Merry Christmas

Merry Merry Christmas from our family to yours....

This Christmas holds special significance because it's Miller's first Christmas. We hope to create many traditions and memories as a family to continue for years to come. It's also Miller's 9 month birthday today!

FAMILY pretty much sums up our Christmas holiday. Miller was surrounded by so many friends and family this Christmas. It all started on Sunday when Omi and Grandpa came into town from Knoxville. We continued our Miller family tradition on Christmas Eve by attending the Candelight Service at Johnson Ferry followed by a party at my parents home with all their closest friends. Miller was a sweet trouper and even stayed up until 10:00p.m. That's our party baby!

We had to get home eventually so Santa would make a visit. Landon woke up first on Christmas morning to get the breakfast going while I squeezed in a few moments of extra sleep & a shower too. Miller slept a little longer because of such a LATE night. After a yummy breakfast, we all gathered by the tree to open gifts. Miller was of course fascinated with all the wrapping paper, boxes and bows. I'm sure they all tasted so good.

The festivities continued when we all gathered at noon over at my parents house for more food and gifts. Uncle Clay was excited to greet our Christmas baby. I love watching Miller being passed around from lap to lap. He just studies everyone's expressions and looks for pens in pockets, zippers on jackets, and buttons& earrings to play with. We gathered downstairs for more gift opening. Landon and I felt so blessed to have both sets of grandparents and Clay all together in one room. It made life so much easier on us to have everyone in one place.

When we returned home later Christmas evening Landon read Luke 2 to Miller. We so want Miller to know the real reason of Christmas and not to get "wrapped up" in all the gifts and commercialism of the season. Of course, Miller sat there and played with his new toy train, but we started a tradition that will one day be appreciated.

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Millery Christmas to All

Twas the night before Miller’s first Christmas and all through the house
The electrical sockets all had those plastic plugs in their mouths.
Miller’s stocking was hung by the chimney with care
In hopes for some gifts or perhaps some pureed dinner affair.

With Miller all nestled all snug in his crib
And visions of sweet potatoes smeared all over his bib.
With mommy in her A D Pi shirt and I not wearing a cap
Had just settled down for our mild southern winter’s nap.

When out from the nursery there arose such a clatter
I fumbled out of bed to see what was the matter
I stepped on Jackson’s tail and ran into the wall
To the nursery I dashed, which is just down the hall.

The night vision baby monitor gave off its green glow
To illuminate Miller standing up on his tippy toe
When what to my wondering eyes did appear?
Miller was cutting two teeth and the pain was severe.

His eyes how they twinkled his dimples so merry
His cheeks were like roses and his nose like a cherry
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And his two new incisors were was white as the snow.

We numbed up the teeth with some sugar plum Novocain
To make the house quite so as not to drive Santa insane
For the hour was close for the very fit, slim man to appear
To place in our stockings some fun Christmas gear.

So on Miller’s first Christmas there was a little drama
To which I say he should save for his mama
But though he can’t speak he wanted me to write,
Millery Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Written by Landon:)

Round of Applause

I felt like quite the accomplished mom today....I received a round of applause with each new thing I did for Miller. He clapped when his bottle was mixed to perfection and served in a timely manner. On the changing table, he showed his appreciation for excellent diaper changing skills by putting his hands together again. Miller even applauded during meal time when his food was served at just the right temperature. The fruit dessert put those little clappers into overtime! I guess I'm really pleasing the little man. He's been showing off his new little talent all day. It's too cute to watch his chubby little hands with dimpled knuckles clap away. I'm just happy he appreciates all the things we do for him (wink,wink).

We had the biggest time by the Christmas tree this afternoon. Miller explored and climbed over the packages and even tried to help move daddy's present behind the tree.

He's shuffling around on his bottom to explore new things...AND there are lots of things this time of year for him to get into. I'm dreading having to look into those baby blues of his and tell him no. It's hard enough to take something away from him that he shouldn't play with. We'll be babyproofing in no time!

Double Date

Miller and I met our friends Paula and Jack today for a little mommy & me date at Mellow Mushroom. Jack always greets us with the biggest grin...he's such a social baby. It was Miller's first time in the high chair out to eat. We used to put his baby carrier on top of the high chair, but now that he's sitting up it so much easier to dine out. Jack and Miller dined on cereal bits in their matching high chair covers while the mommies chatted. There is so much for the boys to look at in a restaurant...other children, T.V.'s, waitresses. It definitely beats a quiet afternoon at home and Miller loves to be on the go.

Miller observed Jack's cereal skills so hopefully he too will have perfect aim in his mouth! We turned the high chairs so the boys could face eachother...it was just months ago that they did the same thing in their Bumbo seats! They played with eachother's toys, hands & feet. What fun!

After such a playful lunch, my worn out baby fell fast asleep on the way home. As you can see, he is just barely squeezing into his car seat these days. Feet are hanging out the end of the carrier and I can barely lift it in and out of the car. A new conversion seat is on Miller's Christmas list so hopefully he can hold out for a few more days. No cookies, eggnog, fruitcake,or gingerbread on this baby's waistline for at least a week!

Beware of Men in Red Suits

Who was that strange man mommy? I can only imagine that's what Miller was thinking.



My good friend Heather sent me a few pictures of our Santa visit on Friday. She's Miller's photographer and took some paparazzi shots of our Santa visit. I didn't even realize she was snapping away. Thanks Heather!

I forgot to mention in my last post that at the very last moment of sitting on St. Nick's lap, Miller started to cry. Was it that he sensed he had to leave such a jolly lap? Or was he scared of a stranger in a red suit with a tummy that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly? I think it's the latter! I've heard from friends to expect this reaction for the next two years or so. Our Santa pics will only get more interesting as the years go by.

Just thought I'd include the after shot. Don't you just want to comfort the little guy?

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

lean your ear this way! Don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say:Christmas Eve is coming soon;now, you dear old man....Whisper what you'll bring to me;tell me if you can.When the clock is striking twelve,when I'm fast asleep. Down the chimney, broad and black,with your pack you'll creep. All the stockings you will find hanging in a row. Mine will be the shortest one,you'll be sure to know. Daddy wants a pair of skates, Mommy wants a sled. Jackson wants a new soft bed ,yellow, blue, and red. Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest.Choose for me, dear Santa Claus;you will know the best.

We had a fantastic time introducing Miller to St. Nick this afternoon. We were joined by Grandmama & Poppy, friends from high school Mandy, Chad & Anna Thrasher and Anna's grandparents..Randy and Pam which have been family friends for years. While we were waiting in line, Miller was happy to see his friend Meg and her parents Heather and Jim. "Uncle Bob" a name affectionately given to Mr. Chambers when we were kids growing up got to meet Miller for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were in line with their granddaughter Rachel. It was a party!

It was a first visit for both Anna and Miller, so it was fun to share in this experience together....
Everything was in our favor, no lines, perfect weather and great company. Not to mention... a well rested and happy baby. I always love watching the varied reactions of young children to Santa. There are many screamers, a few huggers, and lots of indifferent feelings. Miller loved touching the fur on Santa's jacket. He was taking in the whole experience, but chose not to look up at Santa. I think he was just putting up with the whole experience but not thrilled by all the strange faces. Since Miller can't communicate yet, we put in a good word for our little guy and made sure our address was listed in Santa's GPS navigation system.

After lap time and pictures, Miller and Anna got to meet the beautiful white horses pulling the sleigh rides. Anna and Miller got reacquainted and just stared at one another!

Party in my Crib

This is how I found our little man when he was supposed to be napping today. Running errands and squeezing in Christmas shopping here and there have really messed up our afternoon routine. Miller fell asleep for 15 minutes on the way home from the mall today and then didn't want to go down for his 2:15 nap. He cried for 20 minutes or so and then everything got strangely quiet. I clicked on the video monitor and saw two knees bent in front of the screen. My heart skipped a beat because I envisioned our baby hanging over the side of the rails. I ran up the stairs and flew open the nursery door only to find a huge grin greeting me. Almost to say...Look what I discovered mom!

After capturing a picture or two, I laid Miller on his side as to say "night night". He didn't want any of that. In protest, Miller sat right back up and got on his knees gumming the crib rails. His body language said "No nap!" Eventually he calmed down..and I kept stalking the camera to make sure he stayed in his crib. We lowered his mattress tonight just in case he tries his new trick in the morning!
Other exciting news includes Miller cutting two more top teeth. He now has four central incisors on top. Miller really did get his two front teeth for Christmas!

Great Tannenbaum

It may only be a 9 ft. tree, but it's a huge tree to our two admirers in the Fokens' house. I can only imagine that when we tested the lights for the first time, it was like watching Macy's great tree being lit from the perspective of our tiny tot! That is what is so wonderful about Christmas this year for our family. Everything is new and fresh for Miller. I try to experience the whole thing through his eyes. What a privledge to share in the wonderful season of Christmas with our son!

Jackson and Miller are in hog heaven around here lately. They both sit near or around the tree and stare at the lights and ornaments. Jackson gets excited each year because it gives him a taste of what he used to know outside..climbing trees and hunting birds. Now, he entertains himself by climbing fake branches and stalking shiny bulbs...such a ferocious hunter indeed.Landon likes to narrate what Jackson is thinking as he crouches to pounce on a bulb like we are watching an episode of Animal Planet. There's never a dull moment around here!
Miller loves his furry feline friend and watches Jackson climb the tree. He giggles and stares with great anticipation as to what Jackson will do next. It never fails...I'll place Miller in the center of our family room and he rolls and moves over to the tree to grab or kick at the branches. Today he was successful enough to kick off a bulb! That's how we've been spending our days. We're loving watching our "two" sons play and entertain themselves with the tree.