Christmas Prep

This year we are traveling for Christmas - something we've never done. We're hoping for snow, so cross your fingers for us!

Even though we'll be out of town, we still wanted to keep the house festive. So, as soon as the clock struck 12/1, we set out for a tree. (Yes, we are fully aware it will likely be dead and crispy when we return, but we went for it.)

We set and lit the tree after bedtime. When Miles woke up, there were a bunch of OOOOs and AHHs! Almost immediately he crawled underneath to check things out

"OOOO!!!"

Our tree this year was a little too small to put the train underneath, so we opted to setup the track in his playroom. He loves it!

My favorite decor addition from last year :)

Aunt Becky made this cutie sleigh filled with little toys

Getting packed for our trip!

White elephant party with the neighborhood

White elephant party with the girls!

Becky and I got the kids together for photos this year in hopes of grabbing a cute shot of all the cousins. Needless to say, it was a bit difficult... Why?

1. Preferably, we'd like Miles to smile.

2. Everyone needs to be looking & smiling WITH their eyes open

3. Remember how we talked about smiles? I'm loving Erin's silly face and claim this as our 2nd runner up because it's just so dang cute

Winner! Maybe not the BEST from all of them, but hey. They're all looking and smiling. Victory

After we decided, "all done" with formal shots, we had some fun.

I love this one. So sweet :)

(Side Note:  We've noticed in some light, Miles' hair looks red. So weird...)

A Pea-nutty Update

Stephen and I had our 20-week anatomy scan and everything went great! Peanut is looking completely normal and perfect. 10 fingers, 10 toes & 2 kidneys (we double checked)! At 20 weeks, he was weighing in as just under a pound and on track for normal height and head size. The doctor is predicting he'll be just over 7lbs at birth. Miles was 7lbs exact so Peanut is on point!

Spine

Spine 3D

Heart

He's yawning in this pic - so creepy but cute all at once. Head on the left, legs/feet on the right. He had his arms folded at his chest and his yawn totally looks like a skeleton skull. 

We know the 3D pics are super weird right now because he's so small AND he wasn't staying in one position, making this really difficult. So things are smudgy and kinda distorted, but you can see the little guy!

lips, nose, eyes, ear

Profile pic

Tongue sticking out, nose, eyes, ear

Since everything was normal, we won't get another sonogram until 32 weeks or so. Total bummer because we got to see Miles every month to monitor his cord and kidney. But, Peanut is healthy so we're super happy!!

"Ball" & *Where?*

Miles has started doing the *where is it?* hand gesture and Stephen was able to catch it on video. So cute. BONUS:  Miles has started saying "ball" and we caught that as well! Enjoy!

Happy Turkey Day!

This Thanksgiving, we headed up to Dallas to visit Omi and O-pop. Miles had never been to Dallas before so this was a whole new experience.

Stephen and I prepared as best we could to hit the road at just the right time in hopes of Miles catching a nap in the car. For not traveling long distances in a car before, Miles did great! We left in the morning and caught his nap just as planned. What wasn't planned was Temple traffic. Why is always bad there, I'm not sure. We stopped in Waco for a break and some needed food and then traveled the rest of the way to Omi's with no problems.

Omi had things all ready for us with food she picked up specifically for Miles (and peanut :D ) along with diapers, wipes, a changing pad, sippy cups, milk and everything needed to feel at home. It was so nice! Another thing she prepped? The pups - all clean and pretty from the "beauty parlor" as she calls it. They have 5 - yes, count them 5, little white pups who were PUMPED to meet Miles. Miles has never been fearful of animals, but Stephen and I were curious how he'd react.

With Omi's assistance, I think the introduction went quite well!

Didn't take long before Miles was trying to play cars with the dogs. ha!

The rest of our time was spent hanging out with family and enjoying some relaxation time.

Omi and O-pop got Miles this cutie German ride-on car. He had so much fun riding and pushing it around the house

Spaghetti madness - Omi style. Miles approved

Omi's house backs up to a park and she has a ton of bird feeders that attract all kinds of birds (and squirrels)

Watching the parade

Along with bird feeders, Omi also has a koi pond. Miles was in heaven *fish fish fish fish*

Mid-day, Stephen and I took Miles out for a walk. The playground we went to was infested with wasps, so we stopped at the golf course Omi and O-pop live on. Wide open spaces for Miles to run. He loved it

He was trying to pull the rake (like dad did) and was so mad he couldn't figure out why it wasn't moving.....he's sitting on it if you didn't notice. haha!

Kitchen assistant!

First official thanksgiving dinner. It was a success! Miles' favs? Green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and turkey.

On our way out of town, Stephen and I stopped at my Grandma's to say hi. She had never met Miles before and we were excited for the two to get together.

He was a little tentative at first

But it didn't take long for that smile to come out!

We happened to run into the Gates at the same time. Lucky for us because we caught this amazing picture! Great Grandma and her great grand babies :)

The trip was great and everyone had such a nice time. Thanks to Omi and O-pop for the hospitality!!