January Happenings...

"Smile!"

The Houston Zoo!

Not sure about the Tapirs.

"Wave to Daddy!"

I just love you, Brandon! Give me a hug, buddy!

Rearranging Lori Ann and Michael's bookcase!

Lost Pines

David and I woke up New Years' Day to bright sunshine and a hyper 15 month old! It didn't take long to decide to use Uncle Bill's Christmas gift and head out to Lost Pines, near Austin. The resort is extremely kid-friendly and has activities from biking, horse back riding, hay rides, and frisbee golf, to a lazy river, water slide, and marshmellow roasting every evening. We arrived and sure enough, it was packed with children who were having the time of their lives. We had so much fun playing and exploring and look forward to making the less than 2 hour drive more often.

Mommy and Daddy are a bit tired from New Years - it's 7am wake time regardless of going to sleep at 9am or midnight, with or without wine and champagne!

We discovered that Harrison likes the monkey bars... he grinned from ear the entire time!

I love sliding!

So much to explore - there's no way I'm stopping to pose for the camera!

If I run, they will follow.

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Year with The Howards and The Lampis..... before 1030pm! It was a fun evening that started early so the kids could play. Harrison's train was great entertainment - although the Daddys had to initiate a line for it to prevent fights from breaking out! I am pretty sure the battery is ready for a recharge after 5 solid hours of use!

Harrison had his 15 month check up on the 30. I thought the shots would get easier for me to watch, but when he looked up at me with big crocadile tears in his eyes, just begging for my help, my heart crumpled. Thankfully, he was a big boy and stopped crying when the "mean nurse" left the room. He was sure to give her a look that sent her to next week!

Height: 33" (90-95th%)
Weight: 22.5lbs (20th%)
Head: 19" (80th%)

Harrison is so tall and skinny, but the doctor assured me that he's perfectly healthy and is on the same growth curve he's been since he was born. He also made sure I knew that his measurements are purely genetic.... it looks like we definitely will have another "electric mosquito" on our hands!

Happy New Year from James!

Jed and David were busy policing the train situation the majority of the night!!!

We had to put the balls outside... someone was definitely going to get hurt! Jed looks on with longing to be reunited with them!

Harrison loves Jed - he's such a good big brother to his 2 brothers and to Harrison!

Daddy-time... policing the boys. Mommy time... in the kitchen with our wine glasses! I think Rebecca and I might have enjoyed ourselves a little more!

Just a small indication of the fun we had!

Bubble bath time! (Where are the Moms? Well, it was time for champagne!)

Animal Sounds

Christmas 09

Christmas this year was filled with much anticipation and joy. We headed to Katy for the Christmas Eve service at Harry's church. Harry has decided to retire this spring, so this was probably his last official Christmas Eve service, which made it very special. I videoed much of it - from Harry telling the "meaning of Christmas," surrounded by 30 children, to Harrison attempting to do headstands and somersaults while the other children hung on Harry's every word! It was a Christmas Eve to remember!

On Christmas Day, David made his traditional pancakes, as Harrison kept eyeing his new toys in the living room. We finally let him loose and he was fully entertained until nap time!

Mom and Dad were supposed to fly in from Griffin that morning, but the winds were so high that they decided to play it safe and wait until the next day. Audrey and Harry came over for a late lunch and we opened presents and celebrated Audrey's 75th birthday that she shares with Jesus! We stuffed our faces since I had food to feed 6 instead of 4! Now to the gym I go!

The next day Mom and Dad arrived and we did Christmas all over again! It was so fun sitting outside by David's new fire place, drinking wine and eating baked brie! Again, to the gym I go!



Blow Mommy Kisses

Harrison and Harry after the service!

Group photo with the Slyes.

I see new toys!

I can't decide what to play with first!

This is the closest thing Harrison is going to get to a dog until he can feed the dog himself!

I love my motorized train! And it even "choo-choos" when I press a button!

Now, how do I play Ode to Joy?

I love my new table and chairs that my grandparents gave me!



Uncle Andy sent me rolls and rolls of quarters, dimes, and pennies to deposit into my big, empty piggy bank - it was 15 minutes of pure excitement and motor skill development! Thanks Uncle Andy



Now it's really heavy!

All I want for Christmas...

...is my right lateral incisor!!! Because Harrison was a late teether at 11 months, David and I think we are back in the newborn stage, waking every hour to a crying baby with a big fat toothache! We can see the tooth through his gum, but it is seriously taking its sweet time to break through - 5 sleepless nights thus far! We've put our time in for this tooth, now show us the money!

On our way to our neighbor Harry's 4th birthday who had a petting zoo!

Harrison was a bit nervous at first but by the end he was petting everything in site.

they even had a camel?? (Apparently the zoo had a nativity scene gig before hand, so the camel came with the package and was a HUGE hit!)

hmmm.. I can't tell who's having more fun.... David, Harrison, or the pony...

Victoria's son, Jesse - Harrison's best buddy!

Victoria (our wonderful nanny) and Jesse

I think I made the right decision to skip Santa this year....

Santa and Mrs. Claus...

That evening we had hot chocolate by the fire with Grandma and Grandpa Slye! David and Harry worked all week on building a concrete slab and putting our new patio fireplace together. Bring on the smores!

Mom, if you think you're getting any sleep tonight you are sadly mistaken.

Christmas Fun

David and I thought we'd be able to get away with just "teaching" Harrison not to play with the lights, but we were quick to pull out our wallet and invest in an ugly baby gate! With all the rain we've had the past 2 weekends, we finally got our tree last Sunday. Harrison was enthralled with the lights, as you would imagine, and it was hilarious seeing him walk up to the tree, look at us, shake his head "NO," smile mischievously, then pull the lights. It took everything not to laugh at the excitement he portrayed in just touching the tree and instead we tried to be firm with our rule of "no touching!"

We are so excited about Santa coming!

Playgroup fun! (James (19mos), Harrison (15mos), Jed (3yrs), Thomas (19mos), Max (11mos)







I looked up one day and my baby become a little boy making "vrooooom" sounds and playing with his cars! What happened?!!!?