Xavier is 6 MONTHS!

Mr. Handsome...
You are a blast! You LOVE your bottle and pacifier and HATE all 'real' food. You have got to weight almost 20 pounds (we go to the dr. for a wellness check-up on Thursday) and take only 4 oz at a time still, but take them every 2 hours.

You are quick with a smile and think your sister is grand! You're a mama's boy but daddy's not too bad and you still like to be rocked to sleep. Just this last week we've transitioned you from cradle to crib at home and most mornings you wake up in your own bed & not in mommy & daddy's. YOU are a SNUGGLER!
You can propel yourself backwards but can't go forwards yet. You've been rolling for a long time but just recently have learned to roll as a mode of transportation. You're eyes are always watching and you are keen to wait for sis to put down one of her toys and then you lickity split (fast as you can go with backwards & rolling being your means) over to it. You can pick yourself up on all fours--you just don't go anywhere! You are STRONG!
You are a chewer. You're chin & cheeks are chapped at the end of every day from so much slobber produced by your constant chewing. You have one tiny tooth that you got just 2 days before you turned 6 months old.
You are silly. You and sister have a secret language that sounds to daddy and I like elephant talk. It makes you both smile and us giggle. You'll never know what it means to not share attention in daily life on a routine basis...something that is making you very patient and calm, but that makes mommy a little sad. We enjoy our time playing all alone after sissy goes to bed at night (sh! don't tell her!).
You are a blankie baby & do like your puppy Cocoa, but don't love him like I thought you would. I keep trying... :) When you nap you pull your blanket almost over you head...after you fight sleep as long as you possibly can! You're eyes are true blue & you hair is barely there. You have thick, long eyelashes that would make any girl melt...come to think of it they sure work on mama.
You are full of expression and your cry is instant. You can make lots of noise 'talking' and have recently started doing so more and more. You like to stand in your jumper & we've put away the swing. The bouncy seat suits you some but not for a long time. On December 18th you sat up for over 1 minute on your own without falling over...it's a mastered skill now.
Your dirty diapers are worth writing about because they are THAT bad. Oh, son...ew! You like bath time and hate getting dressed. You have quite an opinion about most things for such a little boy.
Every time I look at you I want to squeeze you and kiss you all over...usually I do. You wear a variety of clothes...both 6-9 and 9-12 month shirts and mostly 6-9 month pants. You have big feet and are wearing 24 month socks! You have one eye that still always waters and you love to play the tongue game. You know what the kissy noise means and you can lay one on mommy like no man can!
It is our joy to watch you grow and mold you into a Godly young man. Remember your name, son, & that is means "to build your house with God." This is our prayer for you and our goal in shaping your character. We love you, Xaber baby! Though I wish to keep you little longer I can't wait to see what you've got in store for us!

Love,
Mama

Christmas with the Tallman's

December 19th brought our 2nd Christmas after church...



Christmas at the Tallman's (my grandparents) is usually loud, chaotic and full of fun. There is no rhyme or reason to anything we do except that we get together to celebrate love, family & the birth of our Savior. Every year at Thanksgiving, Grandma & Grandpa give us money to shop for ourselves and our kids for Christmas. With over 20 grandkids and more than 1/2 dozen great-grandkids, it's the sanest way to handle it (though no presents at all would be more than acceptable, too!). This year I chose hooded towels for both of my kids and a Magna Doodle for Natalee and a gears toy for Xavier. Xavier enjoyed unwrapping the presents with his drool and Natalee truly loved the Magna Doodle...though we was also exhausted with no nap

Xavier--1/2 way to 1

HAPPY 6 MONTHS, BIG GUY! MOMMY & DADDY LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH!! (AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!)

{MORE DETAILED POST TO FOLLOW WHEN THIS MRS. CLAUS ISN'T SO TIRED!}

Christmas with Mike's Family

December 18th began our first Christmas for 2010. We were all very blessed (spoiled) and were the recipients of many nice things. We enjoyed the gifts we gave this year also, and had a nice day celebrating love & family...

The gift highlights...
Natalee got a new table and chairs! And a day hasn't gone by since that she hasn't sat at them to color, look at books, or just sit. & my favorite...they fold!! She also got a Curious George coloring book (good job, Kea!), new jammies & a CD player, among a few other things...
Xavier got a VTech farm toy--no matter what he touches it does something & he's quite entranced by it, flannel crib sheets, new jammies & clothes, & a Baby Einstein movie!
Jenn got a Flip video camera (yay!) that was also my birthday present, a new shirt & tanks, Ugandan beads, and more...
Mike was the recipient of motorcycle gear...a new fancy helmet and chaps!...among other things.We had a great breakfast and lunch and enjoyed spending time together!

Happy Birthday, Monkey!

Dear Natalee,

You had such a super 2nd birthday! Despite another ear infection, you're day was filled with love and sweetness! We weren't going to let you open presents before we left for the day but you kind of started without asking so we let you open one. You picked the least exciting but most intriguingly wrapped one--your Muk Luk slippers.
You wore them to Dean & Lora Jean's house. I believe Lora Jean treated you like royalty today as from the pictures it shows you got to do your favorite...coloring

...played with Abby, hung out with brudder & ate CAKE!

Lora Jean said she made a big dinner of roast and mashed potatoes and gravy with all the trimmings but you took one bite of mashed potatoes and threw up everywhere! Did I forget to mention to her that you don't like mashed potatoes at home anymore either? Oh bother! I sure feel bad that you did that but Lora Jean just sponged you off, let you eat cake and gave you a bath when you were done.

She's so good to you! The cake she made you was darling...chocolate (you're favorite) with butter icing! She's a great baker!

When I came to get you & Xabe you were wound for sound! We came home shortly before daddy got here and started supper...you're favorite--bacon, eggs & pancakes! We invited your gma's, papas, aunties, uncle & cousins to come eat and Gma Cindy, Papa Curtis, Nannie, Vance, Colby & Emma were able to make it! Our little house was full up!

While you were waiting for everyone to arrive we let you open 1 present from us. It was a Snap & Style Doll & you think she's awesome! You can almost get her clothes on and off by yourself, but more importantly you can brush her hair! FUN!






We, of course, had to have dessert so we could do candles and singing so I made coffee cake since it's not as rich and went with the breakfast theme.



You opened the rest of your presents from mommy, daddy & Xavier--another Snap & Style Doll & Jumbo Magnets,
and one from Gma & Papa (play food for their house)
and from Nannie's family (your first little black dress with a sweater to go over & a monkey shirt).
You also got a card from Aunt Lorn and Grammy Sara dropped by a gift of Pull-Ups to make potty training saner in a couple of weeks!

After cake and playing with the cousins and papa & Vance, it was time for family to go home so you, our worn out little party girl, could get to bed. My Natalee, I love you so much. You are sweet and spicy and naughty and nice and we wouldn't have you any other way.
Happy 2nd Birthday, Baby Girl...it's our privilege to be your parents!

Natalee's 2nd Birthday

My baby girl turns 2 in just 4 short days.
We celebrated with family and friends yesterday and it was quite a party. Natalee was the recipient of more presents than any little girlie would ever need but she loves them all.
We had cake, good food, a little puke (Natalee got to coughing and had her lunch up), and lots of laughs and fellowship.
Natalee and her family are very blessed to have so many around us that love her so dearly.

My big girl...my how you are growing.
Coloring, pretend play (especially cooking), and reading books are your very favorite things.
You still have a sucker (pacifier) and still liked to be rocked to sleep sometimes.
You're very smart and know how to count, all of your colors and the beginning understanding of what letters are.
You're eyes are sparkling blue.
You like to dance and sing and talk to Jesus and Grandma and Colby on the phone.
When I get out the camera you say, "smile" but often forget to look at me.
You are itchy somewhere all the time and still have dimples in your cheeks.
You weigh in still at 25 pounds and are getting very tall.
You wear 3T and 4T shirts but can still wear 2T pants if they are long enough.
You wear a size 7 shoe and really like boots.
You can say anything that I can say and will try.
Once we teach you something you never forget it.
Bath time is fun for you and you now let mommy pull your hair into a pony without too much fuss.
You are taking an interest in your "fashion" and like to pick your color of bows or flowers and sometimes which shirt to wear. When we fix your hair & get you dressed in the morning you march out of the bathroom or bedroom to show daddy and gain his approval. I hope you always care so much whether daddy approves your clothes.

I'm so proud of the little person you are becoming. Daddy & I & Xavier love you very much!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Little Monkey!