Is it January?

I can’t tell because the weather was so spring-like today! We love it! And we love the park! Will has been much more brave lately and was attacking that slide. He crawled up and slid down on his tummy over and over and over. He thought it was hilarious! His hair was out of control and he was pretty much covered in dirt when we left. Oh well! He’s a boy!

What a fun day! Hoping for a few more of these soon! Not much else to report. Will is cutting four teeth at once again. I guess it is good to get it over with – but man he’s in pain. Poor kiddo. Still eating a lot these days. Pretty sure he’s gained 2 lbs since Christmas. He needed to – so I’m glad. Now if those teeth would get all the way through…

Easy Peazy.

So, I made this for dinner last night. It was so easy, and good. And kind of fun. Why didn't I think of this before? I need like 14 more of these super easy recipes that I can make after work. Yay for fun easy dinner food!

January Calmness

I haven’t blogged in awhile and I haven’t posted pictures in an even longer time. No real reason. It just hasn’t hit the top of the priority list. January has been so calm so far. It has been wonderful. We haven’t had tons going on during the weekends and we have enjoyed it! Lots of time to spend loving on our cutie pie.

Will continues to be a hoot. It is just amazing to watch him in this intense learning phase. There’s always a new word or a new trick. He has really started copying us lately. Such a fun phase!

We did get a little snow a few weeks back – emphasis on little. Other areas seemed to get a lot more – our ground wasn’t even covered. The boys were intrigued, though. :) Cute, cute, cute. This precious face is too much! So we see him like this (below) a lot these days. He’s taller than I realize. We had been eating apple sauce and he decided he was done. About 30 min later I turn around and he had somehow gotten what was left off the table and decided to finish it himself. I’m learning (slowly) to let him do it. He’s not hurting anything and his face and clothes do wash! We’ve got to figure out the spoon thing, soon! He’s really been enjoying the blocks he got for Christmas. Dylan was over the other night and they were working on quite the masterpiece. Yesterday was a gorgeous day and we took advantage! We took Will to the park. He is really starting to enjoy it now that he can run around. He can still be fairly observant when other (bigger) kids are around but he absolutely loves the slide!

Not too much to say about this one other than here’s my handsome man before church today!

On a side note, Will is doing so well at school. We had a rough couple of months when we transitioned classes. His new class is great for him and his teachers are wonderful! One of them is so kind and gentle and I want to take her home with me at times! When we go in his class in the mornings he runs around and shows me the toys he plays with. HUGE change from him clinging to me for dear life. It makes me happy to see how well he’s doing.

New Year

Well, I haven't blogged since Christmas and I really don't have a very good reason. I think I've just been taking the time to enjoy my time. I had a good bit of time off between Christmas and New Year's and it was wonderful. Then reality smacked me in the face and I had to go back to work - but only 3 days/week. That was good. Very good. I can't tell you how much I enjoy working 3 days/week. I absolutely love it. If I could do that year-round, I would be one happy cpa. But that isn't in the cards right now. I absolutely love having some of both worlds - both mommy time and professional time. It isn't for everyone, but for me, it is such a good deal. (I could write a whole blog on this topic, but I'll save that for a rainy day). Next week - gasp - I go back to working 5 days/week. But...no overtime. I can live with that.

New year. Ah yes, a new year. A fresh start. I didn't make any resolutions, so that means I can't break them! But it is nice to sort of think about the year behind us (which rocked) and look ahead. Always good to do a little self inventory and see where I can improve (oh so many, many places) and where I am doing ok. The improve list is probably a lot bigger than the ok list. But admitting that is half the battle, right? I have to say parenting has been good for me. It was a bit of a slow, rough start - but I feel like I'm really getting this parenting thing. There are days where it takes me a minute to take a deep breath (like earlier when we've just walked in and I'm hangry (McCoy word, will have to enlighten you on it) and he's just down right crazy) but for the most part, I feel like Will and I are pretty in sync. I am sure we'll zip right out of the in sync phase and into another unfamiliar one soon, but I love being a mother. Love it. I was always afraid I wouldn't be good at it but it is the best job I've ever had. Not that it is a job, but you know what I mean. The kid is work. Enjoyable, wonderful work.

If I had to make a resolution, I would say it would be to get more organized! I used to think I was super organized - but man. I'm not these days. I do still struggle balancing everything. Work, Will, Kevin, dinner, laundry, church, friends etc. It isn't super overwhelming, but I just don't quite master being on top of the calendar of events. And occasionally, I forget to pay bills. Ugh. I hate that! Luckily, I have the most amazing husband that is super understanding about those sort of things. Thanks honey! But seriously, I am so impressed by women who plan out meals a month in advance and know exactly what they need to buy at the store. I am way proud if I cook once a week. Baby steps, I guess.

Another thing I want to work on is being more open and being a better friend. I can be a bit of a homebody. I can also be somewhat of a closed book. Not always a good combo for growing friendships. I'm working on this. I could ramble on about the strange things that plague my brain, but we'll leave it at that, for your sake.

Ok, that's my ramblings about a new year. And my excuse for a blog since I'm behind and have no pictures to share. Oh, being that it is really cold outside, it gives us a good excuse to get to hear Will say "cooood." It is cute. :) It's coooood outside!

P.S. Hangry: A combo of hungry and angry. When you're so hungry you start to turn angry. It is for real in the McCoy family. If someone shows signs of being hangry...feed them...immediately. Don't stop, don't even hesitate. Put food in their mouths. It is also apparently contagious. Kevin never experienced this symptom until he married me. Go figure!

PJ Awesomeness

As promised - our Buzz & Woody together at last. :) Love these two!!!!

All things Christmas 2010

Here is the Christmas blog! It really could be broken up into several different posts, but nah. I’m cramming it all into one massive post. Yay! That’s how I’m rolling today. I’m on vacation this week and I’m feeling crazy like that. :)

Such a great Christmas season! Always a wonderful time to enjoy family and reflect on the birth of our Lord Jesus. I look forward to creating traditions with Will as he gets older to make sure he understands what Christmas is really all about.

First – I am quite proud of my photography skills below. I don’t know how I did it – but what a great pic! Will did so well with our tree. I would tell him to, “touch just a little bit.” We would go around and just barely touch every bit of that tree. He seemed pleased and really only pulled off one ornament. Here he is…just touching a little bit! (P.S. Thank you Lindsey for helping me do the tree - the ribbon made it so much nicer!). Kayse brought these adorable pj’s over for him so I had to get a pic in front of the tree in them.Look! We have lights on our house! After a serious power issue, it finally worked out and we have lights! We feel really grown up with a house and lights up! Next year we hope to do more – possibly some on the trees? This really has nothing to do with Christmas (though he’s wearing Christmas pjs). Will looked really cute in his hat and was actually swinging quite well. Daddy was proud!On a completely unrelated side note, I take back the stinker comment from my last post. I guess the ear really had been bothering him. He has been so good over the last week! I was really starting to worry because there for a week or so, he was melting down all the time for what seemed like no reason at all. It has stopped! Yay! My sanity thanks you! He has resumed to the sweetest little boy in the world. I seriously fall more in love with this little guy every.single.day. I do. I don’t know how it is even possible. He’s sweet and funny and just stinkin’ cute. He’s become really attached to me specifically lately and I can’t say that I hate it. I love it, I do. :)

Ok – onto Christmas celebrations!

On Thursday evening, GJ, Daneille, Kellie, Nick, & Kayse came over and we started things off. GJ & Neille brought over a few presents for Will to open to get into the hang of things. I like how he’s looking at this. Hmmm – looks like fun to me!

Bows are always a fun toy! Let’s put this one on GJ’s face. Yes, that works!

Love how he’s pulling the dog by his tail. Boys.

Sittin’ like a big boy with Neill and Kayse.

On Friday, we went to the Christmas Eve Service at Watermark at 2pm. Then we headed over to Dustin & Tricia’s house for a McCoy/Tooker celebration. It was cold and Will was cute all bundled up!

Since I was terrible at Thanksgiving in the picture department, I made sure to make up for it at Christmas. I got pics!

Cute, cute Justin and Lindsey Uncle J with Will – handsome men! Mimi with her 2 very favorite guys.The Tooker’s!

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I’m pretty sure Dylan convinced Lindsey to read this book to him at least 5 times.

All the kiddos/grandkids!

And our fabulous hosts – the McCoy’s. Tricia, Dylan, Dustin, & Baby M! Yes!! They are expecting and due in July! We are so stinkin’ excited! Being an aunt is just incredibly fun and I can’t wait to see if I am getting another nephew or a niece! Who cares! Another sweet baby to love! We can’t wait!!

Whoa – can we say too many presents?!?

A great pic of Mimi & Will and in front of Tricia's awesome decor!

The table with some more of Tricia’s clever decorating. So cute!

Oh yes – there was some holiday dancing before dinner – lead by Mimi! The boys were way too cute. Even Will was cutting a rug!

This picture just makes me happy. I love these two boys so, so much. I hope they grow up to be friends! They are so fun!

While it isn’t the focus of the season, presents are involved! Above – Dylan got the most awesome cape from Mimi and it even has a D on it! Mr. Potato head from the Tooker’s! So fun!

Will isn’t quite into ripping open presents. Here he’s gently pulling at it a little.

So I’m posting a pic of everyone opening a gift. Its my blog, I can if I want to. I think mom was surprised by this one.

She seems to like what we got her!

Will was so good during the gift opening. We open gifts one person at a time and at one point, I see Will in the corner sitting in this box. Well, ok!

Lindsey with her fun H&M shirt!

Tricia with her pretty candlesticks!

Had to get a pic of this awesome table that Lindsey painted for Dylan. Each chair is a different superhero. One chair is Super Dylan! So fun and so impressive! (So is the step stool she painted for Will that you can see in the back ground).

I was way impressed that my brother paid attention when we were shopping and I said I wanted these. Go brother!

Kevin was pleased that we now have Florida State coasters. We’re equal opportunity around here.

J seems pumped about his dress shirts! He will sure need them for the internship he is about to start! Yay!!! So very excited for him! And – it is in Dallas! Yippie! Look forward to seeing you a smidge this winter. You’ll be busy earning that $ – so I know we won’t see you too much. Keep up the good work smarty pants! (I won’t embarrass him too much by telling you all how good his grades are!).

Not sure if mom or Dustin wins the prize for the funniest face while opening gifts!

I’m clearly too old and too un-cool to be a part of this club. They both got Toms shoes from their husband/boyfriend. (Kevin did get me an awesome present, though – I was impressed!).

Dylan is the cutest kid – he decided Santa should be left bacon instead of cookies! I think it is a good idea – too much sugar makes doing all that work tough!

Santa made a stop at our house this year! Here is what he left. Will must have been a good boy!

He really loves the car and he learned to say car very quickly! Car, car, car, car. Unfortunately he can’t navigate the car quite yet. He can go backwards a little. Mostly it requires mommy or daddy pushing him around. We may have to hide it on occasion to give ourselves a break! He also got some weables and decided they needed a ride.

Is it just me, or does he really look like a big boy playing with this toy? Growing up too fast.

On Saturday, after we enjoyed what Santa brought, we headed out to Ally’s house for some fun. Kayse helped Will open some gifts. Fun Aunt Kayse!

Kellie and Nick were in from Nashville. Too bad we didn’t get to spend more time with them. Next time – we’ll kidnap you to our house for an evening!

Ally needed a pic of Will in Kevin’s rocking chair in front of the chair. Love it!

This officially concludes the official Christmas pics. On Sunday we headed to Waco to celebrate with my Uncle Charles and Addison & Ian. Monday – we rested!

Dylan tested out Will’s new car. You just barely fit buddy!

Will has recently decided he would like to feed himself with the spoon. Like the bottle, he was totally fine with me feeding him for the longest time. I was ok with that because it went faster and was much less messy! However, I know this is a really good thing that he wants to do it himself. But wow – what a mess! It is cute though.

Love his new towel from Mimi! He was way too big for the ones we had. We have a cute lion and a frog now!

To infinity and beyond! We have our very own Buzz. I hope to have a picture of Buzz with Woody (Dylan) tomorrow! Have mercy he’s cute!

I think that about does it. Next time – more posts with less info. Overload! I am so enjoying my time off this week. I am soaking it up because we all know what is right around the corner – I can’t even type it. I’m trying not to think about it. Tomorrow the McCoy’s are going to watch Will for awhile while I run some errands. I am trying to have a good mix of getting stuff done with relaxing. I am sure enjoying my Will time. He’s not been feeling 100% so I’ve been getting some amazing snuggle time. I love every single second. Enjoy the rest of your year!