Lauren's School Program

Lauren had a Christmas program at her school. Last year, we enjoyed watching Jackson in his program. I remembered watching the babies during their number and getting choked up thinking about how this year, we would have a baby girl participating.

Jackson was so excited to go to Lauren's program. He remembered singing in it last year. He insisted on getting dressed up just like Lauren. He wanted to wear his Christmas church clothes.

Jackson getting dressed up.

Lauren in her pretty Christmas dress. (I had a hard time picking out her first Christmas dress. I made my mom go store to store with me looking at all of my options. I was really happy at what I finally decided on -- red velvet -- a classic.)

Lauren's teacher got her in her costume.


Jackson waited patiently for the program to begin.

Lauren's class went around the room with their jingle bells.

Lauren loved shaking her bells!

I tried to get a picture of the kids all dressed up, but it didn't work out for me!

We did get a picture of the two kids with two of our favorite teachers -- Ms. Melinda and Mrs. Erin. Mrs. Erin was Jackson's teacher when he went to Children's Ark. We LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Mrs. Erin. She is now the Assistant Director. She dotes on Lauren and helps to spoil her. Mrs. Erin often goes into Lauren's room and takes her to just hold her and play with her in her office. All of the staff members joke about Lauren being "Mrs. Erin's baby" and how you'd better take care of "Mrs. Erin's baby"! Mrs. Melinda also worked with Jackson some when he went to the daycare too. She was a teacher in the infant room before being promoted as well. Both women take such good care of Lauren. Lauren laughs and kicks her legs when she sees them. It is so nice to know that my baby is so loved while I am at work each day.

Ms. Melinda and Mrs. Erin insisted on getting a picture with each one hugging each of our children.

Mrs. Erin kissing on Lauren.

Ms. Melinda playing with Lauren.

As with all school programs, we ended the evening at Braum's. Lauren didn't get to eat ice cream this time, but we each had some in her honor!

The Yearly Pajama Pictures

Every year, I try to get pictures of the kids in their pajamas in front of the Christmas tree. It is ALWAYS a challenge. This year, the challenge continued. . . only now I have two to try to get to pose!

I started with Lauren. Here are just a few of the many, many pictures I took.

Not too bad. Now if I can get her to show off those adorable dimples. By the way, don't you love the pj's?? The hat really makes it, doesn't it? Thomas says that she is going to hate me one day for this outfit and it is going to cost him a fortune in therapy. I think it is ADORABLE though, and I'm sure that the way I dress the kids will only be a portion of the things that they bring up in therapy!! Oh well, we do our best, right?

Lauren loved turning and looking at the tree. I kept calling her name, and she kept taking ornaments off the tree!

"Look Mommy! I pulled another one off!"

"See! Isn't it pretty!"

"Now, I'm crawling away from the tree. You just think you are going to get a good picture! And, now that I am not in front of the tree, I'm going to show off my dimples!"

Enter Jackson to the scene.

He wanted to take a picture with Lauren standing. It didn't work out too well.

Still not the picture I was looking for.

Big brother entertains her though.

Now that is a sweet picture.

That one will work!


Whoa! Watch out Lauren!

Now for one with just Jackson.

Perfect!

Whew! Picture taking is a lot of hard work!

Plano Christmas Parade

I mentioned in an earlier post, that we are trying to take advantage of some of the events that are going on in our community, so we decided to go to the Plano Christmas Parade with our neighbors. Thomas and Lauren ended up staying home because Lauren was battling yet another ear infection. I got Jackson bundled up (it was REALLY cold) and headed out with Matt and Krista and their two kids Avery and Luke.

We ended up parking and finding a perfect spot. Krista and I even ran into the shopping center close by to get donuts and hot chocolate for everyone. The kids had fun running out into the blocked street while we waited for the parade to slowly make it down to us.

The anticipation of the parade. . .


Finally, the parade arrived! The parade reminded me of the one that I was in throughout my school years in College Station. Each of the Plano high schools had their band, cheerleaders and drill team march. It brought back memories of being in Belles and marching in the holiday parade. There were also dance studios -- that brought back memories too!

We were shocked at how much candy was passed out! The kids ended up with pockets and pockets full!!

They loved waving at everyone and saying, "Merry Christmas!"

This was our favorite float. It was like the movie "Up". There was even an older gentleman that looked just like the man from "Up"!

What a great time! We are already planning to attend next year. Maybe everyone will be healthy.

Talking Babies

Lauren is really starting to talk! She has always studied people's mouths when they talked, and we joked that she was going to talk at an early age. Even when she was Christened, the preacher, Jerry House, told us that Lauren was studying him so much while he was talking to her, he thought she was going to start talking to him. Turns out, we were right about her talking at an early age. We are now joking that one day, we won't get her to be quiet!

This week, Lauren started saying, "Jackson". She says, "Da-Doooon". She will say it over and over. It is fun! I think I am enjoying her saying, "Da-Dooon" more than mama. Becoming a parent teaches you things. When I became a mom, I realized even more how much my parents love me. Now, becoming a parent of a second child, I realize how much you love seeing your children together. Parents get so much joy out of their children loving each other. I also realize how much it probably hurts a parent when children do not get along.

Lauren is now saying: Mama, Dada, Jackson, Hi, baby, book (does that surprise you), Uh-Oh, and we think she is trying to say "Thank you". Stay tuned. . .

Sick Baby Girl and Hero Moms

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I took Lauren to the doctor to find out she had a nasty ear infection. It was so bad, that the doctor was shocked that Lauren had not been screaming all night. Of course I felt really bad that I didn't recognize that she had an ear infection earlier. Lauren was given an antibiotic.

Giving medicine to Lauren is NOT fun. The child screams bloody murder when you give her medicine. She also is really talented at spitting it back at you when you are giving it to her. Thomas finally figured out the best way to give it to her, and it is not pretty. You have to hold her down, squeeze her cheeks and hold the medicine dropper inside her mouth so that she can't either push the medicine out with her tongue, or spit it back at you.

After taking the medicine for seven days, I went to get Lauren dressed for daycare, and this is what I found:



Yes, hives. Off to the doctor we went. Poor baby had them all over her body. (These pictures didn't do it justice and were taken before it reached its peak.) She had them all over her hands, feet, ears, EVERYWHERE! They even started turning purple with the red splotches on top of them. She looked terrible.

We found out that she is allergic to penicillin just like Jackson (in fact, I have pictures of Jackson looking the same way). The doctor took her off the antibiotic and gave her and EPI shot. We also gave her Benedryl every 6 hours. The next day, she looked worse, so steroid. . . here we come. Poor baby was on steroids and Benedryl. Let's just say, she was not herself. AND she was eating everything in sight!

This Wednesday night, Lauren started running a fever. Thomas took her to the doctor on Thursday and my mom (who is my hero) came up to take care of her (I only have four days left to last me until the middle of June). Lauren's ear infection was still there, and it was there with a vengeance.

My wonderful mom stayed with her Thursday and Friday. On Friday, she brought her to school so that she could head home for a party that was AT HER HOUSE!! She arrived at her house an hour and fifteen minutes before it started. What a superwoman! There are not many women that can pull all of that off so wonderfully and selflessly. She has come to help us out so many times. We are blessed to have her as our mom, mother-in-law and Mama J.

Lauren is doing better today, but this ear infection is a nasty one. She wants to be held a lot and cuddled while she sleeps. Hopefully, she will be better tomorrow.

The Christmas Festival

We have started doing more and more things with some of our neighbors that have young kids. Our neighbors next door to us have a five year old daughter, Avery, and a two year old son named Luke. This semester, we have taken turns making dinner every Tuesday night. It has been a lot of fun to get together with them. Last Tuesday, Krista (the mom) and I were talking about how we wanted to start taking advantage of some of the activities (especially free ones) that are in our community. We decided to start with going to the Plano tree lighting. It was last Friday night, and it was COLD, but a little cold didn't stop us! We bundled up and headed out.

Jackson wanted to get a scarf to wear. He was very insistent on it. So on the way home from work/school, we stopped at Wal-Mart. Did you know that Wal-Mart does not have scarfs for boys?? I couldn't even find any for men! Hats? Yes. Gloves? Yes. Scarfs? None in sight. So, we headed to the ladies section to find a neutral scarf. We ended up with the one he was wearing. There weren't many neutral options. Jackson was set for the night at least!


We got to listen to a children's choir.


Lauren was all bundled up. I kept checking to see if she was warm enough. She had on so many layers, I think she was too warm! Her nose never even got cold!

Luke, the two year old neighbor ended up getting really cold, so after walking around the festival and enjoying hot chocolate and funnel cake, we decided to start heading home. On our way out of the festival, we noticed a living nativity that was in front of a church. Jackson and Avery got really excited to see Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

One of the Wise Men passed out chocolate coins. He was so kind. Jackson was really hesitant to go up to him like all of the other children, so he went to Jackson. (Jackson gets a little intimidated with any type of character -- ok, not a little -- a lot!)

The church was hosting a "Walk Through Bethlehem" and invited us to visit. We went inside and had a wonderful time!

Lauren and Mommy

The had all sorts of crafts and activities. They talked about bread at this station and had some for the kids to sample. They also had ornaments to paint, leather to stamp, tin bookmarks to punch, etc.

After we finished the stations, Jackson had another hot chocolate. What a fun evening!

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving in College Station this year with my family.

Lauren and Mama J


Papa J and Lauren


Uncle Jeffrey and Lauren


Jackson helped make the dressing.


Jackson and Grandma put butter on the rolls.


We fried the turkey this year. It was DELICIOUS!!

Mama J and Papa J purchased a new refrigerator before Thanksgiving. Mama J saved the box for Jackson to play with. It was a perfect toy for him! He made a club house to play in while the men stayed outside frying the turkey. Jackson kept having Daddy and Papa J add features to his house. One thing he wanted was a sign that said, "No Things Allowed". We weren't really sure what the "things" were. . .

Jackson waving out his window.

Jackson outside the door to his house.

Lauren loved eating turkey for the first time!

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving, and our family has a lot to be thankful for. We are truly blessed!

Santa Claus

Right before we left for Thanksgiving, Jackson and I went to the mall. One of the highlights of our mother/son outing was stopping to look at Santa Claus. Jackson has cried in Santa's lap the past two years, so we are really working with him this year to not be afraid of Santa. We walked up close to Santa to wave to him when all of a sudden, Jackson started talking to Santa!! He said, "We were just talking about you Santa Claus!" I was really impressed that Jackson talked to him!

When we got home, I pulled out Jackson's Christmas pajamas. Before long, Jackson had put on Santa's hat and "boots". He was dressed up like Santa Claus!!


Then he made himself a belt out of a blanket, used socks for gloves, and then needed a beard. I couldn't think of anything for a beard when Jackson ran and got the stuffing for pillows out of Lauren's closet. Now we had a beard! What a perfect Santa Claus!!


Ho ho ho!!

Oh Christmas Tree

We put our Christmas tree up during the week of Thanksgiving this year. Jackson was really excited to help put the ornaments on it. He loved looking at all of the different ornaments that we have.

Jackson decorating the tree.

Lauren loved looking at the tree once it was finished.

Thomas showing Lauren ornaments.

Jackson in front of our tree.