Saturday, December 31, 2011

Christmas

Christmas was busy this year. It felt like we were constantly on the go between parties or family gatherings. I regret that we didn't have much time to sit back and relish the Joy that is Christmas. We enjoyed every minute of our Christmas holiday, we just needed more minutes. Alex and I decided we were not going to give each other gifts this year since we had just had some nice photography done. I was perfectly content with this arrangement, however, Alex just couldn't resist getting me a gift. On the morning of the 23rd, I opened the fridge and saw a Lee Michaels box waiting for me! I was shocked and didn't know what to think. Alex insisted that I open the gift right then. I didn't want to disappoint him, so of course I complied. I was SO excited to see a gorgeous David Yurman ring inside! I couldn't believe that I had been given such an amazing present...I was elated. That afternoon as I was getting in the shower, Perry came into the bathroom with ANOTHER Lee Michael's box. I took one look and said, "Go give that back to your Daddy, and tell him he is crazy!", assuming Alex was right behind the door. A good while after I got out of the shower, I was sitting at my vanity and Alex and Perry came in. I told Perry, "I'm ready for that box now." Alex said, "Yeah, where is that box?" I said, "Didn't Perry give it to you?" Alex replied, "No!" I think both our hearts started racing and stayed that way for the several minutes it took to find the box. Perry had put it right under the Christmas tree, and not in the fire, like we both feared. Such a sweet boy! Well, I opened that box and was again shocked to see a beautiful David Yurman necklace. This was a pretty unique Christmas for me. I feel so spoiled, but loved, at the same time. 
On Christmas Eve, my Dad, Sheila, Shelby and Josh came over to open presents. They brought Perry an electric Thomas the Train riding toy. Perry has loved playing with it and is getting better at driving it.

 PaPa, Perry, Nana
 Christmas morning started off at our house with a photo opp of the boys in their Christmas Pj's.

 Then we headed down the Mae Mae's house for breakfast and presents.

 Perry would say "Wow!!" as he opened his presents. It was cute to see his excitement.
 Everyone had a money tree in their stocking. I love how Perry is just staring at his money.
A while ago, Perry found Helen's old recorder in my mom's toy cabinet. Being the little musician that he is, he has been very fond of it. He will usually ask me to sing a song while he plays along or he will play while some other music is on. Well, my mom decided to get Perry a new recorder so that he can have one at home too...thanks mom. This is a video of Alex and Perry playing some music on Christmas morning. If you don't know my husband, this video will show you just how cool and normal he is :-) 

 Helen and Perry
 Family shot
 Helen is the best Aunt! She loves these boys like her own.
After our long morning at my moms, we went home to get dressed and let the boys nap (I had to take a little nap too) before we went to my Grammy's house for lunch and gifts.

Jeremy, Helen, Alex, Mills, Me, Perry, Mae Mae
After Grammy's, we went to Nonnie's house for gifts and visiting. Then we headed home to clean up, pack up, and go to bed since we were leaving for Denton in the morning. We are so blessed to have so many parents and grandparents who shower us with gifts and love at Christmas time. My goal for next year is to simplify Christmas and not feel like I have to be everywhere and do everything.  

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Santa Claus

When I was a young girl, Santa Claus always came to my house to visit me and my sister. Would you believe that the same Santa that visited me years ago came to see my boys this year! When I heard he would be coming over, I was feeling a little anxious about how Perry would react. Turns out, I was worrying for nothing! Perry LOVED Santa. He wanted to sit right next to Santa and was talking and playing with him the whole time. I really couldn't believe it because from what I've seen, most 2-year-olds are frightened of Santa. My mom, Helen, and Jeremy came down as well, and we all had a fun visit with Santa.
 When Santa pulled up in his convertible, Perry said "Hi!"

 Just hanging out with Santa...no big deal.
 Baby Mills got to meet him too.
 Big kids and little kids with Santa. This was the only time Perry got upset--when Helen picked him up and he wasn't able to sit RIGHT next to Santa.

 walking Santa to his car/sleigh
Off to the North Pole...

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Sweet As Candy

The boys both have candy cane Christmas outfits this year. As you can imagine, I've been wanting to get some pictures of them looking so cute! I thought we might be able to accomplish this at our church Christmas party last night. On our drive there, I was feeling very optimistic about getting a good shot...Perry was in a good and cooperative mood, Mills hadn't had an explosion on his outfit yet, and I actually remembered to bring my camera. All is good, so I thought. Perry quickly busted my little bubble as soon as we tried to take a picture. 
 "Hold on, there's something tickling my ear"
 "Look, there's Hilton!"
"You said to hold onto Mills tight...is this better?"
 "How about this smile?"
I know it's probably asking too much of a 2-year-old to sit still for pictures, especially while at a party. We can usually get at least one decent picture out of the fifty we take. I think the next one is pretty sweet.
 And sometimes it just requires mama to step in and help things out!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Splish Splash...

...well, not really. Perry and Mills took their first bath together this week. We had to talk to Perry about being very careful while the baby was in the bathtub with him. Thankfully he obeyed and it turned out to be a fun time for everyone.

Happy Baby

Mills is such a little cutie! He smiles so much and is cooing quite a bit too. I need to do better about taking pictures and video because I know this period will not last forever. It makes me so sad to think about that. So, in an attempt to document this precious time, here a couple pictures of Mills' happy face.
 8 weeks
9 weeks
Oh how I love this little boy!!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

New Orleans and Natchez

Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Alex, Mills and I headed down to New Orleans last Thursday for a couple nights (Perry got to stay back home with Mae Mae). We stayed at a beautiful hotel-Hotel Monteleone-in the French Quarter. Alex was invited to the Chevron Christmas reception on Thursday evening and had plans for several other dinners and get-togethers with industry folks. I joined him for all the Thursday evening events. We started at the Chevron reception and then went to the Palace Cafe for a lovely dinner hosted by Calumet (Dad and Alex). Dinner was excellent and was especially enjoyable since it was our first night out without kids since Mills was born. We had the sweetest babysitter (a friend of my sister) at the hotel with Mills. We stayed out super late--late for us, not by New Orleans standards. When I got back to the hotel to pump, I realized I had left some very important things in Shreveport! I was freaking out!! I had just missed two feedings and could do nothing about it. I'll spare you the details and just say that I had to resort to very primitive methods. Friday morning we slept in and then moseyed around the Quarter before Alex and Dad went to their lunch function. New Orleans is by far one of the most fun cities to walk, just not with a stroller! There are steps and stairs everywhere and the ground has so many bumps and potholes. I can't believe the settlers didn't think about that.
 Royal Street
St. Louis Cathedral
Mills and I were on our own for lunch and thereafter. He snoozed while I ate; and then we did some sightseeing.
 Cafe du Monde
 I told him this was the first and last time he would ever see Bourbon Street.
Alex had dinner plans and it was too cold to get out with Mills, so I ordered room service and chilled out. It was actually quite nice to have such a quiet evening.

Mills was all tuckered out and ready for bed too!
On Saturday we left N.O. and headed to Natchez for my little girls trip. In college my closest friends and I would spend a couple of nights in Natchez at Virginia and Joanna's houses right after school let out for Christmas and before we all headed our separate ways for the holidays. It had been too many years since we had done something like that, so I initiated a little reunion. Only about half of our regular group could come. Those who weren't there physically were certainly with us in spirit and memories! Our agenda was pretty much the same this year as in years past. We shopped around town in the afternoon, had Fat Mamas margarita's, hung out and visited at the house, and enjoyed a nice dinner at Pearl Street. It was a quick trip, but so worth it! I love getting to see old friends and I love these girls!
2011-Lindsey, Virginia, Sarah D (a sweet friend of the Natchez girls), Joanna and me.
I'm not 100% sure about the years, but here's a blast from the past....
2001-me, Katharine, Lindsey, Beth, Virginia, Joanna
2002-Claire (Virginia's sister), Ashley, V, Linds, Beth, K, me
My all time favorite Natchez pic--another one from 2002. Same girls as above plus Jo and Mauree
2003-K, Ash, V, Linds, Jo, me, Beth
James Jackson, Connor McNeel and Mills
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...Natchez holds a special place in my heart...mostly because of these girls and our times together. 
Alex and I had a great trip, but by Sunday we were eager to get home to Perry. He was completely content and happy while we were away; however, we could tell he was excited to see us too. 



Tuesday, December 13, 2011

2 month and 2 year stats

I took both boys in for check ups and shots last week. Everyone got an A+ for behavior and an A+ for health.
Mills weighed 12 pounds 4 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long at two months.
Perry weighed 32 pounds and was 2 feet 11 inches at two years.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Our Weekend

This weekend was close to perfect (it would have been perfect had Perry not gotten a couple little injuries). It was productive, restful, and packed full of fun family time. We accomplished a lot of our Christmas chores--several gifts purchased, lights put up outside, and tree decorated...and if having an eggnog daiquiri is a chore, we accomplished that too. I always feel better after checking things off our to-do list. It's definitely beginning to look (and taste) a lot like Christmas at our house! It was fun to have Perry participate in the decorating. Regarding the tree, he was mostly interested in this one ornament (a Mexican snowman playing the banjo--a favor from The Broyles' Feliz Navidad party). He would repeatedly take it off and try to put it back on the tree while saying "dance mama". I did not oblige.   


Sweet baby Mills just watched and smiled.
We also watched the LSU game. It sure is a great time to be a Tiger fan! SEC Champions.
Perry is saying "Tigers are number 1!"
You might be able to see Perry's bloody nose in the above picture. Well, one of his injuries was a busted up nose. He was having fun playing in his crib after his nap, but while holding onto the side rail and jumping, he apparently knocked his nose. I had been watching him on the video monitor, but not at the exact moment it happened. We heard him suddenly cry pretty loud, so Alex immediately went in there and found a very bloody scene. I felt so sad for my sweet boy. It seriously hurts me when I know he's hurting. Thankfully, he recovered quickly. The other accident happened when he was outside helping Alex with the lights. He stepped in an ant bed at our neighbors house and got several bites on his leg. I'm glad that ant bites don't seem to bother him because this isn't the first time that's happened. 

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. Walters

I mentioned a while back that Helen and Jeremy came to town the weekend of Perry's birthday party. I got some cute pictures of them with the boys.
 Perry-2 years; Mills-5 weeks
We love you Aunt Helen and Uncle Jeremy! Come back soon!