Christmas in Houston

I really thought this Christmas would be the last Christmas we could get away "skimping" on Harrison's gifts from Santa. I mean, the jolly old man had already given him a college education earlier in the year, so he spent maybe $100 on a Big Wheel, books, DVDs, games, and trucks. (there was a killer T-r-Us sale the 1st weekend in Dec!) Anyways, as Christmas neared, we began receiving gifts from family... and what should appear on our doorstep, but a HUGE box with the picture of the jeep below on the side!!! Santa really DID COME! HA! Harrison's Uncle Bill sent him a Jeep, which was a HUGE hit and remains the toy of choice! Harrison loves his little car so much. He drives about 10 feet, stops, gets out, and just walks around checking the tires, making sure his debris is still in the trunk, and staring lovingly at it (as witnessed in the picture below).

Merry Christmas! Poor Harrison was sick the week before with a cold, and with a low immune system, he then picked up an adnoid virus that brought us almost 104 fevers for 3 nights before and during Christmas. Tickling, toys, and lots of lovin' helped get him through the painful coughs and the sleepless nights.

Head of the table, ofcourse!

Since we couldn't take a child with a 103.7 fever to the children's service on Christmas Eve, Granpa "Pa-Pa" told Harrison the story of Jesus!

Leaving Cookies and Milk for Santa... Harrison DID NOT like sitting on Santa's lap either time we tried it this year, so when we'd mention that Santa was actually coming to our house, we never got the "Yay, Yippeeee" response we wanted! He was nice enough to leave him some food and drink though, in exchange for toys!!! :)

I LOVE lights. Houston has the BEST lights displayed on houses, and we made several trips to River Oaks and Tanglewood in our pajamas to view the mansions covered in millions of lights!

Scooter from Gran and Grandaddy.. we LOVE toys Harrison can grow into all year long!!!




Thomas Big Wheel from Santa. We couldn't believe that our 90 percentile height boy could not reach the pedals yet! 2 more months! But, he still loves scooting around on it and insisted on wearing his helmet!

p.s. Those cookies were a week old - can't believe Santa ate them! ;)

soaking it in!

We saved the Jeep for the last present. Harrison and I went upstairs to change out of our PJs and came down to find a big white sheet with a big red bow covering the front of it. Harrison's IBuprofen was wearing off at this point and he was getting fussy, but when he pulled the sheet off the Jeep, all we heard was "TRACTOR!!!" He inspected it for 5 minutes, checking out all the buttons, grinning from ear to ear. So much for the fever!

What a little man!

Hungry Hippos!

Audrey's birthday was Christmas day, so we celebrated with cake and ice cream! Happy Birthday!

" Ho Ho Ho!" Day after Christmas - ofcourse, now he wants Santa to come back. I'm just hoping he'll actually sit in his lap and smile next year!

I love you Jeep

Dance Break - The Jeep even came with a radio!!! :)

Little Helper

I am really trying to start playing up the "helper" game with what's about to hit us in May! Harrison understands that the baby is in Mommy's belly. He calls himself a "big boy" and says he's "no baby." And, he can show me how he holds and rocks a baby... making progress! He's also returned to his sweet self after the week or so of trying to get back on schedule. Two inscisors cut through (he's SUCH a late teether), and I remembered telling myself that I HAD to remember that the 2-3 weeks leading up to his first molars cutting through were H*LL! So, there we go. DING DING!

Helping Mommy deliver Christmas goodies to neighbors.

Harrison got to open and close each mailbox! My back was killing me after we made the rounds!

Sick day from school = trip to the mall and lots of TV to rest our bodies! Had to keep him out Tuesday and I'm keeping him out tomorrow... nasty virus from our travels.

Traveling in 3 seats is no easier than in 2!

Kate's Wedding - Sapelo Island

We traveled cross country again to the coast of GA, where my cousin Kate was married this weekend. The festivites took place on a 97% state owned island called Sapelo Island. Very few people own property on the island - only about 400 acres are owned privately. The state preserves the island as a nature reserve and it's main attraction, The J.R. Reynold's Mansion, is used for large parties. Kate's wedding festivites took place at the mansion. While travel can be cumbersome with a 2 year old, with one ferry over at 9am and one ferry back at 430pm, it was well worth the trip. Kate glowed the entire day and her wedding was gorgeous!

Stunning Kate and her Mom (Uncle Tommy passed away in 2007)

Playing Marco/Polo in the pool!

A moment with Daddy at the B&B

Jolly Ole' Saint Nicolas!

Still not so sure about Santa!

The Slyes in December

We've had a wonderful intro to the holidays - filled with lots of entertainment from polo matches to the opera to seeing the adorable musical 9 to 5, where we were able to get up close and personal with Dolly Parton herself! David's been doing some client entertaining, which took us to some of these events. He's also been traveling more - to Chicago and VA. It's too cold for my liking in Chicago right now, but I'm hoping to tag along in the warmer months!

My tummy is growing fast. I have felt the little guy move several times, which is a wonderful experience and eases my anxiety more than you know! We go for our anatomy ultrasound next week and are saying our prayers for all appendages and organs!

Harrison continues to thrive at school. He talks about two little girls constantly - Bella and Tinsley. He is sure to pray for them every night, along with Bubba and Merlin (Dad's horses in GA). We've been quite busy enjoying the nice weather before the bitter cold rolled in this week. We've tried to spend most of our time outside with the winter months upon us. This week has been the coldest it's gotten - 52 degrees is the high today - which, is probably mild to most of you Georgians (and you Bec!).
Playgroup fun!

18 weeks - and a belly to show for it!

Sweet Dolly Parton in the Founders Club after 9 to 5- love that lady! (Fun fact - Dolly wrote and produced the musical)

Carousel at the Zoo

Adamant 2 year old. "MINE, MINE" He HAD to roll the 35lb piece of luggage on our way back from GA. We stopped a lot of traffic, but I was NOT arguing with him after being sick and exhausted! This was one of those "pick your battles" days.

An exhausted 2 year old after a long day of travel - Harrison fell asleep mid-chew. I had to crawl back there and pick the pretzels out of his mouth so he didn't inhale them.

Harrison is so good at drawing circles. He draws them equally as well with his left and right hands. My Mom is ambidextrous, so we are anxious to see if Harrison will be also!

Bunco dinner with the guys for Shawna's baby shower. Shawna (in the black) is due Jan 23rd with a little boy, Porter Guy Maltz! {Note to self - wear all black while prego. She looks fantastic!}

Posing - for once, he cooperated - too bad his hair is in desperate need of a haircut! ;)

Lunch with Santa at the Jr. League. Harrison was NOT excited about sitting in Santa's lap - I can't wait to get the pictures! He gave me a look that sent me into next week (as my mother in law appropriately describes his looks!).

Harrison's 2 Year Photos - early Oct.

Thanksgiving in GA

It seems like Thanksgiving was so long ago, but Happy Belated Thanksgiving! We flew into GA early Sunday morning the 21st and returned Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had a blast spending time with my parents and Andy, Grandma, and David's parents joined us for a few days also! With them, Harry brought the most gorgeous paintings of the view from my parents' mountain cabin in NC. You can tell that he's definitely enjoying retirement (or at least we are enjoying receiving all these beautiful paintings!!).

I had many plans to see some dear friends in Atlanta and to meet up with friends at Calloway's Festival of Lights, but spent the first 24 hours in the Griffin Hospital with a violent G.I. bug. After four IV bags, lots of medication, and some rest, I spent the next 3 days quarantined in my bedroom under the electric blanket (that part was divine!). While I was out of commission, my little "Mama's Boy" was spoiled rotten by his Griffin grandparents and his Daddy! He got to fall asleep with Daddy in the guest room bed with him, while reading loads of books at nighttime and naptime. He got to eat ice cream after every meal, given to him by the Ice Cream King, my father. He drove his tractor and played outside 12 hours a day, without a pregnant Mom needing any down time! (Thank goodness for my Mom for his healthy meals!) Needless to say, when I rose from the dead on Thanksgiving Day, he was less than thrilled to see me. I let him have his last few days of fun, but it seriously took a WEEK to get my little turkey back on schedule when we returned to Houston. The "NOs" are lessening, and the "I WANT DADDIES" are lessening, but he still thinks he should be eating donuts and ice cream at every meal! I was absolutely exhausted last week trying to regain my strength and trying to be consistent to my 2 year old terror. I thought many times of the book 'Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers' that says 'After having a toddler, you will understand why God gives us babies to start with. If our children were born as toddlers, no one would be procreating!" SO TRUE!!!!

Our Thanksgiving was still wonderful, despite the many changes of plans. I was able to see several of my best friends - Bec, Amanda, and Jan. Next time I come to town, I hope to be able to see all who I missed!

Addison Abebe (Amanda's daughter) came over with her family to play. Harrison was soooo excited to have another 3 footer to play with!

Mom, Me, and Audrey Thanksgiving Day.

Hay Ride from Grandaddy

David and Uncle Andy

Harry's beautiful paintings for my parents

Putting Harrison's hands in the cement at Dad's newest barn addition!

Loving the tractor - he is sooo good at driving it - scary!

A VERY muddy bottom - what happens when Mommy's in bed.

Hours of fun with a piece of machinery for Grandaddy's new barn!

Mom and I ventured out to the Goldsteins Friday After Thanksgiving Gathering for a bit - it was so fun seeing some old friends! I'm definitely still very pale at this point!!!