Merry Christmas!

Here's another picture of us outside of the church where Graham goes to Mother's Day Out. Christmas is so fun with children!!

Graham's Christmas Program

Nana came for a visit this week. We were so excited that she could attend Graham's school Christmas program. It was very fun to see Graham on stage for the first time. He's been practicing Jingle Bells at home for a few weeks now, and the big day finally came. Once on stage, he just kind of stood there with a starstruck look on his face. I guess he was a little surprised by all the people in the audience. Regardless of if he sang any of the song, I was so proud of my little boy! Nana and Graham coloring before going to school.

Unfortunatley, my camera focused more on the heads in front of me. If you look closely, you can see Graham in the middle with the white shirt and red sweater.

Santa made an appearance to the school's Christmas party. Graham wasn't afraid to sit on his lap, but he didn't have anything to say when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas.

My Christmas Cuties!

Am I stylish, or what??!!

Christmas Crafts

Graham helped me make some salt dough ornaments to hang on our tree and give as gifts. A friend made them with her son and passed along the recipe to me. It's very simple: 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup flour, and 1/2 cup water. Mix it together, roll out the dough, cut into shapes, and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 2 hours at 250 degrees. Graham is helping me paint the ornaments in these pictures. What fun!

Random Pics

This is Graham with his cousin, Davis, two years ago at Thanksgiving. I was looking at it to see how Wesley and Graham resemble each other. I see some similarities but they have their own look and personalities, too. Wesley doesn't seem as interested in moving. He seems to be more content to lay back and watch. Wesley has a little bit more meat on his bones right now, too.

Graham took the picture of me and Wesley. Although it's not very good of us, I was impressed he actually got our faces in the picture.

This picture cracks me up. Graham's expression seems to say, "Mom, hurry up and take the picture."

A Visit from Grandpa and M.A.

My dad and his wife, Maryann, came for a visit last week. They had not met Wesley so it was exciting to introduce Wesley to his grandpa. Graham enjoyed their visit. When I took this picture, my dad was sitting on the couch with his arm out, and Graham hopped up there and put his arm the same way. It was so funny to see him try to be like his grandpa.

Christmas Tree

We went to pick out a Christmas tree with the Fulks tonight. Two years ago we did this with them in Michigan and it was snowing. Now we each have another addition in our families. Wesley stayed home with Grandpa and M.A. because he was still taking a nap.

After we found a tree, everyone came back to our house for enchiladas. I see an annual tradition forming with the Fulks: Christmas trees and enchiladas!

First Bites of Cereal

Wesley had his first taste of cereal this week. He did very well eating it and really seemed to like it. I think he was ready for something more than milk. Graham, of course, wanted to help feed his little brother. Now, everytime I feed Wesley, Graham pulls a chair over and wants to watch or help. Such an attentive big brother!

Thanksgiving Pictures

We took our first trip since Wesley's birth and drove to Memphis to spend the holiday with Tim's mom. Both boys did very well as we traveled and while we were there. Graham wanted to sleep in Perpy's room in his sleeping bag. Besides a few early mornings, he did very well sleeping in her room.

While in Memphis, Graham and Daddy had fun playing in the leaves. Tim and I got to do some shopping and go out to dinner while Perpy babysat, and I spent one morning shopping with Perpy while Tim watched the boys. I really enjoyed a little break from our normal routine. I'm so thankful for my wonderful mother-in-law who has become so dear to me. She offers wisdom, encouragement, and unconditional to me. I could not have asked for a better mother-in-law.

Perpy and Graham making brownies

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures of Wesley. I'll have to do a better job of taking more pictures of my second child. :)

My Little Helper

Graham has really gotten into wanting to help me with everything including caring for Wesley. He loves to help me cook and clean, and he always wants to go with me to get Wesley up from a nap. Tonight, he wanted to give Wesley a bottle, and he did a great job with it. He's becoming quite a wonderful big brother, and I love watching him interact with Wesley. There are still times when Graham gets a little rough for Wesley, and Wesley gets scared by the loud noises Graham makes or being bounced too much in the bouncy seat. Overall, Graham really cares for his little brother, always wants to know where he is, and asks when Wesley can do certain things with him. Friday I took the boys to the park and put them both in swings. Graham loved swinging next to Wesley and asked if Wesley could go down a slide with him. When I asked him if he wanted to go to the store tonight with me alone and have a mommy-Graham trip, he said, "Daddy and Wesley go, too?" I'm so thankful for his brotherly love and his helpful heart.

Four Months Old!

Wesley is four months old!! I took him to the doctor on Friday, and he weighed 14 1/2 pounds and is in the 50% for height and weight. She said he looks great. He is doing really well now. He sleeps well at night (most of the time) and naps well during the day. He smiles more and loves to lay on his back and look at toys. He still spits up a lot and sometimes gets fussy from that but generally is happy.

A snuggle before bed

Camping

Graham and his buddy, Jack, get ready for the drive to the campsite.

Tim and Graham went camping this weekend with friends from church. It was a father-son thing, so I stayed home. Someday Wesley will join in on the fun. Until then, he gets to enjoy a little quiet time with Mommy.
Graham had a great time on his camping trip. He slept well in his new sleeping bag, enjoyed playing with the other boys, and had fun hiking on some big rocks.

Halloween

We had lots of fun trick or treating with our friends this year. Wesley was a pea pod and Graham was a monkey. After each house, Graham would say he wanted to get more candy. If we walked past a house without going up to the door, he'd say, "How about this house, Mommy?"

Only 15 Minutes Away!

Last night, we went over to the Fulks new house and got a tour of the place. Their parents are here helping to paint some rooms before their furniture is delivered. It was so exciting to see where they will live which is only 15 minutes from our house. Can you tell we are happy to

have them here? We ate pizza with them and the kids ran around in the backyard.

They are finally here!

Our good friends from Michigan haved moved to our area and we are so excited!! They are staying with us for a few days before the movers deliver the boxes to their new house. We are having lots of fun with them. Saturday the kids put on their costumes and we went to the Pumpkin Festival in downtown. Graham is a monkey, Gretchen is a flapper girl, Emma is a bride, and Tucker is a horse. Wesley is a little pumpkin.

fall fun

Graham is enjoying a cupcake! Wesley just gets to look on and dream of when he gets old enough to join in on the fun.
Wesley and his cousin, Drew, wore their pumpkin costumes to the festival on Saturday. My brother, Tim, is holding Drew.

Sharing

After naptime, Graham was eating a snack of crackers. Periodically, he would hand one to me, and I tell him thank you for sharing. When he got to the last cracker in his cup, he broke it in half. He gave me one half and he ate the other half. Could it be that he is finally catching on to the concept of sharing? I was so excited!! Maybe he really does listen to me.

Halloween Parade

We had a Halloween parade at our neighborhood playgroup. Because of the rainy weather, the parade was inside. The children had a great time running around the house in their costumes, playing together, and eating snacks. I was happy to get together with the other moms and have something fun to do on a rainy day. I'm thankful to have other moms in the neighborhood to get together with.

Friends

What would I do without my friends? They are each a gift from the Lord and I am so thankful for them. Over these last few months, they have listened to me, cried with me, prayed for me, laughed with me, brought me meals, traveled many miles to see me, helped to care for my children, oohed and awed at the sight of my newborn, brought me gifts, brought me companionship to break up a long day alone with kids, provided playmates for my son, overlooked my son's tendency to bite, emailed me words of encouragment, gave me words of wisdom, loved me with all of my weaknesses and flaws, and shared lots of mommy stories to remind me that I am not alone.

Thank you, God, for my friends!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Wesley is three months old-take 2!

A happier three month picture!