I am part of the family!

Yes, I happen to have 4 legs, a wet nose, and sometimes I can clear a room when I have gas; but I am part of the family! These past few months have been a bit rough. I wish I could say I've been the best best friend, but the truth is I have been a bit jealous.

I confess, I have stolen socks, pacifiers, blankets, really anything that smells like my mini-master. I just can't help it! I have to figure it out. What is this thing anyway? Will it stay forever, and if it does, will it like me? I really want it to like me! Maybe if I just look at it long enough it will scratch my ear or rub my belly.

Oh well, I'll just lay here and look at it. I love the way it smells. It also has the softest skin. I know I have to be gentle, so I'll be careful. I'll just inch my way as close as I can and wait. For as long as it takes, I'll wait. One day maybe it will love me as much as I love it. Oh I hope so.

Love your faithful friend,

Moose

More pic's at Northpark

How could we not love our little peanut!

Not quite sure about this snowman! We had a great time walking the mall. It's croweded but Northpark is a pretty great place to visit during the holidays - it definately can get you in the holiday spirit - that or it will just make you grumpy.

The search for Santa

Well, I am not one to give up on important tasks, but yesterday's attempt to visit Santa for Andi's first Christmas came very close! It took us all day, we started at 10:00 AM and after a trip to Petco (we didn't know this Santa was for pet's - I couldn't put Andi in the line between the Schnauzer and the Poodle - it just seemed wrong) and Santa's Village in Richardson (the wait was 2 hours) we ended up at Northpark at 6:00 PM - exactly where we started the day off. It's amazing how much money that place makes - WOW - it's also amazing that I contributed!

So here's the big picture. Andi did great for the first 2 minutes then it was time for bed and there was noooooo stopping a sleepy baby!

Happy Baby After Bathtime!

Back to October: Halloween

Here are a few pictures of Mom and I on Halloween - we decided to go to the Dallas Arboretum. It's an older post but thought they were great pic's. We have decided that we love the Arboretum and will be returning often - what a beautiful and peaceful place to visit in Dallas. Next time we'll bring a picnic basket and blanket and make the day of it!

Miracle Worker: Whitney Rose Cone!

One of my best friends and roommate from college came for a visit and everyone, including Andi was so sad when she had to leave. Andi was like putty in her hands. Amazing! We love you Whitney!

Baby Massage

Well I had a great time this week - the big event of the week was having some of the girls over to the house from my Square 1: ( http://www.watermark.org/ministries/care/square-one/ )

group for a lesson in baby massage. I really enjoyed leading the girls through what I have learned about baby massage and I think it was beneficial for everyone.

I leared about Baby Massage from a book that my sister gave me and then took a class at my yoga studio to get more of the technique down. For a link to the book go here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0553380567?tag=infantmassage-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0553380567&adid=0KCQXS84BE77PJ9TG5N4&

We took another sunflower baby picture while all of the babies were still naked. Andi's the little runt at the bottom of the page enjoying it a bit more the 2nd time around :).

Birth Center Materna-Tea

So it has been a while since I last posted anything. I recently went to a Materna-tea at the Birth Center. It was so nice to see the other babies and hear all of their unique birth stories! As I shared my own story I realized how grateful I am to have had such a wonderful birthing experience. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life and I would not have done it any other way! Here's a reflection of some of the high points:

1. Laboring in the comfort of my home and birthing surrounded by those I love and trust

2. Really connecting with Ryan and trusting him to guide me through the toughest moments of my life

3. Believing that I could do it - pushing through fear and asking the Lord for strength was a very spiritual experience and a huge self-esteem builder. I have definately connected with my body in a new way! Praise God!

Here's a picture of all of the babies. Can you pick out Andi???

(Andi is the one with the really red face at the bottom of the picture. She was not happy and pretty pissed off to be on that blanket!)