And One (Month) to Grow On!

Do you remember the ole childhood favorite, "birthday smacks?" In elementary school, your whole class would sing you the birthday song followed up by smacks or spankings of how many years old you just turned + "one to grow one." Looking back, its kind of a disturbing concept.

But none the less, with my boy turning 11 months old- it just makes me think how close we are to the big ONE. I won't say that time flies, because some days (and nights) have been very long. Plus, we have jam-packed so many great memories in just short of a year.

While I have learned never to wish time away, I do believe that ONE will come with many more adventures, starting off with a big birthday bash. It's so much fun planning a baby's birthday party! While some may think I will be going over the top, I look at it as my creative outlet. I only wish I had more time to execute all the crazy, outlandish, embarrassing things I have reeling in my head...but we only have only one more month to grow on!

Always be my baby.

Mom, I'm getting way too old for this stuff!

A smooth criminal

My model man

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Christmas Eve was spent at church with singing songs of praise and Briggy waiving to all...but he was very good during the service- he LOVED singing Christmas songs and raised his hands with joy!

We had an amazing day with our baby and his first Christmas. Our day revolved around our love for one another (especially the newest addition to the family.) The magic of Christmas is so much fun with a baby around! Come to think of it, everything is more fun with a baby around.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones!

Click this link if you cannot see the Christmas slideshow above.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

A baby was most likely stirring and a little dog-like mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that a mommy still had her hair

Daddy was nestled all snug in his bed

While a million to-do items danced in mommy's head

And baby in his pj's and his little Santa cap,

Had probably skipped his afternoon nap.

When down in my heart I felt such a flutter,

And I thought to myself, "It doesn't get much better" 

Away to the nursery I flew like a flash

And kissed my sweet baby from his nose to every eyelash

With a beautiful baby, so lively and quick,

I'm so very thankful for every little bit

So I'm going to slow down and let it all in 

And give thanks for all the blessings given.

Now as I sit here in my home by Christmas tree light,

I wish Merry to Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

We are happy to say...Santa made it to our house!

Army Men & Birthdays

Yesterday we celebrated our Christmas with the Davis Family. We celebrated not only Jesus's birthday, but also my sweet mama's birthday too (which is on the 21st).

Briggsy was so excited about his new ride. He seriously went from being a baby in one day to being a boy. The way he rode his new zebra scooter around was like that of a 4 year old! 

Ryan and I got Jake and Drew REAL army uniforms. Ryan got them while he was on base. Since the boys are loving anything army right now (especially Drew), they were pretty pumped.

VROOM VROOM!

Army guys & the motorbike pro

 Birthday girl with all her favorite boys

If Briggsy was this excited yeserday, I'm so anxious to see how he reacts on Christmas morning! Babies definitely bring extra magic around this time of year.

Making Spirits Bright

Christmas cards went out yesterday! Here is a sneak peak if you haven't received them yet. It was definitely a challenge getting him to look at me during "the shoot." The outtakes are hilarious.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! I always like to remember that we wouldn't be celebrating this day without Easter...HE LIVES!

Merry Christmas!

"Lucky" Laughs

Thoughts going through Briggs's head these days:

• Wait mom, you said I didn't like to crawl? Hahahaha
• Mom, why would you not stuff my face with puffs right now?
• C'mon mom and dad! Its 5am- Rise and Shine!
• Lola, your toys are so much cooler than mine!
• Hey everybody in this quiet room, want to hear how many cool noises I can make?

Sleeping has still been an issue- I have just learned to accept that if we only get up twice in a night and go back to bed quickly, its a good night. I'll be taking a much different approach with the next child though.

Briggs is a crawling maniac. He was always a crazy child- but add being mobile on top of that- its hilarious. One of his favorites is to crawl towards the entertainment center and stand up toward the tv. It reminds us of the little pup on 101 dalmatians- so Briggs's new nickname has been "Lucky" in reference to that. 

His noises are so funny lately. He likes to move his tongue to make a funny a noise. He is starting to giggle at everything....just like his father. We were at an Army Christmas party not too long ago. Briggs was in line to meet Santa and a little boy (around 8 years old) behind him was throwing a fit on the floor. At first, Briggs just stared at him, like "What are you doing, dude?" then Briggsy looked at Ryan and started cracking up while pounding on Ryan's chest to look at the bratty child. Then he topped it off with pointing and laughing! 

I have a lot to catch up on with our Memphis trip and Christmas happenings around the house...but for now, here are some pics of the sweet 10 month old (he doesn't point and laugh at everyone, he usually just smiles and waves and then gives his mommy baby kissies.)

Pretending to act innocent.

Why does the giraffe look like its in motion? Because it is- he was throwing it at my face.

Play Time with Briggs

Ryan was down at Camp Atterbury for Drill this passed weekend so Briggsy and I had some time together to run errands, clean up and my favorite- play!

Here are some pictures and updates on how play time goes down for us these days...

Such a happy and sometimes mischievous little boy! See his Mickey Mouse? He LOVES Mickey. (A boy after my own heart- how was I so lucky to get a baby who loves Disney as much as I do? Perhaps I had some influence.) We have 22 episodes (no joke) of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on our DVR- not that I am trying to encourage him to watch TV- but sometimes a mom has to do what she has to do to get some things done around the house. He get the biggest smile on his face when the opening song begins. 

During the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, he really didn't make a big deal out of any of the floats, until Mickey came along. As soon as he saw him, he started smiling and waving at Mickey. Ha!

Despite his crawling in all directions (FINALLY), his favorite place to crawl is up your leg or on your lap, just so he can give you this irresistible puppy dog look.

You can see some of his toofers coming in! He has two on bottom and one on top now! I can see the second big one on top is about to come in too. His new teefies are so cute but I am going to miss those gummy smiles!

He is a straight poser- he stood in this position for a good 10 seconds. I think he is used to all the paparazzi now between my mom and I. Poor kid!

Silly faces are one of our favorite games. He will mimic whatever face someone is making at him. We could sit there for hours making faces at each other- I even get some baby giggles out of some of my faces.

Briggle Giggles are my favorite.