December…Part 1

I can only handle blogging about part of December for now, so here’s bits about the first few weeks…

We put up our Christmas tree after Thanksgiving after debating whether or not to…one never knows what destruction a busy 18-month old can bring, but we decided to risk it. I only put ornaments down low she was allowed to touch, which turned out to be wise. Her favorite thing is to take off the gold and silver balls and carry them around the house. At one point, there was a small, flannel mitten on our tree, but I haven’t seen it in several weeks. I’ll probably discover it in July, tucked in some random nook or cranny. (She’s taken to hiding/moving things like her books in the trash, a dirty diaper in the toilet, Christmas ornaments in her push-walker, etc. It’s so fun never knowing what might disappear and where you might find it! (rolling eyes))

Here’s the little toot herself, excited about the tree (with the remnants of her November black eye)!

After watching Lil’ C for my friend on Wednesdays for a few months, Kendall has finally come around to him. They still aren’t old enough to really play together, but they do fine in the same space. I’ve noticed this with my Mother’s Day Out kids too…they are like little planets, orbiting around each other and sometimes crashing into each other (with not a few tears), but for the most part, they stay out of each other’s way. The one thing I always have to remember is to put away the baby doll bottles b/c both kids like to “drink” from them and I can’t handle all the cooties passing back and forth between them! Ha!

I found our stockings and hung them up above the fireplace in our room, which Kendall noticed. She never plays on or around the hearth, but I think the pink teddy bear drew her in. Yes, I know it says Baby’s First Christmas, but since we weren’t going to be home for Christmas this year anyway, I just put it up. She can’t read anyway! :) 

Here, she’s sporting her cute A&M Santa shirt from Aunt Joyce and some pink pants…eeesh! I think it had something to do with her playing in the dog bowls and getting her jeans soaking wet…

Speaking of dogs…we made the very, very tough decision to let my parents adopt our first pup, Murphy. We got him less than a year into our marriage and he was my constant companion during Isaiah’s busy college days. He truly has the sweetest temperament and loves Kendall. But, we’ve found that with a baby and a big Lab lumbering around, the inherent neediness of a small dog was just too much for us to handle. My folks love Murphy and he’ll get all the love and attention he deserves there. I said goodbye to him when we left San Marcos this weekend and I admit, shed a few tears. Well, if I’m being honest, I’m shedding a few now…

Here’s Murphy (a.k.a. Murphetto and Murphenstocks) at a few months old…

And here’s the fine gentleman a few weeks ago, at 6.5 years old…

On to happier things! The weekend before Christmas, one of our good friends from College Station, Rose, was getting married in Spicewood. Isaiah took off the whole week before Christmas so we could attend, which was nice b/c we’ve stayed here the last two years b/c of his work. The wedding was at Spicewood Vineyards and the weather was nice enough for the ceremony to be outside. The bride and groom looked happy as could be and we were excited to see several couples we miss a lot! Here’s me and my groom of 7 years…

I think we had more fun with these 6 people than anybody else at the wedding. Yep, we were that table that laughed a little too loud on more than one occasion! (L to R: Sarah & Brent, us, Ally & Sam and Terra & Tyler)

Us with the bride and groom, Rose & Allen!

Thanks to Mom & Dad for keeping Kendall for us so we could stay late at the wedding and spend the night in Marble Falls. On Sunday we met Ally & Sam for lunch at the famous Bluebonnet Café and had their “world” famous pie!

Once back in S.M., we got back to last-minute shopping trips, lunching in town and hanging with our little elf! (Can you tell her Daddy is smitten with her by the look on his face or what!?!?)

I also decided while I had a babysitter handy (a.k.a. Mom), it was time to get my hair cut. I had it trimmed right before Kendall was born, probably last May, and then back in March. Yes, it was certainly time. Here’s me before I headed off to the salon…

The evidence! 14+ inches and she cut at least 2-3 more during the haircut! Eeek! As I said on Facebook, I hope some lady with cancer gets a really nice wig! :)

I’m getting used to it…although I have to admit I miss being able to pull up a ponytail or bun really quick. Now I’m going to have to fix myself up every day! Well, except for days like today when I’ve stayed in my jammy pants and slippers and just put bobby pins in to keep it out of my face.

Up next…Christmas and our jaunt to Houston to see Clay’s family!