My Good Samaritan

Saturday Jeff and I spent our afternoon at Target, perusing the aisles, buying stuff we kinda sorta need that are fun (a shelf thing for the kids' bathroom), instead of things that we really need and are no fun (a shredder). We were looking for a highchair for Julianna and they had exactly two to choose from, both of which were horrible. Jules is starting to stretch out her legs and wanting to stand up, and we found a Baby Einstein "exer-saucer" (think stationary walker) that we wanted to get, but they were all out. We make our few purchases and start to head home.

On the way home, there is a section that has 3 lanes at a stop light, and the right hand lane is turn only. People are alllllways getting "stuck" over there trying to get back over to the left because they don't want to turn. We're in the middle lane, right where we need to be and up ahead of us there is a silver beetle in the right lane that is starting to slow down. I can see that they have their hazard lights on, but to Jeff (in the passenger seat) it looks like they have their blinker on to get over. There's plenty of space for them to get over, if that's what they're planning to do, and Jeff make a remark about what a great driver they are if they can't even get over with all that room. As we get closer I can see that the Beetle is going slower and slower, coming to a stop, and as we pass I see that it's a lady all alone and she's completely come to a stop in the lane.

"Something is wrong with her car...I bet she ran out of gas," I said. "Ugh, that sucks," said Jeff -- he speaks from experience having run out of gas a time or two himself. The light ahead of us is red, so we have to stop too, and I look in the rear-view mirror to see what's going on with the car. There's a car behind her, so I figure they're going to stop and help...then they get a clear spot in the left lane and swerve over, leaving the Beetle alone again!

"Babe, no one is stopping to help her," I say. "Uhhh...she'll be okay," said Jeff. I can see in his face, all he's thinking about is how he needs a nap before he has to go in to work that night. "We should help her...what if that were me, wouldn't you want someone to help me?" A big sigh from the passenger seat. "Pull over and I'll get out."

So I pull over into the right lane and he hops out onto the grass to run back and help. I pull into the CVS parking lot that's on the corner and wait for a second. Sure enough, the girl had run out of gas. She said she thought Jeff was just out running and wasn't going to stop to help...although, I don't know who goes out for a run in jean, Converse, and a fleece jacket? Anyway, he pushed her car about 200 or so yards into the parking lot and she was VERY grateful. Her husband is a Houston police officer and that's who she had been on the phone with previously, and he was on his way to help her out.

So that was Jeff's good Samaritan deed of the week, pushing a car off the road single-handedly. We also made it home with time for him to take a good nap before going to work out and head to work.

Now if your car is ever stranded on the road, you know who to call!!

WOW!!

I can't believe that it's been soooooo long since we wrote anything about our family!! That's what happens when (a) the only working computer is in the closet of an infant who wakes up when she hears the keys tapping and (b) there aren't enough hours in the day!

Our Christmas was fantastic -- everyone got more than they bargained for. Jayden got a scooter and a Leapster LMax system, Jules got some new toys and clothes, Jeff got his annual "Dilbert" desk calendar, Jeff and I got our external hard-drive, a toaster, and a Wii! Last month, we bought "Guitar Hero" and everyone loves to play it.

Jeff got me a new hard-drive for my laptop and it's all fixed now!! I promise you, this will lead to more posts because the laptop is stationed downstairs. The only thing it's missing is Microsoft Office, and hopefully we can get set up with that soon.

We signed Jayden up for t-ball and he got drafted on the Astros!! We're super excited about him playing, especially on the Astros...this home's favorite team. So far, they're supposed to have had 6 practices, but they've only had 2 because of all the rain we've been getting down here!! Their opening season is March 8. We defininately think that Jayden is the best player on the team -- he has great throwing technique, he can catch, he's a great hitter, etc. Jeff and Jayden practice almost everyday and he just gets better and better. I can't wait for him to get his "jersey" so we can see him in his whole uniform!!

Julianna is 5 months old now -- isn't that insane?! She's rolling over from her belly to her back, she's laughing, she's reaching out for toys to grab them, reaching out for us when we're near, turning around when she hears our voices or her name, and starting to eat baby cereal. She's such a great baby and still absolutely gorgeous!! When we went for her 4 month check up, she was 26" which is in the 94th percentile, and she was 13.5 which is in the 50th percentile. She's been wearing 6-9 month size clothes because most of the 3-6 month stuff is too small! I can't wait to go get her first Easter dress -- can't wait to dress someone in frills :)

Jeff's getting into the groove at Exxon. Once he saw his first gains with his stocks, he was hooked into the market and has bought a few shares of different stocks.

Well, here is a short update. Don't worry, there will be more soon!!

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.