Happy Holidays!

Here it is, Christmas Eve Eve.
Where has this year gone? At this time last year we were closing on our house, finishing up our first few months at new jobs, and finishing up the last minute wedding details. Again I ask, where has this year gone?

I finished up our Christmas shopping yesterday. Jayden was gone for the weekend and Jeff is working nights, so it was me and Julianna out braving the crowds. When we headed out it was about 9:00 and half of the sky was practically pitch black with clouds. We made it to two stores and were in Academy Sports when all hell broke loose from the clouds. It was one of those rains where you can hear it even inside the store. Jules was in her seat in the stroller, we had one small bag...and no umbrella. I was very close to asking someone to watch her while I ran out and pulled the car up, but she has a waterproof covering in her carseat and a canopy, so I was really the only one that would wind up getting wet. So off we went into the downpour -- which had let up a teensy bit. By the time I got her seat in the car, pushed the stroller to the back, opened the back, folded the stroller, threw it inside, and walked back to my door to get in, I was soaked. Opening the back door provided a covering for a second so I closed up the stroller in partial dryness, but it doesn't do much good when the rain is being blown from an angle. After all that, Jayden's Rockets jersey better fit!!

Speaking of Jayden, he and Jeff had their first hunting expedition this week. They left early Tuesday morning to meet Grandpa Mike so they could all go hunting together at the lease. All went well on Tuesday, but Wednesday they ran into trouble. See, Jayden has never been camping before and has never really had to go to the bathroom outdoors. He's tried before, but I think he gets performance anxiety because nothing ever happens. So he tried to go Tues night and couldn't, tried to go Wednesday morning before they headed to the stand and couldn't. It hit him about an hour into their sit in the stand, right when two deer showed up and Jeff had them sighted in the scope. Then, apparently, Jayden freaked out and started screaming, "I have to potty!! I have to potty!!" Naturally this scared the deer away for at least a week, and when Jeff looked over at poor Jayden, he was sitting in a puddle. It was early in the morning and cold, so he'd been wearing both pairs of pants, and the puddle lead to a trip into town and a visit to the laundromat. When pretty much the same thing happened later that afternoon they decided to call it a trip and head back home. Poor guy. I guess anytime he needs to go to the bathroom we'll have to make him practice going outside.

We're all excited about our first Christmas as a family. I think Jayden is most excited because he'll get to open all of Julianna's presents, which means he gets to open double his normal amount. Unfortunately, Jeff has to work Christmas Eve so he won't get to play Santa with me. I'll probably leave a little bit for that morning so that he can at least have a small hand in getting stuff ready. I bought the stuff for my stocking, so he can stuff it to pretend like he got it for me :)

We're having Christmas day here in Houston and having Christmas dinner at Jeff's mom's, however I'm making three dishes that are staples in Kennedy Christmases, so I'll have a little piece of home with me on Christmas day. My mom allllways makes broccoli casserole for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I'm going to inherit that recipe and responsibility when she's not with us. Also, my aunt makes Eagle Brand Cherry Pie (or Cherry Cheesecake, whichever your prefer) and Jeff loves cherry pie, so I'm making my first attempt at that. The last thing is a tradition with my family -- we always have Monkey Bread on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings, so I'm making that for my family now. It is soooo delicious and I can't wait to eat it! Hopefully everything will taste delicious...hopefully.

Yesterday was Julianna's 3 month birthday -- that seems impossible! She is sooo big, practically as big as a 5 or 6 month old now. At her 2 month appointment she was about as big as a 4 month old (12.3 and 24 1/4 inches) and she has filled out even more! She's wearing her 3-6 month clothes now and they're almost too small! We'll have to get some new pajamas for sure because hers are tight on the torso, especially if her diaper gets wet, which it inevitably does when she's sleeping. Here are some things she's doing now:

• If she's on her stomach she can push up with her arms and raise her head and torso.
• She's SO CLOSE to rolling over when she's on her tummy. Her body will get practically sideways and she'll start kicking her legs.
• She's also very close to rolling over when she's on her back sometimes. If she gets her legs going back and forth, she'll get her lower body sideways.
• Her legs and arms are always kicking and trying to go places.
• She LOVES to smile and laugh at everyone and everything.
• She'd rather be held up on your shoulder than lying down in your arms. She loves to see the world!
• She's found her hands and tries to eat/suck on them all the time. This usually leads to a huge drool spot on your shoulder, so watch out!
• If you move something from side to side in front of her face, she'll follow it with her eyes and turn her head to see it.
• She loves it if you make silly faces and talk to her. I like to say "La, la, la" in a singsongy voice -- she thinks it's funny and sometimes she'll put her tongue on the roof of her mouth and click it like she wants to make an "L" noise.
• If you talk, she'll try to look around and find your voice and to see where it's coming from.
• She has 99% complete control of her head. She's been holding it up literally since the day she was born, and now she's always up and alert, looking around.
• She's sleeping about 6-7 hours a night, usually from approx 9:30 pm - 4:30 am. She defininately got those sleeping skills from her dad, he's a master sleeper!

Jayden is doing all those things and more :) He's the smartest 4 1/2 year old on the planet and getting smarter every day. He still LOVES being a big brother and absolutely adores his sister. I figured by now she'd be old news to him and the jealousy and boredom would have set in, but it hasn't at all! Really the only time that he gets annoyed is if he wants to go outside and she has to eat. But she's about to switch to bottles full-time, so even that won't be a problem any more! He's just the greatest kid and we're so lucky and blessed to have such wonderful children!

I better get to bed because I have a busy day tomorrow -- I have to finish the pie, make the casserole, finish wrapping presents, take the kids to get their pictures taken, go to Christmas Eve service, and be Santa!

Everyone have a Merry Christmas!!

It's Nice to Share

Country Crock is donating a meal to a family in need for every "story of sharing" one posts on their website.

Please visit www.spreadthesharing.com and share a story of a time you have shared with others. It takes about 30 seconds and you'll help feed a family in need! Also, you can post as many stories as you want!

Been Awhile

Pictures are shown from newest to oldest. Click on the picture to make it bigger.

10 1/2 week old Julianna after her bath.

In San Marcos last weekend.

All bundled up to look at Christmas trees:

Thanksgiving Day 2007:

Cuddling at bedtime (Julianna is 8 1/2 weeks):

Jayden playing frisbee:

Jules playing in her cradle:

Jules had her 2 month checkup Friday. She was 12.3 pounds and 24 1/4 inches -- about 2 1/2 months old and as big as a 4 month old! I'll try to write a "real" post tomorrow -- Jeff is on nights and between working and the kiddos, I'm beat! Jayden's 8:30 bedtime is Mommy's bedtime too!

Mr. Mom

Today I am watching Jules while Jennifer is at work. I have a sneaking suspicion that she would rather be here with us. Am I right babe?

Taking care of Julianna is pretty easy most of the time even without the user's manual (she didn't come with one!) There are just a few things that upset her, and apparantly most other babies have these same issues. That's helpful because I can research these issues in books or on the internet and come up with unique solutions to solve whatever might be bothering her.

In no particular order, here is a list of the most common things that piss Julianna off.

• dirty/wet diaper
• hungry
• tired
• uncomfortable

The first three issues are pretty simple to solve, and I have become adept at the skills necessary for resolution. I can change a diaper. I can warm up milk and put all the pieces of the bottle together (I'm good at puzzles). I can set her down to nap in her bouncy chair or in the cradle. It's all very simple actually. The challenge comes when there are multiple issues going on all at once. I've noticed on more than one occasion that Julianna might be tired, hungry, AND have a dirty diaper! Whew. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

The last issue on the list is the most vague, which tends to make it the most difficult problem to solve. Is she cold? Hot? Does she need to burp? Is she tired of being in her carseat? Tired of being in her bouncy chair? I DON'T KNOW!! At eight weeks of age she STILL doesn't have the tools necessary to communicate her wants and desires to me. So basically, if she's still upset and crying after I've already changed her diaper, fed her, and set her down to sleep, then I am in no man's land. That's when it gets frustrating for me. Oh well, she should be talking any day now right? Then it'll be a piece of cake.

I'm noticing something else about Julianna. I think sometimes she likes to play games with me. Just kinda mess with me ya know? For example, I'll set her down in her chair and give her a pacifier to calm her down. She will look me in the eyes, spit it out, and then start to cry again. At first I thought it was an accident, but occasionally she will spit it out half a dozen times before she finally keeps it in her mouth. I don't know what's up with that, but I'm starting to think that she finds it very amusing.

On work:
I have to work on Thanksgiving Day this year. To be accurate, I will actually be working from 2 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Friday morning. I'm only scheduled to work from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thanksgiving night, but two people just took vacation at the last minute. I sorta volunteered to take the 4 hours so that someone else wouldn't be forced to work. Aren't I a nice guy? This will be my first holiday to work while being employed by ExxonMobil. Turns out I'm going to make quite a bit of $$ on Thanksgiving. That also might have something to do with why I took the extra 4 hours. But I am still a nice guy.

On Houston sports:
The Astros are making trades and signing players right and left. However I have no idea if they'll be any better than they were last year. I would say, "They can't get any worse," but that's a jinx if I've ever heard one.

The Houston Dynamo won the MLS Championship yesterday! That makes them back-to-back champions, which is only the second time in MLS history that has happened. This team has been in Houston for two years and they have won the championship both years. Before they moved to Houston they were located in San Jose where they won the championship in 2001 and 2003. People, that is FOUR championships in seven years. Call it the Dynamo Dynasty, because that is what it is. Go Dynamo!!

And finally, the Houston Texans beat the New Orleans Saints yesterday to make their record 5-5. That's the best record the Texans have ever had after 10 games in the season. If Andre Johnson hadn't gotten hurt and missed the last 7 games, I feel confident that we would be at least 7-3 right now. Oh well. At least they are improving. They are starting to become a fun team to watch, and that's no minor victory.

Well, I had better get back to being Mr. Mom. I can't wait to see everyone this coming weekend. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

p.s. Leave a comment if you read this blog. It'll make us happy.

Halloween

Here are the kiddos on Halloween!

Jayden was Jengo Fett -- a character from the newer Star Wars trilogy -- aka Boba Fett's dad. Jayden has worn this costume almost daily since Halloween and has worn the mask 100% daily since Halloween...at least we're getting our money's worth! If anyone needs Christmas present ideas, he LOVES costumes!

Julianna was Curious George-ette. I was out of town and unable to secure a good Halloween costume so I put Jeff in charge of that the Wednesday before Halloween. I politely recommended that he go before Saturday because everyone and their dog would be out on their day off getting last minute costumes. Jeff declined this polite recommendation and went Sunday night. Alas, Curious George was all that was left. I snazzed it up with the big bow and girly bib (not shown here) and transformed her into George-ette. So Jules, when you get older and want to know why you were a monkey instead of a cute lady bug or little butterfly...it was your dad's fault :)

If you've ever watched Zoolander with Ben Stiller, notice Jayden's perfect Zoolander face under his mask.

Smiles Galore

I tried to post these pictures yesterday but for some reason the picture posting application was not working, so let's try again!

What a cutie! She is growing like a weed and smiling so much now. Jules is a great baby just like her brother -- she really only cries if she needs something (diaper/food) or has a bubble in her belly. She's developed somewhat of a daily routine: Breakfast around 6, go back to sleep, brunch at 8:30 or 9ish, play, lunch about 11, long nap from about 12 - 2 or 3 and eat when she wakes up, play, eat about 5, play, eat about 7, nap, eat at 9:30, then sleep until 3 or 4 am. She goes to the doctor the 30th for her 2 month visit and I swear she'll have gained at least 2-3 pounds and have grown at least another inch!

I went to the doctor today for my first post-parturm checkup. With Jayden I'm pretty sure that I had a 2 week PP checkup, but not with Jules. I've lost most of the baby weight (but definitely not all the bellyjelly) and everything checked out with them. Since my doctor didn't deliver Jules, this was the first time Dr. got to see her -- she thought Jules was beautiful, naturally.

Jeff is almost finished with his first week as an Exxon employee. I know that he is ready to be done with this week of sitting and paperwork and explanations and ready to get back into the lab and actually doing something. He's working some overtime this weekend so he'll be working his first days with his new pay rate and overtime rate -- woohoo! I still haven't received my disability check and being without my income isn't fun...that extra money will be a blessing!

Speaking of work, I start back to work on Monday. I'm ready to go back and I'm not at the same time. Anyone know of some good work-from-home ideas? Anyone? Bueller? Well, before I go back to work I have to have some lessons planned out for my kiddos, so I better get busy with that. Everyone have a great weekend!

Touchy Touchy

I know babies are cute and you just want to pinch their chubby cheeks and kiss their tiny hands...but please don't touch my baby.

While I was pregnant I had endless questions from strangers about when I was due, what was the gender, was this my first, etc etc etc...but I only had two strangers who randomly touched my belly. The first Jeff and I refer to as the drive-by toucher -- we were at a restaurant waiting to be seated and a Hispanic lady that works there reached out and rubbed my belly as she was passing by. A drive by. The other was a lady that works at Shipley's -- I was getting us donuts one morning and she asked when I was due (3 weeks) and if she could touch my belly (uh, sure?)...but at least she asked.

A few weeks ago at Target, Jules and I were in the checkout line. We had made it through 80% of my grocery list before she started getting fussy, which I consider quite an accomplishment. The checker was scanning/bagging my groceries and I went around to the front of the buggy to put the bags in the cart and get ready to pay when Julianna's paci must have fallen out because she started crying again. I turn around to find that the lady who was in line behind me was taking it upon herself to reach into my baby's seat, find her paci, and give it back to her, not to mention the fact that she was all up in Jules' face cooing at her. As I stepped back to the front the lady backed away and I gave kind of a smile/grimace in the lady's direction, then checked on Jules. I went back around to finish paying and the lady stepped BACK up to be right beside Julianna! What is this lady doing? I thought to myself. I finished paying and pulled the buggy forward so I could finish putting the bags in it. By this time Jules was really riled up (she doesn't like being in that seat in the first place and certainly doesn't like it when she's hungry and strange people are all up in her business) and there was another lady in line who was a bit older. She asked me how old "he" was and I replied that "SHE" was 3 weeks -- hello?! she's dressed all in pink with a pink blanket! At least she didn't touch.

I went with my parents to watch my sister cheer at one of her college football games. Afterwards, we went to eat at a Mexican food restaurant. Julianna was starving, so I decided to go feed her in the car. My dad had just gone to the restroom and he had the keys so I went up to the front lobby (near the restrooms) to wait on him, holding Julianna in my arms. The hostess asked how old Jules was, told me how cute she is (duh), then asked if she could hold her. I'm sorry, you're a stranger, at work, I have no idea who you are, and you want to hold my baby? I politely declined blaming Julianna's cranky attitude and hungry belly.

I just don't understand how random people want to touch and hold random babies? It just doesn't make sense to me...no matter how cute, I couldn't imagine touching/holding some strange kid. You can admire from afar, but if I don't know you, please keep your distance!