
- He loves to be held but does not want to sit and cuddle. He wants to be in my arms while I am walking around doing stuff. This is part of his busy busy busy personality.
- When I try to sit on the floor and play with him, he just crawls in my lap.
- He plays with his brother all the time and especially loves to be chased by Wright through the house. He also loves to do things that he knows will bother Wright. Example - when Wright is watching a show, he will go up to him and try to pull his glasses off.
- He still has no interest in TV and very little interest in books or the dog. This is especially funny because these are three of Wright's favorite things.
- His nickname is Gilly because of the skit on Saturday Night Live about a girl named Gilly that is always doing really dangerous things and getting in trouble for them by her teacher who scolds her "Giiiiiiiiilly!!". If you've seen it, you will know EXACTLY why this is fitting.

We love this little guy so much!

Santa's Visit

Santa came to the Harper's house last Friday night and we had the best time. Both the boys were happy to sit on his lap and Wright told him immediately that he wanted a "Batman house" for Christmas. We also made Reindeer Food which was a big hit for the kids.

We were so proud that Spencer was not scared at all.

The kids were cracking up as I was singing "Jingle Bells, Batman smells. to them"

Precious kiddos in their Christmas PJs.

Spencer and Amelia hit it off! What a cute couple!

Santa read "Twas the night before Christmas" to the kids.

My boys and the jolly old guy.

My Gentleman in Training

The other day at bible study, I was standing by the elevators about to head out with the boys. A woman walked up with her son that is Wright's age and said to him "Hunt, is this your friend from your class?" and then turned to Wright and asked "What is your name?" He answered "I Wright." She said "What did you say?" And he said "I Wright and (gesturing toward me) this is Christine Morris." Everyone around started laughing and I responded "Well that is my name, nice to meet you." What a ham!

Christmas Decorating

Last night we bought our Christmas tree and got it up with lights. First thing this morning we started the outside lights, and this evening we finished the tree decorating. All looks so festive and beautiful. I always love our house the most this time of year.

Little bundle outside with us while we were putting up lights.

The house - we added the bush lights this year.

The tree - definitely think its one of our prettiest. Just hope it doesn't die in a week ;)

More funny Wright quotes

As I am walking around after he is in bed tonight, I hear him calling to me. I go in and he says "Mommy, I am trying to sleep and you are walking and being louder!"

When Spencer was sitting on my leg, he says "Mommy, I want to sit in your other lap."

We are listening to some of his favorite songs and he says, "I want songs with drums." I think he means a song with a loud beat so I find another song and he quickly says "No Mom! That is the piano!" He is right, so I think that has to be a coincidence and change the song again. And he says, "Mom! That is the cuntar! (aka guitar)."

He has started stalling for his naps by saying he has to go to the bathroom. Today I finally had to make him get off the potty to go to bed. He was so mad and screamed at me "I am going to poo poo in my princess pull-up all day long!" Side note - yes he has princess pullups (they were free hand me downs ;)

Spencer's Mysterious Hives

My poor baby. Today at school, I got pulled out of class because Spencer had a "rash" on his face. So I went to the office and his teacher was holding him and what I saw was MUCH worse than I expected. His whole face was swollen with hives and he looked awful. They had not given him anything new or strange to eat, so the cause was a mystery. I decided that I would give him some Benadryl which they had in the office and see if it got better. About 30 minutes later, I went to check on him and the hives had spread over his entire body. He was also coughing and crying. So at this point I was a little freaked out that his throat might close up or something. I ran back to Claire's office and said I had to leave then drove him to the doctor. When we got there, even the nurses looked concerned and they got us back to see the dr quickly. After all my panic, it turns out that he has a virus and apparently these types of hives can happen in babies with this virus. So there is really nothing that I can do, and the hives will go away when the virus does - probably a few days. At least he seems to be ok, just normal sick acting. So I guess all's well that ends well, but that was scary!

Some pics - these do not do it justice though.

Spencer 11 months

How is it possible that Spencer is almost one!? He is such a sweet little guy and we love him so much. I have been much more nostalgic about him turning one than I was with Wright. I guess I want him to stay a baby longer.

Here is what he is up to...
- He is crawling fast all over the place, pulling up, walking behind a walker and on my fingers
- He likes to climb up my legs for me to hold him and if I start walking while he is holding on, he will walk behind me holding my pants ;)
- He says Mama, Dada, Bubba (brother) and Hi
- He is drinking pretty well out of a sippy cup but still prefers his bottle. He feeds himself out of the bottle almost every time and is used to eating on the go.
- Overall he is doing better with eating but is definitely picky. He also does not eat near as much as Wright did.
- His favorite toys are hot wheels, the train table and foam puzzle pieces that he can chew on.
- He does not like to watch TV and won't really sit still for books.
- If he has his blankie, he will suck his thumb automatically and be content for hours. He does not suck his thumb otherwise.
- He does not love Lucy like Wright does, and he gets very annoyed when she licks him.
- I think he is going to be a Daddy's boy. He reaches for Daddy and says Dada all the time!

Comparison pics - Wright top, Spencer bottom.

Gingerbread Houses

This was our second annual Cousins' Gingerbread House Decorating Party. It was a blast. Wright decorated a little more this year than last, but still ate his fair share. His favorite part of the whole night was playing guns with his big cousins though.

All nice and neat before the mess began.

Luke's house took the prize - he did not leave one tiny hole uncovered by candy!

Wright's finished product.

Playing funs with Stewart.

Posing with his house - this was seconds before the roof caved in :)

Sweet brothers in their Christmas PJs with their Little People nativity.

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year in Midland. Our family and Megan headed there from Dallas on Wednesday and stayed through Saturday. We all pitched in a cooked a few dishes for the big feast. The boys had a great time and Wright kept saying he did not want to go back to Dallas the whole way home.

Megan, Gigi and the boys.

Papoo reading books to Wright was a huge hit! He was intrigued by Papoo's beard :)

Aunt Meggy and Spencer.

Wright did not eat much of the Thanksgiving meal.

Attempt at a pic of the two of them - this one looks like choking but its supposed to be hugging.

A little bit better.

Oh Wright...

Everyday Wright cracks me up with all the hysterical things he says and melts my heart with his sweet nature. He just sounds so grown up, and we are learning more and more that he listens to EVERYTHING we say and will repeat it! A few examples...

After a car honked at me in a parking lot, he said "You have got to be KIDDING me!"

Brendan was messing with him before Lanie came over the other day and asked him who Lanie was. And he said "Dad! Lanie is my girlfriend."

Today in the car, he was talking silly and saying "poo poo" a lot. I was getting on to him about it and how that word is for the bathroom only. He responded, "But I REALLY like that word."

He was singing to Spencer in the car the other day to get him to stop crying. After Spencer finally calmed down, I was thanking him and he said "I really love my brother. I love my brother always."

The other night he overheard Brendan making a joke about my pj pants being my cookie pants. That night in his prayers, he thanked God for "Jesus and Mommy's cookie pants."