Bottles no more!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! As much as I don't want my baby to be growing up so quickly - this is one thing I am NOT sorry to see go. Early September we started weaning Mackenzie off of her two afternoon bottles - it went fairly smoothly. With the exception of a few times, she took to her cup nicely. Her morning one was by totally accident. It was over our Christmas break when she woke us up far earlier than she ever has and bad mommy and daddy hadn't made bottles the night before. Luckily, there was a cup left over from the afternoon prior - so, I gave her that until I could get the formula made. Low and behold, she didn't skip a beat having a cup. So, once the formula was ready - I filled up the cup and away we went with yet another bottle! Well, when it was time for that evenings feeding Josh said - since she wasn't phased by losing her bottle in the morning - why don't we try going with a cup in the evenings, as well. It worked. Not even a fuss. Of course this is far harder on Daddy - as that was his guaranteed snuggle time with his baby girl. Bye bye bottles... I will not miss cleaning you!

Just a few random pictures!

Carter and Mom being silly!

Again!

Iron Man at his finest.

More end of December pics - click here!

Christmas Twenty Ten

Our Christmas celebrations started when Nana, Granddaddy & Auntie Ramie arrived on Friday, December 16th. We all headed to the kids school to see Carter and his friends sing Rudolph in their Winter Wonderland Performance. Friday evening after the kids went to bed we unloaded all of the presents from Nana & Granddaddy's car - so much for going light on the presents.

We spent Saturday opening presents and playing... lots and lots of playing.


Saturday evening we enjoyed a very non-traditional Christmas dinner.... steak, salad and potatoes - delish! I'll take that over ham any day.

The following Thursday Grandma and Auntie Mallory joined us for round two. We opened gifts, ate and drank well into the evening hours! Mom, Mallory, Josh and Carter played numerous rounds of hungry hungry hippo. Just the sound of it brought back all kinds of great childhood memories. So much fun!


Josh, Carter, Kenzie and I enjoyed a nice quite Christmas Eve at home - just the four of us. Carter and I decorated cookies for Santa while Josh and Kenzie relaxed.


Before bed we all said farewell to Henry - till next year.....

On Christmas morning Carter played in his room for almost thirty minutes before we think he realized Santa was scheduled to come the night before. When it clicked he was like most kids are on Christmas morning! Overly anxious to see what was under the tree. A tradition in our family was always the kids could open their stocking stuff while Mom & Dad had their coffee... Josh and I decided we would continue that tradition. Carter had a blast opening his - and of course even helped Mackenzie with hers.


Now it is time for the good stuff.....

Dinosaurs!!

In all honesty, Santa took it easy this year. The kids just don't need anything... really, have you seen the playroom?!? So, instead of a lot of gifts (the picture is deceiving), we put money in their college funds!

On Christmas evening Mem & Pep joined us for one last Christmas celebration. They were last, but certainly not least. We had a good ol' time eating all kinds of yummy munchies along with some good ol' fashion meat pies.


Carter was super excited to get the boat he 'really' wanted... I think he thought Santa forgot - turns out he just brought it to the wrong house!

We had an added bonus - the morning after Christmas we woke up to about 7 inches of snow in Apex. It was beautiful. Dad and Trish stayed an extra night and we had a blast playing in the snow... well, some of us played - others slept.

Now I'm really glad I bought that sled when I did......

Our house snow covered. Beautiful.

2010 was certainly a year to remember! Here's to hoping Twenty Eleven brings everyone health and happiness.

If you want to see all (yes, there are more) of the Christmas pictures - click here!!

10 months.

Gosh, our baby is already 10 months old. It is so hard to believe. I feel like it was just yesterday we were heading to the hospital.

9 month stats - November 30th, 2010
Weight - 20 lbs 9oz - 75th %
Height - 29 inches - 90th %
Head - 17 1/2 - 75th %

6 month stats here!

Girlfriend may possibly be thinning out... though, if you saw her you would say otherwise!

* Kenzie took her first step with no help of furniture or a toy on Saturday, December 4th. She took several more every night that week... then several over the weekend. However, I think her record is 6 steps at any one given time. She is not quite chasing her brother around as we had all suspected would be happening by now!

* She has the signs mastered for more and milk. Her favorite words are Bubba, Dadda, Momma, Da (for Kirby dog) and something along the line of ta-ta for Carter.

* Mackenzie loves to wave and point. She will wave at your when you are coming and going. If she sees something she likes - she will point at it.

* I have been trying and trying to put a bow (or anything to keep her hair out of her eyes) in this girls hair - but, she wants NOTHING to do with it. I put it in; she pulls it out. It is a vicious circle.

* We are still sitting on only 4 teeth; I'm not sure how that is possible, as I thought for sure several more were getting ready to pop through. I guess the restless nights a few weeks ago were solely head cold related. Even with only 4 teeth she has been enjoying cheerios, spaghetti noodles, rice and bread along with a wide varity of level 3 baby foods... the chunky ones!

Carter and his friends sing Rudolph - December 2010

He's back....

Henry (Our Elf on the Shelf) made his grand appearance the weekend of Thanksgiving.

While the kids were spending quality time with Nana & Granddaddy - Josh and I got all the Christmas decorations up. We decided it would be easier to do without the kids this year. Though, we didn't want Carter to feel like he missed out - so, we got him his very own small Christmas tree to decorate as he sees fit... it is proudly standing in the kids play room. Pictures to follow.

We are having so much fun with Henry this year! He has indeed helped with behavior around here, though, it didn't need much help - our little man has his moments, but all in all he is a good kid. It is so much fun scouring the house for him every morning. Remembering to hide him every night is a bit tricky!! The fact that Carter actually believes that Henry leaves every night to head to the North Pole to report to Santa and comes back is proof of just how much fun Christmas is with a kid!

Sunday!!

Mommy and Daddy,

It has been a great week with Carter and Kenzie, we really enjoy having them visit with us. I hope the attached pictures will explain what we did on Sunday because it is 9:00 P.M. and poor old Granddaddy is just to tired to type anymore.

See you Monday.

Granddaddy

Movie and bottle time!

Looking at the Christmas decorations.

Kenzie wrestling w/ Granddaddy!

Kenzie cooking.

Kenzie biting her spoon.

Checking out the fishing conditions.

Carter fishing... again!

Carter and Kitty.

Saturday, November 27th.

Mommy and Daddy,

We had another fun day at the Lake. We took advantage of the pretty weather and did some things outside. We went for our daily stroller ride and Carter and I went fishing. While we didn't catch any fish, we did enjoy our quality "men" time together. In Carter's words, " it is for the men only, no women on the boat". Kenzie and Nana stayed home and played. Nana and Carter made caramel apples, "yummy". We ended our day with all of us having movie night in the media room. Carter adjusted his electronic chair about 20 times and Kenzie occupied herself exploring every square inch of the room. Ah, life with our babies is good!!!

Granddaddy

Friday!

Mommy and Daddy,

It rained Friday morning so we spent most of the day playing inside. Carter and I cheered the Mountaineers to victory. Around 5:30 we dressed the kids in their PJ's and loaded them in the car to go to Saluda Park Christmas Light Festival. It is a fantastic Christmas light display that you drive thru. We picked up supper to eat as we enjoyed the displays. Auntie Ramie joined us and we had a great evening. Carter was excited and in awe. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child really gets you in the holiday spirit!!! (The pictures do not do it justice.)

Granddaddy

Thursday, November 25th

Mommy and Daddy,

We had a good Thanksgiving at the Lake. We ate lots of good food and had fun playing in the house in the morning. Kenzie practiced standing up a lot. She will be walking soon. Carter and I made a dinosaur trap and pretended that Boomer (the cat) was a T-Rex. We caught him twice. He fell for the old turkey under the box trick. In the afternoon, we took a boat ride and did some more fishing. Carter wants to fish every time we go out on the boat. Today he caught some whities and hooked a big striper but it broke his line before we could get it in the boat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Granddaddy

Playing together.

Pants on backwards.... silly boy!

Kenzie pushing her toy!

Mackenzie playing music.

Kenzie looking out the window.

Dinosaur trap!

Carter's new flashlight.