Through A New Lens

After several thorough visits to Peace Camera (which I highly recommend...they taught me in 30 minutes what would have taken 6 months for me to teach myself!) we decided on a new camera just in time for the holidays! 

Now I can finally catch a shot of this busy little rascal.

Here are some practice pics just for fun!

Evans calls this Van's "JCPenny catalog pose" but its actually an "I can crawl underneath this table and reach the outlet to turn on the Christmas tree lights" pose.

Right now, this jokester is laying in his bed (attempting a nap) and saying: "Mama! My socks are tooo tight...way too tight, mama."

 Too bad it is a video monitor and I can see that he has already pulled his socks off.

Sorry Bud.

Merry Christmas!!

Joyful Noise

"Joyful Noise" is the name of our church's youth choir.

Here is Evans clearly enjoying a choral performance during his time in Joyful Noise!

Oh my goodness. Van's noise is something I have had to remind myself to be "joyful" about recently. In true two-year-old fashion,Van has exposed us to the wonderful, irrational world of tantrums!

Example:

Me: "Okay Van, its time to go! Let's get your coat on."

Van: "Okay Mama! Blue coat please. . . "

{I grab blue coat}

Van: "NO! Green coat please mama . . ."

{Hang blue coat, exchange for green coat}

Van: "MAMA! Blue Coat!!!"

Me: {Rational attempt number 1} "Van, we are wearing the green coat, let's go."

{I patiently stuff unwilling arms into coat}

Van: "BLUE COAT MAMA!!!!!!"

{Insert blank, irrational, inconsolable face here as I pick him up and strap him into his car seat where crying ensues for the next 10 solid minutes.}

Once we pull into the gas station. . .

Van: "Okay mama, I'm all done . . .its okay. Mama's gas. Mama's gas. Mama's car-car gets gas. Mama's car-car gas. Gas in mama's car-car. . ."

I can see how parents begin to fear their toddlers.

With all of these new communication skills come benefits, so let me end on some high notes!

Our Christmas tree and wreaths are . . . in Van's world . . . now called "Mama's Christmas broccoli."

The other morning, Van climbs into bed with me and lifts my shirt to say hi to "baby Jeannie." He gives her a kiss and then asks if he can hold her.

I respond that he can hold her once she arrives in February.

He points to my belly button and asks: "Baby Jeannie come out your button?"

To which I reply, "no. . ." but unsure how to explain where babies come from.

Luckily, Van's next question is "Baby Jeannie come down the chimney?"

Yes...thats it Van! She comes down the chimney.

Never a dull moment with a tot around!

Here's to the first week of the Christmas count-down!



Thankful

This is me pregnant (and with brown hair).

Isn't it lovely?

I am so thankful for Mary Rob and hope her students' parents know how fortunate they are to have such a terrific teacher in their child's life!!

They made me the sweetest thank you cards last week. I have loved looking through each card and seeing the ways the students chose to interpret a pregnant lady stick figure...

I am thankful for all of the food that will be consumed tomorrow and have spent all morning cooking in the kitchen and jamming out to Christmas songs (Snags, I heard "Last Christmas" again!)

Van and I ate way too many marshmallows and graham crackers in efforts to avoid digging in!

(I got the fun stuff out of the way...turkey attempt-- tomorrow!)

I am forever grateful for this turkey:

And his teeny turkey hands:

And feeling very welcomed by our church, which I finally joined over the weekend!!

Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Is next week really December!?

A Few of my Favorite Things!

A little domestic/inner-hippie side of me has been quite fulfilled lately!

Here is why:

#1: Pecan Picking at Oakview:

#2: The grand reopening of Pullen Park.

#3: Used book shopping!!



#4: An intriguing new Christmas tradition...



#5:  Indulging in Trader Joe's holiday desserts while pondering favorite things #6 and #7  :)

 #6: Holiday centerpieces, decorating, Christmas cards, gifts, and recipes!!

#7: A little bit of nesting!

 I am anxiously awaiting the the announcement of our annual WHAM! "Last Christmas" competition.

Auntie Snags is changing up the rules this year!

 Happy start to the Holidays!!

Fall Forward

I know the combo is usually "spring forward" and "fall back," but:

-I could not resist the alliteration
-I am feeling a little front-heavy, and
-It more accurately describes our happenings so far this season!

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year. The cooler weather helps you wake up feeling more crisp, bright-eyed, and alert (which is important as I trudge towards the last 2 weeks before my FINAL TRIMESTER!!).

Speaking of the pregnancy (and "pregnancy-brain"), I have managed to lock myself out of the house twice recently...which has left Van and me with plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors!

I love how unavoidable burnt orange and red colors are this time of year. In the trees, the leftover pumpkins, and Thanksgiving decor. 

Regarding Thanksgiving, I have never been more grateful for this little boy:

Who grows sweeter (and more talkative) by the day. He wakes up each morning telling me he needs a haircut. The other day in the car, he spilled his entire juice box in his lap (not sure if it was intentional). When I got him out of the carseat, he said "Its okay mama, Van's mess."

He is doing very well with potty training!

I am also very thankful for the karate kid in  my belly, who reassures me of her presence each evening around 10 pm with judo chops. Maybe she is practicing helping her brother in the kitchen?

 I am very in love with our sweet little goddaughter we had the opportunity to meet and snuggle on this past weekend!! She is so perfect and beautiful. Sarah and Ned are (as expected) wonderful parents to this lucky little lady!!

Happy falling forward and almost Veteran's Day!!