Our Christmas Tree

Wayne and I stuck with our tradition of getting our tree up the day after Thanksgiving even though I think we both could have cared less considering everything that we had been through the week prior. However, we pushed through and let Mary Claire pick out the most beautiful tree we have ever had. I think it stands almost 12 feet high and it really looks amazing in our living room. Here are some pictures of us decorating it....we had some help from Mee (Mary Claire's grandmother), Aunt Kim, Uncle Nathan, and Emma. Laurel could not participate in the festivities...she wanted to sleep instead....maybe next year. Mary Claire had an absolute blast and it was precious to see her so excited and participating so much. I know that with each coming year it will become more and more fun to watch her enthusiasm and to have a hand in teaching her the real meaning of Christmas.

I WISH I WAS THE DOG.......

As you probably have noticed...it has been awhile since I have updated my blog. I have been inundated with sick people and the holidays. I am not sure why but for some reason these go hand in hand since having babies.

It all started on November 16th when Wayne went to his much anticipated vet visit. Of course we knew this is what we wanted. We are done having children...God has given us the most beautiful little girls that anyone could ask for. There is still that lingering thought in the back of your head.....saying........are you SURE?!?! Let's just say that any uncertainties that I might have had are GONE....I'll explain.........

So I accompany Wayne to his visit and he is a nervous wreck....which makes me a nervous wreck for him. After all they are going to be cutting around his most prized possession. Even though I know logically that he will be fine. I mean honestly I have given birth to two children (one without drugs) and I am fine. My anatomy will NEVER be the same so surely a little snip/snip should be a breeze. So to make this short Wayne has the procedure and YES everything is still intact and working properly!!!

So that night...I am crawling into bed feeling glad that this day is almost over and that we can quit worrying about the vasectomy. Now all I have to do is make it through the weekend and make sure that Wayne gets his rest....which should be relatively easy since his parent's are staying with us to help me out. WRONG!!!

At 11:45p Laurel (our baby who is such a good sleeper) wakes up screaming and proceeds to scream off and on until 4a when I finally laid down with her on the couch. She has gotten an awful stomach virus which I know is going to spread like wildfire in our home. Great this is all I need for Wayne to get....since like most men ....is a HUGE baby when sick.

The next morning I was a zombie but I had told Wayne that he could get the new XBox Elite so off to Best Buy I went with my brother in law since he knows more about this thing than me. I got a gift for each child so we agreed that it was only right for Wayne to get one as well....although I think that he got the better end of the deal. I had to endure an intense labor and almost 9 months with both of our babies but a deal is a deal. So Nathan and I buy the XBox and we get to the car and you will never believe this.......I tried to kill myself with the car door. I do not even remember how I manged it exactly but I whacked myself right in the head. I have never seen a goose egg on an adult's head like that ever. Today I still have a big green bruise on my forehead.

So we get home and Laurel is still very fussy and not feeling well and is experiencing everything that goes with the stomach virus. Mary Claire has a really nasty cold and Wayne is in bed playing video games. My in-laws are helping out where they can but when your babies are sick they want their mama. Laurel continued to wake up in the night for the next week and I continued to get up with her.

The following Monday my in-laws where scheduled to go home. My Mother-in-law had gotten an awful sinus infection from Mary Claire and was now sick herself. Wayne had decided to work from home and help me out some because I had now gotten the stomach virus. The in-laws left and I crawled into bed with Mary Claire who was wanting to be right by my side and I thought might as well the sooner you get this the better so we can be well for Thanksgiving. By 2p Mary Claire had spiked a fever of 103 and I called the Dr.........I knew that it was probably viral but I had to take her in to be certain because the holiday was right around the corner and I knew the offices would be closed. So I load her up and fight back vomiting the whole way. Wayne stayed at home with Laurel who still had the virus. It was viral like I thought so home we came. She got the stomach virus the next day!!!

That night I looked at Cagney all curled up in bed and I thought..........I wish I were you! It must be nice to sleep all day, have someone feed you even if it is the same thing over and over, fart and not be embarrassed, get lots of rubs, and to not have to bathe everyday and still have my hair that shiny. I think that I could even handle licking my own butt if it meant that I could quit dealing with everyone else's.

Needless to say we all managed to get well for Thanksgiving and Wayne actually waited until Sunday night to get the stomach bug! There was a huge dining room fiasco during this whole thing but that is for another blog entirely.

She Got The Moves.....

Wayne and I have always listened to music when we hang out around the house. So it is not a surprise that our girls love to sing and dance. Mary Claire sings all the time and it is so cute because she just sings her heart out and does not even know the words. She is definitely a product of her environment. As you can see from the clip below she has the moves at a very early age. Of course Wayne and I think this is adorable.....and you have to love the PINK panties that we were insistent on wearing today.....wonder how long that will last.....pretty sure it is going to be a long day!!! ;)

Georgia Aquarium

Yesterday we took the girls to the Georgia Aquarium where they had a great time. We spent the whole day looking at different fish, whales, seals, otters, and more. Wayne and I had a great time with the girls and we cannot wait to do more family outings as they get older....maybe we can take them to the zoo before the weather gets too cold.

A New Blankie

Laurel received the sweetest blanket today from Aunt Brenda in MS. We immediately washed it so that she could use it tonight. The blanket came at just the right time...we have been trying to figure out what we were going to use this winter because Laurel does not stay covered up in the night. She is such the wiggle worm and the small baby blankets just do not cut it anymore. I think that Laurel loves her new blanket. The blanket definitely makes for a very happy baby...see for yourself.......

Thanks Aunt Brenda it is Perfect!














Sweet Dreams...Angel Baby














Nice and Cozy Tonight














Lights Out.....................

Our First Field Trip

Today Mary Claire and I went to Kinsey Farms (a tree farm) for her first field trip. We went on a hayride, fed the fish, heard a story, planted a tree, and had a picnic. Not sure it is a good idea to take a toddler on an early morning field trip after a late night of trick or treating. I know we all have those moments when we wonder what happened to our child. Well today was definitely one of those days....Mary Claire threw several tantrums. I got several looks...you know the ones where all the moms are thanking their lucky stars that it is your child and not theirs. Those sympathetic looks you get but you know they are glad it is you and not them. Needless to say that we came home and Mary Claire is now down for a nap and I am wondering if it is too early for a cocktail. Here are some pictures that I captured of our good moments....I know you are all thinking how can something so cute act so awful.....but trust me.....it happens!

Mama & Mary Claire on the Hayride














Mary Claire and the Pumpkins (Pumpkins that she did not want any other child near)














Mary Claire and her friend Emma














I do not know what Mama is talking about....I was an ANGEL!

Trick or Treat

We had loads of fun last night. Mary Claire enjoyed trick or treating so much that she could not carry her bag by the end of the night...she had gotten way too many treats. She preferred suckers for some reason but was happy to accept chocolate as well. I am surprised she did not have a tummy ache from all the treats. Laurel was happy to go along for the golf cart ride through the neighborhood until her bedtime, but Mary Claire was in no mood to stop. Her Dad and Uncle Nate took her out and she trick or treated for almost a whole hour. I thought that she would be tired out but it only wound her up more. Here are some pictures from last night!

Trick or Treat














Going in the Scary House with Daddy














Getting Treats from Mrs. Elizabeth














Emma, Laurel, & Mary Clarie














Enjoying her Treats