Auntie Em!!

Hey everyone...exciting news!!! My brother Steve and his girlfriend Mersina announced tonight that Samuel is going to have a cousin because they are expecting a baby in July!!!!! This is my first time as an aunt and it's about freaken time! : ) They will be exactly one year apart. I have a feeling it's going to be a girl...just a feeling though.

"Merry 'almost' Christmas," from Sammy!

Well, it's going to be busy-busy-busy for the next couple days. We are going over for brunch and presents at Grammy Bev's (Trav's mom) tommorow and then Christmas Eve dinner with my dad. Christmas day is another brunch and presents at Grandma Lorinda's (my mom) house and dinner at a cousin's house (Trav's Stepdad's cousin's). I'm looking forward to it all! Christmas is even more fun with a little one. I can't wait until he is old enough to understand Christmas and be excited. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and it was even more magical when I was a kid. My brother Tommy and I would wake up before the crack of dawn and hang out by the tree and wait...and wait...and wait some more. One year, I decided I was going to find ot if there was a Santa once and for all. I tied bells in the fireplace hoping that I could catch Santa. Of course, I didn't hear the bells jingle. But anyways, Merry Christmas!

Look at my Teef!

Family Christmas Card Photo

We went over to my mother-in-law's house the other day to take a family photo for our Christmas card. Here are the top choices (Well, except for the one of just me and Sam -- that's not a choice for the Christmas card -- I just posted the pic because I love it so much). Travis and I both liked the photo of Samuel with his arms wide open but I tried to make the picture lighter (it came out too dark) and it just didn't print well. So, we picked the family photo in front of the Christmas tree. Not my fave pic because I think my face looks chubbier there than in other pics (go ahead -- go look -- I know you want to -- and you will see I'm right -- annoying, aren't? ; ) ). But, I decided to stop being a slave to vanity and send out the one which is the best of Travis and Sam. Yes, that's right people, I am self-sacrificing (I'm joking in case you missed that). Tis the season to be self-sacrificing. : )

My Bottle!!

He looks so possessive of his bottle! But the main reason I am posting this picture is to brag that he is holding his own bottle!! He's been doing so for a couple weeks now. He does not really like solid foods much, but he is obsessed with his bottle!! When I am feeding him solid foods I have a bottle for him as well, to help wash down the food and he whines when I take the bottle away to feed him solids. Yesterday I was drinking soy milk and he was eyeing my glass. He wanted it! I realized it was because he thought it was formula. I put the glass toward his lips to see if he would try to drink out of it and he did attempt to. I didn't let him because he's not ready for it yet, but he's so funny! When he's on his little playmat he will use his hands and feet to play with the toys hanging, like a little monkey!

The Dieter's Advent Calendar

I was out shopping the other week and came across an Advent calendar. I haven't had one of those in years and they remind me of my childhood. I remember it was difficult to have enough self-control to only open one a day. It is chocolate, after all. Well, December 1st arrived and I could finally open one of the slots. To my dismay, instead of chocolate there were a couple dried cranberries inside! What?! My husband was in the room and I exclaimed to him, "What is this?! A dieter's Advent calendar??!" I was none too happy. Maybe there are some good people out there who would just love dried fruit in their Advent calendar, but not this chocoholic. Then my husband started cracking up and revealed to me that he put those there. He couldn't wait either and took a piece of chocolate out early, replacing it with dried cranberries!! I should have known. :)

Update

Picture Above: Taking an afternoon nap on the couch with Sammy. : ) Other picture: Me, Dena, baby Sam and Evan at her shower.

I haven't posted in awhile, so I thought I would update. On Saturday I went to my Dena's baby shower. She has been a good friend of mine for eight years and ironically we both got married within a month of eachother and she is having a baby boy also, soon! It was a fun shower and great to catchup with some friends I rarely see.

Samuel has two bottom teeth budding. So cute! Also, we've slowly been introducing Sam to Daxter, our Boston Terrier. We brought Daxter in last night and got him calmed down before introducing them, but as soon as Sam got anywhere near Daxter he freaked out. He let out the most terrified cry. My poor little guy. I guess we're going to need to take a different approach.

Well, better go get ready for church! And get my two boys ready as well! ; )