Good Grief

What a Christmas party! After the Lutz family moved to Philly this summer, we were all left wondering who would plan the kiddo Christmas party. I had actually never been involved in this shindig, and I didn't even know these things had been happening. However, it was very clear that the rest of the ladies were trying to find their "inner Leslie" and plan/organize an unforgettable kiddo Christmas get-together. They succeeded.

Cat came up with the idea to have the party in the first place. Sarah took on the hostess job offering up her house to LOTS of kids under the age of 4. Then the rest got busy coming up with ideas for activity stations, food, movies, games, and even a gift exchange. My goodness, this was going to be one heck of a party. All I did was order the "Happy Birthday, Jesus" cake and take pictures. Take a look at the details of this wonderful celebration. I didn't capture them all as I was dealing with Reese for a large portion of the time. I am still in awe of the organization and the lack of chaos that actually took place on Monday morning.

Reese in her snow bunny outfit. It was FRIGID outside.

The "dressed-up" garage. You may notice that each kid had a place card on the back of the chairs. And of course the tables were made to look like a snowman...how clever?!

The cookie decorating station.

Craft station.

Story and Song station.

Group picture time...Reese didn't make it because she was actually sleeping at this point.

Eating their delicious catered meal...Chick-Fil-A of course.

Thank you, Sarah, for opening up your home. I know all of the kids had a blast, and we may need to enlist the help of more grandmothers for next year's party. I'm pretty sure my mom would be up for it. Right, Mopsy?!

Another One

Yes, it's been another wonderful weekend in December here at the Walker house. God is so good to bring joy into our lives, and after our ordeal with a sick baby almost three months ago, I am committed to stop ignoring the little things God blesses us with so abundantly. Here are just a few of the "little things" I love and am so thankful for today:

1. The Christmas decor is complete after we finally got our wreaths out on the windows last night.

2. Reese is in the process of learning how to sleep better.

3. We had our first FEW snowflakes overnight.

4. Church was another wonderful time this morning when Wes got to listen to the Gospel, and I discussed raising children with other moms in the Mother's Room.

5. I've discovered how to bring one of my favorite restaurants home with me after purchasing sun-dried tomato turkey breast, pesto, sourdough bread, and several different kinds of cheeses. Needless to say, our grill pan has just stayed on top of the stove for the last few days to make Hammontree's come to us anytime we want.

6. Wes decided to do his work at home this afternoon instead of going up to his office, so he took out a card table and set up shop right here in the living room next to the fire with Emmett at his feet.

7. Several of my dearest friends became moms right around the same time I did, and we just share advice and encourage one another constantly.

8. Reese smiles EVERY time I sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and absolutely lights up the room at any of my renditions of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

9. The lights on the Christmas tree put Reese in awe, and those big, bright eyes bring tears to my own when she just stares at the different ornaments and everything else around her.

10. God gives me a positive attitude to overlook the frustrations and concerns about being a mom. Again, after what we went through in September, I'm very hesitant to complain about anything. That doesn't mean I don't get frustrated, confused, or just down right TIRED, and many of you know I am not afraid to voice my concerns or lack of knowledge about babies and sleep, but I try to just thank God for a healthy baby every day. He didn't promise this would be easy or even that I would have a healthy baby, so I am thankful...even for that pitiful cry that is coming through the monitor 25 minutes into this little girl's nap. :)

I don't remember a December calendar this empty in a very long time. We have a kiddo Christmas party tomorrow which will require a post of its own, and we will be traveling some in another week or so, but that's about it. Ahhhh...

So, onto some pictures from this weekend...

A few of the smaller Christmas decorations that I absolutely LOVE. My favorite addition this year? My mom sent a book from my first Christmas along with a pair of the cutest felt Christmas shoes in the mail this week. Wes and I have both read Baby's Christmas to Reese, and I can't help but stare at the writing on the inside front cover that says "Kate 1984."

Surrounding a beautiful portrait of Mopsy before she even became a mommy are some real greenery, a moss star, pieces of antique silver, old mercury ornaments, and some clean white candles. This isn't the greatest picture, but you get the idea.

Ever since I can remember, my part in decorating our house for Christmas was setting up my angels. I received one each year, and I would place them very strategically in the formal living room accompanied by some green fabric and fake snow before mom took a picture of me in my Christmas dress next to MY angels. Now most of them live with us, and I take them out each year and place them in their new December home.

In the middle of undressing from our bundled up trip to church this morning, Reese needed a break. She had a furry hat and a warm blanket covering her on top of her peacoat, dress, leggings, socks, and shoes. She is definitely more likely to suffer from heat issues than frostbite.

Ahhh...I can move my arms again!

This afternoon's activities...Reese on her favorite play mat staring at either her dog or the tree, Emmett at Wes' feet, and Wes at work on the card table. This picture was taken almost 2 hours ago, and the only thing that's moved is Reese...into her swaddle blanket and into her crib for a nap.

Weekends in December

Before Reese arrived, I thought I loved the weekends. Ha. Now, they are simply magnificent. Wes is home and awake in the nights with me, we get to tackle fun projects around the house, football is on TV, Wes keeps a warm fire going at all hours during the day, and we get to spend time with people we love. This past weekend, we got to celebrate the upcoming arrival of sweet Marion, go out to a very special dinner with all of the Walker siblings, enjoy some of our wonderful town's holiday festivities, finish our own decorations with the putting up of Reese's first Christmas tree, and praise God for the arrival of healthy and beautiful Emma Lutz.

I love this girl.

Wes adding a few more lights to the tree...and Reese enamored by it all.

She loves Christmastime. :)

The Walker Christmas dinner at Ruth's Chris.

Reese couldn't wait to go to her first baby shower...and that it was for cousin Marion made it even better!

Thanks and Giving

I am very thankful. Last Thanksgiving, Wes and I spent the week on the beach in Mexico. This year, we spent it with our sweet little girl traveling around the wonderful Natural State. Both beautiful times, and I'm so thankful for the love God has blessed us with this past year. I've never been more in love with my Savior and my husband. And I've fallen completely in love with someone new to this world. In the few days following September 18th, I had to rely on God and His mercy more than ever. I am so incredibly thankful for the specific prayers He answered and for a healthy baby girl. In those same days, my love for Wes grew so much. His companionship, encouragement, servant's heart, and love for our daughter overwhelmed me. And of course Reese has captured my heart, and I am so thankful for the blessing she is. It's hard to describe how much I love that gummy smile, sweet cry, and beautiful face. So of course, here are some Thanksgiving pictures.

Our sweet little girl. My goodness how much I love her.

Gran and O'Pa with their 6 grandchildren...this picture will soon add two more!! :)

Wes focused in on Reese while the four generation photo shoot was taking place...and I love that face!

Now, the four generations. My mom, me, Reese, and my Granny.

My mom's gorgeous Thanksgiving dinner table. She is such an incredible hostess.

The week in Conway and Camden was wonderful. After Reese's two and a half hour nap on our way to Conway Tuesday morning, Mopsy and Popsy didn't take their eyes off her until I took her off to Camden on Thanksgiving afternoon. Watching them love on her was SO much fun. And then getting to spend a couple of days with Reese's cousins and more extended family in Camden was just icing on the cake. She loved being the center of attention, and I told her to soak it up now because she won't be the baby for long!!

Now back home with a husband by my side, a sleeping baby, a clean dog, a warm fire glowing, and a #7 Razorback team hopefully on their way to the Sugar Bowl, I am thankful. And I pray that I continue to thank God for these blessings each and every day.

Postal Service

I think the postal service has gotten better. I sent my birth announcements on Saturday, and many of them arrived at their destinations today. I ordered a new swaddle sleep sack for Reese on Tuesday, and it showed up two days later. A good friend sent a pretty big package of goodies not long ago, and it came to my front door the next day. So, hopefully many of you received a pretty cute picture postcard of sweet Reese today. I still have more to go out due to trouble getting addresses, and lots of thank-you notes are on their way as well. We better get this show on the road though and finish up these things because we have to get going on Christmas cards soon.

Here's the really cute postcard that many mailmen got to peek at today.

An update just because...RRW and I are heading down to Conway tomorrow morning by ourselves, and Daddy will meet us there Wednesday afternoon. I am beyond excited to show Reese where I grew up, and I just love Thanksgiving. This has been a week I've looked forward to for a long time. I just get giddy thinking about all of the smiles and full bellies that will take place on Thursday. I pray you all have a great holiday.

Couldn't Wait--Now With Doctor's Report :)

Well, I couldn't wait to post Reese's "Happy Two Months" pictures. We have our appointment this afternoon, so I'll have more to update then along with a report on how Reese responds to more poking. I just pray it doesn't remind her of the first 12 days of her life....I mean, what can a few wimpy shots do to this tough girl? I must say I'm not looking forward to it though.

Anyways, I had an extra 30 minutes this morning before feeding time, so we had our photo shoot a bit early. Happy two months, sweet girl.

Compare...above is October 18th. Below is November 18th. She's grown.

And just for kicks and giggles. Don't you love this face?!

Oh, we are home now, and sweet girl did such a wonderful job with all of those shots. She actually fell asleep less than one minute after they were done, and right now she's getting treated to a nap in the swing. I told her that when she's older we will go get ice cream or some other kind of treat after shots, but for now she must settle for naps, breast milk, and lots of high pitched silly talk.

For the two month update, here is what RRW is doing these days:

**She is what the doctor calls an "irregular" baby which basically means there is no consistent behavior. :) For a few days she will be angelic, and then she will be fussy for a couple of days followed by sleepiness and wakefulness, and it goes on and on like that. He said it's really just more difficult for the parents, but we can handle it.

**We are getting her off of Zantac to see if it really was making any difference. We may get her on Prevacid if nothing improves or if things get worse in the gas area.

**RRW eats about every 3 hours during the day, and as the irregular baby stuff goes, it varies at night. Sometimes it's 6 hours, sometimes 4, and one time it was actually 8.

**Baby girl weighs 12 lbs. 4 oz. (86th percentile)

**RRW is 23 1/2 inches long (89th percentile)

**Sweet pea does NOT have a large noggin. That's saying something for the Frost and Walker clans.

**She loves to smile and try to talk. It really makes me smile bigger than you can imagine.

**She loves bathtime. I don't know if she's just laughing at my version of "Bathtime Hokey Pokey" or if she actually loves the water and splashing around in it.

**She has been sleeping in her crib since her 6 week birthday.

**We read a Bible story (from the Jesus Storybook Bible--thanks, Leslie) on most days, and of course I cried the first day. I just started to think about all of the stories I pray that I get to share with her in the coming years.

**I could probably go on and on, and I totally would because this post is one of those that's much more for my records than for the enjoyment of the readers, but I'm done thinking for today. More may come later.

A Pretty Dull Post

I probably shouldn't title this post in this way if I want people to read it, but it's what came to my mind when the "new post" page popped up on the laptop. I am going to have some exciting posts in the next few days including the big 2 month update and a picture of our birth announcement, but I don't like that it's been a week since I've updated...so here's what's been going on in our world...

*Reese and I don't have too many full days at home. During our outings, we walk/stroll with friends at the Bark Park, run to Target and the Neighborhood Market, spend time with other moms and besties, and hang out with really neat 9th graders.

*Most of my best friends from college came in town this weekend, and we had a "miniunion." Three of the four Laurens couldn't make it though, so it was a bit different...plus, we had three little girls taking most of the attention. Regardless, it was incredible to just hang out with these precious friends. We hung out in Fayetteville, took the babies to the Kappa house, ate yummy grilled cheese sandwiches at Hammontree's, had a delicious meal at Table Mesa with the boys in tow, visited over coffee and bagels two mornings in a row at Einstein and Panera, and just caught up and loved on each other at Brooke's.

*I have made my bed every day since mid-July with the exception of the worst day in my mastitis infection when I was pretty much lying in it all day. Yes, I made our bed the morning I went into labor after my water broke. It's become a crazy obsession.

*And I'll leave it at that. Get ready for some cute pictures and updates in the next several days. This girl makes my heart so happy each day.