Recovery

Thank you to everyone for the prayers and well wishes. I had my surgery yesterday to remove my gallbladder and tie my tubes. Yesterday was a bit rough with nausea,exhaustion,and immobility but today things are looking alot better. I have family here for this week to help with the kids- what a lifesaver! Reese has been so sweet. He asks me if I am still sick and gives me a kiss. He told his grandparents that someone cut mommy's belly button and it was bleeding. I have told him for a week or so that I was going to the hospital and his grandparents were coming so he somewhat knows whats going on.

Decoration

Reese is really into the word "decoration" ever since Christmas. A few days ago he said- " Mommy, Caleigh is a decoration". Where does he get that. I couldnt stop laughing and explained to him that she was a real person

Reese's birthday party

Being a Christmas Day baby really worked in Reese's favor this year!

Reese had multiple birthday celebrations this year. He had one at school, one with Rusty's family, one at Caleighs baby dedication lunch with my family, and then during the Christmas Day mayhem. His main party was during the week at our house and it was alot of fun. We had alot of kids and Rusty was amazed the entire time that we have playgroup like that! I cant believe my little boy is already 3! Here are some highlights His cake was Ben and Jerrys so sadly he couldn't eat it and had his own sorbet (plans for them to do a dairy free cake fell threw). I made cakes for 2 of his other parties that he could eat.

Sitting up

Learned by accident today that we are SITTING UP! I was supporting her and reached back to get a toy for another kid when my friend Anglea pointed out she was sitting up on her own. I had no idea that I had left her unsupported and was shocked. I love when they can sit up because its so much easier for them to play and less gear to cart around.

She will be 7 months tomorrow and she is changing every day. She weighed in at 16 lb 13 oz last week- thanks in part to being fattened up on her trip to Grandma and Grandpas. She has started eating meat and loves to eat her fruits and veggies. She is patient and is really laid back. She loves to watch Reese.

Blog about the cruise and Reese bday party are coming

Christmas

Rusty and I had took turns with the stomach flu, and therefore Reese extended his stay with his grandparents. Santa came to grandma and grandpas house this year and then his house in the afternoon. Between Christmas plans being turned upside down and several birthday celebrations the child is very confused I am sure. We still have 1 more Christmas celebration next week, so I am sure Reese will forever think we get gifts every other week for the rest of the year. He has enjoyed his train set non stop. He was so excited over all his gifts.

We also celebrated his third birthday yesterday. I cant believe my baby is already 3. The time has really passed. We were looking at baby pictures last night and were reminded how quickly they grow up. He has been such a blessing to us and I look forward to what the Lord has in store for him.

Caleigh loved her first Christmas. The biggest hits were the wrapping paper, tissue paper and teethers.

The best gift we could ever receive (besides having Reese on Christmas of course) came yesterday. We got an unexpected call from Rusty's brother Bradley. He arrived back in the US from Afghanistan on Christmas Eve. We are thrilled to have him back for good.

Ode to the Swing

I am a bit sad and nostalgic about selling my swing. Reese could have lived in the swing if I would have let him. I remember being worried he wouldn't learn to take naps if he wasn't in it. I can remember at time in GA where he took a 4 hr nap in it and I had all Sunday afternoon to work on scrapbooks for Mothers Day for the grandparents. I even had a page in the scrapbook called "Just a Swinging" with pictures of him in the swing over time. I can still see him as a baby in his swing all swaddled and happy. I have alot of pictures and memories of him in the swing.

Caleigh has never really been into the swing. She sits in it some but it wasn't the life saver that it was with Reese. I decided it was taking up space, she didn't use it that much and was getting a little big for it- so it was time to go. I sold it within 24 hrs and then was sad it was gone- go figure. I did take pictures of her in it right before it went bye bye. It's just another reminder that my little girl is growing up so fast. This is my favorite stage because she is so much fun and not mobile. She is really acting like she wants to crawl so I know it wont be long.

Reese and Caleigh like to laugh and talk to each other. Today he was playing with her on the floor and she pretty much rolled over to kiss him and then lay on him. It was touching and funny.

View from afar

Getting closer- and in for the kiss

So much to blog about- so little time. I still need to write about our weekend and his bday party- for a later date.

Dinner with Santa

Busy times around here. Last week we attended 2 playgroups, a dr visit, gymnastics, a bday party, went to see Christmas lights at the park, and hosted a cookie decorating party. I went to bible study, worked like a manic, worked the food drive and attended a Christmas party for our church group. I hosted 2 showers the week before and took a trip to the big city this weekend to visit family. Its no wonder Reese's bday party invite turned out to be an evite!

Last week we took the kids a local church to have Dinner with Santa. Reese had a blast doing the crafts, getting a balloon sword made and running around the gingerbread house. Reese has screamed for every prior picture with Santa or the Easter bunny. This time was no different until he saw Caleigh sit on Santa's lap- and up he went.

Decorating his ice cream cone Christmas tree

Posing for pictures didnt go so well

Reese is always wanting to touch Caleigh

Crystal came over to visit