Lots of Lotto

My dad, like I imagine most are, is awful about stocking stuffers. I don't think he ever really knows what to do. This year apparently he had a brain storm. In everyone's stockings he put scratch off lottery tickets. It sounds crazy, but it was SO much fun. We all had a blast scratching off to see if we one. I think the grand total we won was about $30. I think it went over so well we are going to do it every year. So, next year if you can't think of stocking stuffers or if you need a good gag gift, I highly suggest scratch off lottery games!

Moses' First Christmas

Moses started out his holiday season by going for his four month check up. Here are some quick stats: 15lbs 12oz (70%), 26 1/2 inches long (97%). The doctor says he looks great. The only real problem we have is with his stopped up tear duct. I have been massaging it with a warm wash cloth but it just won't go away! Suggestions anyone?

We started our holiday celebration at the Barker's in Rocky Mount. We spent some time catching up with the family and opening gifts and of course eating! Moses was a little fussy at first, but after a nice nap/watching football with the boys, he was back to his happy self. Mom came up on Tuesday and we did some Christmas shopping at Crabtree and Costco. Dad came up the next day and we started our Christmas Eve celebration. Moses marked the occasion by trying solids for the first time. The doctor had told me at his check up that he was ready to try anytime. With all the travel and crazy schedules it was the first opportunity we had to give it a try. It went fairly well. He is still not sure what to think, but hopefully will get the hang of it soon. After, we all played with Moses and watched Christmas Vacation.

Christmas this year was great. After Brett's mom and stepdad arrived, we started opening presents. If you are wondering how spoiled Moses was, it took over an hour for us to open everyone's presents. I think the gift we will get the most use of is the high chair that mom and dad got him. It was so nice to have him at the table with us. Another great gift was the toy box that Brett's stepdad made. It is so pretty and I am sure that it will be in our family for years to come.
We still have one last celebration to go at my aunt's house in Grifton on Saturday and then friends coming in to town on Monday and a bowl party at our house. We are also gearing up for our anniversary and Moses' dedication in January. WHEW! I hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday. I know we have!

Tis the season!

Things have been busy in our lives so I haven't posted much lately. The house is decorated and the tree is up! My parents came Saturday and spent the night. Mom and I worked on the rest of the decorations and dad spent most of the time playing with Moses. Babies have always loved dad and Moses is no exception. They were giggling and playing for a long time.

Since they were in town, Brett and I went to a Christmas party at the Hamilton's. It was so nice to get out for a few hours. It is still hard to leave him even for a few hours! I felt really bad because he was trying to go to sleep when we left, which means he was crying some. Of course, he was fine and Brett and I did ok too! Sleeping is getting better, slowly but surely.

On another note, this is the time last year I found out I was pregnant. I could not imagine then how wonderful life could be with a child. It has been wonderful for Brett and I and has done nothing but bring us closer together. It makes us very happy that every year as Christmas approaches we have a happy memory to make the holidays even more special. I hope everyone else is enjoying this joyous time of year. God Bless!

My little ironing JoJo...

Last night I was ironing some shirts and I thought about my dear sweet Joelle. When we lived in our little duplex, she did all the ironing. I was much better at the cooking and the bathroom scrubbing. I would make the half hearted attempt, and she would take over. The days of graduation were so bittersweet because we were also moving out. I came in from work, and Joelle was ironing our graduation gowns. The thought had not even occurred to me. She had already retrieved mine and was working out the wrinkles, knowing I would never remember.

When I got married, I spent three nights holed up in a hotel room with her. Even though it had been several years since we shared a space, we fell back into our same routine. She even went so far to pack my suitcase for my honeymoon. Could anyone ask for a sweeter maid of honor or friend? I don't think so!

Michelle Young

The girls at Christy's bachelorette party, Michelle is in the pink

Most of you have probably seen news reports about Michelle Young's tragic murder two years ago. I did not know Michelle extremely well, but was introduced to her and her husband Jason by our friends Christy and Jeff. Michelle was an extremely sweet and loving person from what I knew of her. She was always talking about her little girl Cassidy and you could just tell she was a great mom. I'll never forget when I found out that Michelle had been murdered. Brett was in San Francisco for work and I was home alone. I was extremely scared because the Youngs actually did not live too far away from us. I could not fathom that Jason could kill his wife, especially knowing she was five months pregnant. They has been at our home a few months before for a BBQ for Christy and Jeff before they moved to Texas. I had never felt comfortable around Jason. It was only the third time I'd been around him. Nearly all had been a disaster with him being rude or drunk.

Today Jason was found liable in a civil suit for Michelle's death. People have often asked me if I think he is guilty or if he was the type of person who would kill his wife. I don't know him well enough to make a judgement. I do know things that have not been in the news about the case that make me very suspicious. I just pray for little Cassidy and hope that she is shielded from this as much as possible. Her life has been terribly altered regardless of the outcome of all of this. All we can do is hope justice is served for Michelle and the little boy she was carrying at the time.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4081439/

Doctor's Appointment

Well the only thing that I got any sort of use for was his weight, 15.5 lbs. Which in baby terms is HEAVY. We've up the dosage of the reflux medicine but no rice cereal in the bottle for now. He's fallen asleep once tonight only to wake up as soon as we put him in his crib. Had some crying and using me as his personal pacifier and the thing that has worked best was sitting in our laps watching basketball....seriously, he cried during time outs and half time.

As of now he is sitting next to me on the bed looking at me as if he has NO interest in going to bed. At least no tears! He did get a good nap while I ran some errands today. He slept right through lunch with daddy and a visit to the office. At this rate I don't know when I will get the house cleaned much less decorated for Christmas!

Hello Mr. Skywalker...

Sunday afternoon out little family met up with Ben and Brittany to go to the NCSU basketball game. I was sure Moses was going to be good and I was right! He was definitely very into the lights and his surroundings. He also loved all the attention from everyone around him.

Brett and Ben went to get drinks at half time and spotted David "Skywalker" Thompson sitting in our section. For those of you who don't know your college basketball history, David Thompson is probably the best college basketball player ever and he played at NC State. After debating whether we should bother him or not, Brett and I made our way over during a time out and David Thompson very graciously held Moses and talked to us for a few minutes.

On another note Moses rolled over from his back to his belly today. What a strong boy! As far as sleep goes....it doesn't. We are actually taking a little trip to the doctor tomorrow to talk about maybe introducing rice cereal and see if his reflux is worse. I need all the advice I can get!