Christmas, Part One

What a crazy Christmas this has been!

I was so excited by the talk of a white Christmas, little did I know that we would get 7 inches of ice/snow here in Oklahoma! We even had our 1st blizzard warning. I wanted Bryson's first Christmas to be memorable- and it was!

Lindsey and Asher planned on going to our church's Christmas Eve service with us and then dinner at my parents house afterwards. They ended up getting stranded at our house and had to stay the night and spend Christmas day with us! We had a great time though- Christmas did not go as planned, but it was so nice to take it slow, remember the REAL reason for Christmas and enjoy the time with family.

Here's just a few of the photos I've taken:

Out in the Christmas snow....

Christmas fun- opening presents, etc....

Our Christmas celebration is only 1/2 way completed- we're off to see Brandon's side of the family for the rest of the weekend. Hope you had a very merry Christmas.

Four Months

Bryson turned four months old on Christmas eve!

He has been quite the little ham!

Milestones include:

• started and loves rice cereal
• now drinking about 5-6oz per feeding
• not sleeping straight through the night consistently anymore :(
• more consistent napping
• LOVES bath time!
• doesn't appear to hate car rides, as much as before
• has really started to recognize Brandon and I, and he smiles when we enter the room
• can roll tummy to back, back to tummy
• gums all.the.time.
• refuses to take a paci. Would rather gum on his hands or a teether.
  
  
  
  

new recipe, yum!

Bryson and I have been watching the Today show every morning. I saw these on the cooking segment, and they looked pretty good. They were really easy to make, and have been a big hit- so I thought I'd share the recipe!

Orange Juice Balls

INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 box powdered sugar
• 1 stick of butter, melted
• 1 pound box vanilla wafers
• 1 6-ounce can frozen orange juice
• chopped nuts
• shredded coconut
extra powdered sugar (to roll 'em in)



DIRECTIONS
Crush vanilla wafers in a food processor or blender to make fine crumbs. Add all other ingredients and mix with your hands. Form into balls and roll in powdered sugar, or nuts or coconut. Refrigerate to set. Store in refrigerator.
(these cookies would be really easy to make with children too!)

Time

December seems to be flying by. My friend Dana and I were discussing this the other day- I can't tell if it's because I really enjoy my new job or if it's because of Bryson, OR everything combined!
I am really enjoying my job(s). I feel like I have the best of both worlds- I'm able to work and do what I love, but I'm able to spend more time with Bryson. I'm still struggling to figure out the balance of housework/cooking dinner and the above mentioned things, but who isn't?
It's just crazy to think that this time last year, we were just finding out that we were expecting! It's amazing when you realize how much our lives have changed in a year's time.

This past weekend, we took Bryson to Rhema to look at the Christmas lights- it was colder than I thought it would be/prepared for, so we didn't stay long. Here's some of the photos we took:

Bryson seemed to enjoy himself. He wasn't super kick-y or grinning the whole time- it was like he was just trying to soak it all in!

He has really been enjoying his jumperoo and excersaucer lately :) His teachers at preschool have been commenting on how much more content he is while at school. His temperament really seems to be shinning through.

I hope to post again before Christmas- I'm working on some cute little cards for his preschool teachers (all 5 of 'em) that I'd like to share. But, if I don't post- have a Merry Christmas!!

New Obsession

I have a new obsession.
It's Craigslist.

I adore it. I got an iphone about a month ago, and I tend to look at craigslist in-between clients and while waiting in line at the store! I can go days without seeing anything I would be interested in purchasing and then, bam- something will pop up!

So far, I've gotten mainly toys/games/materials for speech therapy- that Bryson can play with when he is a little older. Some of my best finds thus far?

• Leap Frog fridge toys- garage set and animal matching set for $10 total
• Elefun for $2
• Melissa & Doug puzzles, 6 for $10 total
• Melissa & Doug lacing blocks and castle building blocks for $10 total
• 64 jars of gerber baby food for $10

I've sold several baby items on Craigslist as well- items that we just didn't use and I can't see us using the future.

What do you think of Craigslist? I was a little creeped out by it at first, but I always meet the seller/buyer at the local gas station, during the day time. I also never give out my phone number.

What have you found on Craigslist?

Thanksgiving Review

We spent Thanksgiving in Texas this year. Bryson was able to meet Aunt Susan and the rest of our extended family- here he is with Grandy & Susan: He did really well on the drive down there, but he had a rough trip home. I don't know what else we can do to make traveling easier for him. Any tips?!

While in Texas, we did some Black Friday shopping. Target, CVS, Michaels and Ikea. Oh, how I wish we had an Ikea up here!
After the embarrassing OSU loss, we headed home- here's Mr. B in his ADORABLE OSU hat-

We finished off the weekend by decorating the house for Christmas and attempting to hang Christmas lights outside. I love this time of year, and I can't wait to teach our traditions to Bryson!

How was your Thanksgiving? Any 'traveling with baby' tips?