From Our Family to Yours

Merry Christmas!!!

 

First Fry

Ford had his first french fry the other night at nowhere else but Wendy's! He didn't know what to think of that thing and was giving it some kind of eye!

 

I think it's safe to say that he's a fan.

(Poor second child, Olivia didn't get a french fry until she was probably almost 2)

Makin' a Move???

Have you tried this move lately???

Well, Ford has. Not sure what he is doing but it makes me hurt to look at him.

 

Maybe he's making a move toward crawling???

 Or maybe his momma posed this in hopes that it would encouragement some movement.

 

 He looks pretty happy and content to just sit and observe.

Love this little guy, moving or just sitting....

Santa's Elves Made a Stop

My mom and Aunt Cindy surprised us with a visit last weekend. We got up on Saturday morning to find two little elves in our house. Nano is another one of Olivia's favorite people and she was delighted to wake up and find her Nano ready to play. And that's exactly what they did all weekend, play. Olivia was in heaven. They also babysat so Hays and I could have a rare, silent, enjoyable dinner with friends and dessert with some other friends, wrapped gifts, made Christmas candy and went shopping. They are just awesome and we aren't sure what we would do without them. Thank you, my little elves. Hope to see you back next year.....:)

Spaghetti Night

It is safe to say that spaghetti night was a big hit in the Collins household. Both Olivia and Ford ate a ton and both needed baths directly after supper. Isn't that half the fun of having spaghetti?

 

We haven't found much this little boy doesn't like. When he eats spaghetti or macaroni and cheese he acts like a fat kid in a candy store.....while eating he makes a humming sound like he is just in heaven. Who doesn't like pasta???

 

Poor thing couldn't rake it in fast enough.

Christmas Play Date

I'm sure y'all have caught on by now that Wil Franklin is one of Olivia's favorite people. Well, I arranged a little play date/day for them and we did lots of fun Christmas activities. I had Wil Franklin in the car when I picked Olivia up from school (Mother's Morning Out) and she was beside herself to say the very least.

 

We started the day by beaming at the Snow Village. It was very hard for their little 10 fingers to stay away from the little houses but they did a very good job. They asked to pull the chairs up to it and stood there for at least 10 minutes and came back periodically throughout the day.

Then after a good lunch and afternoon nap we decorated Christmas cookies. As you can see, the whole container of sprinkles went on ONE of Wil Franklin's cookies. That's what makes it fun for them, right?

 

And all the red sprinkles went on Olivia's ONE cookie......I couldn't help but laugh.

 

This is what Buddy Boo did for entertainment while we decorated. Although, I am sure they are entertainment enough for him.....

We also ventured out to the park for the Christmas lights program and then had Mazzio's pizza for supper. It was busy, busy, busy but I wouldn't trade this time with them for anything. We so enjoy having Wil Franklin keep us company.

All Aboard!

This year we were able to take the kiddos to the Polar Express train ride in Calera, AL. They were beside themselves excited! When the train showed up Olivia couldn't contain her excitement anymore. I think she must have squealed with glee for 5 minutes straight. Ford, on the other hand, was so deliriously sleepy that he couldn't see straight. They had so much fun that this will probably be an annual trip for us. It is just delightful to watch Christmas unfold through a young child's eyes. Priceless.

 

Wil Franklin, Ford and Olivia right before the train made it to the North Pole.

 

Santa's elves gave out cookies, chocolate milk and a keepsake ornament (and also agreed to pose for pictures when crazy parents asked them to).

 

Saint Nicholas and Mrs.Claus with Olivia and Ford. Olivia was tickled pink that Santa was in the train with her and Ford had his eye on Mrs.Claus.

 

Looking out at The North Pole.

 

Decent family photos just don't happen anymore. This is real life, people. Fun was being had by all.

What a great time! Can't wait to board the train next year for a trip to the North Pole.

HO! HO! HO!

It was a good year for the jolly ole man, we had NO crying or screaming.

 

In the years past, Olivia has ALWAYS been terrified of Saint Nick. This year we decided to convince her that she had to be the big sister and show Ford how to not be afraid of Santa Claus. We told her that if she acted scared and afraid then Ford would too. It worked! Both were all smiles and it appears that Ford even wanted to have a little conversation with the ole man and proceeded to stroke his beard. Olivia even spoke through her shyness and told him that she wanted a train table for Christmas. I would have to say this day was a success! Until next year Santa...

9 Months

I don't know how this is but the baby boy of the house is a whole 9 months old. I think it's safe to say that his sister got the sassiness and he got the sweetness, couldn't do without either one around here. This sweet smile that you see in every picture can melt a heart and turn around a bad day in about an instant.

 He has grown so much in the last month! He weighs 21 pounds 6 ounces which is in the 50-75% and is 29 1/4 inches long which is the 75-90% and his head is in the 90% (which means he will be super smart). The doctor reassured us that all is well and he is doing just as he should. She also informed us that he is a bit laid back (or lazy) and will crawl when he is ready. Stationary is just fine by this momma.

He sleeps great at night going to bed at 7 and rising with little chirps at 7am. He takes 2 really good naps a day. He still takes 4 eight ounce bottles a day of formula and has started eating table food. He loves cheerios, pears, yogurt, apple sauce, puffs and baby mum mums but his absolute favorite is macaroni and cheese. He has started picking up his food using his pinchers and playing patty cake.

He LOVES Sophie, his teething bell, the activity gym, to ride in the car, aggravating his sister, to look at the fish and follow Lilly, his ninny and lovies, looking out the window and his absolute favorite thing is a good, long, warm bath (he IS my child).

I love this growing baby boy to pieces.

 

One of my little ducklings.

 

Loves playtime on mommy and daddy's bed, even better with a good plastic spoon to gnaw on.

 

His absolute favorite part of the day. He and his sister would stay in the bath tub and splash each other for hours if we would let them.

 

This is how we find him each night. Gotta have at least 2 lovies and have both directly over the face.

 

Sure sign that this guy is in need of some new jammies.

If I could stop sign I would definitely hit the pause button. If only we could bottle this sweetness up.:)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas around our house. We had a little girl that started asking about getting her Christmas tree about a month ago so we got an early start this year. Wish I could say the same about shopping and Christmas cards.

 

Can you tell she's proud of her creation? She had a good time making a gingerbread house with her Gigi.

We are leaving tomorrow to go ride the Polar Express in Birmingham, AL. Last night we decided to have a slumber party by the Christmas tree and watch Polar Express. An air matress is not my idea of a comfy slumber but the little girl of the house was tickled pink to sleep by the tree.

 

The Christmas cactus is beginning to bloom right on time. Can anyone spot what should NOT be in the picture. Yep, a bouncy ball found a nice new home.:)

This is what happens when a 2 year old decorates cookies by herself.....a BIG mess. It was worth it though, she had such a good time creating it.

The Future Saints Quarterback

Well, it's looking like they already need him on the team. Who Dat Nation, y'all just wait until year 2035.....we're working on tackling crawling for now but y'all just wait.....

Thankfulness

I am so blessed. I have so many things to be thankful for, big and small. Here is my 2012 thankful list in no particular order of importance and of course, not listing all things.

-Thankful for rare quiet moments by myself (even if it's to the bathroom, still counts).
-Thankful for a baby to snuggle with and rock before bedtime (and the fact that I have not been rocking much in the middle of the night with round #2).
-Thankful for parents that love our babies when we need some time away from them (Nanos and Gigis are the best in time of great need).
-Thankful for our home that is stuffed to the brim (even the handprints ALL over the windows, the sticky doorknobs from candy coated fingers and the spit up all over the hardwood floors).
-Thankful for MOMS bible study and how it has helped me grow as a mother, Christian and wife (even if we barely make it on time EVERY week).
-Thankful for the park that is nearby and how such simple things make my girls heart so full.
-Thankful for coffee and Pumpkin Spice coffeemate (even though I only get it on special occasions because usually my arms are full of babies).
-Thankful for a husband that is so selfless, kind, understanding and always striving to be the best and then be even better than that.
-Thankful that I can stay home each day and take care of my babies (even if some days I am covered in poop, spit up or taming the tantrums of a 2 year old).
-Thankful for this blog so I can look back and remember the sweet moments that will slip my mind many days from now.
-SO SO thankful for a Father that thought I was worth saving from my sin. Thankful that this is not my home for eternity.

 

Thankful for these 3 that surround me everyday.

 

Thankful for this growing family.

 

Thankful for these 2 that keep my world turning.

 

Thankful for sweet treats.

 

Thankful for Pops and Papas that let us borrow their Nanos and Gigis at the drop of a hat.

So, so, so many things to be thankful for this year.

When the cat's away, the mice will play...

Isn't that the saying I'm looking for.....anyway, Hays went on our annual Wendy's trip to Las Vegas that raises money for adoption and I decided to stay behind and hold down the fort. Nano came for a few days to keep us company and give me a little breather. If you don't have a Nano you should get ya one. We're lucky to have her and oh, so thankful for her.

 

We tried not to have too much fun while the cat was away but it's hard when I have these 2 mice in company. We ran lots of errands. Not really in a timely manner but who cares.

 

Oh, the sibling love. I may or may not have told her to put her arm around her little brother....sometimes you have to take an opportunity and run with it. She really does love him though, most of the time.

 

Olivia suggested a picnic one night in our bedroom for supper. Couldn't deny such a simple request. Buddy Boo joined in on the floor fun.

 

We took a couple of trips to our home away from home...the park. Can you tell he was missing his daddy???

Nano kept the kids on Sunday so I could go with Jay, Rebecca and Wendy to the Saints game. We had SUCH a good time and it was SUCH a good game.

 

Olivia had some lessons on sharing. She is willing to share her lovies with Lilly, the dog but sharing with little brothers is still a work in progress.

We missed our daddy cat while he was gone....oh, so glad he's back home. I'll tame down the mice now....:)

Halloween 2012-Snow White and Sleepy

Halloween is such a fun time for little kids. We don't celebrate any of the scary stuff but it is fun to see them get so excited to do things they don't get to do on a daily basis. It's fun to play dress up, go trick or treating with neighbors and enjoy eating lots of candy (of course, just the kids).

 

I'm sure y'all can guess who our pumpkin was?? He's a pretty popular guy around our household. His sidekick was Mr. Potato Head but we didn't get a picture of him.

 

And...drum roll please....Snow White and Sleepy (or Happy or Grumpy, whichever he decides at the moment). It was too good of an opportunity to pass up the coordinating costumes. Maybe I can make it happen one more year. They both looked adorable.

 

The happy little pumpkin.

 

Dress up birthday party in Memphis.

The Ninja Turtle (the one that eats pizza, of course), Batman, Snow White and Sleepy (or Happy at that moment).

Trick or Treating at Gigi and Papa's.

Iron Man, Snow White and Sleepy.

 

They LOVE each other. It's more like a brother/sister relationship and can get quite interesting and funny at times.

 

Snow White enjoying her treats. The candy was her absolute favorite of the whole night (or should I say week).

 

It was obviously Sleepy's favorite too. He liked to pretend that he was eating the candy or chew on the yummy tasting package.:)

 

This was the aftermath. Both digging in the candy bowl and having the time of their lives. It's the little things....

Hopefully, Snow White will eat some good apples and be a good little girl and Sleepy will catch on to his name and start sleeping through the night soon. One can hope.....:).