Thanksgiving Recap

We had a great Turkey Day and hope you did the same! We have so much to be thankful for this year and glad we were able to spend this day with most of our families. We loaded up the car and headed to Arlington to spend the morning/early afternoon with Gabe's mom, brother and niece. We purchased a Cajun turkey from Dickey's...umm... 2 words.... spicy deliciousness! We left stuffed!!! Brody took an 1.5 nap right before it was time to eat, so he had his "thanksgiving meal" in the evening. After leaving my MIL's we headed to my aunts house to spend some time with my aunt and uncle, grandpa, sister, and dad and step-mom. It was great visiting and watching Brody roam around discovering all the places and things he didn't need to get in to. I ate my weight in desserts at my aunts house! Just kidding, I was actually better than I had planned. Here are a couple pictures from Thanksgiving.

Tech Game

Gabe and I ventured back to our college days for the Texas Tech vs. Baylor game (well, kind of). We packed up our foldable chairs, cooler, and snacks and headed to Arlington. The game was being played at Jerry World (aka: the new Cowboy's stadium). That place is amazing!! It was my first time and I thought the stadium was huge and gorgeous! We met up with some friends and set up a tailgate outside for the windy Saturday afternoon. Randomly we picked a spot next to some friends of ours. This worked out perfect and ended up being a mini FIJI reunion. Gabe and I had so much fun catching up with everyone! Thank you to the Gilmore's for providing delicious wings and fries!

Tech pulled out a win, barely. Our seats were great and loved seeing the sea of red and black! We were a little frustrated for the first half, but left with a smile on our faces along with empty pockets from the concessions!

Thanks Nana for watching our precious angel Brody!

Gobble Gobble

We hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow, whether you are celebrating with 100 people or just 1 or 2, we wish you a pleasant and happy day.

Thankfulness has never meant so much to Gabe and/or I as it does now. We are most thankful to have Brody in our lives, but also we are thankful for our excellent health, our shelter, the clothes on our backs, the food in our mouths, our jobs, our family and friends, as well as our Lord and Savior. None of this would be possible without believing and trusting in Him.

We will be spending the morning with Gabe's mom, brother and niece. And the afternoon with my dad, step-mom, sister, aunt, uncle, and grandpa. Should be the makings of a very full day as well as some pretty full tummy's!!

Gobble Gobble!!!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas!

Is it me, or do you feel like everyone is decorating early this year? Guilty! Our interior is just about done and the exterior is getting close too and it isn't even Thanksgiving! I guess we just want to enjoy this special time of year even more now that we are parents. And because it is Brody's 1st Christmas!!! What a joyous time in which we are anxiously waiting to share with him and our families.

Last night we met up with the Colberg's to attend a Christmas tree lighting at the Shops at Legacy. It was gorgeous! A little chilly, but so pretty! We ate some warm, delicious Mi Cocina and ventured down to the tree for a photo op.

8 months old - version 2.0

Some other points I forgot to mention in the last post:

He is a speedy crawler

Wearing size 3-6 months in pants and 6 months in tops

In a "mommy" stage

Loves to get into Rocky's doggy bowls, the doggy door and the fireplace

Wears a size 3 diaper

Has 2 bottom teeth

Belly laughs when tickled

Loves to shred and wrinkle paper

We are working on learning to use a sippy cup and learning to feed ourselves our puffs/cheerios.

8 months old

Wowee! Brody was 8 months as of this past Monday. Let me see if I can think of what all he is doing...

Pulling up

Walking with his baby walker

Saying "dadadada"

Climbing stairs (only with supervision)

Eating solid foods extremely well

Sits independently

Chewing - recently introduced fruity flavored puffs

Holding his own bottle

He is getting so very close to standing independently. I know this is a precursor to walking with which I am joyful about, but also having anxiety over it. He is getting to be such a big boy and looking less and less like a baby. I am so thankful to have him in my life. He has taught me so many things and he doesn't even know it. Brody brings so much joy and happiness, love and laughter to us. We are truly blessed to have this adorable, amazing, darling little boy. He is changing and growing everyday, I hope to cherish every moment with him since time is going to, and already is flying by.

Cute Cousins

Brody and Bella

4 Wonderful Years

Last Wednesday was our 4th wedding anniversary/11 years of togetherness. I am so blessed to have found the most perfect man, well God was the one who placed him in my life for a reason. I sincerely believe that Gabe is the only one who can put up with me and vice-versa. We have been through so many of life's experiences together, and we have really and truly grown up together. He keeps things fun and interesting with his jokes and tricks, he helps me to understand the jokes he tells me along with other things in life I don't understand. He is so business smart and great at his job. I have recently fallen in love with my husband again with the birth of Brody. Gabe is the most hands-on, fun, and loving father. I have enjoyed every minute being married to Gabe for the past four years and looking forward to the rest of our lives together.

We celebrated by dining at Gabe's favorite steak restaurant, Bob's....yummy! We had great conversation and enjoyed our 2 hours of alone-ness. Brody went and played at Gavin's house. I heard they were pretty cute playing together. We are lucky to have such wonderful friends to watch our little guy on a weeknight. Thanks again Brooke and Steve!

A Mommy's Favorite Things

I wanted to put together a list of some of my favorite things for baby for a few reasons.

1) I have so many pregnant friends and also new mommy friends

2) May help someone in need of a baby shower gift, and

3) I want to document what was/is important so far in Brody's life.

These are just things that have worked for me, so take it for what you want. I hope it is helpful to someone!

Here are just a few of my mommy favorite things...in no particular order...

Food Maker: Beaba Babycook from Williams Sonoma

I have been enjoying making all of Brody's food. (Except for the cereal and oatmeal). It has been super easy with the help of this contraption. A highly recommended item.

A Lifesaver Invention: Pacifier Wipes

We have gone through so many packages! Brody constantly drops his paci, so these have definitely come in handy.

Our Favorite Pacifier Brand: MAM

Not sure why, but he loves this brand of paci. We have tried others, and this is the one he wants.

Night time soothing helper: the Seahorse

Our Favorite Blanket to Swaddle with: Swaddle Designs

We still use this blanket, just not for swaddling anymore.

Favorite Bottles: Dr. Brown's

My pediatrician even recommended this brand.

To help with hiccups: Gripe Water

To help with gas: Mylicon Drops

Brody's Current Favorite Toy:

This thing is amazing! It's fun to play with and encourages walking. He goes all over the house with this thing.

Favorite Diaper Brand: Costco's Kirkland Supreme Diapers

Love, love, love these diapers! Have not had one problem with these. And they are a little cheaper too. Pampers is a very close runner-up.

Brody's New Trick

...is to climb the stairs!!! Yep, all 16 of them. Over and over and over again! I swear Gabe and/or I are right there, I just cropped us out when I could.

Can you say time for a baby gate?

A Scarecrow with a Skunk and Leopard friends?

We had a great Halloween and hope you did the same. Although Brody and his buddies are too young this year, next year should be even more fun with actually going trick or treating. My dad and his wife Pat, my grandpa, and my sister traveled over for the early part of the afternoon to spend sometime with Brody. It was of course great seeing them. We went to our neighborhoods Halloween festivities - a dog parade and costume contest. Rocky sadly did not enter. He isn't very nice to fellow canines, therefore leaving us no option but to leave him home.

Later in the evening, our friends came over (the Longs and Colbergs). We are so lucky to have wonderful friends so close. It was an experience with the 3 little ones! They do not get to all three be together often enough so it is great seeing them interact. Gavin was hilariously cute in the skunk costume...the tail was awesome! And sweet Teagan was as adorable as ever in her leopard costume...she even let mommy put a nose and wiskers on her face. Teagan and Brody got to stroll around the neighborhood while the big kids went house to house. Guess it wasn't too exciting for them since they both fell asleep.

If Brody could talk, I believe he would say he had a great Halloween!