Jude's Baby Dedication

Jude's Baby Dedication was this past Sunday. We were glad to have my mom and sister drive in from South Carolina and Stephen's parents join us as well for this special day. Our pastor emphasized that it's an event that's much more than just saying "Hey everyone, look how cute my baby is!" but a time that we as parents commit to raising our child in a godly home. He encouraged the father as the spiritual leader of the family to lead well and the mother, who is often with the child more than anyone else, to consider the impact of her words and influence. I got a little emotional (as usual) but not overly so because I was somewhat distracted by a certain active three year old that was with us. He did pretty well, but these days it seems it's just nearly impossible for him to be still for very long. Jude fell asleep seconds before it started so he slept through it all, but we got a few pictures of him awake after the service. He looked precious in his outfit that Nana made for him. :)

My sweet, praise baby. Thank you, Lord, for entrusting him to me. :)

For anyone that might ever accuse me of only posting the beautiful, this one's for you. This is more like the beautiful struggle. :) Someone that's also had an exceptionally active three year old boy and survived it, please tell me this is normal. 

December Happenings

December has been filled with a flurry of activity. We've had a lot of fun with all the extra holiday activities, but we've had our moments of exhaustion too. James told me yesterday after a day just spent playing together in our pajamas, "Mama, I like when we just take it easy at home and aren't busy, busy all day." Oh, may his little voice always ground me and remind me of what truly matters. Here is a random assortment of some of our December happenings so far:

McWane Center Winter Wonderland and Model Trains.

James also was tall enough for the zipline this year and rode it three times. I was so proud of him.

Pictures in Christmas Clothes before church:

James said he was off to pretend school. :)

 Sitting, Sitting, Sitting:

Funfetti Christmas Cookies!

Our boys love love their Daddy, but they are undeniably Mama's boys. 

They both wanted to be rocked this particular night.

Their adventures together are beginning. Jude absolutely adores James. :)

 Grandma K and Aunt Megan came for a visit :)

Shaggy, Smelly Sheep

James had his first ever performance last Sunday night in our church's preschool choir musical. I have always loved how precious and hilarious it is to watch a children's choir performance, so actually having my own child in it just made it even more so. The 3-5 year olds were dressed like sheep, and they could not have been cuter. 

James really did a great job. He sang all of the songs, and mostly did what he was supposed to. He almost fell off the stage at a couple points (almost giving me a heart attack) because he was turning around to see the drama that was going on behind him in between songs. He told me his favorite songs where "Shaggy, Smelly Sheep" and "Angels We Have Heard on High." He was so excited and wound up between the performance, the birthday party for Jesus afterwards (cupcakes and punch), having Nana and Grandpa come and watch him, etc. that afterwards, at dinner, he got sick and threw up two times. I thought that he might be coming down with something, but I think it was just lots of nerves and excitement to blame. He was completely fine the next day.

I helped with getting the kids ready before the performance, so I was able to get a few pictures of him before he went on stage. And Nana and Grandpa were able to get more from their seats during the performance. Stephen also got the whole thing on video so hopefully he can get that on a DVD for us to enjoy soon. I know it's one that we will definitely want to pull out when he's older. :)

Here are a few pictures of our "shaggy, smelly sheep":

Jude at 6 Months :)

Jude will be six months old tomorrow. The days with him have just flown by, and it feels as if he's always just been a part of us. I plan to write a six month update for the blog (to put in his baby book) after we go to the doctor next week, but I wanted to go ahead and share a few, sweet pictures of him at (almost) six months old.

And someone is looking a lot like his Mommy's first Christmas pictures at this age... (at least for now anyway!)

The North Pole Express

Nana and Grandpa got us all tickets to ride the North Pole Express the day after Thanksgiving and Nana made matching pajamas too. :)

We took a few pictures before we left home just incase one or more parties were asleep and/or unwilling when we got there. :)

We took a very fun train ride to the "North Pole" complete with singing, looking at the Christmas lights out the window, hot chocolate and muffins, candy cane glow necklaces, and a souvenir train ornaments. They gave Jude a small, plush snowman. When we arrived at the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus got on the train and took a picture with each family. James knowingly and willingly took a picture with Santa (for the first time) this year and even gave him a high five. Progress, for sure. But he's made it very clear that he will still most certainly NOT sit on Santa's lap but that Jude can...ha! I don't think Santa is ever going to be a big part of our Christmas and really that's okay.

Thanksgiving Day 2013

We had a great Thanksgiving in Birmingham with all of Stephen's family. Here are a few pictures of our Thanksgiving celebrations. James ate better than he ever has at Thanksgiving. He even tried turkey this year! And Jude, who is just starting solids, got to try carrot baby food for the first time early that day. I know that he will enjoy al the wonderful food next year. :)

I was excited to make a few dishes this year. :)

The big boys had a movie night while the little kids took pictures in Christmas outfits... :)

Stephen's 29th Birthday on Thanksgiving Day :)

Our favorite turkey baby turned 29 on Thanksgiving Day this year so we had a small celebration as a family the night before - dinner at Cracker Barrel and cookie cake (Stephen's choice!). We celebrated Thanksgiving the next day with Stephen's family (and another round of Happy Birthday), and we were thankful to get to spend several days together this year. James was in heaven with a whole weekend spent with his cousins. Here are a few pictures of our family celebration (more pictures from the weekend to come in a later post):


Happy Birthday Stephen! We are thankful for so many blessings, but you top them all. You are so loved by your family and we are so grateful to celebrate another year with YOU. :)

31-2=29
(The only candles we had from James' previous birthdays)