Christmas part 1 (pictures to follow)

We were supposed to have our 18 month check up on December 15th, but it turned out to be a sick visit. Crawford started running a fever that morning so I was thankful we already an appointment. The dr. did a strep test, but it was negative so she figured it was a virus. It turned out to actually be strep because his fever kept going up, I knew something was wrong. We got on antibiotics again, which I wasn't too excited about but I knew they would help. I wanted him to start feeling better too because we left for Ruidoso, NM on Friday afternoon. We were planning on staying with Heidi, but I didn't want to bring any sickness to their house right before Christmas. We got to Midland late Friday evening and figured Crawford would go right to sleep...no such luck! We were in a room with my mom, dad, and Mary and Crawford couldn't quit laughing! My dad started calling him "late night with Crawford". We however, were not laughing so hard. We decided to get our own room at 2 am, so pretty much we paid $90 for a few hours of sleep. Crawford didn't even go to sleep until 3. It was a really rough next day. We had about a four and a half hour drive to Ruidoso, and we didn't stop once, which means Crawford got to sleep :) We were so excited to get there and relax, or so we thought we were going to relax. It's great to go on vacation, but with an 18 month old, it's not always a vacation. O-ma and Granddaddy's house in New Mexico doesn't have as many "trinkets" but it's still not "Crawford-proofed". Someone always had to have an eye on him, which is a full time job. The other full time job seemed to be cooking and cleaning. That is all we seemed to do. I'm pretty sure I didn't sit down, but maybe a couple of times. Crawford's FAVORITE thing to do while we were there was to look for deer. The deck there was perfect for him because he could run around and be outside, yelling "duh, duh" for deer. He didn't quite get the concept though of being quiet. His Granpa and Granna took him on many walks to look for deer. When we got home he was still looking for them, and was very disappointed when they weren't around every corner! Well this is enough for now, maybe I can get it all finished and pictures uploaded before the break is over (don't hold your breath!).

Christmas Card 2010

Glad Plaid Green Christmas 5x7 folded card

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UT won...finally!!!

A teacher I work with had free tickets to the UT game on Saturday, which would make sense since they're not very good this year! Our seats were on the 20th row in the end zone, which was awesome!!!!
On our way to the game. Nathan dropped the three of us off so we wouldn't have to lug Crawford so far.






It was Nathan, me and Mary that went. We also took Crawford with us, which I didn't feel too bad about since the ticket was free. He did so great for his first football game. He sat in mine or Mary's lap for the first part of the game, then realized he could get down, which was a little difficult. There were two little boys sitting in front of us, who Crawford like watching play. He did however want the cars they were playing with. Note to self: bring toys next time!

Notice the empty seats above!! :)

Nathan and Mary asked me to take a picture of where they sat last time they went to a game. It was two years ago when UT played A&M at Thanksgiving. Quite a difference. Mary said her nose wasn't bleeding this time :) They sat at the VERY top row in the corner!!!


We had a lot of fun, but Crawford didn't get his regular nap, so he was getting a little tired. He grabbed Nathan's hat and started doing this...



After he took the hat off, he signed "sleep"! I think that was our cue to leave. We left at the end of third quarter, and UT ended up winning. Before we left I wanted to get a couple pics in front of the stadium like we did last year.
Here are a few.




I know this pic is really blurry, but when we were leaving we saw a few police officers getting on their motorcycles. Crawford said vroom vroom and got so excited when he saw them. One of the very nice officers said that Crawford could get on and take a pic. As you can see though, Crawford didn't think it was as good of an idea as we did. I'm afraid this is going to be what we will see in a couple of weeks when we go see Santa!!


We had another first after the game. We rode in a petty cab back to our car!! I have never done this before.




We had a great time, and it was even better that UT won. Now on to Thanksgiving!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Well after being together for 11 years, Nathan's need to start celebrating Christmas early has rubbed off on me! Now, don't worry, it's not quite to the extent that he does, but we will decorating the tree today and hopefully getting the inside stuff done. It's so stinkin' windy here (think west Texas) that I don't think we'll be getting the outside lights up. Nathan has started listening to Christmas music already, no shock! The funny thing is though that our friends the Goudeaus introduced Nathan to Pandora for free Christmas music all day long. Nathan listened to it SO much that they wanted him to start paying for it! Has anyone ever listened to Pandora so much they've been asked to pay for it? Don't worry though, he has found another free station online. He has had to resort to listening on his computer because we used to listen on t.v. but since we switched to Directv, they don't have sounds of the season. Also, Nathan ruined my iphone/ipod dock that we can't listen to music that way either.
I realize that we haven't had Thanksgiving yet, but just thinking about all the family coming in town means Christmas is just around the corner. We went to the galleria on Friday night hoping to see Santa and the Christmas tree lit. We got there at 6:30 and they weren't lighting the tree until 8:30!! I wasn't hanging around for that long with a 1 year old!!! :)
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this week and not working! I am doing the Turkey Trot with my parents, so I can feel better about eating that afternoon! I will post pics later or on Facebook of us decorating!!

Mary, Mary. Mary.

That was for you sister!!!!!!!!! I went to Sam Moon last weekend with my favorite sister, forgot to mention that in my post earlier! :) LYLT

Christmas Cards and good stuff

Christmas cards have always been a HUGE part of our family tradition. I remember growing up how much time and effort my mom, sister, an I put into them. We have so many friends and family all over, my mom would include a letter/synopsis of our family's year. We also of course had to include a family picture. I remember each year trying to decide what went into the letter, as well as what everyone would wear for the picture. Most years it had some sports theme to it, whether we all wore our favorite team, or took the picture on the golf course. Once my sister and I were old enough, we were expected to help with the writing of the letter, as well as addressing and stamping the letters. My mom of course made a long spread sheet of the names and addresses of friends and family to send the letters to. This was our task to get done while we were on the first part of Christmas break so that they could be mailed out. The mailing out, typically happened on our way out of town to go see O-ma and Granddaddy. Crhistmas cards have come such a long way from when I was growing up, and now that I have my own family, I LOVE that we have started this tradition ourselves. We will be using Shutterfly this year to send ours out. Here is a link for their SUPER cute Christmas cards http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards
They have so many options to chose from and the quality is also great of course. Here is another link for stationery and cards
I think this year, we might also make a calendar from shutterfly because as many of you know, Nathan enjoys planning things and making to-do lists.
Now, all I have to do is get our outfits together, and get someone to take our picture for our card. Oh, and I have to find some creativity since it's not my strong point.
Now to the good stuff: Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010
So, once this is done, I will be sending them out so be looking for it in the mail!!! :)

Way too long and too much

It has been way too long since I last posted and way too much has happened for me to even begin to fill you in on everything so I'll hit the highlights.
October
-Nathan went to Dallas for training
-us and Goudeaus met him there to go to the Texas State Fair (it was a blast!!)
-Crawford got the stomach bug
-Our Mamaw Dollie passed away at the ripe old age of 97 (blog to follow)
-I got the stomach bug
-Nathan got the stomach bug
-I had a sinus infection, ear infection and bronchitis
-Crawford had a virus with a pretty high fever that scared me for a little while, but now all is well
-we went to the pumpkin patch with the Goudeaus and then had a blast carving our pumpkins!
-Crawford LOVED Halloween and growling at anything that was even remotely related to Halloween (we are trying to transition this into HO HO HO for Christmas!)
-He was Bamm Bamm for Halloween, we're still trying to get together with the Goudeaus for pictures because Addie was Pebbles!
-We went to my parent's house to trick-or-treat and had a blast!!! Crawford loved riding in Granpa's golf-cart. He figured it out pretty quick to go to the door and get candy to put in his pumpkin. It was so cute (at least we thought it was)!
-He's still signing like crazy and we're trying to help transition that into words now too.
-He's a toot too!!!! He's a little problem solver and has gotten in trouble at school for untying his belt on his chair. He's just like his mom, I love undoing knots!!! :)
-He is now enjoying reading books! I'm so excited about this because before he wouldn't sit long enough for me to read anything. His FAVORITE is a book about all different trucks. The fire truck is his favorite!!
-oh and Nathan is ALREADY listening to Christmas music!
I think this sums it up. We were ready for October to be over and start over with November. So far November has been a great month. Nathan did go to Dallas again for training, but Crawford and I sat this one out. We're looking forward to our week off for Thanksgiving and getting to see family. We are going to do the Turkey Trot again this year, taking Crawford with us this year. Then after that we only have three weeks of school and it will be Christmas break, which is crazy to me. we have quite a bit planned for this Christmas season, so hopefully I can keep up with it, but I'm not sure I would count on it! :)

Labor Day Weekend

I seem to start EVERY post with "I'm sorry, it's been too long". I guess I need to do a better job at this, but since going back to work I don't seem to have as much time, or desire to sit down and do this! Anyway, on to the important stuff...
For Labor Day we went to San Antonio with the Goudeaus. We wanted to go Saturday and come back Sunday, but someone (Nathan) had a fantasy football draft. We got up early Sunday morning and drove straight to the zoo. We figured if we got there early, it wouldn't be as hot. We were ok for about the first 10 minutes. Here we are at the beginning and the dads.



One of our favorite areas were the birds. We got to go inside and feed them which was kind of fun and kind of scary! :) These birds were so pretty though.












We also went to see a bird exhibit that was indoors. We didn't really go to this one because it was great, but because it was inside. It was so funny to watch Crawford and Addie in there. Addie was much more interested in the people and saying hi, while Crawford was more concerned with running in circles and chasing the birds (even if that means going where he wasn't supposed to!).



Next was the aquarium. This was also semi-inside, which I was a fan of! The kids loved being able to get so close to see the fish. This was actually the first part of a kids area where we hung out for a while.


They had a beach/water area for the kids to play in, but we made sure ours did NOT see that! There was a little play area where we let the kids run around and get a little snack. Addie found this little toy to ride named "Rody". She sure did enjoy Nathan giving her a ride on it like she was on a bull. Crawford tried to get on a couple times but I'm pretty sure she was telling him "No, you can do this any time you want, let me have fun for a little while!" :)






We've been wanting to take Crawford camping, and I guess this was his way of saying we need to make that happen! Maybe that can be our next trip with the Goudeaus!


While we were playing, a lady who worked at the zoo came and asked if we wanted to go feed the birds. Since our first experience with feeding the birds was so good, we thought, sure why not! This was the kids putting out the seed, and as you can see there are NO birds around. Not quite the success we had expected.


After the zoo, we made our way to Chama Gaucha, a Brazilian steakhouse. Jared grew up with one of the managers in Brazil and since I had never been to one we figured it would be a good idea to go. We were all hot, sweaty, and probably a little stinky but fortunately they still served us! It was wonderful! I am a carnivore through and through so this place was perfect. I'm pretty sure we ate our weight in meat. None of us had dinner because we were so stuffed! That night we went to the River Walk and came home early. We were all laughing at how much our nights have changed. But we also realized how great it is to travel with other people who understand what it's like to have a one year old!
Monday morning we had breakfast at the hotel and Texas shaped waffles were our favorite. Then it was on to Gruene Texas. I had been once when I was in junior high with my mom and Andie but haven't been back since. We walked the streets (that were packed) and took only one picture. I guess I was eager about the pictures at the beginning but then the enthusiasm mush have worn off.


We ate at the Gruene River bar and grill. It was great, but I didn't get to have much because we had a sleepy, fussy baby boy who was ready to get home! We had a great trip and are looking forward to planning our next one!!!

wow!

Lots and lots has been going on in our little world! I started back to work last week and that was probably the hardest day of my life. This is part of the reason my blogging as suffered. Last year was difficult, but Crawford didn't know I was leaving, so that made it easier. Now he just cries and holds his hands up to me. It just breaks my heart!! I know it will get easier, but it still sucks. He has found something he likes though, the hats! I know you're thinking to yourself "what? Crawford wearing a hat?!" I know crazy! He really likes the construction hat, which hopefully means he'll be the superintendent, not the trash picker upper!


He has been adjusting so well, actually probably better than I have. I am just so thankful that he is with Marisa again!! She is so great with him and doesn't let him get away with anything, and he WILL TRY! The picture I took the other day of him on the end table was a foreshadowing of what was to come. I watched him climb on the table at school as Marisa was telling him NO. She had to come get him down and he was laughing. I promise Marisa we are not letting him get away with this at home!!! I'm so sorry!
We will be going to Dallas this weekend for my cousin's baby shower and to see one of my best friends, Brittany. She found out on Monday that she has thyroid cancer, which is devastating, but we know that God is in control and we are just praying. Hopefully we'll have pictures from this weekend.

Such a little boy!

Crawford is climbing even more now! And he loves it!!! He saw me coming after him, which is why he's smiling, and NO I was not smiling, he just thinks it's funny. Not a good thing. I guess this is just a glimpse into what's to come :)

zoo!

I know this is a little out of order because I haven't done our vacation yet, but I thought I would do this while I was thinking about it. We went to the Austin Zoo today with my friend Marisa and her two boys, Nicho and Noah.

Marisa is Crawford's teacher at school so we thought it would be a good idea for him to see her again before next week. We got to the zoo right at 10 when it opened before it got too hot. Crawford LOVED the goats and feeding them. He is definitely not afraid of animals, which I'm sure is because he has so many at home! :)




He also liked feeding the deer. We see them all the time around our house, so it was cool to get to be so close.

Test!

Well we got back yesterday from Baltimore & we are tired!! I will update with pics hopefully soon!!

Jenni

First PROFESSIONAL haircut

I'm not sure if y'all remember but Crawford had his haircut by his dad two days before his 1 year pictures!! So even though he's had a haircut before, I consider this his first REAL haircut. We are going to Maryland on Saturday so we wanted him to look good for seeing family :) The place was great because he was able to sit in a car with a steering wheel.

This was the beginning and he wasn't too sure about what was going on. He didn't really want to wear the cape either so I had to work pretty hard at distracting him while she put it on. He was a little squirmy too! The girl said she would rather have squirmy than screaming, which I agree with.




AFTER!! I think he looks so handsome and no mullet! Yea!!!

Water Park

On Tuesday we went to the water/splash park with Addie and April. It was great because there was a fence, so Crawford was contained. Him and Addie had fun exploring. They both however, got a bucket of water dumped on them, which they weren't too fond of. I did get him in the water a few times though.





After the splash park, we went back to the Goudeaus and had lunch and let the kids play. We didn't put them in their clothes for a while, which they didn't mind. It started raining really hard so we took them out to play in it. They both loved it and were not too happy when we made them come back inside!





I'm pretty sure these pictures will be blackmail pics some day! :)

Random

Here are just a few random things!
Crawford started putting his hands up on his face like this, so we started saying "ahhhhhh". He now does it on cue! :)


The other night we were coming home from my parents and Crawford couldn't decide if he was tired and wanted his pacifier or thirsty and wanted his milk. He's such a little problem solver!! :)


It's crazy to me that Crawford is old enough/big enough to ride in this!! I think this will make future grocery store trips much better for all of this :)

Mamaw Dollie

We went and saw Mamaw Dollie last week. Crawford kept me busy while we were there. He wanted to open and play with everything. It's a good thing that her place isn't too big because it's definitely not Crawford proofed! He loves pushing around her walker!! She really loved getting to see him and we are planning on going back before we go back to school.


After we saw Mamaw we went to Red Robin for lunch, where kids eat FREE! The only problem with that is that Crawford didn't really want to eat. Most of his food ended up on the ground, so I just brought the rest home. This was a picture I took while we were there that I thought it was so cute!! :)

Last week and weekend

Last week went by so fast...I think because we were busy every day! After Kiddie Acres on Wednesday, one of my oldest friends (as in since we were 6 years old) Andie came over to hang out with us. We went swimming and then came back to our house and had lunch. It was so great getting to hang out with her, the only bad thing is that it's so rare! We live so close, I think we need to make a better effort!! :) Then on Friday April and Addie came over for pretty much the same thing...lunch and swimming! Crawford and I are becoming regulars at the Lakeway pool. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures from that day :( After hanging out, we met the Goudeaus for dinner at Serrano's. They have a great happy hour for margaritas and appetizers, quickest way to my heart! I'm not sure if the next part makes us bad parents or not, but we gave Crawford and Addie a lime! :)


Addie was looking at Jared, I'm sure asking what the heck Dad?!


This is them "talking" after their limes. I'm sure they were figuring out what they could do to get back at us :)



On Saturday my mom came over at about 9 so that Nathan and I could hit the road to go float the river in New Braunfels. They then met Granpa and Auntie M to head over to Bastrop and Smithville to look for a place for Mary to live. She got a job last week in Smithville teaching 1st grade!! We are sooo happy and proud of her. This is a picture of Crawford "calling" us while we were gone. On another note, he's not supposed to have a paci!!! We forgot to tell Granna that part, and he sure didn't seem to object :) Also, the muscle shirt was for Granna and Granpa, they love when Crawford wears them!


Last but not least, we went to the mall yesterday afternoon for me to look at the new iphone 4. Kind of sad that I was put on a waiting list that had over 1,000 people on it. Hopefully it will be worth it!! For Crawford it was a much better experience! He absolutely loved it and I think this might be our new "best friend" while we're shopping! :)