Our First Trip to Santa

Tonight was the night we have been waiting for. Okay, tonight was the night that I have been waiting for! We went to visit Santa for the very first time.

It was classic. Lindsey was so happy, smiling for the crowd, giggling for everyone. Then, it was our turn. She did fine on Santa's lap...for a little while. She was interested in him. I think she liked his beard at first. And let me say, he was a fantastic looking Santa! Then all of the adults spring to action, the rattles come out, the trusty frog toy, we are pat-a-caking like mad. She just sits there! My daughter never just sits there. Then it starts, the lip starts to quiver, she starts to turn red (definitely my daughter), and Houston, we have tears. We did up end up with a pretty good shot if I do say so myself. All in all, it was still a fun experience and a tradition that we hope to continue. Just the picture part that is, not the tears!

The little plaid dress in the Santa and family shot is from MiMi Betty. The other dress is one I picked out in honor of my little 94 year old friend, Velasta. She wanted to buy her a dress but wasn't able to go and pick one out. The shoes are really special and have a sweet story behind them too. My sweet Princess Marti sent Lindsey those shoes. They are Italian leather and even have a little arch support in them. The best news is they are a little big so she can wear them again and again.

Catching Up

Much had happened in the past few weeks. John was off this week. We had such a fun time being together as a little family. Monday we set off for Nacogdoches to see Uncle Bo Bo and Aunt MaryAnn. Although not related by blood, Aunt MaryAnn and Uncle Bo are part of our family. They met Lonnie and Betty long ago when both couples were young and recently married. They are like a second set of parents to John so naturally that would make them honorary grandparents for little Lindsey. We had a really nice time visiting with them. John and Uncle Bo went out on Lake Nacogdoches and Aunt MaryAnn and I stayed at the house and visited. I can't forget to mention Little Bitty, their adorable rat terrier. (I think she is much like Sissy, please don't tell her she's a dog!)

We are still on second foods. She has tried peas, carrots, green beans, peaches, pears, applesauce, bananas, apple vanilla granola and her all-time favorite...Sweet Potatoes! We usually aren't this messy, but Lindsey was really trying to feed herself tonight. It is bath night anyway so I decided to let her try a little on her own.

Lindsey continues to amaze me daily. Her smiles, her laughs, the soft little baby sighs she makes as she is drifting off to sleep. Have I mentioned lately that I am the luckiest person in the world!

There is much more I could post but I better get busy. Time to go splash in the water!

And, She's Off!

Last Sunday, we reached another milestone. Lindsey is officially crawling! She had been taking a few wobbly crawls here and there, but Sunday she was off to the races. I of course was not home as I had gone with MiMi Betty to the Dillards Private Sale. (If you ever get a chance to do this, you must go! It is so much fun...food, discounts, free gift wrapping. Special thanks to MiMi Betty for taking me) Anyway, John called me in the middle of the event to tell me all about it. As I walked in the door, there she was crawling around the living room. It is so exciting and a little bit scary. Another exciting new thing we can due is pull up on all of the furniture. Time to pick up all of the glass in her reach. Poor MiMi Betty's house may never be the same!

Way To Go Ags!

What an exciting game! The Texas Aggies beat the T-sips 38 - 30 at Kyle Field. This was the kind of football I remember from when I was a student here. The players seemed to have such an energy and drive. It made me wish I was actually at the game.

The big news of course was the resignation of Coach Fran, something that most everyone was expecting. I felt bad that this overshadowed the game. Coach Fran did not look really happy during the press conference. It will be interesting to see where he lands. I am hopeful that we get a coach who will bring the old Wrecking Crew spirit back to life. WHOOP!!!!

Lindsey's First Thanksgiving

This year, we stayed in Bryan for the holiday. We joined Betty's good friend Rose for Thanksgiving lunch at Briarcrest. It was a wonderful buffet complete with shrimp, turkey and dressing and prime rib. Yummo! Lindsey did very well. I heard a baby screaming in the other room and I was so thankful it wasn't her.

This was a new experience for me this year. We usually are with my family for Thanksgiving with everyone bringing their specialties to someone's house. The day usually concludes with some game playing and some grazing on the leftovers. It was different to dress up and go somewhere. That is what life is all about though, new experiences. It was fun and it was nice to be with John's family and friends. Although I do really miss having leftovers! I see a turkey in my future.

A note for those who heard my oven rants the other day, I wasn't crazy. The oven registers 50 degrees hotter than it actually is! So my baking abilities didn't fly out the window when I moved here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a wonderful day we are preparing to celebrate! I love Thanksgiving! How can we not be thankful for all of the wonderful things in our lives. I am so blessed and so thankful. I have a fantastic family, especially our new little addition who will be celebrating her first Thanksgiving. I have friends who really care about me and constantly lift me up. I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat. What else is there? This year has been full of lessons for me, but one thing I have really learned is that even though I may not understand something and I may think that something is not supposed to be happening, it is all part of the plan. It is all for a reason. So as we all prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving in our own way, I just wanted each of you to know that I appreciate you and am thankful that you are in our lives! Love to all!

Trying to be Crafty

Lindsey is now ready to sit in a high chair! My cousins Tom and Nelda loaned us Tom's high chair from when he was a baby. (I think I know how old it is, but I won't tell on Tom!) It is a beautiful, wooden high chair. Once Lindsey is a bit older she will be able to use it as a play area as the top part disconnects and it makes into a cute little desk type thing. I mean you don't seem to see things like this anymore. Everything today is made of plastic and has a built in cushion. Well, wood is hard and pretty slippery so I decided we needed a cushion for the chair. Good luck finding anything like that. I tried Babies R Us, Target, Wal-Mart. I even bought a chair cushion but it was way too big. So my Aunt Veta suggested going to JoAnne's and buying a piece of foam. What a great idea and something that hadn't even crossed my mind. So I bought the foam, but that really wasn't good enough. It really needed to be cute and girly. So, I also bought some fabric and ribbon. Now mind you the extent of my sewing abilities starts and ends with sewing on buttons. As I was trying to figure out what to do with all of this I was really wishing that Aunt Veta or my super crafty friend Mimi would magically appear. Below you will see the before and after pictures. Have yourself a good laugh! The good news is this is for short term use. The bad news is that my next project is making a Christmas stocking for Lindsey. My mom handmade stockings for all of us from felt and sequins. Wish me luck!

The Williams' Pumpkin Patch

Okay, so we are only a week behind with our pumpkin patch pictures. The day before Halloween, John and I set out to take Lindsey's photos at our local pumpkin patch. We arrived, the proud parents, child and costume in hand. The man looked at me funny as I inquired about the pumpkin patch. I was met with a look like I was a complete idiot. How was I supposed to know they took the pumpkin patch apart the day before Halloween?

Slightly disappointed, but not defeated we left. I knew what I had to do. I would make my own pumpkin patch! I headed to Wal-Mart and bought a few pumpkins and some indian corn. We all know that I am not that artistic or creative, but I did the best I could. Then it was time for photos, a difficult task with just me and Lindsey. MiMi Betty arrived in the middle so she was able to assist with some of the photos.

Could It Be...My Daughter is a Bow Head?

Since John and I decided not to find out what our bundle of joy would be before the big arrival, we did not have many froo-froo (sp) things as I call them. I purchased one outfit with a small bow and wasn't really crazy about it. Well, I think I may be hooked now. Honorary Grandpa Ray's sister Joanne found these fantastic bows and Lindsey doesn't get mad when I put them on her head. I can't resist slipping one on her now, they are so cute. Here are a few pics to hopefully brighten your Friday.

My Dog Has What?

Today was a traumatic day here in the Williams' household. Everything is okay, but let's just say we had another "episode" with our little Sissy. Today as I was replanting an ivy, (Yes, you did see correctly, Susanne Williams was working with a living plant) Sissy just started heaving and wheezing and coughing. It was terrible, I thought she was having a heart attack! So I quickly gathered our belongings, had MiMi Betty watch Lindsey and we were out the door to the vet. Of course, as soon as we walk in the door to the vet she stops. So for almost two hours we are investigating, doing x-rays, bloodwork. At one point the vet and I are trying to replicate the sound. Two grown women making honking, coughing sounds, "So, did it sound like this? ACHHKKCCCAAA. No, I think it was more like a UKKKCCHHAA." Anyway, after exhausting all of our coughing sounds, Sissy finally does it again. The vet looks up, smiles slightly and says, "That is a reverse sneeze." A reverse what??? You're telling me that dogs reverse sneeze?? A sneeze caused this panic. Honestly, I was happy with the diagnosis since momets before we thought she was near death given her history and I was crying in the office. Anyway, two hours and $300 later we had an answer and Sissy happily left the vet's office wagging her tail.

I Want to Be Like Mike!

For those of you who know Mike, all you need to do is look at the pictures! I have waited for so long to put Lindsey in these pants. MiMi Betty watched Lindsey for a few hours and when I came back guess what she was wearing? Why her Mike Leake pants of course! Trying to find something to coordinate with the pants is proving to be a bit challenging. They are still a little big, but she looks pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. She is ready to go to the golf course with Dad.

Lindsey's First Family Reunion

Every year for the past 30 years, my mother's family, The Bono's, have gathered to celebrate being a family. What a wonderful tradition that those before us started! This year was Lindsey's first reunion. She appeared to have a wonderful time. She handled being passed around from family member to family member quite well. I always say I am going to take more pictures and I never do. I am too busy eating or talking.

Attack of the Boll Weevils

For the past few weeks I have been working with my brother-in-law at his shop. We are located in an industrial office park in the country with several other businesses. Everyday about 4:30 I see this army of trucks returning to the office. I am talking like 50 - 100 trucks! I finally realized what these trucks were. They are part of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program. What the heck is a Boll Weevil exactly and why do we have such a problem? Do other states have an overrun of Boll Weevils? Where were the Weevil Eradicators when I had a problem with a tainted bag of pasta full of Weevils at my house? I realize this is a crazy post, I just can't help but laugh when I see this steady stream of trucks coming in for the day after a long day of eradicating the Boll Weevils.

A Joyous Day - Lindsey's Baptism

We baptized our baby girl on Sunday. It is hard to put into words what a joyous day it was. Being a mom has brought out so many new emotions in me.

We had a nice crowd turn out for the big event. Rosemary and Robert (my sister and brother-in-law) are Lindsey's Godparents. Their kids Robert Jr., Richard and Robin were all there. Also in attendance were MiMi Williams (I have to clarify because to me, there is only one Mimi!), honorary Grandpa Ray, Aunt Veta, Uncle Rob, and cousins Tom, Nelda, Nancy and Maggie.

After the baptism we all headed to Another Time Soda Fountain for an afternoon of Build Your Own Burgers and Sundaes. Yummy!

A special note about the baptism gown: My Grandmother Bono made this dress by hand 52 years ago. All of my generation and all of our children have been baptized in this dress. That is lots of little babies! The detail work in the dress is amazing, hard for me believe someone did that by hand!

I am guessing I should keep this short rather than write a novel so I will stop. Can you tell I am a new blogger?

Our First Post!

Okay, well here I am in Blogland. I finally gave in to peer pressure and created our blog! I am actually pretty excited about it. I am going to work on our Baptism post now :)