Cheap Entertainment

This past week was a pretty normal week for us. Joe seems to crack up at the most random things and the video proves it.

I will say, I had one of the most embarrassing things happen to me since Ive become a mother. On Saturday, my girlfriends from work and I met to celebrate the upcoming birth of Isabella Peavy (really not her name, but that's what Ive decided it should be). We met at Zodiac (a restaurant in Nieman Marcus) and had eaten our lunch (Joe has his baby food too). I could hear Joe making a present for mommy in his diaper (luckily we were in a corner and the rest of the place couldn't hear him). So, I excused myself and Joe and as I picked him up from his highchair I realized he had left a present in the highchair too! It was everywhere! My friends were fantastic as they told me to keep heading toward the bathroom and they would take care of the leftovers...I can't take him anywhere! I'm just kidding, I know that's not the last time it will happen. Its just funny that of all the places that could happen, it would happen at a restaurant where kids don't visit often (evident as there was no changing station in the restroom!)

On a serious note, all of you who know Heidi...keep her in your prayers...she's having some health problems that are causing her pregnancy to be VERY hard. The baby's health is completely fine, but we are praying that she can endure the pain long enough to keep the baby inside until term (2-3 more weeks...which when you are pregnant feels like an eternity!)
*Pray that Heidi's pain will surpass until the end of her pregnancy
*Pray for wisdom for her doctors
*Pray for Jackson's lungs to develop quickly in case of a premature birth
*Pray for the nursing staff, her friends and her family to be empathetic to Heidi and her needs
WE LOVE YOU HEIDI!!!! Hopefully Joe's laughter will be contagious!

Techniques Mastered

Joe has finally mastered the techniques of crawling. He is now working on his speed. I apologize in advance for how long the video clip is...I couldn't figure out how to edit it...plus I don't have the time to learn at this moment...enjoy!!

7 months

"When is daddy going to be home?"

We finally were able to go for Joe's well baby appointment! He was scheduled at 6 months, but it was too close from his 4month shots and plus he was sick, so were to come back in 2-3 weeks. We did that and Joe had pneumonia, so we went back today for his "6month" check up. He weighed in at 16 pounds, 13 oz and 27 inches long. His weight gain has slacked off a bit, but not unusual for a baby who has been sick off and on since Thanksgiving. The doctor was pleased with his progression and swears he said "Hi" to her when she walked in the room. I'll give it to her, it sounded like it...but I think it was a coincidence. So, things he's doing at 7 months:

**He's still nursing 4 times/day (and don't worry, I'm not going to nurse him until he's 5...maybe 4...just kidding)
**He enjoys his cereal and is just starting vegetables 2 times a day (loves green beans, hates peas)
**He's so close to crawling...he rocks back and forth on his hands and knees so fast! Its hilarious!
**He's making himself laugh more and more
**He's becoming more attached to mommy
**He loves the "kit kat" song...its the weirdest thing (one day it just popped into my head and I started singing it and he laughed hysterically)
**He's started playing with his sippy cup

We love our little man!

When baby happy, everybody happy

Its such a difference in the way your day or weekend goes when your baby is healthy. In the many days that Joe was sick, I couldn't wait for him to get back to his normal, happy self. Yesterday and today have been a world of difference! Here's a few pictures to prove it...

Not a big fan of peas (mommy doesn't think I understand her, but she told me she doesn't like peas either...why is she making me eat them!)

Cotton Bowl

Jeff scored awesome tickets for the Cotton Bowl for Christmas. Mac and Jay also came for the event. It was cool to be there, but it was painful to watch the lack of playing from the Razorbacks. Better luck next time!

Razorback fans? Its hard to tell! (p.s. It was super cold there and I saw a couple with an infant there! I hope they were sitting in a corporate box or their head should be examined...they were Missouri fans)

We were sitting on the 40 yard line, 15 rows up on the Razorback side...and the one Missouri fan on the home side would sit right behind us...don't you think they would keep their mouth shut since they were surrounded by red? No, they were so annoying!

The Captains getting ready for the coin toss.

Pre-game warm up

A HUGE thanks to Scott and Lisa who watched Joe while we were at the game. We know George prefers to be at their house more than his own...now they are working on Joe.

New Year's eve was super quiet. I did get to see Terri during the day as we met up for lunch and I met her fiance`. We then went shopping and caught up on old times. I was in bed by 10pm since we had to get up so early for the Cotton Bowl.

Christmas

Christmas morning we were in NLR with Joe's Marmee and we opened gifts with her. The above picture is the only one I got and as you can see its blurry. We did get video, but Im sparing you the precious time you'll lose by watching it! At lunch time, we went to the Mathew's Christmas get together (Marmee's side) and ate and opened gifts with them. Again, Joe got lots of great things! I think that I am going to have to adopt a rule next year of, "One in, one out!" otherwise we are going to have to move to a bigger house! Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful for everyone's generosity.

After lunch, we headed to NW AR to be with my family. Joe's not in many pictures because he went to bed shortly after we started opening gifts...it was late and he was cranky. Im sure he won't remember that we made him sleep while Mommy and Daddy opened his gifts. Abigail, my niece, got this lovely toy that plays "the muffin man" song that we all know very well. Note to self, Joe can only have toys that have an off button.

Elizabeth & Rebecca got vest's and matching hats, gloves and scarf. They love to be outside, so now we know they'll be warm.

This was Jeff's stocking stuffer...I know, big! Well, we'll enjoy putting our cold beverages in it as we call those hogs!!! Whoo, pig sooie!!

The eve of Christmas Eve

Before Jeff and I were married, the Barrys ,the Strouds and the Wards started a tradition of going to the Candlelight service on Christmas Eve and then rotating houses each year to host the food, presents and fun. This year it was held at Margaret's house and we held it a day earlier. Of course, we had 3 new members of the family Will (Warren & Elaine's), Lucy (Jay & Jan's) and Joe. Lucy was unable to attend as she was confined to her pin at her house (so I don't get into trouble, Lucy is a lovable dog and that's why she was pinned up). Here are some pictures (thanks to Elaine, as my camera was no where to be found and I didn't think you wanted video).


Thanks Will for my first set of wheels...Now I won't have to take driver's ed!

Future Cardinal players (Thanks Uncle Mac & Aunt Cindy!!!)

Joe & his Aunt Cindy

Will & Joe very focused on their toys

Joe & his Marmee

Uncle Jay & Joe

A little behind...

Joe has been sick with pneumonia, so Im a little behind in the blogging world. He's finally better after breathing treatments every 4 hours (even during the night), strong antibiotics and a steroid. We are thankful that we never had to go to the hospital, but it felt like we were headed there when he became a little dehydrated. God protected us from more hospital bills...Hallelujah! So, I'll do my best in posting what happened during our Christmas holiday...