Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

I really like that song. Especially when Miss Piggy comes in on the round. I get it stuck in my head all the time. That one and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." I loathe "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney, which my loving sister insists on playing for me in some form or fashion EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR. Like calling me and not speaking but letting the worst song in song history play for three God awful minutes while I'm shouting to her un-hearing ears, "Make it stop, make it stop!"

We have had such a busy December, much like most of Americans with children, I'm sure. When asked, Sylvie says she wants a "green one" from Santa. No clue what it is that's supposed to be green, so good luck, Santa. Sometimes I get a green present or green toy, but mostly just a green one. She also would like to buy Daddy a green one like her and get Nanie a yellow necklace. Not a gold one, mind you, but a yellow one. Sorry, Nanie. You may be getting a yellow yarn necklace this year. No returns.

Sylvie has added so much joy to our life, and it's so apparent during the holidays. There's nothing like watching your child get excited about Jesus and Santa at the same time. It's energizing and renewing, save the monster cold I'm currently fighting. This week is pretty quiet as we gear up for our weekend festivities. Meal planning, anyone?

We did get to go see our local production of the Messiah that the Andalusia Ballet produced with a local orchestra and choir. It was a really nice production and we are so blessed to have such a professional dance opportunity here in our small town. Maybe Sylvie will dance there one day? I would give my right arm to be able to dance again like that (well, maybe not my arm since ballet is prettier with two good ones).

We also got to surprise Parrish's mom in Mobile for her, dare I say it, 60th birthday. We met her for lunch at a great restaurant (Felix's...try it) and I think she got the best present in having all of her kids together at one time! A rarity since we're all scattered across the southeast. Sylvie had a ball and behaved so well for a two-year-old on a day-long excursion. This trip led me to believe that the trip described below would be cake. Wrong-o.

Sylvie had several Christmas parties last week, including a visit from Santa at Little Friends. I'm told she sat on his lap to get her present, but I think I need photo evidence to believe it. She also saw him at the library and told the little girl who was tending her that day (an 8-year-old) that she wasn't scared. Since I haven't witnessed either Santa-sighting, I'm still a bit skeptical.

Sylvie's program at Mother's Day Out. This was hilarious to me...those women have these kids trained so well. Sylvie didn't move a muscle out of that chair. They must be Baptists.

Treats I made for MDO. So easy and cute. I win.

Cute outfit, # who cares. But she does have several
and has worn them all month.

We attended the party for our local children's home at our church. The face painting totally freaked her out. I think it feels weird, too. Cold and and sort of soft.

After the waterworks, now the proud owner of a "candy can" tat.

I took Sylvie to Destin this week for a girl's day of shopping. This would've been an awesome idea if not for the 30 minute traffic stall in Baker for road work, the vomiting in the car, the having no cash for the toll and the constant whining from the peanut gallery, both going and coming. I guess paying extra for the DVD headrests was money NOT well spent (on that subject, happy birthday to me...my new car came in last month...woo hoo for Ford Explorers with air-conditioned seats. My summertime booty thanks you). Anyway, we did get all of our shopping done and the munchkin tee teed on the potty at Target, so all in all, I consider it a success. It also made me appreciate Parrish so much...I don't know how single moms do what they do. I was exhausted.

An interesting lunch at the beach shared with begging birds and a two-year-old saying,
"Here bird, here bird" non-stop during the meal.

We also took a road trip to the big city of Enterprise for a little Mellow Mushroom and Christmas lights viewing. I don't know what it was about that night, but I had so much fun! Who knows if Sylvie did. I think I was so grateful to be with Parrish after our Destin-capade. It was so fun showing Sylvie the neighborhood there that goes all out with decorations, maybe minus the big "roll tide" with the Auburn/AL score on the rooftop. Weird Alabama fans...since when does that have anything to do with Christmas?

Sylvie and the Mellow Mushroom snowman with "glubs" and a "cat" (carrot) nose.

God Bless,

Katie

Here we go...

Our holiday season is now in full swing, even though I'm totally not ready for it. I needed a few more days in November, but here we are, already at December 5! I knew my life would seem faster with a child, but seriously, can we put on the brakes? So far this month:

December 1: We attended the city's tree lighting ceremony on the square. I sang "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" into a dead mic and Sylvie would only sit on Mrs. Santa's lap. Not a great memory on both accounts, but we did get some awesome sushi and Kirin afterward...definitely the highlight of the evening.

December 2: We went to the Christmas parade on Friday night...it was an hour and a half long. I'd hate to live in a big city...for our town of 10,000, that's a lot of bleepin' floats. The best thing that happened that night was watching a little boy handing out tracts about burning in hell to all the passersby. When approached by ANOTHER evangelist, his granny refused her tract. Hilarious and ironic. I also suggested that Parrish's office be the last float, throwing out toothbrushes after all the other floats bombarded the kids with candy. "Clean Up Crew" would be a good name!

December 3: My parents came to our house to celebrate Christmas with us since they are taking a postponed trip to Charleston over the actual holiday (I ruined their previous plans when I had my gallbladder so rudely removed last year). We had a great night opening gifts, drinking mulled wine and listening to the Muppets Christmas album (the best record of all time, BTW). My parents are overly generous and it was really sweet watching Sylvie open each gift and play with it for a little while before tearing into the next one. She's also an awesome janitor, cleaning up all the wrapping paper after each gift was opened. Made the ultimate janitor, my dad, so proud. We did have to stop her from opening ALL the presents, but it's my favorite activity, too, so who can really blame her?

Examining all the goods.

Christmas "sarf." She really did like this, no matter if her face says differently.

The child wouldn't even acknowledge the gift until she got every last scrap of paper off the box.

Ferg the photographer. He also makes great pipe cleaner animals.

Helping Mommy open presents.

Only my dork of a husband would be excited about a signed copy of a textbook.

Favorite gift: dollar store hairbrush and comb.

Deep conversations betwixt JJ and the munchkin.

This was my dress when I was little!

Sweet.

December 4: Sunday night was the children's choir Christmas program at our church. I was thrilled with how many people came...the church was literally full. We had a potluck dinner first and then the "show," followed by carols and a performance by our youth's praise band. It was a hilarious night, complete with a booty-shaking Mary (played by Ollie) and a rather violent angel (played by Sylvie...she kept throwing the baby Jesus out of the manger). The kids did a wonderful job and made us so proud...you never know what you're going to get with 17 children and a microphone. It was so special to have family come and watch the first of MANY more events for our Sylvie Sue...it was so cute that Catherine and Caroline brought her a present! Precious cousins.

Nanie King!

The angel.

Sylvie had so much fun and was so excited that she topped off the night by barfing in her bed around midnight. Please try not to be jealous of our holiday festivities.

God Bless,
Katie

My angel

Did you know...

...that Parrish not only is a dentist and great daddy, but a plumber and engineer as well? Among SO many other talents. Here is a sampling of his work in the last week or so. It is so nice (and cheap) to task your spouse to do just about ANYTHING and he be able to do it.

Our new kitchen sink faucet (the other one kept breaking and I couldn't fix it. And I'm the main sink-user in the family, so having a faulty one is unacceptable. It would be silly to have to wait all day for Parrish to get home to fix it so I can fill a sippy cup).

New vanity in our half bathroom. So much prettier than the old pedestal sink, with more storage. Plus Parrish got to use some cool plumbing stuff.

A concocted pulley system to add lights to the enormous cypress tree in our side yard. I love how I mentioned it once and he came home the next day with a carload of equipment and an idea for how to get them up there. Not going to share how long it took.

Ta Daaaaaa!

The munchkin supervised with a snack and required napkin.

God Bless,
Katie

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

We traveled to Dadeville this year for the week, getting to spend time with my family, including Carey, Nathan, best friend Bailey and mystery Fortner baby #2! We did get to have dinner with Parrish's family before we hit the road on Wednesday night, which would be hard to miss considering the food is AMAZING. We had a great time at the lake DOING NOTHING thanks to my parents doing all the heavy lifting, playing with the babies, cooking, cleaning up and then doing it all over again. I really didn't know what to do with myself with so much free time...I realized I'm not a very good relaxer! I'd say the trip was a success based solely on the fact that Sylvie slept all night every night and took a good nap every day. Sylvie would say that trip was a success due to getting to squeal, "Let's go!" and actually having someone say ok and follow her. Parrish would say it was a success because he got to stay up late playing video games with Nate.

Parrish and I did NOT enjoy watching the Tigers lose an Iron Bowl, but here's to next year and another shot at beating that OTHER team. We also had some extremely sad news from our friends the Hendersons...Heath's mom, Melissa, passed away on Thanksgiving Day after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Words can't properly express how sad I am about this...we are entirely too young to be losing parents and having to explain death to our babies. I just can't imagine how it must feel to lose a mother and my biggest "thanks" this year is for healthy parents.

Anyway, here are some highlights:

The happy expectant couple...baby #2 due in May!

My BFF Hank...he never left my side. Want him!

Only my mom could find Thanksgiving crackers, normally an English Christmas tradition. Although it wasn't Christmas and we aren't English,
every meal is better with a paper crown on your head.

Best friends.

Uncle Nate taught them how to sword fight with wrapping paper rolls. Love him for endlessly entertaining the girls. Sylvie loves Uncle Nate!

Turkey bow!

Silly Bailey.

My dad always catches the best faces!

My baster for the day...if you can't tell it's a medicine dropper. Got to love improvisation...we had chicken instead of turkey so I guess this follows the theme for the day just fine!

Reading, Bailey says "cheese."

Reading, Sylvie says "cheese."

A trip to the park to get some beautiful fresh air, until Bailey slipped and hurt her ankle. She maintained a convincing limp for the rest of the trip.

Bailey's third birthday party on Friday. We are so blessed to have such good friends in the Owen/Ondresky clan that make it to all of our baby events!

Pretty birthday girl.


Ashley getting the cold shoulder (0r palm?) from the munchkin.

Pinterest rainbow cake. Requested by Carey, who watched as me and my mom tried to create the custom concoction. Note to self...try harder next time. But it was yummy.

Make a wish!

Look how tall that bleepin' cake is!

I wish I could remember who made her laugh this hard. Sorry, Mom, had to put this in here.

Sylvie messed with her elastic the whole time. Bailey managed to snap it across her own face and ended up with welts on both cheeks. Happy birthday to you.

Happy family of four.


Bailey Grace, 3.


PKing, could you please fit one more thing on your head?

These next few photos are from "Sylvie and Bailey's Day O' Fun." Parrish and I headed to Auburn for the game and we are so grateful our family loves our baby so we can cheer on our Tigers EVERY GAME.

Ferg (Serg/Ferd).


Taking a much-needed but short-lived break watching The Little Mermaid.

Wagon ride.

Cute cousins!

New skates...I loved how Sylvie helped Bailey put them on over and over and watched her ride, but never tried to take them away from her. She knew Bailey was the birthday girl!

So precious!

Craft time!

God Bless,
Katie