Christmas Eve & Day 2011

Like I said in my previous Christmas post...Christmas was pretty low this key since Brady was only 9 days old.

Christmas eve we decided to forego church since he was so little and since I was only able to stand about 5 minutes or less at a time due to my incision.

Christmas is my most favorite holiday and Christmas eve service is one of my most favorite parts of Christmas, but we just didn't want to risk Brady catching something being out and about with that many people during the peak of cold & flu season.

Oh my goodness...he was so tiny!

And sweet!

My mom was already here so my dad drove in that Saturday morning, the 24th. We were watching Pioneer Woman that morning on TV and they were having a ranch party where they served this amazing beef tenderloin cooked in butter. Lots of butter! I told AB that looks so good, maybe we should do one of those for Christmas. So we did & it was delicious! So good I think we'll make that a Christmas tradition meal.

So for Christmas eve, we had beef tenderloin, steamed green beans & broccoli, some delicious cheesy-ranch potatoes, and rolls. AB's parents and his sister came over for dinner as well.

Thanks to my mom and AB, we had an amazing Christmas eve dinner!

After dinner and cleaning up, we headed out to look at Christmas lights. Another one of my favorite things to do. I couldn't wait to take Brady to look at lights...okay so he slept through all of it but either way I loved it. My parents, my husband, my new baby boy, and myself enjoying a night of looking at Christmas lights - such precious memories. When we got home it was ready to go ready for Santa!

Since Brady was only 9 days old, we didn't really do Santa but we did have a few gifts for him for when he got up Christmas morning. Nothing fancy, just a few things...like his first football, some books & dvds, and a few other small toys.

I do put cookies & milk out but really just for the fun of it.

Cookies & milk for Santa and Brady's stocking filled with The Winnie Pooh dvd, books, a MudPie rattle, and a bib.

Brady's Santa gifts under the tree...

and now for Christmas morning!!!!!

The greatest gift ever! A sweet 7 pound baby boy!!!!

(in his cute Kissy Kissy Christmas outfit from Mimi)

Ha, this picture cracks me up!

Once we had Christmas with Brady and my parents, we went to my in-laws to open gifts. I got a Keuring! Yay!

Brady's cousins, Joe & Ella opening Christmas presents...silly putty!

We went back to my in-laws to have Christmas lunch.

My amazing mother and I

Our sweet family on Christmas. Aww, we are so blessed!

Mom got Brady these adorable reindeer slippers to go with his Christmas outfit. So stinkin' cute!

This Christmas may have been a low-key one but it was absolutely the best one yet!

Having a newborn at Christmas is so incredibly sweet! And totally makes me only wonder what Mary went through as she brought baby Jesus into this world. A baby sent to the save the souls of man.

Christmas 2011 was so much more than I ever could have imagined. Christmas babies really are special and oh so sweet!

Thank you God for blessing us with your son. And thank you for blessing us with our son. Both have changed our lives in ways we can't even describe.

Merry Christmas my sweet Brady! Looking forward to many, many, more Christmases with you!

First Bath

So this is a little late but I don't want to forget Brady's first bath.

Brady had his first bath at home on Tuesday, December 20th - the day after we came home from the hospital.

His daddy took pictures while his Mimi showed mommy how to sponge bathe him.

He seemed to really like the warm water.

And only cried at the end.

Such a sweet boy!

I know it hasn't been that long ago but "it's moments like this that makes me wish I could freeze frame time!"

Christmas in Houston {Part 1}

Since Brady was born so close to Christmas and we actually weren't 100% sure when he would make his debut, our Christmas plans were kind of delayed.

We did have a small, low-key Christmas here at home on Christmas day but just my parents were here...which I still need to post about.

So this last weekend (1/13), Brady had his first road trip. To Mimi & Papa's none the less for our family Christmas. He did wonderfully on the way there.

He slept all the way there until we got to downtown Houston, which is about 3 hours from our house. He cried for a few, long minutes then fell back asleep until we exited onto my parents parents, which was about another 10-15 minutes. A crying baby for that long seems like an eternity but we still couldn't complain seeing how it was almost a 4 hour drive.

The girls (Aubrey, Shaylee, and Madyson) couldn't wait to hold Brady!

Sweet girls...sweet cousins

Saturday, we had Christmas with my siblings and all of my nieces & nephews. Mom made the traditional Christmas dinner. Turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, broccoli cheese casserole, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, & rolls. Whew! That was a mouthful, ha! Actually each of us girls brought our favorite sides and/or desserts. Worked out really well & less stressful on my mom having to make everything.

Look at this sweet face...my nephew Ace

Brady got lots of love & hugs!

Saturday evening we opened gifts. Of course the gift opening is more for all the kids.

Brady was asleep during the present opening so we didn't think he would mind if his daddy opened his presents. He got books, toys (rattles, teethers, Melissa & Doug farm puzzle), two outfits with an A&M hat, and diapers.

Madyson is into games and got two games: Headbandz & Twister. They played Headbandz Saturday night and it was so much fun to watch them. Each person gets a card with a picture on it that says..."I am _____." dog for example and then the others give that person clues to what they are. It was hilarious to listen to them giving clues and guessing. Oh to be 7 or 5 again!

Mimi and Papa got Aggie grandparents shirts from Brady! :)

And Brady got his first bath at Mimi's from Aunt Kara.

Well that was just Saturday...we had lots more fun on Sunday that I will hopefully post about tomorrow.

Don't want to forget...

...this moment.

Yesterday was a trying day in our house. Brady was just not himself...essentially cried, screamed for most of the day.

I was at my witts end. He was at his.

Poor thing would cry. Poor me would cry.

Normally I can take him for a ride in the car and he goes right to sleep, well that didn't even work yesterday.

I felt like I failed him. I didn't know how to help him.

I know this will not be the only time I'll feel this way, it's just a part of parenting and a part of life.

I just kept thinking oh when will the day be over? After I gave him his bath and put him to bed...I was just sure I'd crawl in bed and fall asleep from pure mental exhaustion.

But instead I laid in bed thinking how incredibly blessed I am that God entrusted me with such a precious life. No, I won't always have the right answers or won't be able to save the day but Lord knows I love that little boy more than life itself and there is nothing that can ever take that away.

I didn't want to fall asleep because I didn't want to miss a moment! Even if moments are tough...these moments will not last forever & one day I am going to miss even the tough days.

There are women who only long to have a baby of their own. And there are mothers who long to hold their baby just one more time, after they have tragically had to say goodbye. I never want to take for granted the amazing miracle I've been given, the most important job on this earth - being a mother.

As I laid in bed thanking my Maker for making me a mother, I thought to myself...wow, this is what it feels like to be full! Full of joy, full of peace, full of grace, full of a life that only He can give. Even when I thought the day may never end...

My heart is full, actually over-flowing with what great things He hath done.

And I don't want to forget it!

"I have a Maker. He formed my heart...even before time began, my life was in His hands. He knows my name...he knows my every thought...he sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call!"

One Month

Brady you are one month old today.

I can't believe it...I am not ready for you to grow up! Ha! I want you to be a baby forever!

You are such a great baby!

You normally go to sleep between 10 and 11pm and sleep until about 1am. After you nurse, you go right back to sleep. Then you wake up again between 4 and 5am.

After your morning feeding, you stay up until about 9 or 10 - depending on if you decide to sleep in with mommy, then we don't get up until 9 or 10.

You love the morning time & are so happy then.

You love to stretch out in your crib and listen to the mobile Mimi got you.

You just coo and talk in the mornings. I love to listen & watch you!

You are still wearing newborn diapers but will probably go up to ones this week. You still wear newborn clothes with some 0-3 months.

You weigh 9 and half pounds.

You are very strong. You can already lift your head up and push hard with your little legs.

When you are awake, you love to look around. People always say how alert you look!

You are incredibly smart! Of course your Daddy already thinks you're a genius ;)

Today you would even mimic me whenever I'd move my lips - you'd move yours.

You do great in the car...as long as we are moving and the radio is up loud!

You make the funniest facial expressions and have even started smiling! Melt my heart!!

You are just absolutely precious and so sweet!

We couldn't imagine life without you! We love you so very much!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Wal-Mart, Cookies, Friends & Recipes

Sorry this post is kind of all over the place...

Today I decided to venture out & take a trip to Wal-Mart. Exciting stuff I know. My first trip to Wal-Mart since I've had the little man...oh how my life has changed.

I knew a baby would mean changes, it's just funny that a short little trip to Wal-Mart is no longer a simple task - but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Where's Brady?!

So now...where do I put my groceries? AB actually likes this because there is limited space in the basket so I can't just fill it up with non-sense. Also with a baby, I can't just "stroll" around...I have to get in & get out!

I only had a few things on my list but of course like usual, I decided since I was out I better pick up a few more things I knew we were low on. Such as Dingo treats for the dogs!

Brady did really well at Wal-Mart...until it was time to check-out. He all of sudden started wailing while I was waiting in line. Of course, it seemed like an eternity before it was my turn then the machine wasn't taking my debit card so we had to re-run it a 2nd time, all while I am sweating like crazy, trying to shove the pacifier in his mouth - which he clearly does NOT want...luckily as soon as I started pushing the basket again, he was fine! Love that little boy!!

But I did see a commercial today for these amazing looking cookies & it just so happened that I remembered about them while at Wal-Mart. Say hello to my newest, sweet friend...

Oh my goodness...have you tried these?! AB didn't seem to think they were as delicious as I thought they were but even better - cookies that I don't have to share. Only downside is there aren't near enough in the bag...totally could probably eat all of them in one sitting...if I wanted too but I do have some self-control thankfully.

Once I got home 2 of my sweet friends came over to visit me, okay let's be honest...they came over to meet/hold Brady. I was so excited for them to meet him and to have some adult conversation, ha! I miss chatting with these ladies everyday at school.

Auntie Eva

Auntie Pam

Such sweet friends! Thanks for coming to visit us!! :)

The main reason I went to Wal-Mart was because I've been wanting to try some new recipes I pinned off Pinterest.

I made this dip tonight - so good!

Source: heritageschoolhouse.blogspot.com via Nancy on Pinterest

And I bought the stuff to make this cake too...maybe tomorrow.

Source: thecountrycook.net via Nancy on Pinterest

Well that's how we spent our Tuesday...hope your was just as fun! :)

Weekend Fun

We love the weekends because that means Daddy is home!

Saturday we decided to venture out as a family. We really need to organize the garage and and get it put back together so I can park my car in there so we headed to Home Depot to get shelving units. Then we made a family trip to HEB to get groceries for the week.

Brady during his first trip to Home Depot. He was a precious angel the entire time or actually he could have cared less that we were there, ha!

Sleeping is what he does best when we are out & about.

Before Home Depot, he spent a little time stretching out on his new rug. Which Coco happens to think is fabulous! She plops down on it every time she goes into his room. She is Brady's best friend, follows him (me) wherever we go. It's so cute!

Brady also was able to wear one of the onesies I made for him, its a tad bit too big but it was still super cute!

Sunday we went Bayside to a little sandwich shop to have lunch with our sweet friends who were in a nearby town for the weekend. Brady got to meet Britt, Brooke, & Rylie! It was so great to see them & spend a little bit of time with them. I hate that we don't live closer to them!

Sweet Rylie, Britt & Brady

Ohhh big yawn!

Brooklyn...I think she needs a baby boy ;)

Love them!

After all that fun...we decided to stop by and visit our other friends, Jones & Stephanie. But this absent-minded momma forgot to take a picture while we were there. I was too busy chatting with Stephanie while the boys watched tv - typical!

We had such a great weekend visiting with friends & Brady did so good.