Catching up

I feel like my blog needs a non baby/pregnancy post!  

So here is a quick update on the last 4 or 5 weeks:

M   O   V   I   N  G

Well, we are officially moved!  Yay!  We had lots of help and lots of time (we drug it out over 4 days). I am so glad to be done!  

And we are LOVING living in grad housing.  We love meeting all of the new neighbors, who are from all over!  We love having lots of green space to play in, plus a playground practically in our backyard.  Jack keeps telling me how much he loves his new house.

But we downsized a TON.  There wasn't a 3 bedroom available, so we are crammed into a tiny 2 bedroom.  It has been good for us--making us go through everything and get rid of what we don't need/use.

P   L   A   Y   I   N   G

Summers up North really are delightful.  The weather, especially the past two weeks, has been amazing--high 70's and low 80's.  And State College has tons of amazing parks!  So we have been playing outside every day.

This is from the new Children's Garden at the Penn State Arboretum.  I am in love with this little garden.  It has tons of cool features for kids to play in--a wading creek, a cave with a sand pit, a caterpillar to climb on, a hollowed out tree with instruments!

Here is the inside of the tree. 

Also, Jack got called a girl while wearing this outfit.  Really?  Those are smocked pirate swim trunks!!!

I have been trying to soak up fun park time with Jack before he becomes a big brother!

T   R   I   P     T   O     D   C

After the move, Jack and I drove my little brother (who came for a visit and to help us move) down to DC for the weekend.  We also took our extra bed down to my sister and brother-in-law who are moving apartments in just a couple of weeks.

I hadn't been to the Smithsonian zoo since I was young (even though I have been to DC tons of times since then!), and we all thought Jack would enjoy going.

He loved the zoo!  His favorites were the gorillas (because he loves Tarzan the movie).  

This is a great zoo to go to.  They have lots of good animals--pandas, lions, cheetahs, monkeys, gorillas, tigers, etc.  Plus, it's free!  

We also hit up District Taco (a Braden family favorite), Eastern Market, and Ted's Bulletin (how can I resist homemade poptarts!).

P   R   E   P     F   O   R     B   A   B   Y

And finally, I have been doing some prep to get ready for Baby #2.  The boys room is almost all put together, the cloth diapers have been resized to fit an infant, clothes and blankets are washed and put up, and the baby's bag is packed!

All that is left to do is install the car seat, set up the crib, pack my bag, and make some freezer meals!

I haven't really mentioned this on here, but I am shooting for a VBAC this time around.  Bech and I have hired a doula.  My neighbor, who loves yoga, has started doing some prenatal yoga with me.  I am trying to drink red raspberry leaf everyday.  Of course, I make it into sweet iced tea!

So that's what our summer has been like lately!

5 on Friday

So the blogs that I normally link up to for "5 on Friday" are doing a summer break.  But I just got back and need an outlet for all of my random thoughts!

O     N     E

I don't know why, but being pregnant is bringing out my inner B-ness.  And poor Comcast is the recipient of that attitude.

To be fair, it is their fault.  I called while in MS to schedule my internet to be turned off July 31st.  I came home to a letter and last bill that stated that...and the internet accidentally already turned off.  And I have spent 4 1/2 hours at this point trying to get everything fixed up.

Let's just say, there was a point in the conversation last Friday night in which I said, "I am pregnant, I just spent two days in the car with my 3 year old, and I just want my internet!"  

Pretty sure there is a note in the computers at Comcast that says, "Crazy pregnant lady.  Proceed with caution!"

T     W     O

I don't know how late I am to the game on this, but I just now discovered Sparkling Ice.  And my new favorite flavor?

Coconut Pineapple.  Seriously this stuff is SO good.  It's like a low calorie version of my favorite Malawi drink, Sobo Coco Pina.

T     H     R     E     E

I am enjoying having a 3 year old.  I don't know what happened when we got home, but I feel like Jack is so different.  He is struggling with whining, but I think that might just be grandparent detox (I'm afraid Bech and I are doting on him quite as much as he was used to down South!).

But to combat his whininess, he has suddenly become the best sleeper.  I know I've mentioned before how he has started doing really well going to sleep by himself at night.  I was worried that we would struggle with that after coming back from Mississippi where he slept either in the same bed or at least the same room every night.  But he has done amazing!  And not only, but suddenly the kid I had to fight to take a nap is going to sleep super easily!

Hallelujah!  

And let's just be real...this 3rd trimester mom is taking a nap everyday too.  #noshame

F     O     U     R

I am missing Sonic drinks and snow cones!  We have a doctor's appointment in Hershey in a week and half and will drive through Harrisburg.  So we can stop there, and I can get my Sonic fix.

But snowcones are another story.  Why, oh why, do they not sell snowcones (at least the good ones!) up here?  And why am I only pregnant in yankee, no snowcone, so Sonic land?  I need to plan this better next time!

I am a creature of habit and I usually only order strawberry shortcake with cream.  But this trip, I got really into the fresh lemon sours.  It's a pink lemonade snow cone, with salt and fresh lemon juice added to the top and halfway through.  SO good.

Any thoughts on how I could recreate this somehow at home?

F     I     V     E

I really want to get a new tote bag to take the hospital.  We have an amazing large Lands End tote, but Bech has commandeered it for himself.  He actually told me I could have it back and he would get a new one...um...no.  That's not how it works.  Plus, it probably has clay in it.  No thanks.

Lands End had the cutest striped tote bags earlier this year, and now they are all gone!  Any thoughts on where I could find a cute bag? 

I want something sturdy, at least medium sized (preferably large), bright colored, and not crazy expensive.  

Here's the style I like from Land's End.  Anyone seen anything similar anywhere?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Back from the South...

subtitled: A Ridiculous Amount of Pictures!

Jack and I made it back to PA last Friday night, after two days on the road.  Bech got back from Maine (he was at a ceramics workshop) Saturday early afternoon.  We were all happy to be back home and even happier to all be back together!

Jack and I had a blast being home for almost 3 weeks.  As usual, I felt like there was so much we didn't get done (that we had planned), but we did keep the trip pretty busy! 

Of course, there were a LOT of snowcones eaten.  Would you expect any less from me?  Jack's favorite flavor is Tiger's Blood.  Of course, after the second visit, I realized you can order clear flavors. So then Jack got clear favors that I told him were Tiger's Blood.  Is that wrong?

I had a doctors appointment this past Monday and was actually super nervous for it...what would they say about the weight I just knew I had gained in Mississippi (I was not ordering the sugar free snowcones...that seems like a waste of a perfectly good snowcone!)?  But I only gained 2 pounds since my last visit (4 weeks ago)!  Honestly, I'm not buying that.  But if that's what the scale says...  

My dad, Jack's Doc, took him to his first baseball game.  Jackson has a minor league team, the Braves.   Jack LOVED the game!  We all didn't think he would last more than 4 innings.  But he ended up making it through 7 innings (and probably would have lasted more...we were the tired ones!).

I think Doc has a little baseball fan on his hands!

Mom, Ansley, Jack, and I snuck down to the beach for a couple of days.  We had so much fun, but we missed the rest of the family.

This is my new favorite picture of Jack.  He is so hard to get to stand still and smile, so this is a keeper!

This little boy LOVED the beach.  I can't wait to take him back next summer.

We stayed in SanDestin, right by the Baytowne Wharf.  It was perfect!  We were able to walk to the wharf for dinner at night.  Plus, there were tons of fun kid activities for Jack, including a carousel.  

I would also like to note that Jack opted for the race car instead of a horse.  I have a strange kid who seems to have a fear of carousels.

One of the main reasons for our trip down South was my cousin's wedding.  It was beautiful!  Plus, we got to see all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jack did surprisingly well during the ceremony.  His one slip up was when the preacher said, "In the presence of these witnesses" and Jack yelled, "PRESENTS!"  

Jack also got to swim some, spend a day with Nina and Farfar (Bech's parents), go to New Orleans with Nina, play with Bubby lots, and eat Nana's homemade doughnuts.  No doubt about it, this little boy loves Mississippi!

I had to share this picture: my parents gave Jack a scooter and a helmet for his birthday.  He loves the scooter, but the helmet is by far his favorite!  He wanted to wear it most of the 2 day car trip home, including into gas stations for potty breaks.  So I am sure I look like the super over protective mom who makes her kid wear a helmet!  

As usual, my Jack, who can be such a hot mess, was mostly a dream on the way down there and back! I don't know how or why, but Jack is an amazing car rider.  Between the 17 hour drive down (and then back again), the trip to the beach, the trip to Columbus, MS, for the wedding, the trip to NOLA, and back and forth between Brookhaven, this kid spent a ridiculous amount of time in the car and did great!

Also, he now loves Sonic drinks.

I am a proud momma!

Easter

So many posts in one week...amazing, right?

We had busy and fun Easter weekend this year.

My sister and brother-in-law drove up Friday night from D.C.  I believe I have previously mentioned my geriatric bedtime.  Katy and Dave can now attest to the truthfulness of the bedtime.  They got in about 11 p.m.  Bech and I had, at that point, been asleep for at least an hour.

Saturday morning, Jackie boy got up bright and early (why do I have to drag him out of bed on a daycare day, but he wakes up at 6:30 on a Saturday?).  We waited until Katy and Dave woke up, then gave Jack his Easter basket.

We like to keep his Easter basket pretty basic.  We gave him a Berenstein Bears book (super unrealistic, side note), the first Rain for Roots cd, Hiro the train, a few happies (silly putty, crayons and a coloring book), and a toothpaste and toothbrush.  Because the kid needed a new toothbrush so why not add it to the basket.  

Hiro was definitely the favorite.

Bech had to go unload a kiln, so I showed Katy and Dave the sights of Bellefonte.  Which means we got coffee and went to the local library.  

As soon as Bech got home, we got to work egg dying.   This was the first year that we have dyed eggs with Jack.  And while he loved it, I think my artist husband and architect brother-in-law were having the most fun.

Goofy Jack was so happy to have his KK and Big Dave there!

We went to community egg hunt then made yummy tacos for dinner.

Sunday we headed to church then a friends house for lunch.

In case you are wondering, yes, this is the best picture as a family we got that day.  Also, this is why I rarely use my nice camera these days.  Because my child refuses to take cute picture.

And Jack in knee socks may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Expect it all summer.

Jack and his best buddies.  Also, pretty much a typical picture for 2 year old boys.

After lunch, Katy and Dave hit the road and Bech and Jack hit the hay for a nap.  I headed to a second Easter event.  Like I said, a busy but fun weekend!

5 on Friday

Another 5 on Friday!

O     N     E

Y'all, it was 70 degrees yesterday.  Seriously, 70 degrees.  Now granted, it is going to be 48 degrees next Tuesday, but I can handle this.  Thank goodness for Spring!

 When I think about or am asked how I have managed 3 real winters, I always remember these days, when the snow is all gone and it is finally spring.  Don't get me wrong, I adore spring and summer in the South.  I really do...even when it is 100 degrees in the shade.  But when you have made it through a northern winter, spring and summer are so much more precious and glorious.  You feel as though you have really earned it!

T     W     O

If you read my blog while Jack was a baby, you know that I am a big fan of "Babywise."  We sleep trained the heck out of Jack, and he was an AMAZING sleeper.  He was sleeping through the night with a dream feed at around 3 1/2 months, and we dropped the dream feed at 5 months.  Up until he was 2 years old, we would, for the most part, put him in his crib and he would fall asleep on his own, only waking up in the middle of the night if he was sick.

Then he turned two and we switched to a big boy bed, partly because I wanted his new room at the new house to be more exciting to him and mostly because he had started to climb out of his crib.

Bedtime in the fall was not great.  It took him a while to fall asleep and he would come out of the room several times before that happened.  You could always tell if it had been a bad night by the amount of toys that had been taken away from him and stacked on the dining room table.

Over Christmas in Mississippi, when we didn't have a separate room for him to sleep in, we got in the habit of just laying down with him until he fell asleep.  And we have been stuck in that habit since then.  Which is crazy...I felt like I needed to re-sleep train my almost 3 year old!  

But a couple of nights ago, Bech broke the habit!  Seriously, he is brilliant.  He does so many things that amaze me, but this takes the cake.  Last night, I tucked Jack in, prayed with him, and left the room...HALLELUJAH!

Also, let's hope I'm not speaking too soon.  But it has been 3 nights in a row!

T      H     R     E     E

Speaking of my brilliant husband...

He's turning 30 on MONDAY!

Also, I've always loved this photo.  Bech, a "man of hands."

F     O     U     R

My latest pregnancy (or just regular) obsession:

I've liked Polar water for a while now, but I found the Blueberry flavor a couple of weeks ago.  I am not sure, but I think it might be new.  Um, SO good.  I have seriously tried almost every Polar flavor, and this is, hands down, the best. 

F     I     V     E

I need a new planner.  And I don't want to spend a ton on it.  So, yeah, no Erin Condren.  It doesn't need to be super detailed, but it does need to be cute (that's a need, right?). 

Any thoughts?

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

 

5 on Friday

 This is what I am reduced to...pregnancy updates and 5 on Friday.  I actually only have three more weeks after today of my job, so I am sure I will actually post something after that!

O     N     E

I'm going to start this out strong with Jack's school photos. 

Can we say Awkward Family Photos, anyone? 

Also, I don't think his arms are long enough to cross over his chest.

Needless to say, we did not purchase these pictures.  Oh, Jackie boy, I love you, but no.

T     W     O

Jack and I will be in Mississippi in less than 2 months...wooohooo!  Also, I may have told Jack that "Sweet Southern Comfort" by Buddy Jewell is about Mississippi.  So now he ask for the "Missippi" song everytime we are the car.

I've never been prouder.

T     H     R     E     E

Spring is finally here!  We have a couple of days in the very high 40's (like 49), but the rest of the 10 day forecast is showing 50's and 60's. 

Laugh all you want, Southerners.  I'll take what I can get!

F     O     U     R

I have a sweet husband.  This semester he has two night classes.  So that means yesterday, the only time he got to spend with Jack was first thing in the morning until we dropped him off at daycare.

This morning, I dropped Jack and Bech off at the art building.  They are going to get a muffin at Au Bon Pain (there is one in the art building) and then ride the CATA bus to daycare.

To say Jack is excited is an understatement.

Also, we are letting our child ride the bus for entertainment.  Because we are classy like that.

And lest you think the CATA bus is fancy, here is what one looks like:

Buddy Jewell and public transportation.  We might as well buy him a Jeff Foxworthy t-shirt.

F     I     V     E

We are moving this summer!  Just within the area, but still.  I know, we are slightly crazy.  We are only here for 2 years, but we are moving in the middle of those two.

We are actually moving into graduate housing.  We love our little townhouse, but it is 20 minutes from the school.  Our new townhouse will be 5 minutes (and Bech can take the campus bus!) from Bech's building.  Which means next year when he is crazy busy with his thesis show and I am crazy exhausted from two kids, he can run home for an hour and eat dinner and help with the kids.  It also means I will now be 5 to 10 minutes from Trader Joe's, which should not be underestimated in importance.

The other main reason we are moving is because our place  now has oil heat.  Which is ridiculously expensive.  And we have kept the heat really, really low all this winter--I can't do that with a baby next year.  Graduate housing rent includes heat, which means I can have a toasty warm place for my baby this winter.

I'm going to miss my little "Star's Hollow"-esque town and the size of our apartment!  We were hoping for a 3 bedroom, but there aren't any available right now.  So we will be in a 2 bedroom.  Which means Jack and the baby will be sharing a room...any advice?  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Big Boy Jack: A Potty Training Saga

One thing I didn't mention yesterday is that Jack is now potty trained!

I am going to blog about it.  You may find this interesting if you are starting to look into potty training.  I am mostly blogging because I want to look back on this information for future kids.

First of all, I got a potty for Jack last summer.  I tried to get him to use it some this summer, but he had no interest.

I read several articles about the different methods of potty training.  Lots of people advocated the whole two day method--just dive into 100% for a couple of days.

We attempted that this fall.  The first day was good.  But by the second day, Jack screamed if I tried to get him to sit on the potty.  And I felt like he really didn't know when he needed to go.  Again, we put the potty away and decided to wait a little bit.

The daycare we use is really into potty training, so I knew that they would be a big help in whatever we did.  Every time they changed Jack's diaper, they tried to get him to just try using the potty.  The first week, he refused every.single.time.  But by the second and third week, he would usually try (unsuccessfully) for them).

I decided that the weekend after his third week would be a great time to try again.  We were supposed to be home all of Saturday, so I knew I had the time.

Saturday morning, I turned up the heat and put Jack in just a t shirt.  We played and watched movies downstairs all day.  I had several little treats (I had been stockpiling for a while) ready for successes.  Actually, the first treat was a pair of spiderman undies that my dad bought him when we were home over Christmas.  So after the first success, he wore underwear for the rest of the day.

I gave him lots of liquids and made him stay right in the living room near his little potty.  He did great.   He only had two accidents and he seemed to really be getting it.

The next day was good, too.  He wore a diaper to church and to a friends party that night.  But we did underwear in between.

The next day, I brought tons of underwear and spare pants to the daycare.  And he had accidents all day.  Seriously, not one success.  I was so discouraged!  But I washed everything, brought it the next day, and asked if they were willing to try it all again.  They said they were happy to. 

I am so glad that neither I or his daycare teachers gave up after that first disastrous day.  He had one accident the second day at daycare!  The rest of the week was really good too.

By the second week, he had going #1 down pat, but was still struggling with #2 (which I think is pretty common).  We started in on the hard core bribing...chocolate ice cream!  He finally accomplished that for us at home Tuesday night.  

Then Wednesday, he walked into the bathroom at school by himself and just started doing his business!  When we picked him up, we oohed and aahed over him and took him to Barnes & Noble to get a treat, a new Where's Waldo book and Spencer the train.

Since then, he has been amazing.  I think he has had 4 total accidents in the past 10 or 11 days?  We have stopped giving him treats.  Sometimes he will still ask for ice cream for #2, and if he's eaten dinner already (and its night time), we will usually give him a little.

One of the best things for him was the praise.  Every time he was successful, we praised him so much.  In fact, he know tells me "Good job, Mommy!" when I leave the bathroom.  Um, thanks?

He liked getting treats, but he really didn't get many after the first two days because he was at daycare during the day.  I think those helped us getting started.

The best thing for us, though, was just diving him.  He wore a pull up to church that second Sunday, but the past two Sundays we have worn underwear.  We wear underwear to the store, in the car, etc.  I am always quick to ask him if he needs to potty as soon as we arrive at church, but we have yet to have a public accident.

We haven't even started nap or night training, and I know that will be a whole new ballgame! 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please share! 

Back to the ole blog!

Remember when I used to actually post on my blog?

Yeah, me neither.

Seriously, the past two months have been tough.  I started work, Jack started daycare, Bech started his second semester of grad school (complete with 2 night classes!).  There have been several nights where we have waddled in the door (due to our puffy jackets) at almost 6 and eaten cereal for dinner.  

So what have I not blogged about the past two months?

Well...for starters it has been CRAZY cold and snowy.

We are getting pretty good at driving in the midst of snow storms.  This winter has been rough.  I know it's been tough on the south too, which is really saying something. 

I am hoping that the winter is almost over.  This weekend we are getting up to the 40's, which seems downright toasty to me right now.  Even poor Jack is done with this weather.  The past two mornings while I put on his coat, he has cried and said, "I not like the cold."  

Me too, buddy, me too.

The long weekdays have made the weekends more special.  We have tried to enjoy our time together.

One weekend, we made the almost 10 hour trek to Nashville and back for my goddaughter's dedication.  It was a lot of time in the car, but totally worth it.  We love our sweet friends there and are always happy to spend time with them!

We went to get some BBQ for Valentine's Day.  Here's my little lovebug in his VDay shirt from Bella.

Finally, my child likes fries!  I was getting a little worried about him.

We've gotten to spend some time with State College friends, too.  This is Jack and his buddy Preston.  They are 9 months apart, but Jack LOVES Preston.

He used to show his affection by pushing him down, but lately they've just been playing Thomas together.  Much better!

We've had several other meals with friends, which is wonderful.  We have some sweet, sweet friends up here.  

We also have a sweet church, which we joined this past month!

 Finally, here is a picture of Jack from yesterday.  His Nina (Bech's mom) sent him a Mardi Gras shirt.  How old does my little boy look here?  I can't even handle it.  No more Baby Jack.  Heck, I'm not even sure I can get away with Toddler Jack for much longer!

So that's a brief summary of the past two months.  Honestly, there have just been a lot nights in, cuddling and watching Tarzan for the umpteenth time.  We are ready for some warmth and some sunshine!

Another game of catch up...

Life is crazy crazy crazy right now!  I am going to try to get up to speed, but I am exhausted so this post will be ALL over the place!

Two weekends ago, Jack started getting sick.  I took him to the doctor Monday, and poor Jackie boy was diagnosed with pneumonia.

A week and a half later, after 10 days of antibiotics and 3 doctors visits, we are finally finished with it!  Jack was a trooper.  He had a couple of rough nights, but he took his medicine like a champ.

Gosh, I love this kid.

But, since he got sick at the start of our last week at home together, we spent most of the week cuddled up on the couch or playing legos and trains at home.  Fun, yes, but not what I had in mind for my last week home--I was imagining the library every day, a couple of "chicky christy" (Chick-fil-a) visits, etc.

This past Monday, I started my job!

Sidenote, I'm not sure how much I am allowed to say about my job.  I was pretty vague about my teaching job last year as well.  Last fall I interviewed for a position at Penn State.  They liked me, but I wasn't as qualified as HR was requiring for the hire.  I got a call in December about doing an interim job for them.  So I will be working for a little over 3 months, filling in for a girl who had the chance to be part of a program abroad.  

Since it is interim, the pay is not amazing, but I am glad to be doing something!  Already, I think I am going to really enjoy this job.  I have some past experience, and I am excited about different opportunities within the job.

But, I am also excited that it is for 3 months.  I have enjoyed my time at home with Jack so much.  And, while staying at home is no piece of cake, being a working mom, at least for me personally, is more demanding.  By the end of April, when the full time staff person returns, I will be ready to return to being home with Jackie boy!

Even though I am enjoying my job, this has been a rough week so far!  It is FREEZING here in State College.  Literally, I don't think we are going to have a day above freezing for at least two weeks.  I am dying.

And then, on top of that, our pipes froze Tuesday night.  I managed to scrape together a (gross) bun for work that day, then came home, exhausted and cold, but expecting a nice, warm shower.  The maintenance men had come that morning and fixed the pipes.  But it was so cold during the day that they refroze again.

One of the maintenance men came out again and, bless his heart, spent two hours working on it.  He managed to unfreeze the downstairs pipes (so the kitchen sink and the half bath worked), but he needed to come back the next day to fix the upstairs.  Which meant I washed my hair in the kitchen sink.

I know kitchen sink baths are super cute when you are a baby.  They are NOT cute when you are 28.

Oh yeah, and add to this week that Bech has a show next week, so he has been at the studio until at least 9:30 every night. 

So tonight, Jack and I got home, ate cereal (and not organic...just the generic Wegman's nastiness, #momoftheyear) for dinner, and both took hot baths/shower.  He's asleep and I am about to be, and 9:15.  

To say I am excited is an understatement.

Sometimes you just need cereal for dinner and a geriatric bedtime.

Plus I just filled my rubber water bottle up to take to bed with me.

Just call me Grandma!

...I'm Back!

I'm back!

I know, I took a 5 or 6 week break from blogging.  The week after my last post, I hopped in the car with Jack and drove the 17 hour trip home to Jackson, Mississippi, by MYSELF.  Because I'm crazy.

Actually, Jack was a complete champ, and I had Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on CD.  So win-win.

Jack and I spent almost two weeks being loved and spoiled by family, and Bech spent two weeks finishing up the semester and feeling the freedom to stay at the studio as late as he could.  Yet another win-win (although, I'm pretty sure I got the better part of that deal).

Bech then spent a full day of travel (car, train, SEPTA, plane, and car again!) to get to NOLA, where we picked him up.  We spent 10 days going back and forth between each others family then headed home again just before the new year, stopping in Memphis to see Courtney and her new husband and Nashville to spend the night with some sweet friends there.

We have been back for a little over a week now, and I feel like I am almost all caught up to life here.  We had so much fun at home, but I was also ready to get back to our life here!  We have some sweet friends here who I missed, plus a couple of babies were born in our absence!

Here are a few instagram pictures of our time home.  Because I am an awful mom, and I didn't pull out the real camera ONCE while I was home!

Jack was more than happy to cuddle up with Bubby and watch "soccers balls."  He likes anything Bubby likes.

He may have watched "Petey Hat" (Peter Pan) a couple of times while we were home!

My sweet little elf!

In Madison, Baptist Hospital has set up an ice skating rink and ice slide.   We tried to get Jack to skate, but he wasn't having it.  He did, however, go down the ice slide twice.

Also, this may be my favorite picture ever.

Also, there is a super cute smocked outfit under that Saints jersey, but Jack wanted the jersey on.  I fear my smocked days are getting shorter!

Jack and I drove down to Hammond, LA, to meet two of his daycare teachers from last year.  We have been so blessed with amazing daycare experiences, and these two, Coco and Liz, are no exceptions.  We ate some "Chicky Christy" (Chick-fil-A, or as I call it, Christian Chicken) then headed to the Children's Museum there.  Jack enjoyed the dress up stage area!

We were able to see Bess and Julian on Christmas Eve Day!  Bess and Julian are our favorite friends from Baton Rouge.  We absolutely love them, and Jack adores Bess!  In this picture, Bess is due in less than a month...doesn't she look great?

Yet another Christmas outfit.  And peppermint ice cream.  A winning combination!

Jack and Bubby, playing with Jack's new Buzz.

Last Christmas was definitely a Thomas Christmas.  This Christmas had some Thomas but was dominated by Legos and Pixar (Sully and Mike, Lightning Mcqueen and Mater, and a new Buzz).  This was also the first Christmas that Jack has opened presents by himself.  Last year he could, but he didn't really care about it.  This year, Jack opened 3 or 4 presents before Christmas (and when he wasn't supposed to!)...next year we may have to hide the presents!

Alright, I think I'm all caught up.  I hope everyone had a wonderful December!