New Year’s Eve

Leave it up to South Carolina to throw a curve ball in the weather.  The day after Christmas we had snow and the day before the new year we have 72 degree, sunny weather.  We’ll take it!  Kendall loves to play outdoors so after her nap we changed into a short sleeve shirt and out to play. There are leaves galore in our back yard right now and Kendall was having a blast playing with them.  She even decided to taste one.  She wasn’t quite ready to go inside but it was time for a snack and she was okay with that.

Christmas in Columbia

We woke up early Christmas morning to see what Santa brought for Kendall before heading to Columbia.  We weren’t too sure how Kendall would do with her presents but she was a pro.  She required a little rip from mommy and she knew just what to do.  I think it’s safe to safe her favorite toy might have been her cuddly Mickey Mouse stuffed animal.  She can pick him out of her toys in a heartbeat.  It is a blessing to experience Christmas through a child’s eyes and I am glad we got the experience this year.  Oh, the joys to come! Can’t wait!

I’m sad to say I have misplaced my camera and we were only able to get pictures of Kendall with her presents on our phone (while still at home), which were incredibly blurry.  Thank goodness for Aunt Michelle and her camera once we were in Columbia.Kendall had so much fun playing with Jack and all of his toys.  thanks for sharing, buddy. Sam took it all in, so peaceful. Jack showed us his guitar skills, his very own request from Santa. Grandma helped Kendall and Jack open some presents.  And Jack helped Uncle Adam! Group photos are fun to take with little ones. It’s a game of who will look away first.  Too cute! And of course, our family photo for Christmas.  We have a new addition since Thanksgiving. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

The Grant Family

Merry Christmas Eve!

I tried my best to get a picture of Kendall near the stockings but she was too fast, hence the blurriness.  Then she wouldn’t look at me, only the Christmas tree!

Love,

Lindsey, Ryan and Kendall

Samuel Jay…

Made his grand debut on December 17, 2010 at 11:38 am.  He weighed 9 pounds 12 ounces and was 22.5 inches long.  Mommy and baby are doing great and big brother Jack is adjusting well.  I was so happy to be in Columbia for this special day and so proud to be an aunt again.  We are so happy for you and your new family of four, seester! We love you!  Can’t wait to see you all again, real soon! Sam got his name from part of Mark’s family and his middle name from my dad and brother. What a lucky little guy! 

Christmas at the Grant’s

Today, we had an early Christmas with the Grant family.  It was one of the only days we ALL had to get together with all of the hectic holiday schedules ahead of us.  Kendall, Sullivan and Emory all enjoyed opening and playing with presents before dinner and of course the adults did too.  Christmas through a child's eyes is truly priceless.  I am so thankful this year to experience this holiday in a whole different perspective.

Kendall got a rocking horse from Sullivan, Emory, Aunt Mollie and Uncle Randy.  She played with it as soon as we opened it and when we got home.  Lil’ miss has already figured out the rocking concept, how to push its ears to make music and how to get off.  What a fast learner!  She also got a nice V-tech toy and a push car/stroller from Lindy and Granddaddy. (We missed those pictures). Sullivan got a Razor scooter and a Nintendo DS game.Ryan and Randy tried their skills on the scooter.  Apparently it’s pretty tricky! Emory got a Moxie girl that you can put make up on and style her hair, and a Leap Frog with a book.  You should hear her read!Smile for the camera! Excuse the blurriness of this picture.  I took it as fast as I could while they were all cooperating! What would Christmas be without a picture in front of the tree? ‘Tis the reason for the season! What a special time we all had together! The Grant’s house was beautifully decorated and Kendall enjoyed looking at all of the pretty decorations, especially the stockings and computer screen saver.  Mr. Grant always has such pretty pictures for each season and Kendall could sit in front of the computer all day watching the pictures change.

Thank you to the Grant’s for hosting such a nice gathering.  The food was great, the company was better and we look forward to many more Christmas celebrations with all of you!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Love,

Ryan, Lindsey and Kendall

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Each year there is a Christmas Made in the South, arts and crafts holiday event at the fairgrounds.  This was my first year to go and I decided to take Kendall.  It was a little chilly so we weren’t there too long.  I wasn’t prepared for outside vendors, jacket wise, but there were plenty of things to see inside so we did stay warm.  Santa was there and I decided to see how Kendall would do with sitting on his lap.  She did great! She liked him for a few pictures worth and then was ready to come back to momma! Santa even gave Kendall a candy cane that we might try on bath night.  (Santa looked at me and Kendall looked at the elf with a stuffed dog). Oops!

Eleven months old

I officially have one month to plan a FIRST birthday party! Whew, what a statement! Time has seem to creep up from behind quicker and quicker each month.  It is amazing to watch a baby grow in utero but even more so in person.  Their tiny minds are learning so many things every second of every day. 

Kendall has learned so much in these past few months and makes us proud to be her parents every day.  She is running all over the place and prefers to be playing with her toys or down walking then being held anymore.  This isn’t supposed to be the case quite yet.  My little baby is supposed to want me to hold her all the time.  I know she is growing up but she will always be my little baby and I will hold her anytime I want to for as long as I want to.  I don’t have many pictures to post with this entry because we have been busy with getting settled in our new house.  Kendall has adjusted well to the new house and makes her way from room to room in record time.  She loves to explore and is very in tune to what is around each corner.We are still trying new finger foods daily and she hasn’t really added too many new foods to her list.  She is a great eater with the food I have been making her but the finger foods still aren’t her favorite.  A few new items we have added are chicken salad and mango.   We started a sippy cup with no handles today and she took to it with no problem.  She loves her water.   I have noticed a few “words” coming from her little voice lately and they sound like bubble, baby and puppy. It could just be a mommy thing but I really here the syllables and pronunciation of these words, clearly.  Slowly but surely she is building her vocabulary.  I talk to her all the time.

She loves to laugh.  She loves to smile.  She loves to climb and roll on the bed.  She loves to walk.  She loves Mickey Mouse.  She loves looking at books.  She loves dogs.  She loves Cheerios.  She is full of life and brightens my day at the drop of a hat.  I can’t wait to see her each morning when I pick her up from her crib.  Her smile is amazing! Kendall doesn’t like to be still for very long. These were two lucky shots I got while she was playing with her toys and sitting in a chair at Babies R Us while visiting Grandma.  I love chasing her around.  She has the cutest smirk and laugh when she sees me behind her.

Kendalll-

Just one more month and you will be one.  I can’t believe it! I say some of the same things over and over each month but I just can’t help myself.  You are so smart and funny. You are a beautiful, happy baby. You are our baby! You are growing before our eyes and I love to try and figure out what you are learning.  I continue to pray for your health and happiness and that you will grow in to a happy, healthy little girl, teenager and adult.  You deserve the best in life and we will provide only the best for you, always.  We love you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy