December Birthdays

We have lots going on in December, beside the regular "hustle and bustle" of the holiday season, we have two December birthdays to celebrate.
This year, with the preparation for Baby #2, it has been extra busy! :)

Happy Birthday to Granddaddy and Uncle Ross!

First, we celebrated on Granddaddy's birthday with a red velvet Christmas Tree cake that even had a # 2 on top just for Layton!

3, 2, 1....blow!

Hmm, Hmm....gooooood!

Grandmother and Layton enjoyed playing Christmas songs, as a duet, on the piano to celebrate the season.

Then....

We celebrated Uncle Ross's birthday....we also ate red velvet cake ( family tradition) and enjoyed a nice steak dinner, courtesy of Blake and his Big Green Egg Grill. Everything was delicious.

We had a little fun, too.

Jumping off the ottoman...

Pulling Layton in a "blanket" sleighTrying to pull Ross...ha! The boys

Happy 26th Birthday, Ross!

(Could we have another December birthday to celebrate soon?)

Diapers and Wipes

Blake and I had "Diapers and Wipes Shower" with a few of our close couple friends. Blake enjoyed getting together with his guys and I enjoyed hanging out with the girls. We chatted the night away about babies and what to expect with #2, since most everyone already has a little one or two!

The cake was delicious and we came home with enough diapers and wipes to last for a long time! :) It will be nice to not worry about running out on a cold winter day to purchase diapers, especially in the beginning when newborns go through SO many diapers each day!

I appreciated my friends putting this all together, especially ONE week before Christmas! It was a hectic time and we were missing a few couples due to sickness and traveling during the holidays! But we had a great time regardless.Here are the girls, the boys REFUSED to be photographed at a baby shower!! ha!

Before everyone left we all took a poll to guess the gender and birthdate.
I can't wait to see who wins!

Taking advantage...

...of sweet Christmas memories and time together, just me and my Little Man.

Little Man has definitely gotten into the Christmas spirit this year. We have enjoyed snuggling on the couch watching Christmas movies and making holiday goodies!

Some of our adventures include:

Making Jolly Rancher ornaments for the tree. It's fun and easy!

Just get some tin cookie cutters

Jolly RanchersHave your little one put a couple of Jolly Ranchers in each cookie cutterCook at 350 until melted...

Anxiously await a beautiful edible ornament!
Next we decided to make Chey's "Yummy Bars of Goodness"Directions: Have fun while stirring (and get the cake mix everywhere!)

Taste test #1 Taste Test # 2

They are finger licking good!

Little Talker

Any time I am on the cell phone while driving, Layton wants to get in on the action. He says, "I talk on cell phone, Mommy!" So, no matter who I am talking to, they get a chance to say hello to Layton. Sometimes it is short and sweet, and other times he is in a very talkative mood. Either way, he always loves to chat!

Counting Your Blessings

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the year and praise God for your many blessings that He has bestowed upon you.

I give all my thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom without...I am nothing.

I am thankful for...

My sweet husband, who is truly the love of my life. The Lord blessed me in more ways than one when He decided that Blake should be mine. He is forever patient with me and encouraging in all that I do. With a quiet touch and a smile, he always puts my fears at ease. I am thankful to be celebrating our 7th year of marriage...and each year gets better and better. He is the most amazing father, I treasure the look of pride and love his eyes when he is with Layton...something that I hope to forever remember.

My amazing son, who I love more with every breath I take. I am thankful for your loving, rambunctious spirit that gives life to our home and love to our hearts. I am forever amazed at you with each passing day.

My second child, I am thankful for the miracle of faith and of answered prayers. I am so excited to be meeting your sweet little face in a few weeks. I never imagined that a little one I have never met could capture my heart so completely, all over again.

My parents, who have always been an inspiration to me. I am thankful for a Christian upbringing and a loving example of what a marriage should be. I had the fantasy childhood, and I will always be appreciative of my warm and loving home. With 34 years of marriage, my admiration grows everyday for their love.

My mother and father -in-law, who are so giving and love unconditionally. I am so thankful that they have always loved me like their child, have been a constant source of encouragement and love. With 34 years of marriage also, I admire their love for one another each passing year.

My beautiful niece, Mady. I am thankful that she is apart of my family. She and I have a special bond already, being the lone Baise girls, I can't wait to love her for years to come.

I am thankful for my church family and amazing friends (old, new and restored relationships) that have been there every step of the way. We have all grown over the years, and it has been wonderful to share life with each of you. What would we do in life without friends? I truly would never want to find out.

I have only one word...thankful.

Ugly Christmas. 80's Style

We laughed until our cheeks hurt.

Here's why...

Side ponytails

Tight rolled jeans

Leather Bomber jackets

Puff painted sweatshirts

Stonewashed jeans

Mullets

Turtlenecks

Dickies

French braids

Note to self:

A white puff painted sweatshirt is not the most becoming at 9 months pregnant! ha!

Although it was so much fun!

The Girls

The Boys

It was hard to talk to them without laughing.

Seeing them in their 80's gear was priceless!

(notice the fake mullet and the Burt Reynolds look-a-like in front...

Jason and Chad took this party seriously)

Needless to say,

we laughed until our cheeks hurt!

35 & 35

Today marks the 35 & 35

35 weeks...35 days to go!

Things have been very hectic lately with the new transitions taking place.

Layton has officially moved upstairs into his big boy bed and is doing GREAT! We were worried, wondering if he would get out of bed and find himself snuggled between mommy and daddy, but the exact opposite has happened. He feels "big" and loves going to bed. Let's just say he is adjusting well to his new surroundings. I'll post pictures of his room soon!

With 35 days to go, we are in the midst of getting the nursery together, christmas shopping, finishing assignments for the end of the semester, and organizing the house to get ready for baby and visitors! It's exciting and scary at the same time. I think it just hit me recently that a little one is coming to live with us; pregnancy is almost over and a new world as a family of FOUR is beginning!

But before our fourth member arrives,

here are the last pictures of my family of THREE.....

bittersweet, but, oh, so SWEET!!!!!

-

“Children too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.”

Psalm 127:3

*photography by Michelle Rhodes