Christmas Moves

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Your child laughing...priceless

As a parent, I am realizing that it truely is amazing what children find amusing. And, I am coming to find out that a lot of the time it has to do with things that I do that end up hurting me (i.e. knocking my funny bone, bumping into something, burning my hand). I mean all it takes is for Reese to hear me yell ouch or make a loud noise and she falls out laughing. Which at first takes me by surprise and then she is laughing so hard, that I have to join in and forget about the pain and humiliation! One of the recent things that Reese finds amusing is when we are in traffic and I get frusterated. Apparently, I say "you have got to be kidding" and,well now...she makes me say it over and over. I captured a little on video the other day...you will have to look at it sideways...but her laugh is priceless.

Thankful for family...and boots!

Ok, so I am a little behind...but here is some stuff from thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is always so fun when we all get together. But, this year I realized how lucky and grateful I am that all of our family really does our best to get everyone together. We split our holidays between my family and Jason's and this year we went to South Carolina with my dad. It was great being there with all of my aunts, uncles, counsins, and my grandfather. Reese was so much fun, running everywhere trying to keep up with the older cousins.

We also spent some time in Atlanta with my mom, sister, brother and his two friends from Dallas. Reese had a great time putting on a show for everyone and spent a lot of time in her favorite boots...which she loves to sing "these boots are make for walk'n". I am going to try and get it on video...it is priceless...she can sing the whole thing!

TA DA!

Falls, bumps, scrapes and more!

So this past week we had a lot happen and I decided I need to write two posts! Crazy I know! When Reese was a few weeks old, if I heard it once I heard it 500 times that "believe me things won't be such a big deal with your second one...I used to be like that...you will learn". It made me want to scream...I mean this is my first time as a mom and I need to go through these things right? Well, all of that to say I am kind of getting what they were saying. I mean it may now have been the 50th time Reese has fallen and busted her lip...and while the first 30 times I was ready to drive to the ER...I now realize we just roll with the punches (or falls).

But, I will say that his past week was a doozie! Upon leaving our music class at Shades Mountain Baptist...Reese wanted to go down the large set of concrete stairs herself. She is so independent now and I should have said no. Lesson learned. She was doing great for the first 10 and then she started going faster...and then she fell forward and went faster if you know what I mean. 10 seconds later and her forhead, nose and right above her upper lip were scrapped and covered in blood. It was aweful...but as we headed to the bathroom I was just saying over and over "it's ok we will fix it...just a little boo boo" when internally I was thinking OH MY GOSH, I must be the world's worst mother, look at her!

So, basically I am realizing that this is probably the first in a long line of many more falls and bumps like this...but I am just reminding myself that the little things don't matter. I want Reese to know that too so I am learning to ease up. As you can see in the some of the pictures the scrapes are not pretty...but they are getting better and Reese loves to point out her "boo boo" to everyone.

Words from the heart

Ok, so before I had Reese, I had always loved children. Loved babysitting, loved holding them, loved watching them. But nothing could have prepared me for how much I would love my own. Now, as Reese is getting older and more expressive (ok well, she is my child so she has been expressive for awhile, but you know) I just keep falling more and more in love with her. I think it is the moments when I see things click in her head...like I get it; and the moments when she looks and Jason and me and says family hug (cheesy but so sweet). But, to take the cake my dad had a heart surgery procedure done this past Thursday and Reese just blew me away. We were in the waiting room when they called to say that (Pop Pop - aka- my dad) was ready to go to his room and we could come and walk beside the bed. He was basically completly out of it...and as I held Reese she looked at him with such concern and then began to rub the bed and "it okay Pop...it okay". The best part was I could see in her eyes the compassion and love she had for him. I know...so much gushing...but I am daily amazed at her and reminded of the child like love that is so genuine and sweet. Here are some pictures from the weekend in Atlanta. And thank you for your prayers for my dad. He is slowly doing better and time will tell if the surgery was a success!

Reese and Pop Pop passed out in the hospital

Reese and Pop watching a little TV together at the hospital

Reese helping Pop in his recovery...walking slowly

Reese helping with the dishes at Bebe's house

Struting her stuff like big girls do!

So much fun...so little time

Reese had a weekend packed full of friends, family and fun. We started off by having a quick visit from Audrey and Addie Gail. We love when we get to see them.Here Reese, Taylor Beth and Addie Gail pose in a window in downtown Homewood.

Then we went the dinner with the Alexanders and Aunt B. Reese and James enjoyed running around after dinner together.


Then Brad Jones dropped in for a visit...and as usual Reese took her time warming up to him...it was a fun visit...we won't mention that Brad made Reese cry (don't worry Brad she won't hold it against you). Then it was off for a fast and furious round of birthday parties.

We made our first stop at Layne Turner's party at Clumpie's in Crestline. Reese had a great time with all of the kids and of course Layne. Jason might have been the happiest though (who can beat Clumpies ice cream).

Then we drove across town to Seth and Dakota Cavin's party at Gymboree. Reese enjoyed running around, doing the balance beam, and of course eating!

Reese doing so well on the balance beam!

On our way home...officically Party pooped out!

We finally went home where Ashley came in town for a visit. Reese was so excited to see Aunt Ashee (as she calls her). They looked like twins since Ashley brought Reese a brown jacket that Reese did not want to take off all weekend.

Halloween

Ok, so Halloween, well it normally is not this much fun...but with Reese this year it was great. Last year we had fun dressing her up...but this year she had fun as well! Just in case you are not sure, she was a Tuplip Fairy...and yes her shoes do look like elf shoes! We did a lot of Halloween celebrating this week. Jason and I took Reese to Homewood park for the children's costume parade where we learned that Reese has no regard for personal space as she was up in every child's face trying to figure out who was in the costume! We had a festive Halloween lunch at Jason's office where lots of little ones were around. (in the picture below, Archer- Mickey, Evie-Goldilocks, Rosie-Raggedy Ann, Reese-Tulip Fairy). Archer was the hit since his Mickey ears squeaked...and Reese was all over them! Then, last night we met up with Joy and Lee Knight and their children Taylor Beth and Rivers. We were all amazed at the craziness of trick or treating! Finally...to end with a bang...our friend Heidi and Brad so wonderfully volunteered to watch Reese for a little bit while we went to Merry Michael's Halloween party. We dropped her off first...because we thought our costume's would scare her (See below) and we changed back before we picked her up. Wow....lots of typing...but we had lots of fun!

I wish I may I wish I might...get lots of candy tonight!

Our little Fairy

Reese and Daddy walking in the Homewood costume parade!

Raggedy Ann, Goldilocks and a Fairy all attacking Mickey Mouse
Paul spinning Reese and Evie
Reese and Rivers Trick or Treating
Fairy trouble....

Wow...I know we went all out...the picture does not do justice to how much Jason's tongue looks like Gene Simmon's

FALL FUN

Reese is loving Fall this year...we spend so much time outside, now that it has cooled off quite a bit! She loves playing in the leaves, chasing the dogs, wagon rides, looking at pumpkins and of course cheering on Mom's Georgia bulldogs and Daddy's Florida Gators! She is growing up so much and exploring everything. She really has no fear...except for bees as we had our first bee (or wasp I should say) sting a few days ago. It was very traumatic, and now our bee book is not a favorite! Every time we go outside Reese looks around and says "Bees, ouch sting you". Here are a few pictures from the past week. Wagon ride in the cold...Reese wanted to wear her hat!

Cheering as UGA beats LSU
I love leaves
Chasing Daddy, Ellie and Bailey

DO you see what I have?

Stylish Pumpkin Pose!

Bleeding red and black...

So, figuratively speaking, I say I bleed red and black...for the bulldogs of course! I know it is a little over the top, but that is always how I feel after a weekend in Athens cheering on the Bulldogs! As all of you know...I have been a bulldog fan my entire life and I love watching all of the games, but nothing compares to being in the sea of red and black at Sanford Stadium! My mom and I went along with my aunts Marnee, Hollye, Cheryl and my uncle Kit to the game! They go to every game...so it was fun to be with them! Reese stayed at home with Jason and still cheered on the bulldogs! We, of course, were all wearing our red and black and for those of you straining to see the sticker I am wearing, yes it does say "Dawgs for McCain", for while I do bleed red and black; I also bleed red, white and blue; which for me leads straight to McCain!

The Hansard Women

Reese cheering for the bulldogs

Mom and me before the game

Tri...Chic

Well, it came and went and was well worth it! This past weekend we made a road trip to Charlotte, NC where I met up with 11 other girls to do a triathlon together! Audrey and Courtney headed up the big event and it was incredible. We had a fantastic time and we all finished in great time! Reese and Jason came to cheer us all on and it was so fun to see and hear them at all the points during the race. Just in case you are wondering...yes we did all wear pink swim caps...which was so funny and fun (but for Jason it was best for being able to find us in the swim). Audrey and Courtney designed amazing shirts for all of the group and they were the hit of the race. They could have sold them to everyone (all 600 participants) of the race...that is how many compliments we got on them. This race was so fun and all of the girls that we did it with were amazing. The Family at the Finish Line
The whole Tri Chic Group
With Reese before the Swim

The Park and a little Bark

Our neighborhood was finally given a needed addition to the "little shades creek park" a few weeks ago and Reese loves it! We have a great nature park in our neighborhood with pavillions and a great open area for play...but we needed something for the little ones! Finally, Vestavia put in a slide and climbing gym...it is great. Reese and I walk to it almost every day! Technically the big slides are for older kids...but little dare-devil here will not take no for an answer! I had to try to contain my laughter when the first time she went down the very high slide she came flying off and went face first into the bark! I know...as a mom I should not laugh...but if I could have had it on video you would understand! But, other than some bark in her mouth she was fine...so it was all good. Here are some pictures of Reese on the little and big slides at the park.

The Big Slide!

The little slide

Visit from Andrea and Grandpa

Reese and Grandpa at the Farmer's Market

Reese had a treat the other weekend as Jason's dad (or Paw...as Reese has begun to call him) and Andrea (Jason's sister) came to visit us for a few days! All we heard this weekend was "Paw...with me" or "Anrea...with me" which is Reese's way of asking you to come and play with her.


Reese of course loved and Andrea...but loves saying her name even more...AN-DRE-A! Andrea brought paint for Reese and she had a blast. We all took a trip to the farmer's market and then to Botanical Gardens where Reese had a great time running as fast as she could.

Andrea reading to Reese

School, Dogs, DAWGS, and Kisses!

So many new and exciting things have been going on and the pictures...well I could not stop taking them! Reese started "school", technically, mothers-day-out, last week. She only goes one day a week, but it feels like school to me! I was so sad...and she was like "see ya mom"! When I returned to pick her up...it was the best! I was so proud as her teachers began to say how polite, smart and easy going she was! I was beaming, almost as much as she is in this picture!

On to the next thing...the dogs. Well, they have not been in the house for a few months ( I know, I thought they would be my babies forever) but, they have been so dirty. We give them a bath and in mintues they are dirty again! Well, I decided the house could suffer for awhile...Reese loved it! She went back and forth between each dog giving them "hugs". Next, our new cheerleading outfit finally came in! Reese wore her one from last year out...and so on to the new one! She was so excited about it...that we kept it on to go to Jason's basketball game so she could be his cheerleader! Go Dawgs...Go daddy (he is such a good sport since Florida is his team)! I added the opening song to help all of you UGA lovers get excited!
Lastly, Lindsay came in town with her 4 1/2 month old, Bryson! He is so cute and Reese loved him...she kept telling him "hi" and was not sure why he did not say anything back! And, like always...she loves giving kisses!

Traveling with the family

I am so grateful... we just returned from Florida where Reese officially completed her 4th trip on the Airplane and she did so well! With the exception of attempting to touch the heads of the people who sit in front of us...she does great. By the end of every flight it is a given that we have made friends with the people in front and behind us (even if we don't want to). Reese has a way with her smile and saying "hi" over and over that people just can not resist. Anyway, all of this talk to say that flying for us as a family has been fun. Of course you always need to bring along the snack, the books and the favorite toy...but we are making the most of the "free" flights for Reese until she is 2. We have at least one more coming up! We flew to Florida to visit our friends the Kirklands (and their newest addition baby Jayde) and the Becker family. Reese had a great time with all of the big kids! Trent, Brie, Dax of the Becker family and Trace and Jayde of the Kirkland family. Reese tried to keep up with the big kids...they were great about playing with her. The most fun for her was chasing Trace from one end of the house to the other. A priceless moment for Sharis and I was while we were waiting in the car for the guys, baby Jayde began to make those funny baby faces (she was working on something) but the best part was that Reese was watching her and it got her funny bone going. She began to belly laugh and had tears coming out of her eyes because she was laughing so hard. Sharis and I could hardly keep our laughter in as well. If those laughter commercials are right, Sharis, Reese and I added at least 8 years to our lives with that one! Brie, Trace, Trent, Dax and Reese running away.