Silver Bells--It's Christmas time in the Fort

So we were hanging out after bath time last night and thought we would take some Christmas pics. I can't believe how much Wilson looks like Russell (from the stamp 2 years ago). I bet most of you will agree. I am not posting all of the pictures because I have to pick one for Christmas cards. What??? I haven't sent Christmas cards yet? No, and that really shouldn't surprise anyone. I will be doing good to get them out before Christmas, but really, in the grand scheme of things, I think that is okay.

Here are just a couple to get your taste buds watering.

Short and sweet

Just a quick note because I took Wilson to the doc today to get his well baby checkup and his shots. Well to my surprise Wilson weighed in at 16# 8 oz. HOLY COW--now that is one big 12 weeker!

He is measuring in the 95% for all measurements (height, weight, and head). If any of you remember Russell at this age, Wilson will be giving his "big" brother a run for his money before too long.

Have a great Tuesday night!

It's been a while!

Hello, everyone! I know that it has been a while since I put an update on here, and I thought it was about time. I just completed my 4th week of school. We had the 5th grade field trip to Little Rock this past Thursday. It was such a blast to take 56 kids to see the Capitol, the Clinton Library, and to the IMAX to watch "India: The Land of the Tiger". Our kids are always good when we go out of town. I think it is a little overwhelming for them.

This weekend was the annual Fimple Halloween Party at T&L's house in Alma. Justin and I didn't dress up so we weren't able to compete in the contest. Russell was a dragon, and he won Best Overall. His win was primarily based on the fact that he shook his "tail" for the judges. T&L were able to convince 3 Dixie Bell's to be the contest judges!! All of the girls went crazy over them.

Wilson was dressed as Tigger. His outfit was pants with the footies and a hooded jacket. Anyone in Arkansas right now knows that it was far too warm to be wearing that. By the end of the party he was in his Halloween t-shirt and his diaper. His thunder thighs were the hit of the party.

Everything else is going right along. We have had some pretty hefty blows dealt to us this football season with all of the injuries. Justin and the guys have been putting in some seriously long hours each week. I know that if we had everyone playing each week consistently this season would have been more positive.

I hope everyone else is healthy and happy out there. I can't believe Wilson will be 12 weeks on Wednesday. We are scheduled for a well baby visit on Tuesday. I am anxious to see how much he has grown.

back into the grind

Today was my first day back, and Wilson's first day at daycare. I didn't even cry when I dropped him off. It was a pretty crazy morning trying to get two kids ready and myself. Thankfully, Justin took Russell so all I had to do was drop Wilson off. My class was really well behaved, and I was pleased to see that Mr. Boyd had followed most of my lesson plans. I am really fortunate to have had such a great long term sub.

We won our football game Friday night. It was a fantastic birthday present for Justin--who turned 31 on Sunday. He got some pretty great gifts including a leaf blower, new DVD player, an MP3 player, and the new Jerome Bettis book. We all went to IHOP for his birthday breakfast, and they came out to sing to him. Justin doesn't often get embarrassed. His face turned many shades of red. It was amusing but also very adorable.

Not a whole lot of news. Just thought I would let everyone know that we both survived our "first day". We will just see how the second day goes.

The countdown has begun

Unfortunately, the countdown for me has begun. I go back to school on Monday. I am having mixed feeling about it. I absolutely believe that I am a better mother because I work. I have so much respect for those moms that stay at home, but not only would I go stir crazy, I also spend more money when I have nothing else to do. I am getting a little sad that someone else will be snuggling with my little man during the day. Those 5th graders just aren't as squishy and huggable.

I don't have a whole lot of interesting updates. We haven't been doing a whole lot this week because I just wanted to chill for the last week I was off. Justin's parents will be coming in on Friday. Justin's birthday is Sunday. He will be turning 31!! It seems really funny to say that he is in his thirties. He keeps telling me that I will be there soon. We also have another home game against Van Buren on Friday night. Wilson did perfectly at the last game. He slept thru the game--only waking once to eat. He didn't even flinch when the band started playing. Depending on the weather we will either all go to the game with Grandmother assisting with the kids in the end zone, or she offered to keep them at home and Chester and myself just go to the game. I am pretty sure that the weather will hold out for us.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday. Keep me in your thoughts this week. I hope my sanity holds out next week. Love and miss everyone!!

Wilson's first football game

We drove to Little Rock yesterday to pick up Shannon. Even though Russell hadn't met her yet he was SUPER hyped up every time we mentioned "Shanna". We also picked up Grandmother. She was flying in from Vegas. Everything went smoothly. We headed to Conway where we would be playing the football game. We decided to stop at Chick-fil-a because Russell needed to let off some steam. I have eaten so much chicken in the past 4 days that I don't want it for a long time.

Anyhow, after Chick-fil-a we left for the game. I had taken the boys to the blue and white game, but this was our official first game of the season. Of course I pick one that is out of town so that I can really test my patience and the new medicine I am on!! We toted Wilson in the stroller/car seat, and Russell sported his monkey leash. We couldn't really sit in the stands because the stroller blocked the walkway. So we stood down beside the stands. It really worked out better because Russell could run around. He ran and played so much that he looked like he had been swimming. We left right after half time because it started sprinkling. We ended up winning 14-13. It was a good game.

Everybody did great on the ride home. I was afraid that Wilson wouldn't sleep because that was all he had done all day long, but he surprised me!! He slept so well. Today we have been watching football and hanging out. We are planning on grilling out tonight. I think some people might join us, and I am sure there will be fun had by everyone. All in all the visit has been GREAT!

Reunion weekend

Wilson was such a trooper this weekend. He did a fantastic job on the ride down. It is about 5-51/2 normal driving time. With an infant it is much longer. We stopped in Russellville, at Cracker Barrell, and I fed him while rocking in the chairs outside. It was a really beautiful day. People stopped on their way in to comment on how cute Wilson is, and they (of course) wanted to know stats. Everyone is amazed when I mention that he was 9 lbs. Little do they know that I bake them big, and 9 lbs is a norm.
We made a couple of other stops but nothing major. When we arrived in El Do, we went straight to House of Wylie to see some of the Washington Middle School friends. It was a great break for Wilson, as he got to stretch out on a love seat they have in the back room. He proceeded to fall asleep--he had worn himself out screaming since Fordyce. It was nice to see some of the old gang, and there were a few new people that I enjoyed visiting with.
Friday night Karla kept Wilson while I went to my "informal" gathering for the reunion. It was so great to see everyone. It is really interesting to see where people are in life. I don't feel that different from 10 years ago, but so much has happened. Many people from our class have children, I think one person even has 4!! I was able to visit with some of the people that I was closest to, and I was also able to connect with people that I wasn't really close to then but have so much in common with now.
Saturday we just kind of hung out. Karla, Wilson, and myself went to eat lunch at Bayou Bistro--a wonderful restaurant owned by a sorority sister of mine. I had a fantastic meal of red beans and rice. Then we drove around--just looking at what had changed and what hadn't. We finished our little tour at MM Cohn's--which was having a great going out of business sale. I found a few things for myself, and I even bought Justin a couple of things. Then Wilson and me drove to Wesson to visit Critty, Robert, and Zoe. She (Zoe) was just as cute as can be. She slept until right before we left. It was a good visit but a little short.
Saturday night was the "All grown up dinner". Everyone was dressed up. I had already decided that I could stay out very late since I had to get a move on it in the morning (to come back home). It was a shame too. I was having a good time, but it looks like the party really got started after I left. Once again, it was really nice to see everyone. It is kind of funny to see people that were once such a vital part of life for me. It is good to see that everyone appeared to be happy and prosperous.
Sunday, well what can I say, it was the drive back. It is such a long trip to make in such a short amount of time. I felt like most of my trip was spent in the car. Wilson did a fantastic job on the ride home. We stopped in Conway (at Target), and I ended up having to wake him to feed him. When we got home he was so glad to get out of his car seat and stretch out.
All in all it was a really good weekend. I hope everyone else had a safe Labor Day. Back to work for most of you. I have about 3 more weeks of maternity leave. Ryan comes in on Wednesday. We pick Shannon up on Friday. I am really looking forward to the visit with Ryan, and I am REALLY looking forward to meeting Shannon.