First Haircuts

The kids both had their first haircuts on Sunday.  Emme loved every second and it was clear that she will forever enjoy being pampered (as every girl should!) If this is any indication of the reaction she will have from a pedicure... than she and mama have some relaxing, and fun girls' days planned for the future :)  I love Emme's style, and taking just 2 or 3 inches off of the bottom was great for her.  It was starting to get really tangled and "crunchy" for lack of a better word, and there were far too many tears over hair brushing so we are all pleased with the new do.  I loved watching her smile and pose in the mirrors like a little lady.

JB was not so excited.  He cried and carried on and then finally settled down about half way thru the cut.  I tipped the lady that did their cuts well, I will put it that way :)  I think it looks good on him though! I wasn't too sure about cutting his baby locks, but Ben was very insistent that it was time.  It's true what they say... that you literally feel like you are snipping away at their very babyhood when you cut a little boy's hair for the first time.  I was fighting back some tears of my own for sure.  He looks like a little man now- never fear though, he isn't walking yet- so I have plenty of baby snuggles and cuddles to keep me happy.  Good times :)

The JBster...

That is his nick name, love it or hate it later.  He's stuck ;)  It really does suit him.

At almost 14 months, he's yet to walk (unless you count 2 or 3 steps here and there).  Still an avid crawler and cruiser and adventurer extrodanaire.  I'm guessing someday he'll decide that walking can be a better mode of transportation- although being carried by Mommy is pretty appealing!

Always up for a hug or a cuddle, usually dishing out smiles a dime a dozen.

We're starting to get more words and signs. He's picked things up pretty quickly over the last 2 weeks or so.  I forgot how fun it is when the language barrier begins to come down :) 
- signs/says please
- signs thank you/blows kisses
- says animal noises for cow, dog, horse, sheep, lion, cat
- vroom for car/ hohoho for santa/ lalala for elmo
- says ball, Jesus, Bible, mama, dada, no, ya, dis (cue the index finger pointing), book, bye-bye
- points to head, hair, hat
- many random sound affects and he will try to mimic nearly any noise you make

I'm pretty bad at keeping track of milestones after my kids turn one, heck I haven't even finished JB's baby book yet, but I am going to try to make note of what I can when I have the time :)

An Emme Update

This is a post that has been long overdue.  It's pretty crazy, scary, and humbling how fast Emme is growing up.  As we are approaching 3 1/2 quickly, I suddenly feel myself wanting to capture every moment possible with her.  In so many ways she is the picture of innocence, imagination, care-free, exploration.  She is my deep girl. She has lots of layers, and is an intensely loyal person.  The more you know her, the more you know her.  If I could freeze frame this phase of life with her, I would certainly be tempted.

Here's the part where I randomly record a few things that stand out to me about her:

• She is a doer and go-getter.  It is hard to get her down in terms of energy.  She can be dog-tired, but will push through a good week at least before giving into a nap.
• I have always known she would be an independent girl, but seeing how she has channeled that lately is pretty neat to watch. I think she thinks kind of out-of-the-box (much more creatively than me).  She will design and create things.  She will fold her napkin into shapes for example.  She found a little felt postcard someone had sent us for Christmas and picked it up to use as a welcome mat for her little tikes house in the playroom. It really was just the right proportion.  That kind of stuff amazes me because I would never think to do something like that.  Her princesses are always having tea parties or getting ready for a parade. She has many times decorated their little castle with her dress-up jewelry.  I love her imagination.
•  I have walked in on her several times in her room "just organizing" as she would say.  A few weeks ago she told me she really wanted to rearrange her room.  I see her in the future as having to do something with art, but also maybe math- like interior design or something.  She thinks very logically, but also so artistically. An interesting combo.
• She is a planner and also has, I believe, the gift of service.  Just today we were at Chik-fil-a and while I was ordering she went behind me to the bar area and picked up 2 cups of cheerios, 2 ketchups, a straw for me, and table covers.  Her little hands were full as she headed back to where I was paying.  I had to remind her to stay by me but chuckled to myself because she was asking to go and set the table for us.  Again, I love this about her.  She shows initiative, and she isn't afraid to try. What a great quality for life! She loves to clean up the table for me, do laundry with me, tidy rooms, dust, put things into order. 
• She loves her little brother. I mean loves. She still smothers him daily with hugs and kisses.  What I love is that she invites him into her world.  She wants him to be a part of her games and activities.  I always wait to get him up till after she is up because she feels that this is her job in the morning.  She is his number one defender and playmate.
• Extremely communicative lately.  In another post, sometime soon, I hope to jot down some of things she's been sharing with us- both silly and serious ;)

Christmas Catch-Up

Since the New Year is here, I'd say it's about time I finished up with Christmas posts ;)

Mom and Dad came in the Thursday before Christmas.  It was an especially joyful time to have everyone together.  Just a couple of days after they arrived, we learned that my Granny had passed away.  It was bittersweet as she had been battling multiple health conditions and had lived a long and happy life.  My brother was able to come down to be here for a family memorial, so while we didn't like the circumstances- it was really nice to have my whole family (sans my sweet sis-in-law and nephew) in town.

While everyone was here we did lots of fun little things around the house like playing games and baking Christmas cookies.  Mom and I also had fun doing stocking stuffer shopping for the kids at the Dollar Tree. I'm always amazed at the awesome stuff I can find there when I take the time. 

Ben and Pappy also took Emme to Going Bonkers one day and they really had a great time.  One day we went to the Christmas Tree farm that they have at the same place that does the pumpkin patch in the Fall.  They don't charge for parking this time of year but have lots of the same fun activities for the kids.  Emme loved the bounce house and climbing up to the top of the "hay mountain."

On Christmas Eve we went to the service at DBC and then had Ben's parents over for a Christmas celebration.  They got JB his favorite gift by far, which was a little Mickey car that has buttons you can push.  We were shocked to see him mount it and push forward and ride it all by himself (what?! this from the child that doesn't walk yet). 

Christmas Day was a really fun and laid back day.  We hung around the house and my mom made home-made cinnamon rolls for us. Yummy!!  The kids opened their stockings and presents and played with new toys.  It was delightful .  Then we made a movie day of it.  Mom and I took the late morning/early afternoon shift.  We had to laugh because we were teasing... "WOW! This is such SNOWY weather we're having!"  It was pretty much pouring rain outside, but no snow.  When we came out of Les Miserables at around 3 pm... it was like a Winter Wonderland had come upon Denton.  What do you know, sometimes the weather man is right!  The boys went to go see a movie during the evening after bedtime too.  They braved the icey roads together. 

Emme and JB were sort of unimpressed. I think it was too cold for them! I know that sounds terrible considering we don't get snow very often. I think JB is too little to get it, and Emme went out with Ben several times- but once she figured out that making a snow man wasn't an option because the snow wouldn't stick, she was back inside. What can I say? :)

My family was able to stay through the New Year and we soaked up some much needed family and couple time.  Ben and I celebrated our 11th anniversary with an overnight date to Frisco, and enjoyed a movie, shopping, eating out, and lots of coffee!  It was a very refreshing time and gave us a good jump start for 2013.

Christmas Time is Here

It may be 80 degrees outside, but December is officially upon us and with it comes all things Christmas!  We've had a fun time so far bringing in the cheer of the season.

Thanksgiving week was so nice and relaxed.  After our Thanksgiving lunch at home, we went ahead and set up the Christmas tree and decorations.  Then after JB woke up from his nap and had time to explore things for a little bit, we un-decorated a bit.  Haha, we are still in a stage where things really need to be edible if they are going to be in arms reach of the kids.  Seriously though, Emme had a wonderful time putting ornaments on the tree and putting a few knick-knack things around the house.  And both Emme and JB love to play with the Little People Nativity set.  My bestie bought that for us a few years ago (thank you Aunt Elisabeth!), and it such a beloved "decoration"- an awesome toy and "tool" all at the same time. To me it is a Christmas must-have, a great way to plant those seeds for the real meaning of why we celebrate.

There are lots of fun things going on in and around the community, and December always seems to move really fast, so we took advantage of an "open" weekend.  Ben came home on Thursday night and told us he had a fun Christmas surprise (it was a surprise to me too) :)  We got the kids in Christmas PJ's and I made Emme a little snack to take with us of marshmallows, cheerios, mint m&m's, and some mini chocolate chips.  Daddy treated the adults to a Christmas Starbucks drink on the drive out as we headed to Texas Motor Speedway.  94.9 KLTY was hosting a Christmas Wish fundraiser where you could drive thru the speedway and look at large Christmas lights display.  Both Emme and JB really enjoyed a fun late night rocking out to Christmas music :), and I really enjoyed Ben making a spontaneous surprise for us.  The lights were fun and very entertaining, and it was for a good cause as a bonus.

On Friday night, Denton was putting on its annual tree lighting and wassail tasting.  This year was awesome as we got to meet up with our dear friends and their kids and run around the square together.  The kids got to visit the petting zoo at the Methodist Church, we listened to live Christmas music, Ben got us a "community" cup of wassail that we all got to have a sip out of haha. It really was great. Oh and Beth Marie's ice cream too. Can't leave that out! Thanks to Elisabeth I have a few pictures :)

On Saturday we decided to make a day of it and head out to Northpark Mall to visit Santa and enjoy all the fun activities and live music/dancing they have going on during the Holidays.  It did not disappoint!  We left pretty early and got to the mall about 10:30.  They have a story time with Santa, so Emme watched that while I went around to collect our number.  Yes that is right, you get a number and wait for your time with Santa.  To his credit, he is very realistic and awesome with children, and the little Santa house is adorable.  Worth the wait, but you sort of have to know how to work the system.  When I got our number, the mall had only been open for 30 minutes, but our time to see Santa was 4:30 pm.  What I learned last year though, is that once you have your number, you can go and sit against the wall and wait patiently for someone's number to be called that doesn't show up- and the nice picture man will let you go in their place.  I waited while Ben took the kids around to nearby shops to play, and by 11:30 we had our picture taken and saw Santa.  It worked great!  And no shortage of people watching in the process, haha.  Waiting for Santa could also be coined the melt-down zone/rude people capitol of America.... but that is a whole 'nother blog. Hehe. 

We ate lunch, actually ran into some friends from church (crazy!), and spent the day floating between shopping, live entertainment, and activities.  They had a fun place where kids could decorate Gingerbread men.  Emme loved getting to do that. 

 
We also saw a puppet show, smelled every single scent at Bath and Body Works, played by the fountain, looked at the ducks and turtles, watched some of the Nutcracker Ballet, checked out the cute puppy dogs with SPCA and spent quite awhile in the Disney Store playing.  Before we knew it, it was after 7! I would love to make this a tradition.  We had such a blast as a family.  It's been a wonderful kick-off to the Christmas season already.
 

You're a Year Old, JB!

My sweet, fun-loving, cuddly, and handsome baby boy, you've been one for a little over a week now!  Mommy and Daddy and sister are so thankful for you.  You've brought a new sense of joy and wonder to our family, each milestone of your first year journey.

When I think about your future, it makes me excited and teary-eyed all at once, because I know that God must have some amazing plans for you.  You have a way of making people smile and feel loved.  Your little light shines so brightly, and I pray that the Lord will keep your heart tender and open to the things of Him, and that one day soon you will know Him as your personal Savior.

Here are some fun facts about you, John Bailey, at 12 months:

• You are officially weaned and drinking milk.  It wasn't as tough of a transition as I thought it might be.  You love your sippy cup and seem to enjoy the independence it brings. 
• You are eating more variety in foods now that you are done with nursing and formula.  You are still hesitant to try new things and are a "cautious" eater ;)  Not that you are hurting for it... at your one year check up you were: 23.8 lbs and 30 1/4 inches.  Still on track to play football in high school, and live off of your left thigh. I love it :)
• You are trying to say more and more things.  You will repeat so many different sounds I couldn't list them all here.  You have a way of saying more/please and all done by signing, and you also will make a big "rrruuufff!" noise any time you see a dog or a picture of one.  Also I am pretty sure that you call mommy and Emme "mama."  The two ladies you love! :) You will nod yes and no. Your communication has changed so much this past month- it's pretty crazy.
• You love to pat the Bible book and sing the song, and you will point and say "Jesus"
• Wrestling, grunting, and crawling all over Daddy is one of your favorite pastimes.
• Your favorite place is anywhere your sister is!  You love her toys, her books, whatever game she is playing, or picture she is drawing.  You love to be in her business.  Luckily she kinda likes it too.
• You still LOVE Mommy and Daddy's phones.  You will pick them up and start laughing, talking, and having a conversation. 
• You can stand up by yourself and will stay there for a few seconds before dropping to the floor.  I don't think that walking is on your radar yet- you are such an efficient crawler, I'm afraid you think that taking steps might just slow you down too much.  For now you are content to cruise from place to place.

We love you, JB.  We are so thankful that God placed you in our home.  The next year is bound to be full of fun and adventures.  We can't wait to explore it all with you.

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Party Time!

It feels way too soon to be writing this post, but we celebrated JB's 1st birthday on Friday night.  I did a pretty good job of holding it together for the party, but I am reserving the right to a "birthday breakdown" when his actual birthday arrives on Wednesday :)

I have to start by saying that we have wonderful friends and family that were flexible in rearranging their schedules so we could have my mom at the party.  I'm so glad that everyone was able to be there to celebrate this special day.  It was so fun having all of our kids together, watching them play and just enjoying one another's company.

Some of the highlights for me were watching JB play with baby Reagan, seeing him happily toddle around while all the kids enjoyed playing with some of his new toys, and discovering that he liked to eat his birthday cake in typical JB "laid back style."  He liked licking the icing, or being fed by mommy and sister, but was more partial to the bowl of ice cream and a turn using the spoon! 

Here are a few pictures to commemorate the day~
Happy birthday, sweet boy. You'll always be my baby!