Breakfast with Santa

This morning we headed to the Fort Worth Club for their annual Pancakes with Santa so John Marshall could have his first picture made with Santa! I was so excited for this moment - as soon as I saw this event on the calendar, I immediately made reservations. The FW Club has the process/party down to a science - and it was great! We had a professional picture taken with Santa and JM - that turned out great - they give you two bigger complimentary copies (not the polaroid version that I have from my baby book pics with Santa) and of course you can order more online. Of course. They had cute crafts for older kids, a petting zoo, balloon reindeer antlers, music, decorations, an amazing breakfast buffet, and of course, mimosas for the Moms and Dads. :) We had a nice time visiting with our friends and their precious son Charlie...until both of the boys started having meltdowns due to it being their nap time. We can't wait to make this a tradition for years to come!

My little cutie pie. Who would NOT smile for anything.

I only forgive him because it was his nap time.

I love JM's expression in the next few pics...they are posted in the order they were taken. Poor guy. We just hand him over to some old, weird man in a velvet suit like it's no problem.

"Who in the world are you?"

"Dad? Help me?"

"Who are you again?"

The "money" shot. (On the Professional's camera).

After having JM's picture taken with Santa we headed over to the lady (dressed as an elf, with ears and all) making balloon animals. She made Charlie (JM's friend - older by 3 months) balloon reindeer antlers. That's what I wanted for JM, but NO, according to her (even though JM's noggin is bigger than Charlie's) she needed to make him a duck. A duck. What is Christmas about a duck? And he couldn't even wear it. Can you tell this annoyed me greatly? So we nixed the duck and the elf lady and headed over to the petting zoo. JM got to see baby goats, baby pigs, chickens, and 8 week old bunnies.

He has his, "I don't want to do this but my Dad has control of my hand," face on!

Ew. Who has these in a petting zoo?

Playing at the table while we ate.

And he's out! :)

Six Months

I cannot believe I have a six month old! On November 13th my little guy turned six months. We (or at least J and I did) celebrated with dinner at Dutch's and a cookie cake. I KNEW this little guy had been growing - he has been loosing some of his chub! His six month stats from his check-up:

• Height - 28 3/4 inches - 98th percentile
• Weight - 19 pounds - 88th percentile
• Head - huge - 99th percentile (why don't they go ahead and say "off the charts"? It's a big noggin)

Some of his "accomplishments" this month are sitting up, trying solid foods, getting his two bottom teeth, and moving to his "big boy" car seat. He also likes to swing in the park swing set now. He still sleeps great - 7PM to 7AM - but naps are another story. Some days he will take them - other days he won't. He has mastered the art of high pitch screaming and shrieking to let you know that he is SUPER happy, OR that he is SUPER mad. He smiles and laughs ALOT - and thinks I am hilarious. He still loves his exersaucer - even more than the bouncer now - because he likes to stick the "circle" piece entirely into his mouth. I need to get a picture of that. He likes to stand up on everything - and ooches, scoots, and rolls to get to whatever he wants. He HATES the sippy cup - and shudders through the first five minutes of every "solid" feeding. He is starting to look more like a mix of the two of us - although I can see LOTS of my facial expressions in him (even though my parents can't).

During his six month we took a trip to Temple with my friend Elizabeth to meet JM's future girlfriend Lilly (daughter of college friend and roommate, Katy). We already decided that Lilly will invite him to his first Pi Phi crush - and JM will ask her to EX pledge dance! ;) He attended his first Junior League meeting where he was a perfect angel minus one toot, and one burp! ha! We had a sushi lunch date with Jenn and Russell, and lots and lots of playdates and walks with friends. We took several shopping trips to Northpark, and went to Weimar and Houston for Thanksgiving. In Houston we got to go on a lunch date and shopping trip with Melissa and Luke - so fun!

This month has been great - we have so much to be thankful for - and we realize that every day we get to spend with our son is a precious gift!!! We love you John Marshall!!!

Here are some pics taken throughout JM's sixth month...

I'm doing it...

I'm leaving my baby for the first time over night! And I am so nervous...not about Justin taking care of him all weekend...allll by himself...because I totally trust him, but, more nervous that I will be able to handle my emotions and keep them in check! I AM SUPER EXCITED though about spending the weekend with two of my best friends, in a beautiful cabin, nestled at the base of the Ozarks on Lake Ouachita!!! I NEED this weekend with the girls, and the R&R!!! :) Dori and I fly into Little Rock tomorrow, and Suzanne will drive us to the cabin - I can't wait!

Genetics...

Now we know where JMS gets his chubs from...

And his drool...

***note*** these are of JUSTIN...not me! I was skinny, skinny - and never drooly! ;)

5 Months

Yes...I realize that October 13th has come and gone - that's when these pics were taken - on his 5 month birthday - but how am I supposed to document his fifth month when we haven't even experienced it? I am a little disappointed...our 5 month "photo shoot" didn't turn out so hot. He was NOT cooperative. Oh. Well. The best pictures I got were of him sitting in my lap in front of his closet door mirror...Silly Baby.

So here are some things JMS is doing this month:

• He eats 8oz at 7AM, 11AM, 3PM and 7PM
• Most nights he sleeps 7PM to 7AM
• He is an official tummy sleeper
• Can push up on his arms, and "ooooooch" on his blanket and reach an item that is several feet away. Scary.
• Constantly flips and rolls over.
• LOVES. LOVES. LOVES his jumperoo. (Thank You, Fisher Price).
• He had his first ear infection. So sad.
• He got his first tooth.
• He really likes going on walks and "talking" to everything he sees.
• LOVES the dog - some days that is the only thing he will laugh at!
• Is busy, busy, busy, and squirmy, squirmy, squirmy - but VERY happy!
• He screaches and screams now instead of cooing.
• He likes to open his slobbery mouth wide and "kiss" your check or neck and then snort. Hysterical!
• Reaches out and touches your face and smiles. MELT MY HEART!!!

I LOVE this age - he is a blast. We love hearing him "talk" in his crib in the morning. Love having him smile at me and touch my face...But I STILL miss my tiny newborn - where did he go?!? :)

I am tired of this - enough already!!!

Check out that BELLY and those chub legs!!!

Boo!!! Happy Halloween!

Nothing is scarier than a puppy dog, right??? I would say JM's first Halloween was a great success!!! He got to play with the cutest princess ever, hang on the front porch and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters while the puppy dog and princess's Mommy and Daddy had adult beverages and adult conversations. After the trick-or-treating we even walked over to the block party with his best friend Baby Burdett (in utero, of course). We came home from the block party with the Burdetts for taco soup, football, and great conversation. Happy First Halloween JMS! We think you are the cutest!

(Beware of Picture Overload)

(By the way - does anyone know why my pictures look GREAT on iphoto - and then when I load them onto blogger - they look crummy?)

(Baby Burdett making his "Bump Debut" right here on our Blog)

Pumpkin Head

I have been wanting to get JM to a pumpkin patch, but with ALLLLL of the rain we have been having, and all of the traveling on the weekends - I was scared we were about to miss our opportunity! This morning it wasn't raining and even though it was a tad on the chilly side, I decided it was our chance! Instead of making a trek to a "real" pumpkin patch, we walked around the corner to the little Methodist church's "patch." Poor little guy was so confused. He is teething right now, and NOT in the best of moods. Also - you can tell by his poor red eyes and nose that it was cold out - but his Mom was not about to cover up the fall outfit with a jacket. He was definitely more into the hay than giving me a smile - but it's the memories, right?

Sic 'Em Bears!

Tomorrow morning we will be waking up SUPER early and making the quick trip to Waco for Baylor Homecoming - I am so excited! Regan gave JMS this super cute outfit at his shower last year - especially for Homecoming. Hopefully it will be warm enough for him to wear it...and of course we had to try it on first! :) Thanks Regan for keeping my little man stylish!

Wordless Wednesday

Quick Trip

Two weekends ago we took a quick trip to California for my cousin Amanda's wedding. Even though Amanda and James live here in FW, they wanted to get married in California, and have their reception on my Aunt and Uncle's terrace in Del Mar. It was a fast and furious trip - but we had a blast celebrating with them!

The Sparks flew in to San Diego on Thursday and headed straight to Georges at the Cove in La Jolla to meet my Mom and Dad for some great fish tacos...and maybe a bloody mary or two. (Flying with a baby is stressful). We made it back to the beach condo my parents had rented, took a snooze, and then headed to the beach. Friday we walked the beach in the morning, hosted a bridesmaid brunch at my cousin's home, and then started celebrating Amanda and James at the rehearsal dinner. Saturday was fun filled as well - walk on the beach in the morning, lunch at Jakes on the beach, and then a 3:00 o'clock wedding with a reception that lasted until 10:00 p.m. on my Aunt and Uncle's terrace. It was a fun fun time and it helped to have an angel baby. Truly. Perfect on the plane. Perfect in the church. (Seriously, not one peep). We can't wait to go back and visit again soon!

4 Hours on a Plane with a Baby + Bloody Marys from Georges = Snooze Time

JMS's first trip to the Pacific! Parents who think ahead would have brought a hat to protect their baby. We brought a burp rag...

Thanks to Aunt MiMi and Aunt Muffin for helping with JMS during the bridesmaid brunch...

The boys before rehearsal dinner...

Us.

Just some of the girl cousins...can you see why I might have been surprised to have a boy?

Angel Baby sleeping through the rehearsal dinner...

At the reception...

Me and my favorite little man at the reception...

After sunset it got a little chilly...time to break out the bear jacket!

Congratulations Amanda and James! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you!