Saturday Morning Fun!

One of the new things Isabella loves to do is help me get Jack up in the morning. Today she got in the crib with him, and brought a few of his toys with her (don't worry, he doesn't sleep with any of this in his crib).



Sleeping in his new favorite position...his stomach



Good morning bright eyes



Isabella singing Jesus Loves Me



A good morning kiss

Oh gross...but what was I expecting?

As a Christmas present we bought Jack those mesh bag food holder things. I pulled one out yesterday afternoon while I was preparing dinner and put a slice of apple in, minus the skin. He LOVED it. But, it was really gross, which is what I should have expected. Next time I'll have to put a bib on him. But I am sure he's looking forward to his next snack.


You can't really tell, but his top is SOAKED!

Another funny comment by Isabella...

Last night Steve went to church for a family meeting. Isabella asked Daddy if he was going to church because he needed to see his friends and play with playdoh. I guess she doesn't quite understand the reason we go to church...but it sure is cute!

Jack's 6 Month Checkup

Well, his new name is Tank! He is the most precious, cheerful, loving Tank ever though. Jack now weighs an even 20 pounds (90%), is 27 inches (75%, no idea where he gets this), and his head is in the 95% (I could have told you this before we went to the doctor). His doctor says he is doing fantastic!

After 4 painful shots, which broke Mommy's heart, we picked up his shot records, along with Isabella's. Just another sign our time in Abilene is coming to an end.

Jack's 6 Month Photos

Our Little Cowgirl

Recently, Isabella has really been into cowboys and cowgirls. We were at a Texas store downtown and found some great children's books on the subject which helped spark the interest. Nana and Poppy had already purchased a "Pony stick" and I had a cute pink cowgirl hat for her. She loves to "gallop" around the house saying "Ride 'em cowgirl." I'm thinking that this would be a great theme for what will probably be her last birthday party in Texas for some time.




Yes, this picture was taken in January. It was warm enough for shorts!

6 Months Old!

It is so hard to believe that Jack is 6 months old today! As the brother to an older sister, we tend to compare him to where his sister was during this stage. He's DEFINITELY bigger than his sister was at 6 months, that's for sure. Steve and I have decided that if he weighs over 20 lbs at his doctors visit next week, his new nickname will be Tank. What a precious baby he is. He's trying to pull himself up from laying down, loves his exersaucer, still HATES being on his tummy, and enjoys his food. More than anything he loves his big sister, "talking" and giggling at her when she does silly things. Which, of course, just encourages her to be even more goofy and loud. He still doesn't have any teeth (Isabella didn't get her first tooth until she was over a year old), but sure is working on it with chewing everything and drooling. I even caught he gnawing on his crib railing last week!

What have I learned over the past six months? We are truly blessed to have two healthy, wonderful children!

What a wonderful Christmas and New Year's!

We are truly blessed! We have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's season. Steve has been home for two whole weeks, give or take a few days, and my parents and Nana were with us for two weeks. The two week's of festivities started with Jack's dedication at our church the Sunday before Christmas. It was extra special having my parents and Nana there.

On Christmas Eve my aunt and uncle from Louisiana came in for a few days, so the house was joyously full, just like I like it! We had a great Christmas Day, with all the ham and fixings. Isabella was a bit "emotional" first thing in the morning, but we were able to coax her out of her room and she opened her gifts. Jack opened one gift, with the help of Mommy, but it must have tuckered him out, because he was asleep on the floor moments later. Isabella made out like a bandit with so many new toys. She is set for a REALLY LONG TIME! Jack received a lot of great gifts that he will be able to "grow into." His new favorite place right now is in his exersaucer with a rattle or something to put into his mouth.

Our New Year's celebration included a WONDERFUL meal of roast, roasted potatoes, yorkshire pudding and brussel sprouts! We purchased a great cookbook, written by the owner of Perini Ranch, that had a recipe for bread pudding. So, I tried making it for dessert, and it was GREAT!

New Year's Day was a work day for Steve and I, and we sucked my Dad into it as well. We managed to clear out our attic and go through so much stuff that we've carted around for the last 8 years. Thank goodness the Goodwill picks up. Conquering the attic was a huge relief, and one less thing to do over the next two months.

With all that is ahead of us, I am truly thankful for the special family time we've had.

Now, to make up for my lacking of posting in December, here are a ton of pictures...

Jack's Baby Dedication at South Side Baptist with Pastor Kevin



Daddy with his kids (Isabella's been in an anti-picture taking mood as of late, so she has a scowl on her face for most of her pictures).

Isabella opened a couple of her gifts on Christmas Eve, mostly books from Nana and Poppy, which we read until bedtime.

Isabella playing tea party with her Great Aunt Rita.

No, we didn't get a new dog for Christmas. My parents brought their dog, Beckham, which always makes the house a little more lively.



Steve putting Isabella's bike together on Christmas Eve, after she went to bed. Steve and I both commented that for some reason, Isabella getting her first "big girl" bike makes us feel really old.

Isabella opening some of her doll house furniture on Christmas Day.

Yea! I got my dollhouse!

Daddy trying to figure all the parts out.

Daddy still working on it, amongst all the other stuff.

Isabella finally being able to play with her dollhouse.



Jack was tired before we even started opening his gifts.

Asleep in Mommy's arms.



Tuckered out!

Jack finally was interested in his toys. His favorite was a new teething toy from Uncle Charlton & Aunt Claire

Steve's new "toy." A Playstation 3 to take to the desert...that is if he has time to play.

Isabella was glad that Santa Claus didn't bring her coal in her "stinky sock" as she put it.

Sitting down for our Christmas dinner, wearing traditional Christmas Cracker Hats.

Bella having fun riding her new bike.

It was nice and warm (but rather windy) on Christmas Day, so Isabella was able to color outside with her Nana and Great Nana.

...and play with Daddy

...and Beckham too!

Isabella playing with her Rose Petal Cottage from Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Michael.

Nana, Jack, and Mommy

Happy Jack!



Asleep Jack (Poppy had the perfect touch of getting Jack to sleep with no fussing!)