Stocking Madness

Each Christmas Eve Eve my mother and I exchange stockings as it is my favorite tradition. This year as I pulled out her stocking she commented on how hers may not be as good..etc. No biggie right, I mean last year she forgot all together so I was up for anything. As she rounded the corner this is what she had in her hand... I nearly lost it, I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. Not only did she make up for forgetting last year but she really hit it BIG this year. I thought I was going to pee my pants.

The next morning we had to stuff Shayden inside just to show how large this thing really is.

Way to go Mom - you rock!

Morning Routine

Shayden loves the Christmas tree and each morning as he comes downstairs he goes through his morning routine. I have enjoyed these moments so much I wanted to capture them to remember...here is a video right after waking up.

Annual Christmas Tree Hunt

We headed out a little late this year for our annual Christmas Tree hunt but it proved to be a wise move as it is a few less weeks of "reminding" Shayden not to touch the tree, pull the tree, pull the ornaments, etc.... you get the idea!

Shayden absolutely loved the excursion and while he had trouble maneuvering between the fields (picture lots of divots, stumps, all nothing to an average adult but a huge mountain for a 14 month old), he was totally into the sawing of the tree and carrying it home.

Every morning he asks to turn the lights on, then tells us there is a star on top and when he sees the Santa ornament he says "Ho Ho Ho". Personally I love to have a reason to have the lights on all day - contrary to Chris' energy saving requests to turn it off. :)

Laugh out Loud Good

So I might be a bit of a Starbucks fanatic...in reality it is just coffee in general. So this past week when Shayden and I headed to church to help decorate for Christmas a little coffee was definitely in order.

side note (important for story): For those of you who have the pleasure of attending our church and have met "Uganda John" (which for the record he likes being called) then you would know his trademark phrase which is "Hey Paw Paw" in his very African accent and booming voice.

As we pulled through the drive-thru a very familiar voice greeted us on the other end...it was the professional starbucks greeting but since I knew it was John on the other end I shouted "Hey Paw Paw" when it was time to give my order. As John is laughing through the speaker at me and saying Hi, Shayden is in his car seat in the back losing it...I mean peels of laughter are ringing through the car...it was such a belly laugh that I tried it again and again and again. He and I laughed all the way to the pick up window where I am relaying all this to John. As we could not pass up the opportunity we shot some video to share. Shayden is still loving it and now has his own rendition that is just as cute!

Like Father Like Son

This just cracks me up...

Dallas Visit

Okay so this post is a little late, but we had a GREAT time in Dallas a few weeks ago visiting the Wannemachers and meeting baby Sam for the 1st time. Let me just say Shayden was enamoured with him and did not want to leave his side. Sam loved the attention - except when Shayden decided to kiss him SO much the layer of slober was visible from 10 feet away.

Along with getting to hang out and see Dallas again the boys enjoyed their 5 yr reunion and we all had a great time at the Homecoming Parade. While the boys enjoyed golf the ladies were pampered...all in all it was a fabulous week - thanks for the invite guys!

SMU Campus - in front of Dallas Hall

The boys loved the parade and Shayden was dancing to all the music.

Shayden tried his 1st pair of cowboy boots - Ryan's childhood pair that Sam will soon sport

Our little guys

For the faithful who read all the way to the bottom - enjoy this special treat!

Trick-or-Treat

We had an absolute blast this weekend taking part in our first trick-or-treat with Shayden (my first one as well I should admit). He and his cousin Eli took to the streets with a fury and were not in the least shy about approaching whomever might have candy/pumpkins/anything that would light up or was an animal. It was a complete riot and we were in shock as to how well they did. I still have a smile on my face and cannot wait to do it again. Enjoy the pics!

Fall Fun on the Farm

My Aunt Rose and Uncle Jim started years ago (30 to be exact) a great tradition that welcomed family and friends out to their Christmas Tree farm to celebrate fall. Not only is the scenery beautiful but we get to see all our family while enjoying hay rides, wonderful food and of course the infamous homeade donuts that always end the day. This year was Shayden's 1st and he absolutely loved it. Thanks A. Rose and U. Jim for the great day!

Pumpkin Time

Shayden and Daddy had a great time this past Thursday night while Mommy was away...Chris decided it was time for he and Shayden to carve their first pumpkin together and by the looks of things it was a huge hit. Now so that I can get in on the action I have forced Chris to take us to the real pumpkin patch this weekend - woohoo!

Chris' handiwork

Here is a little video to enjoy...hint hint he is saying "Hello" into the pumpkin.

1st Birthday

Shayden's 1st Birthday:

This past week we celebrated Shayden's 1st Birthday...absolutely unbelievable that we have hit this milestone. I knew it was coming but I just couldn't grasp that he was going to be a whole year old, it rocked my world. We had a gorgeous fall day to celebrate and all Shayden's biggest fans (the fam) came out to celebrate with us.

Shayden shared his big day with his Great Grandma Lilian who turned 90!

He had no problem digging into his cake and going to town...that is once he figured out cake was inside that icing circle.

***

Shayden, your father and I love you so much! We feel so blessed that God has allowed you to join our lives and we are excited each day to see how you grow and develop. My heart melts each time you smile and when you give me hugs...its indescribable. Thank you for being a boy and getting into all of my things and carrying them around the house - I am sure I will find them someday and smile! You are a true pleasure and I am so thankful to be your Mom.

Love you, Mommy

Pimp My Ride

Watchout ladies!

Squash

I just had to post this...my sister and her gaggle started an organic garden at my brothers this year and it has produced AMAZING vegetables!!! While we have enjoyed the fruits of their labor all summer this most recent gift (specifically from Maddie) was a riot...the pictures say it all.

That's right people...no sprays, no chemicals, just all natural squash!

Thanks Sis (and GLLAM)

Bird Man

I wish I could describe to you just how much Shayden loves birds. He wakes up saying bird in the morning, we come downstairs and the first window he sees he points at and says bird, we make breakfast and he is looking for birds out the window, this guy LOVES birds.

Yesterday his Grandma and Papa bought him a present for his love affair and what transpired was nothing short of comical...I promise you he KNEW this was for his birds.

My Grandma and Papa bought me a present

and I can't wait to open it

they said it was for the birds..."Here Bird"

please open my new bird feeder

Oh birds, I have food for you

Thanks Grandma and Papa!

I love Dirt

Oh, who doesn't like to get the dirt on someone else...I mean come on...well here is the dirt on my little man Shayden.

****

HE LOVES DIRT!!!

(Hey Mom, where did you come from)

(Just sampling a little fine earth here)

(Have you tried this stuff, you never told me about it)

(I recommend finishing it off with a little fence, so complimentary)

****

Life with a little boy.

I absolutely love every moment of it!

The Couch Conquest

Shayden recently decided his next conquest needed to be our new couches. This past Sunday night he went after it with a vengance and I caught some of it on tape...

Take 1:

Take 2:

Take 3:

Ah...how sweet victory can be!

Happy Birthday Papa

Dad, I am not sure words can express how much I love you and how grateful I am that God gave me you as a father. Not only have you raised me with your love and grace but you have given me the tools I need to pass that on to my son. Thank you for being an AMAZING Dad and the best Papa Shayden could ever ask for.

All our Love!

Rebecca, Chris and Shayden

p.s I think this picture is the perfect reflection of your legacy - well done

Giggle Giggle

About a month ago Shayden started figuring his tongue out more and more and ended up getting his "g" noise down. As he was playing around one day on the changing table it sounded like he was saying "Giggle Giggle"so I started repeating him. He thought this was hilarious and for about a day or two was doing it non-stop. Of course I thought he would continue and I would have time to capture it on camera...not so, he stopped it immediately and only today brought it back out, well this time I was armed and ready and it was priceless.

I cherish these moments.

Flash Back

Each month I create a folder in my computer for pictures and video we have taken of Shayden that month. Its a way for me to look back and see how much he has changed and what he was doing new at the time. Today as I was looking at my album from July and I had to laugh out loud at this video. It was the first time Shayden really showed us how he can use that little mouth of his in an unsightly but hilarious manner. I hope you get a laugh out of it as I have today.

Clapping Hands

Shayden decided to clap his hands for the 1st time this evening. This is not something we have worked on and I am not sure why we just never really thought to teach him. But as he has totally taken to music and now requests to have it playing at meal time we engaged him in a little session with his hands tonight and he caught right on.

(He's so bright)

A little video for you as well.

Diaper Dudes

I just thought this was so cute I had to post it. Shayden went to hang with his cousins Max and Eli this week at Max's house - who has a rocking water table in the back yard - so we stripped the boys down and let them go at it. They had a blast and wore themselves out!

In fact Shayden was so tired, I packed him up to ride home like this (okay a little redneck I know) but he fell asleep in the car and was out for the ride home.

Thanks for the play date boys!

Red, White and Whoa...Walking

We had a great Fourth of July weekend in which we enjoyed the time together with family and friends and were very thankful for all those who serve our country and protect our freedom.

A huge highlight would have to be Shayden taking his first steps (still trying to get on video for you...coming soon) which absolutely blew us away. He has been moving around the furniture for a while and using his walker a ton but we still weren't expecting it when he made the first move...about 5 or 6 steps!!! He has continued to practice all weekend and is now transfering between furniture without getting down to crawl. I am pretty sure in the next few weeks we are going to have a walker on our hands. Did I mention he is going to turn 9 months this week - "he is so bright" (wink, wink).

We also enjoyed a great concert in the park - thank you Beatles tribute band and the lovely family members that joined us...here is Shayden getting his groove on.

Happy 4th Everyone.

One Rockin' Saturday Night

It's funny how life changes when you have a child. Of course you know it from the moment you bring that little bundle home from the hospital but no matter what people tell you you still have those days that cause you to reflect upon your perspectives and how they have altered drastically since you welcomed your baby into the world.

This past Saturday was one of those days for me. Chris and I had the pleasure of taking Shayden to the Zoo with my brothers John and Sam and their families. It was an AWESOME day, we met at the Zoo after the boys afternoon naps and hit it hard until dinner - which was a lovely picnic in the park where my brother Luke and his family joined us as well. I say this was one of those days because I couldn't have wanted to be anywhere else in the whole world. The weather was perfect, Shayden rode the carousal for the first time and was squealing with glee, seeing my son spend time with his uncles, aunts and cousins in which we were all thoroughly enjoying ourselves is priceless and then wrapping things up with a great picnic...what more could I ask for.

All that to say, it was one rockin' Saturday night and I am pretty sure I would not have classified that evening as rockin' at any point while I was in college and even before the last year of my life.

Here are a few highlights...

(aren't these guys good looking?)

(checking out the monkey's in style)

(fun fact: there are 42 species of Kangaroos...rock on!)

Stair Scare

Shayden gave me a little scare this morning after his breakfast. He was content and playing in the family room when I decided to put a few dishes away. Now mind you, he has never gone for the stairs before unless Chris and I are with him and we are helping him ascend them.

I realized, after only a few moments, that he was being really quite (always a bad sign) so I went to check on him...only he wasn't anywhere in sight. I ran around the corner and started up the stairs to find him AT THE TOP and smiling back at me. Oh my goodness, my heart nearly dropped from my chest. Evidently he wanted to do something upstairs and didn't feel the need to ask for help.

Thanks little buddy for keeping me on my toes and for not falling...I learned my lesson and yes the gate is in position and not moving.

Beach Week

This past week we enjoyed a wonderful family vacation, which means 24 people packed into a beach house and living together for a week...pure bliss! Seriously though, my family is awesome which means this really is a total blast for us and we wouldn't want it any other way. This year was even better than the last because we were back on the beach and in a house that actually fit us all fairly well -10 bedrooms, 7.5 baths and the largest dining table I have seen that could seat us all together!

I do have to admit that this year was a major learning curve for Chris and I. Our first family vacation with Shayden which meant learning how to juggle down time for each of us and still have the couple/family time we wanted as well. It took us a few days to find our rythmn but once we got going I was wishing we had another week to go. Shayden was a champ, he loved the beach (eating sand that is), loved the water and couldn't get enough of all the cousins to play with.