Christmas Eve 2009

After church, the family all gathered at the Kendall's house for traditional gumbo. Santa even came for a visit - which completely terrified Will. Santa gave each child a gift. Matt and I were feeling a little under the weather, but we had a great time nonetheless. Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Will

I thought I would take the time to reflect on these past two years with my little boy and write down some memories and things that I love...

-I love that when I walk in the door from work, he runs to give me a hug

-He talks up a storm and impresses everyone with his vocabulary

-He wants me to sing to him every night: Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Twinkle Twinkle, Amazing Grace, ABC's and Jesus Loves Me

-He calls Alivia "Sister"

-He often breaks into spontaneous song including "Oh no, never let go, through the calm and through the storm", or "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see" - I am incredibly amazed at how much he can remember from the songs we sing!

-He loves his pacifier and "bunnies" eventhough none of the loveys are actual bunnies - we try to confine them to use in the crib only

-He loves Grandpa and Mimi and asks almost every night if he will be able to see them the next day

-His laugh - oh how I love that laugh. . .

I love you my sweet Will!

Will turns TWO!

We celebrated Will's 2nd birthday last weekend with Matt's famous BBQ brisket. He smoked that thing on his Big Green Egg for 20 hours. It was yummy and we had lots of family and friends to celebrate with us. By cutting Will's cake, we revealed that we are having a baby BOY! The inside frosting of the cake was blue to let everyone know. Happy Birthday Will!

Christmas Card Pics - Take One, Take Two, Take Three. . .

Oh brother, getting a Christmas card of the whole family is always a challenge. Matt always wants all of us in the shot so it usually takes several tries. One of these is the one, but I'll just let everyone be surprised when they get it in the mail!

Merry Christmas! Alivia (4), Will (2), and Baby Risinger #3 due in April 2010

Thanksgiving Weekend

It is a tradition for us to gather at family friends' houses for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We rotate houses and with each year the group gets larger and larger. This year we gathered at the Sessi's house and had a wonderful meal outside. Matt brought his camera and we got an amazing shot of the entire group. Thanks Mia for hosting such a nice celebration.

What do you want to tell me?

Every night and before naptime Alivia has to tell me three things, in this exact order after I ask her, "What do you want to tell me?":

1) Don't turn off my monitor. (This is a biggie, because she gets really freaked out if she calls and we don't come running, immediately)

2) My light is going to be on. (She has a light that turns on in the AM and after naps that let her know when it is time to get up.)

3) If need to get up and potty, I can just get up and go and not call anybody. (She tends to overuse this privilege so we have to remind her that she is allowed ONE trip to the potty.)

It is really sweet, and makes me laugh everytime she says it (over and over again). I love you my sweet girl.

Meanwhile back in Austin. . .

My parents graciously agreed to watch the kids while Matt and I were in Boston. Mimi always writes a beautiful (and detailed) summary of their stay. Here it is:

Monday Night:

Both kids sad that Mommy and Daddy have left. Have a hard time going to sleep. Alivia wakes up at 3:30 am screaming.

Tuesday:

Time change! Both kids wake up at 6:30 am! Good thing is we have plenty of time to get Alivia ready for school. Emily and Avery come to play late morning. Peyton joins us for lunch. We play outside after naps - a gorgeous day. We have porcupines and baked potatoes for dinner. Alivia takes a Lunchable for lunch and cheese crackers and grapes for her snack. Still hard to get them to bed. Alivia doesn't go to sleep until late.

Wednesday:

Both wake up early again. We are all getting ready to go this morning. Alivia to school, Mimi to Lamplighters Bible Study and Will to childcare from 9:30-11:30. Grandpa is here to help. They see me dip my toast in my tea and now they are doing it too! Alivia takes a Lunchable and blueberries and yogurt for a snack. Will cries when I leave him but has a good time and is all smiles when I pick him up - calling out Mimi Mimi! Will and I go home to eat lunch and then go back to get Alivia. We all came home - very tired and go for naps. Bill comes at 3pm and I go to work until 5 and then to grocery store. We have meatloaf and sweet potatoes for dinner. Kids go to bed better and sleep all night. Alivia wakes up when she hears Bill exercising and she comes and sleeps with me until 7 am. Will has a runny nose - allergies I think - we all have them.

Thursday:

Alivia has show and tell today. She picks 4 different flowers from the garden to take. Pizza day today! She takes pineapple and yogurt for a snack. I give will some Zyrtec when he gets up. another gorgeous day! Bill takes Alivia to school. She delights in having a Pop Tart for breakfast! Will is obsessed with the play vacuum and has vacuumed over and over again. today he asks me to take him to the park! Fire truck and firemen come to Alivia's school on Wed. She had lots to talk about from their visit. We painted fingernails and toenails after nap and painted on my "easel" in the backyard. Will slept til I woke him at 5 pm! I don't think he feels good. Both kids went to bed easily and slept well.

Friday:

Bill takes kids to Cabela's and I go with Frances and Susan E to San Antonio for a birthday party. Bill says kids liked Cabela's especially the fish tanks. Both took good naps. I got back about 3:15. Another beautiful day. Played in backyard after naps.

Saturday:

Bill left early to go hunting this AM. Alivia went to sleep at 10:15 pm and woke up at 6:15 am. She is feverish and I gave her a dose of Motrin - has a cough and slight runny nose. Had the hot steam vaporizer on for Will last night and he seems lots better. Put in ear drops in left ear for drainage and infection - smells bad! Alivia has said every night how much she misses Mommy and Daddy. Will loves to wash his hands in the sink. We ate all our Halloween candy. They never asked about theirs. They were very good about sharing and not fighting - except for Will pushing Alivia every now and then which she protests loudly. Alivia very nervous last night and today - biting fingernails lots. She is anxious for you to return! Went to Doss playground and had a great time from 10-11:30. Pa came, too.