A Brief Game Of Catch-Up

It is almost embarrassing that I have been home for two solid weeks and I cannot find time to blog - yet, when I am in the full swing of my hectic life, I am able to do it all...well, at least I am able to blog.

This Christmas season has been one of the best on record for me. All of my family came together on multiple occasions - we celebrate big around here. We spent the holidays catching up, ripping open boxes and being lazy, playing with our new toys. UNlike last year, Noah understood gifts, understood that if he tears into this wrapped thing, there would me a super surprise on the inside. He wanted to play with everything, and was so gracious. He would stop what he was doing, go give the gift-giver a hug and say thank you. Yes, he was prompted...but isn't that what parenting is??

Because all three of us were spoiled rotten, we decided that it was time to give Noah his own room - he got the dining room transformed into a playroom and Cullen and I - well, we got our living room back! Oh my goodness. It is amazing!

This weekend, we are ringing in the new year with The Durbins. We will quickly get up New Year's day to have one more day of fun-Christmas in Fredericksburg, Texas with my mom's side of the family...only to hit reality hard. Back to school on Monday for this little girl!

While the Christmas season (for most) is behind you - let me leave you with this: be thankful. Look around and thank God for everything you have; Big or small - you are loved, and infinitely blessed. I know I am and I never take it for granted. 

Pictures of our two-week vacation are coming soon, I promise!

After a Long Break...

Goodness, it has been a while since I last posted. It has probably been due to the fact that school has been wrapping up, Noah and I have been at home with each other all day, wrecking the house and/or shopping for Christmas. 

So, Noah and I are spending our days playing with his new Christmas toys. He got a tent from Santa and he LOVES IT. It is little - a one-man tent. Little Bit INSISTS that we get in it together. AND, when we squish do get in it, he sits in my lap and says "shhh!, hide". It is adorable. 

This coming weekend is FULL of family, holiday-ing, and memory making. I couldn't be more excited. 

AND, because blog posts are always more fun with pictures, here are some from Christmas #1. 

Forrest Gump

Does this picture remind you of either of the following quotes?? 

“Life is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get.”

 

OR

 

"My name is Forrest, Forrest Gump...People call me Forrest Gump". 

Fa La La La - Holidays Are Here.

My, how a year can change you. The Junior Service League held their annual Breakfast With Santa on Saturday. 

This time last year, I remember being so excited to have my first child take their first picture with Santa... He was great. He sat, didn't really know what was going on...couldn't have been a more perfect baby for Santa. Here is a refresher: 

The other great part of that day, was Noah's best friend Kylie joined us in the festivities. She and Noah took a picture together WITH Santa. 

 

They didn't love it so much together. 

Danielle and I are good about recreating great moments. This year's picture, Sweet Kylie stole the show. Not only was she hands-down the cutest baby there, she sat so good for Santa. She showed Noah how it is done. 

Noah HATED Santa this year. Absolutely HATED him! I tried to tell Santa this isn't of his character - not to let this one moment put him on the naughty list!

Here are this year's photos:

And, the best one... The sweet, petite, and wonderfully perfect, Kylie - and our little handsome toot!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Santa Baby...

I have a Santa Baby... diapers and all. Enjoy! I sure do!

No More Bottles..

So, I know... Little Buddy is almost 19 months old. Yes, MOST babies have outgrown their bottles at this point (with momma's help). It was the last little bit of "baby" Noah had in him. On my nights,  I rock him to sleep, bottle in hand.

Well, enough is enough. My little buddy has decided he has had enough with the bottles. I was putting him to bed Wednesday night with a bottle of milk. He spit it out and said, "YUCK!".

Me: "Buddy, is this yucky? Do you not want it?"
Noah: Nnnnnnnnnooooo.
Me: What do you want?
Noah: Wa-wa (said in a very whiny voice)
Me: [Shouting to Cullen] The King has spoken. He wants water.

It is brought to him...in a sippy. Because he refuses his bottle. Because he only wants his sippy. Because he is growing up - and this momma is very bittersweet about it.

So, guess what I am doing this weekend, besides putting up Christmas decorations??? Packing up the bottles until it is time for baby #2.