Christmas 2011

We hope all of you had an awesome Christmas, because we sure did! We drove up to visit Dan's family in South Carolina on Christmas Eve and returned to Birmingham this afternoon. Instead of giving you a detailed description of the entire holiday experience, I will now regale you with a photo narrative. If you're reading this, I already assume you're interested in what happens in our lives, so enjoy!
"OOh! A ball with beads thingy! I didn't have one of those in the womb!"

Baby Lawson, our favorite boy cousin.

Opening presents with the girl who refused to wear her lovely bow.

Uncle Ben practicing for the sweet bundle he and Aunt Elizabeth are expecting in April. We're expecting a lot from you, Ben. David is reporting back to us on how you performed.

I love, love, love this picture. That is pure joy on my baby girl's face. I think she likes the tricycle Santa brought, don't you?

Baby D's first adorably humiliating Christmas outfit. Yep. This one's going in the senior yearbook.

I threw this one in just because I adore my husband. He's such a good dad to our kidddies.

Baby D snuggles with Aunt Elizabeth in an attempt to communicate with Baby Mary Mathews about life on the outside.

Baby D and Lawson, jes' chillin'.

That's all, folks! Next up, New Year's resolutions.

A Little Christmas Nostalgia

I know I'm not the only one who feels just a little pang of nostalgia for childhood memories when Christmas time rolls around.
As a self-professed TV junkie, I must admit that many of my memories from the early 80's are centered around ABC After School Specials, commercials, and the words, "Tonight, on a very special _____."
So, because Christmas seems more Christmas-y when I see the following commercials, I thought I would share them with all five of you to help boost your holiday cheer.
Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7kxPYzigCQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xi-kKMBNe0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4kNl7cQdcU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DknyfnzIhjo&feature=related

One more thing. Although my ears do tend to bleed upon hearing the twang of country "music," it's just not Christmas until I hear "Christmas in Dixie."

Something to Think About This Week

"The the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?" -- Dr. Seuss

Look! Up In the Sky!

It's a bird! I'd a plane! No, it's...

My kids.

Let's briefly recap the winter and spring seasons of 2010 and 2011. Madeline was pretty much average for her age until she was about 6 months old. Then, she started getting tall. Really tall.

By the time she was 18 months old, she was half my height. I'm talking waist-high, folks. Yes, I realize I'm only 5 feet 4 inches tall, but that's average, for heaven's sake!

Fast forward to this morning.

This was the eight-week appointment for Baby D and the two year appointment for Sweet Pea.

At eight weeks old, David is already in the 70th percentile for length (height), and Madeline is now half Dan's height. The girl is over three feet tall!!

I know it's hard to believe, but all through elementary school I was just a smidgen taller than the other kids in my class. That came to a halt in middle school.
Dan's mom has a picture of his kindergarten class Christmas program, and Dan looks like a chaperone.

I'm going to need a mini-van for no reason other than that my children are going to burst through the roof of my Honda Accord.

Sweet David James

Yes, I know I've been slack about posting all the awesome things about our David. I feel horrible about that, especially since I posted so much about Madeline during the first few weeks of her life. But, I guess I'm destined to saddle the poor boy with second child syndrome. Between accepting "gifts" of ornaments from the tree that Madeline brings me (because she's helping me 'keen up!'), the constant care that always accompanies the first couple of months of a baby's life, and trying to keep some semblance of order around the house, I just haven't had time to blog as much. I will tell you that this smile is almost always on his precious little face. He is such a sweet, happy baby! He loves to cuddle and has a smile for everyone who holds him. And, oh my gosh, does he adore Madeline! We made an attempt at having Christmas pictures made (another post for another time) and the incredibly patient photographer had a hard time getting him to look at the camera because he was so focused on what his big sister was doing.

Here she is showing him how the floor gym works. I'm not kidding. I put him down and she lay beside him, pointed to all the toys attached and said, "Yook, Dabid!" They seem to have a very special bond already. Oh, and try to ignore Madeline's shiner in this picture. No, I haven't signed her up for boxing lessons. She got into an altercation with the bannister, and the bannister won.

I promise, faithful five readers, to post more about our happy boy. He's about to be 2 months old! Can you believe it?

You know what's funny? As an only child, I couldn't imagine being able to love anyone as much as I love Madeline. But, I was soooo wrong! This little guy sets my heart on fire just as much as his sister always has!

Guess Who's Two??

Our sweet Madeline turned TWO yesterday!! Geez, when did that happen?! I'm seriously terrified that I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning and she's not going to be in her bed because she's already left for college.

We celebrated by sharing some Minnie Mouse-themed cupcakes with a few friends.
My dear friend, Rachael the Talented, made this precious shirt for Madeline's big day. Madeline declared, "Minnie Mou'! I yove dis shirt!" (Translation: "Minnie Mouse! I love this shirt!")

It was a lot of fun. I'd love to post all the pictures we took, but it would take forever.

We are so blessed to have this sweet, happy, beautiful girl in our lives for the past two years. I'm looking forward to seeing what the coming years bring.

When I tucked her into bed last night, the conversation went like this:

"Night-night."

"Nigh'-night, Mommy."

"I love you."

"I yove you, too. Hap' birday, Mommy."

Happy birthday, my sweet girl.