December Part I

December is one of my favorite months of the year, and what better way to start it then by celebrating my sweet baby girl turning 5 months old! Can't believe how much she's grown...and yet she's still so tiny! At 5 months, she weighs just over 13 lbs...but, she is as active as ever! I am convinced she will be an early walker, because she stands up so well and her legs are so strong. But, we shall see....

Recently, I enrolled Sam in swim lessons so that he'd be prepared for our pool this summer (a super nice birthday/christmas present from Grammy and Papaw). Plus, it would give me comfort knowing he'd know what to do if God-forbid he ever fell in. The first day went as I expected...some tears and anxiety. But, by the next class there were no more tears and I even saw some smiles during class. I'm so excited that he is beginning to enjoy it, and the teacher (Ms. Sarah) was very impressed with how quickly he adjusted. Way to go Sam bug, mommy is so proud of you!!

Today, I thought I'd go ahead and let Stella try her first "solid" food...rice cereal. She wasn't quite sure what to think about it, and made funny faces the whole time. But, I did manage to get a few bites in her mouth and she didn't fuss too much about it. The faces she made were priceless though. Unfortunately, I couldn't capture them all since I was feeding her with one hand and attempting to take pictures with the other. But here's one I was able to take :)

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, we went out to Grammy and Papaw's in Goldthwaite. Aunt Sue & Billy Dan and Aunt Debbie, Uncle Tom, Ryan & Blake joined us there as well. We had a great time, and ate lots of yummy food.

Stella bella was just loving the cuddle time with Aunt Sue...

And Sam bug decided Blake was his cuddle buddy :)

Here's sweet Stella posing for the camera...

Stella and mommy hanging out...

You know you're in the country when you need to pull off the road so that the sheep can pass through! Sam loved it! :)

And here is some proof that it was a fun-filled weekend!

Stella's first tooth!

I can't believe my baby girl already got her first tooth! It started coming in at 4 months, which seemed early to me since Sam didn't start getting his first tooth until he was 6 months old. Look at that little tooth :)

She wasn't thrilled about showing off her tooth, but I was able to sneak a peak during bath time...

Miss Stella is 4 months old today!

Little Miss Stella turned four months old today! We had her 4 month check up and she is doing great, even if she was labeled "very petite" by the doctor! She weighed just under 12 lbs (11.86), which puts her in the 15th percentile. Sam bug was 12 lbs at his TWO month check-up :) The doctor said she looks completely healthy and proportionate...she is just "little". She is in the 41 percentile for height and 11th percentile for head circumference. She's my itty bitty doll! :)

Just relaxing with Shelby....
Look at me, I'm 4 months old today!
All smiles, she is a happy baby! :)

Happy Halloween!

After much debate about what Sam should be for Halloween, we decided he'd make a cute little cowboy. Sam, however, decided he was a "cow" rather than a cowboy...and he was very excited about wearing his costume. Here's my little cow blowing his mama a kiss!

On our way to school...
My sweet little kitty cat!
After school, we went to see daddy at work (SWA). The kids had a great time there, then we headed home to get ready to go trick or treating! Here's Sam having a snack before GO-time...
We went trick or treating with our neighbors, Carl and Sommer and their kiddos. Here's Sam and Asher excited after getting some yummy candy.
Daddy, Sam and Stella
Sam holding sweet Clara's hand. He was pretty smitten with her :)
Daddy and his little girl
Here's a group pic (minus me)...so cute! It was a really fun Halloween!

Sunday at Owens Pumpkin Farm

We decided to take the kids to a Pumpkin Farm, although Sam's main interest was definitely the animals...especially the cows! Ever since he got to see cows up close and personal at Grammy and Papaw's house, he's become fascinated with them. He really loves all animals though. Here are Sam and Daddy feeding the goats...

Love that sweet little face...
Here's our attempt at a family shot...oh well, at least mommy and daddy were looking :)
My sweet boys
Sam did not want to leave this cow
The girls :)

Sam's first official hair cut!

At 22 months old, I finally gave in and decided it was time for Sam to get his first hair cut. As you can see, it was getting a little shaggy. We took him to Mustang Barber Shop, where daddy gets his hair cut. Thankfully, he did awesome! Here are a couple "before" shots...

Let the hair cutting begin!


We tried to get an "after" shot, but Sam was not cooperating. He had his eye on a train table and was ready to get down and go play. Oh well, at least he did great during the cut!
After the hair cut, we decided to swing by Northpark Mall and take Sam to Build-A-Bear. After Sam's accident at school, we weren't able to give him his pacifier anymore (the sucking could mess with his tooth). He only used it to go to bed, but it was still hard to take away since it comforted him and helped him fall asleep. He was a trooper though...he really only cried the first two nights, and even then it was only for about 15 minutes each night. He's now been pacifier free for a week. So, we thought we'd get him a special bear to replace the paci---a "night-night bear" that he only uses to sleep with.

After picking out the perfect bear, Sam and daddy went to the "stuffing station" where they put a heart in the bear and stuffed it until it was nice and soft.

Sam was so happy with his bear, he didn't want to let go of it at check out.
Giving his bear kisses :)
We also bought the bear Lightening McQueen pajamas, and let Sam help dress him at bed time. This worked so well....he loves his bear and he gets excited to see him when it's time to go night-night :) Thanks, Hedy, for this great idea!