Christmas 2011

It is safe to say that this Christmas was a little different than normal... we had a new baby, I was recovering from a C-section, BJ was in transition to a new job and family came to us. Although it was a quieter holiday, we were truly blessed with a lot of family time and that was the best gift ever. We did manage to take Eleanor on a small Christmas outing to Bass Pro Shops... they had a Santa and a carousel that we knew she would love. Honestly, besides going to see Santa at the Galleria with Lucy this was the only Christmas activity we did. WAH-WAH.

 

Uncle Benny and Auntie Kristen traveled to Washington for Christmas, so they came over a few days before to give Eleanor and Tripp their gifts.... opening this gift was just a small preview of the FUN we knew Eleanor would have this year! 

 

I mean, she got the Popper... didn't we all have one of these when we were younger?!

On Christmas Eve, Pamie came to celebrate with us and showered Eleanor and Tripp with WAY too many goodies... Eleanor was in heaven. She was obsessed with her new boots, horse, tent, toys... I mean really, Pamie always overdoes it!

 

Christmas Morning... snuggle bug looks so sweet, but let's be honest... Christmas was ROUGH on the Rector clan. WE ALL got sick... Eleanor gave a cold to Daddy, who gave it to Tripp, who gave it to me.. needless to say, we went through about 4 boxes of Kleenex in just a few days. Not the best way to spend Tripp's first Christmas (and his one month birthday!) but we managed.

 

When Eleanor woke up, she came into our living room and was on complete sensory overload. The grandparents WAY OVERDID spoiling our babies this year... you can tell from this picture, but Eleanor got a bike, a horse and a wagon.... and that doesn't even dip into the amount of presents she opened (or Momma actually opened because she was too busy riding her horse, Lucky!).

 

"This is really for me, PawPaw??!!"

 

Outfit change and toy change.... every year we open pajamas on Christmas Eve, but Eleanor was asleep when we did so we had her open and change into them on Christmas day...

 

Eleanor wrapped in the new blanket her Nanna made for her...

 

.... AND, back to Lucky!

 

Our little Cowgirl.

 

Then, Eleanor discovered that she and Tripp got a wagon... and she was ready for a ride immediately.

 

Eleanor also got her first baby doll... on Christmas day, she named the baby "Katie".... but shortly after she renamed the baby "Tripp"... go figure.

 

Family picture... this is the best one!

 

And this is what the majority of them look like... imagine 6 other family members behind the camera singing "Happy Birthday" or the "1-2-3...." song.

 

The Rector Family

 

The Gross Family

 

Oops... we forgot Aunt Katie, but my kids were OVER pictures by this point.

 

We literally stayed in our pajamas ALL day... after gifts, we had a yummy brunch with some kind of breakfast casserole, quiche and the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls. YUM. We had a late lunch / early dinner with Lasagna... seriously, I loved everything I put in my mouth on Christmas day. 

 

Tripper boy and Momma snuggling... probably watching the Cowboys getting beat, boo.

 

Grandpa and his twin, Tripp.

 

Eleanor was just a mess all day... I am pretty sure that next to her birthday, this Christmas was one of her favorite days of her life so far. It really wasn't just about the gifts, either... girlfriend LOVES her family and had a ball with her grandparents.

Is it bad that we are already looking forward to next Christmas??? I feel like I missed it.. the "Red" cups at Starbucks, Christmas lights, the crazy shopping malls.... I can't wait for it next year... and to see how much fun Eleanor and Tripp with have again!!

Tripp :: Two Months Old

Buddy... you are TWO months old. Easily, these have been two of the greatest months of our lives. Having you here has been the perfect addition to our family - your sweet smile and cuddly little self absolutely makes my day, everyday. I seriously look forward to every single day with you - and as I am soaking up these fleeting days that just are going by too fast, I also can't wait to see the little boy you grow to be... I just dream about the fun we will have... can't wait to hear your little voice say Momma, Daddy and Eleanor... can't wait to see you crawl, walk and run around with your big sister.... can't wait. I sure do hope you stay as cuddly are you are now, though, because there is nothing better than snuggling with you throughout my day.

You are pretty consistent with your schedule.... it isn't set in stone, but generally I feed you around 10pm and you sleep until about 6:30am, then go back to sleep until about 8:30am. Once you are up for the day, you eat at 8:30am, 11:30am, 2pm, 4:30pm, 7:00pm, 10:00pm... we definitely still cluster feed during the day, so it is not abnormal that another feeding may squeeze in there at the end of the day. Knowing that you give us 8.5 hours at night makes it completely worth it!

You are a snuggle bug. You could be, and wish to be, held all day long. Because of this, it takes a little bit longer for you to settle into your naps than it did Eleanor.... typically I have to rock or hold you to get you to sleep before laying you down. Working on that.

You have started to play in your little gym thing... it is hard to do when Eleanor is awake because she is all up in your business, but you love to look at the lights and sometimes try to grab the toys.

You found your voice - it happened about a week ago, but you let out your first little COO and Momma's heart melted to the floor. I firmly believe there is no sweeter sound than a little coo from you... you don't coo as much as Eleanor did at this point, but I am sure those days are coming!

You have the SWEETEST dimple on your right cheek that when we get you smiling or laughing appears. We love it. I really could stare at your smile all day.

I still think that we have heard you cry a total of about 4 times. You are the most content, even-keeled baby EVER. I even try to wait a long time after you begin to get restless to see if we will actually hear a crying fit... nope. Your "crying fit" is more like a little whimper. And your bottom pouty lip is the cutest thing you'll ever see.

You are NOT the biggest fan of your car seat - this is kind of a bummer. Eleanor never minded it and would stay put however long... you, however, know when we are not in a car and always squirm or squeal for us to get you out of your seat (to be held, of course!). So, I have pretty much held you at restaurants, church and play dates all month.

You are wearing size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes... newborn clothes no longer fit. We go to the doctor next week and I can't wait to find out what you weigh, I have a feeling you have gained quite a bit since we were there last!

You have a full head of whitish-blond hair, a huge widow's peak, and the deepest blue eyes just like Daddy and Eleanor.

You had your first little date on New Years Eve with Chapel Kate.... you two are just so precious.

You still love yourself some tummy time... we don't do it every day, but probably because you really don't mind it and so it isn't like we have to practice. You will normally hang out on your tummy for about 10-15 minutes without ever caring.

You are still sleeping in Momma and Daddy's room, and although you still snore, we have gotten used to it and really don't hear your noises anymore! We started working on your nursery this past week, so hopefully here in the next few weeks you will be in your own room. At this point, I dread that day... I love having you near.

Your daddy started a new job this month and now works for SAP... we are so excited about this opportunity and his future there.... but it also is definitely a learning curve for all of us. For daddy, because it is a new field he is unfamiliar with. For us, well we are used to having him around random days or times throughout the week... not anymore! He now is gone from 8-5 Monday through Friday.... this Momma looks forward to dinner and weekends, for sure. Praise the Lord for his amazing provision!

Your nicknames are Tripper Boy, Buddy, Bug, Booger Bean and Brother... when you make any noise whatsoever, Eleanor always comes to "soothe" you and exclaims a slow "TRIPPER". So sweet.

Your grandpa had a heart attack this past week (HATE that this is in your monthly post, but I want to document everything)... praise the Lord for amazing doctors and facilities who were there to act immediately. We are praising the Lord for being a healer and trusting that He still has great things to accomplish through grandpa in this life.... you are going to have so much fun getting to know him, and all your grandparents for that matter. You are a blessed little booger. (You look just like Grandpa in this picture)

What can I say, Tripper Boy? You are truly the best.... Eleanor even agrees. She absolutely LOVES you and is the best big sister... everyone that meets you agrees that you are just the sweetest, lovable little cutie. Momma and Daddy fall more in love with you every single day. We pray that you know, confidently, that we LOVE every ounce of who you are - there is nothing you could ever do that will change the love that we have for you. You are our son... enough said. Buddy, we are so glad you are in our family, so glad you are our precious second born, our first son, our cuddly little monkey and adorable munchkin. Here's to your 2nd month, love.

Beauty Shop

What you are about to witness happens every night after Eleanor's bath. No lie. Not by Momma, nope.... but by Daddy. Eleanor and Daddy have special bonding time including a hair dryer, paddle brush and BJ tapping into his inner-beauty technician. HI-LAR-I-OUS.

As you can see, Eleanor enjoys it just about as much as you would imagine she would.

 

But nevertheless, every time this little girl's hair is wet... Daddy insists.

  

Last night, I overheard him exclaiming.... "Look at that volume!" (again, no lie.)

 I do have to admit, he achieved quite the height with her hair.

 

Watch out Pantene Pro-V... your newest hair model (and stylist) very well may be in my bathroom.

 

*Funny, and ridiculous, as it is... It melts my heart.

Christmas Card 2011

Let's be honest.... we just could NOT get it together to send out a Christmas card this year. We were just a little busy. Had we actually sent a card, I imagine we would have included one of the following pictures.... so if you are reading this, consider this our Christmas card... we pray you had a BLESSED holiday season! We got the best. gift. ever.

 

 

 

 

From our house to yours....