Sweeties!

Christmas Afternoon

We continued our Christmas day by driving down to celebrate with the Birmingham Watkins! It was so fun to get to visit with the fam! Thomas was very excited to see Emma and Ella and of course open more presents! And we got to tack on a VERY short visit at the end (in a parking lot) with our dear friends Preston and Eydie since they were in town visiting family also!

Christmas Morning

For the first time in our five years of marriage we spent Christmas morning at our house. It was wonderful. Mae woke up early, so Brax and I both had a chance to get ready before Thomas got up. We had gotten our French Toast Casserole ready the night before, so we just put it in the oven as we came downstairs. Thomas was thrilled to continue the present opening, and once again Mae slept through it all.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve with Papa, Mimi and Aunt Katey. Thomas was so excited to finally get to open the presents that have been enticing him. He pretty much helped open every present, includung Papa's actual high school football jersey! Mae slept through the presents with Mimi and the dogs. Thomas loved getting to play with Aunt Katey as usual, and was very excited about his new big wheel! And as always Mimi's dinner was delicious!

The Nativity

On December 23 we finally set up our Nativity. Of course we've been talking about the fact that we celebrate Jesus' birthday at Christmas. We just hadn't had a chance to actually set up our Nativity. Thomas and I set it up together, and talked about each section of it as we took it out of the boxes. I have such sweet memories of the Nativities at my house and at Lulu's house at Christmas, and I hope that it will be a neat thing that we can do together each year. It was actually kind of fun to get it out so late, at the peak of Christmas excitment! Thomas and I actually took the Nativity down together yesterday, and I was impressed about the things that he remembered about the story.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...

Well, we have two kids and now we have a van. We weren't actually looking for a van, or a car at all for that matter. But a GREAT deal fell into our lap thanks to Papa and we are now the owners of a red, 2002 Chrysler Town and Country. This is a day I have been dreading since I turned 16 and had to drive the parents' white Dodge Caravan/gold Chrysler Town and Country (yes, we had two vans...how uncool were we?!). However, as the title suggests, really, how do you beat a van for practicality? Both of our kids' carseats fit great! We have a whole extra seat in the back, plus storage! The side door opens with just the clicker! The front seats are really comfortable! We can get from the front to the back if we need to. The list really could go on...

So, even though I feel like I'm about 20 on the inside, and should be driving this, I'm resigned to the fact that a van is practical. I love the inside, and I suppose it's not so bad to be driving a mom car when you are actually...a mom.

"Get mark, Get set, Go!"

This is a great way to get Thomas to pick up trash. He loves to run to the trash can and then run back as fast as he can! Sorry about the clicking. If I knew how to upload video from my video camera I'd do that, but for now it's just from the digital...

Other funny things he has said recently:

Heard through the monitor in the morning, "Mommy! Daddy! It's Day! Come get me!"

Also, through the monitor, "Mommy! Daddy! It's Christmas day? Yes. Ok."

We've been working really hard on obeying, and have had to do some hand spanking. A few times recently Thomas has said, "Don't spank me. I spank myself!"

Whenever I say, "Do you want to talk to Mae?" he asks her his favorite question, "Mae, what time is it?"

Instead of asking for Corn Pops in the morning, the other day he asked for "Gram Pops."

He really says funny things all the time, and I can't remember them all of course. This is just a few for now.

Just a few more...

One Month

Mae is one month today. It has FLOWN by! She is such a great baby! She's eating every two hours during the day, and then usually goes at least one 4-6 hour stretch in the night. It's so nice! At her appointment last week she weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces, but had gained 10 ounces in 8 days...so seems to be growing well! In the last week she has started cooing more, and smiling for real. I forgot how hard it was to get a little baby to sit by a bear for a picture. This is the best I could do!

Saturday Morning Pancakes!

Date

Brax and I got to go out to his office Christmas party on Saturday night. Papa and Mimi came and kept both of the kids, and gave Mae a bottle so we were able to be gone for about three hours. It was fun to be together, see some people Brax works with and eat some food from Ruth's Chris! Plus, Brax won a navigation system! As often happens when we go on a date we ended up at Barnes and Noble...we're so cool! I love our kids, but it's so great to be with just Brax. He's the best!

Thomas and Mae

Thomas wanted to hold Mae for the first time the other day. I was home by myself, but I felt like I should take advantage of the interest! The top picture looks funny because I'm trying to take a picture while holding on to Mae.

When I get Thomas up, or put him down, or change his diaper I put Mae in his crib so she's contained. The other day I put him in there with her and she was excited that he was in there. Thomas was really excited too!

Mimi, Papa and Mae

Thomas' Tree

Made by Gram. Ornaments cut out of a cardboard Tab box...