Christmas Recap

Where do I start???

Okay, how 'bout at the beginning...

What is December without a school Christmas program, right???

Each child in R.J.’s 2nd grade class was assigned a letter of the alphabet and a Christmas word that corresponded to that letter.

Ironically, R.J. got the letter “R” and the word REINDEER.

The children were then told to decorate a piece of poster board depicting whatever letter/word they were given and they also had to recite a short little rhyming ditty about it as well.

“R” is for reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh, to your house, to my house, they know the way…


And you know they had to do some Christmas caroling too!


Aside from school Christmas programs, many of you with smaller/younger children are probably aware there is a Christmas craze that has been around for awhile called the Elf on the Shelf.


The Elf on the Shelf story was inspired by one family's tradition and over the years the idea has caught on and many homes (including ours) have let it become a family tradition as well.

In our house, beginning on the eve of November 30th, we secretly perch this little elf around our home during the weeks before Christmas.

As the story goes, the elf (who is officially named by your child/ren) magically returns to the North Pole every night to report your child/ren's good (or bad) behavior to Santa and by morning, he's in a new place to offer a daily hide-and-seek ritual for kids and adults alike.

We got our elf back in 2007 when my oldest son was 5 years old.

R.J. named him "STRAIGHTY" because the elf (which was packaged in with the book) was (to my son) really long and "straight" looking.

Ever since then, Straighty has been visiting our home during Christmas time and we have had so much fun "searching" for the elf every morning with R.J.

Thankfully, neither Michael, nor myself has ever forgotten to move Straighty to a new perching place and so the belief in the elf has remained intact over the years.

Likewise, so has the belief that if you (your child/ren) ever touch the elf, his/her magic disappears and he/she won’t return again.

Come to think of it...thanks to Straighty, I believe it’s the ONLY time that R.J. has ever adhered to the words, “Don’t touch!” LOL!

As the story details, Straighty heads back to the North Pole for good on Christmas Eve and I must say I am already missing the daily "hunt" for the little guy!

Here's Straighty Perched On Top

Of Our Advent Calendar One Morning

When it comes to decorating the house for the Holidays (and although I love to see how it all looks once everything is up and in its place) I must admit that I absolutely dread the putting it all up and taking it all down part.

Here are a few pictures of some of this year's Christmas decor…

Our Main Tree

The Mantel

R.J.’s Tree

The Baby’s Tree

(I know, I know, the ornaments are a bit sparse on his tree, but Hey, he' s only been here for a little over 6 months and that didn't give me a whole lotta' time to add to his Christmas tree ornament collection yet - -LOL!)

One of the things Michael and I have always enjoyed the most about this time of year is reading various Christmas books to R.J.

We have plenty to pick from and every Christmas we put them in a big bin on the living room floor and let R.J. choose what he wants to read and/or wants us to read to him.

This year, I came into our living room one afternoon to see that the “Reading of the Christmas Books” torch had been passed on…

I have to confess, walking into this scene was absolutely heartwarming as I witnessed R.J. reading to his baby brother, Colton.

Of course, no Christmas is complete without the annual trek to the mall to visit Santa Claus.

This year we piled up the kiddos and headed off the visit the Big Guy at Eastdale Mall.

R.J. had his Santa letter in hand and couldn’t wait to put it in the “official” Santa mailbox that is set up right next to where we get the Christmas photo taken.

This is what R.J. wrote to Santa this year…

Dear Santa,

You probably think I’m going to ask what to get me, but I’m going to tell you about me first. I have brown hair and I live in __________, Alabama. I am 8 years old. I am 4 feet 9 inches tall. I am in the 2nd grade. I bet I know what you are thinking? I have never been held back a grade. Finally, the greatest part, I get to tell you about toys! First, I want an X-BOX. Second, some Nintendo games. Third, some Wii games. Fourth, some Transformer toys. Fifth, a big Nerf gun. Sixth, all the Jurassic Park movies. Seventh, all the Star Wars movies. Eighth, a bunch of AUBURN stuff. Ninth, a lot of Goosebumps books, and Tenth, a real puppy.

Thank you! Love, R.J.

I can attest that Santa brought him everything on his list but the X-BOX (like he really needed another electronic gizmo…LOL!) and the real puppy.

Seeing his baby brother crawling on all "fours" in a few months is just going to have to suffice for awhile. LOL!

The best part of our visit to the mall was watching Colton as he discovered who the guy with the long white beard was sitting in that great BIG chair.

Who the, what the . . . is that?!"

Hey, This Guy Isn’t So Bad After All!

You Know What? I Like The Man In The Red Suit, I Really, Really Do!

The 2010 Official Santa Photo

Aside from photos and school programs, Christmas 2010 also brought with it some sickness too. The week of Christmas R.J. was diagnosed with strep throat and a bad sinus infection and the baby got his first ear infection and the flu (welcome to daycare). UGH!!!

Since the kids weren’t feeling so hot, Christmas Eve was very casual and laid back.

My Mom and Dad (a.k.a. Mimi and Boppa) came over and we ate sandwiches, pigged out on some yummy desserts and watched “A Christmas Story” for what is probably like the 900th time since it first came out in 1983…LOL!

Watching Ralphie’s escapades as he convinces the world that a Red Rider BB gun is THE perfect Christmas gift still makes me laugh like it’s the first time I’ve ever seen the movie. Get to the part where they wind up having to eat Christmas dinner in the Chinese restaurant and get serenaded by waiters singing Deck the Halls with Boughs of Hawry, Far, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, Rah, 'Tis the Season to be Jawry...and it makes my stomach hurt from laughing so hard!

Even now, just thinking about that part in the movie makes me want to chuckle out loud!

Here Is Santa’s Little Helper Elf on Christmas Eve

Wearing Santa’s “Official Seal” Stamped Where All Could See!

If you have been reading my blog, you know that we are a big fan of the AUBURN TIGERS (college) football team and R.J. is no exception.

If you recall, in his Santa letter he stated he wanted AUBURN stuff, but to us at home he specifically said he wanted "Cam Newton" stuff.

Why?

Well, because R.J. really, really likes/liked watching Cam Newton play football, he won the Heisman Trophy this year, and even better, because (thanks to Cam Newton and other outstanding Auburn football players) they beat the University of Alabama in the Iron Bowl (on R.J.'s birthday no less), and they won the 2010 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Now, the Auburn Tigers (#1 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranked team) are on their way to Glendale, Arizona to play against the #2 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) ranked Oregon Ducks in the BCS National Championship game on January 10, 2011, which is the finale of the 2010 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)/Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football season.

If Auburn wins, they will get to claim the title of NCAA National Champions.

Okay, now say all of that 10 times really fast…LOL!!!

AN-Y-WAY…

Let me just say that Santa delivered…BIG TIME!!!

Not only did R.J. get a #2 team jersey (Cam Newton’s number), he also got an Auburn football signed by Cam Newton himself!!!

Yep, this proud 8-year old is now in possession of a football personally signed (To: R.J. Meyer) by the 2010 Heisman Trophy Winner and he couldn’t be happier!!!



And, because we are trying to raise our children up right and properly thank others for gifts they receive.

Here’s a copy of the thank-you letter R.J. sent to Mr. Newton…



So although Christmas morning was cold and dreary outside, it was certainly bright and cheery inside (especially for one very special Auburn fan)!

Aside from the Auburn stuff...

Look What Else Santa Brought!

Gifts-a-Plenty!

In the picture above, the note from Santa says...

Dear R.J.,

Your mom left me the snowman cookie you wanted me to have tonight. It was by far the best one I had in Alabama! I saved you a bite because as you know, I like to share and you are such a good and very nice boy. Merry Christmas to you and Colton too!

Love, Santa

Gotta' Love the Snowman Drool!

Wait Santa, How Do I Make This Thing Go?!

And always, always remember...

The Family That Wears ….

Matching Christmas Pajamas Together…

Stays Together…

Runny Nose and All!

So my friends, that about sums it up.

2010 has been a year in which I have been truly and humbly blessed, and I am so thankful to God for all that He has bestowed upon me and my family.

Moreover, I am so glad and honored that for a better part of this past year, you chose to share my miracle pregnancy journey with me.

As we are about to enter another year and another chapter in our lives, please allow me to share with you the following New Year’s wishes for 2011.

I wish you Health...
So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generosity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything...

HAPPY NEW YEAR and GOD BLESS!

~Tracey

Baby Stats - 6 Months

Taken Today At Doctor's Office

6-Month Well Baby Check-Up

Age: 6 months and 2 days old (on date of blog entry)

Weight: 19 lbs. 2 oz. (75th percentile)

Length: 26¾ inches (75th percentile)

Head Circumference: 44 cm (50th percentile)

Diaper: Size 3 –Pampers brand

Clothing: Wearing size 6-month comfortably, but about to graduate to some roomier 9-month sizes

Formula: After the Similac recall on powdered baby formula [we were using Sensitive Isomil Soy), we switched to the Enfamil brand of soy formula. Colton did not seem to mind the switch, but mommy did…the Enfamil ProSobee smelled DIS-GUST-ING!!! Seriously, it did…think old, moldy shoes (get what I mean?!!). Anyway, we did the Enfamil for as long a mommy could stand it and until Similac got their act together and “okayed” the powdered formula again. When I prepare the Similac powdered formula, it has a faint pineappley smell (much, much better than old, moldy shoes) remember now...I said when I am preparing it… after it’s been ingested and spit out…well, that’s a whole ‘nother story…LOL!

Amount: He drinks approximately (4) 7 oz. bottles a day (for a total of 28 ounces of formula). We are still using Dr. Brown's bottles and we still put a dropperful of Mylicon drops in each bottle.

Solid Food: We tried solid food (rice cereal) at about 4 ½ months old. In fact, I chronicled his first experience with it here. Colton was not so hip on cereal, so we waited a few weeks and then tried veggies. Here’s what he thought about those. Anyway, from then on, we progressed veggie by veggie and then fruit by fruit. Outcome??? He likes the “yellow” veggies i.e., sweet potatoes, carrots, and squash (favorites are in that order although truth be told; he could totally do without the squash). He absolutely grosses out over peas and green beans. With regard to fruits, in order of favorites…apples, bananas, pears, and he will tolerate prunes if mixed with apples or pears. Forget about peaches…those are a nasty no-no to him. As far as veggies and fruits go, I have been adding about 2 (baby-sized spoonfuls) of powdered infant oatmeal to them. I find that he will not spit any of it out when I add that to the food and it also prevents less spit up afterward too. He is currently eating First Foods (#1) and he takes a fruit w/oatmeal in the morning and a veggie w/oatmeal in the evening. Together it’s a total of 5 ounces of baby food per day. Each container is 2.5 oz. Doctor said at his appointment today that we can start introducing Second Foods (#2) and even try super, duper mashed up table foods (with no salt).

Sleeping Habits: The only thing that has changed as far as his sleeping habits is that he now goes down for the night earlier (around 7:30/8:00 p.m.). He does still tend to wake anywhere between 3:30/4:30 a.m. to take a bottle though. Right now, he’s getting a bottle at that time and then he goes back to sleep for another 2 to 2½ hours. Needless to say, I am definitely going to be working on getting him to skip that really early morning feed and encouraging him to sleep straight through instead. He still takes an early morning nap (lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour), a much longer afternoon nap (2 to 3 1/2 hours), an early evening cat nap (about 30 to 45 minutes), and then he goes to bed for the night.

What He's Doing/How He’s Progressing: He LOVES attention and does not like it when you are out of his sight. He blows raspberries (and especially likes to do this when he is being feed solid food). He “talks” up a storm and loves to do this little happy “scream” noise. He really likes it when you mimic the noises he makes back at him. He giggles when you tickle him. He turns in the direction of who’s talking to him and when you ask him, “Where’s Dada, Mamma, Bubba?”(our silly name for brother), he will look to that person and recognizes each. He grabs and passes hand-sized play things (like rattles and such) back and forth to each hand, and of course then aims them all right for his mouth! He’s able grab onto and “pop” his pacifier in and out of his mouth. He’s a tummy sleeper. He’s able to do a mini “push up” with his head, chest and forearms. He loves his crib and crib gadgets (i.e., mobile and lighted musical crib toy). His head/neck is very sturdy when he is sitting up/being held upright. He’s almost able to sit up unassisted (right now he still falls forward when you let go). He has rolled from back-to-tummy and tummy-to-back (one time each), but he hasn’t done so again. He grabs at his feet when laying on his back and rocks to one side or the other. He reaches for and pulls toward him the items he wants to get. He LOVES being in his exersaucer. He smiles ALL THE TIME! He doesn’t yet mind being held by a stranger (well, you know what I mean…someone who is a stranger to him, not a real stranger). He tends to favor his right hand. He loves to be naked, on his back, kicking and moving his arms and legs. He doesn’t mind getting a bath and squeals in delight when putting lotion on him. His stools are much more solid and (stinky) and not as frequent (Gheesh, is he ever gonna love me for this sentence later on in life...LOL!). He likes to hold and rub his “softie” blanket against his head when he’s tired or taking a bottle. His hair is starting to fill-in more. He has two (bottom) teeth. Oh, and he officially starts daycare next Monday.

Vaccines He’s Received To Date: Hepatitis B, DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type b), IPV (Polio), Prevnar/PCV 13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate), RotaTeq (Rotavirus), and Flu

All I Want For Christmas...

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Is My Two Front Teeth!


Well, my sweet Colton turned 6 months old this past Sunday and got tooth #2 to mark the day!




Hold on baby boy...you are growing up way too fast!!!!

Heart Melter

R.J. (my oldest child) had a school break during the week of Thanksgiving.

Evidently, prior to the break his teacher asked the students to write a letter about what they were thankful for.

As is usual before a break, I'm sure the teacher was busy trying to get things done before sending the children off for a "school-free" week, and she forgot to send some paperwork home.

Just wanted to share what came home in my son's work folder yesterday...

"Dear Mom and Dad, I am thankful for you. You give me a lot of stuff. You spend a lot of time with me. You are very, very, very considerate about me. Even though we have Colton you still do a lot of things with me. You never stop helping me. I am glad I have parents that take me on a lot of trips. I hope you write back. You are the best parents a kid could ever have. Love, R.J."

My dearest first-born...you are the best child a parent could ever have!

Your son will hold your hand for a little while,

but will hold your heart for a lifetime!