Long time....

It's been a long time since I last posted and I will try and get better.  Almost a year has gone by and much has happened.  I will catch you up...on the next post!

Girls Nite Out!

So last week I had a girls nite out and it was so fun! I went with my friend Cory, while Easton stayed home with Daddy!
We went to this class where they teach you to paint and I have to admit that we did pretty good. I will do it again but maybe not pick a painting so difficult. You get to bring any drinks of your choice (wine will be the next time) so get ready to join me next time you visit. It was nice to get away, and just what I needed before our next one arrives. Thank you Darrell, love you!
My painting is the one on the left...

Snow Day

On Friday and Saturday we had snow days in TN. I have never experienced snow in the past and it was only 6 inches, but regardless, I am a Florida girl. It was very beautiful and left the ground covered with beautiful white dustings, but it also caused complete chaos. It is now Tuesday and schools have been closed since Friday and people still don't know how to drive. Just take it slow and follow the path that everyone has taken. Don't be the superstar and try to drive on the ice! What are they thinking, crazy people?
Easton is loving school. He recognizes when we pull up and is ready to go before we can even pull him out of the carseat. Cries when pick him up but then is happy to be home.
He is a big boy now and sits at his big boy table, not in the high chair. It has been a challenge and he does get up and down occasionally, but it is just because is done with the meal and is ready to play. He knows who is boss and doesn't let us forget it! His food selection has become very precise and he knows what he does and doesn't want. Man, is he stubborn...wonder where he gets that from?? Almost feel awful to admit and say this, but he loves cartoons! He is clearly addicted. He is starting to repeat a few words and sounds that we are saying and he although he cannot verbally communicate with us, we know what he is saying. He does say "yes" and shakes is head and also shakes his no, but cannot say that word yet! You can tell when is yelling at Roxy, because he bends down to her level and shakes his finger at her...this usually happens after she steals his snack from him! Very funny things he does and there will be many more to come for sure!
Kerrington's nursery is coming along and I am getting soo excited! I can hardly wait to have everything ready and in order. I thought for so long that I had so much time, but now I am getting anxious and nervous. I have 8 1/2 weeks, my goodness! I just can't imagine doing this all over again...just a rush of emotions! Super excited though!

BIG Plans for 2010

With 2010 just beginning, I have BIG plans for the new year. Right now they are just goals, but they will turn into working plans and then completed goals.
My list is a little long so I won't post but just know that the next few months will be very busy with our family expanding and what will happen after that is still out in the open. We have to take each month, step by step.
2009 was good, but 2010 has got to better. There were so many roller coaster rides that we all went through and I am ready for it to all level out.

Christmas Update

Just a few updates from the holiday....what a great day we had. It was definitely quiet but nice to start our own family traditions.
Santa came to visit Easton and he was excited to open all of his gifts. He got some Lego's, Little People, and some other toys to help him learn and encourage his development. To our surprise he was so patient when it came time to open the gifts. Once they were unwrapped he waited so patiently for us to take them out of the package so he could play with them. What a good boy he is! We had to take a break from the gifts to enjoy our French Toast Casserole, and then back to more gift opening.
We made a nice Christmas dinner of Turkey, Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Cranberries and Apple Crumble for dessert. It was delicious! The turkey was amazing.
I was a little under the weather for the holidays with a Sinus Infection but I managed and am now feeling much better.
Overall, it was a very nice time with our little family and next year will be much more exciting with 2 little ones running around.

Santa's lap = Overrated!

So this was the first year that we took Easton to see Santa and what an adventure that was. When we first got there the line was not that long so we decided to wait. Previously we had decided that no matter what, crying or not, we were going to buy pictures....it was his 1st Santa pic, we had to!
So we stand in line and wait for about 30-40 min and are the next family to be called when, whoops!, the camera breaks and the computer freezes. No worries this can be fixed. After 20 minutes of calling support and getting a new camera we then get called.
I put Easton on Santa's lap and of course, as expected, he cries. There is no calming him down, just snap the picture. We buy the pictures anyway and hope next year will be better. He will be bigger and understand at that point...maybe!
With that said, Easton was 30 min late for his class party but still showed up. Things were wrapping up but he got to open a few gifts anyway!



Picture from school, not at the mall...

O' Christmas Tree

Last night we went and bought a Christmas tree...but not without first buying Easton a big puffy jacket. With 30 degree weather, just a sweater is not going to cut it.
Our first stop was to the church to support the Boy Scouts, and oh my, what trouble they were having. The trees were little and expensive. Our second stop was to our trusty source, Costco. This is the first year that they are selling trees and it is beautiful and the price is awesome! Thank you Costco!
We also haven't put a Christmas card together yet so that was in the works as well. I tried to bribe Easton with a cookie to get him to sit so we will see what the picture turns out like. He only bought it for about 1 minute and then knew it was a trick....smart little guy!

15 Months

Easton had his 15 month check-up yesterday and he was such a good boy! He falls asleep in the car and stays asleep while in the waiting room...perfect! No running around with all the other germy kids. I take him back and he wakes up right on time for the nurse to measure (31 inches) and weigh him. He is now big enough to stand on the scale instead of lay down on it and he acted like we do this everyday. Stepped up and stood still waiting for it to read 23.4 lbs.
We go back to the room and he is acting like the wild man he always is and playing with the trucks until he hears a knock on the door. He picks everything up and puts is away and wants to sit next to me on the big boy chair by himself. For a good 10-15 minutes while the doctor is in the room he is so quiet and patient and sooo observant to what she is doing. When she went to look in his mouth with the light, he actually opened up his mouth for her...and to our surprise we discovered 2 more teeth. That will be 12 total! He turned his head so she cold look in his ears....I was so surprised that my little, well big, boy was being so good.
As soon as she left, he hopped down and started being his crazy self and pulling all the drawers out and rearranging furniture and so forth. That is the Easton that I know!
He did get 2 shots (1 was the flu shot) but he only cried for 30 seconds.
Overall, the Dr said he looked good, sounded good and was growing at the same rate he always has....we must be doing something right! I love that little guy!

It's a...Girl!

Well soon to be at least! A week ago Darrell and I went to our ultrasound to find out that Easton will be the big brother to a sister in the Spring. What are the chances...besides 50/50?
We are so excited and can't wait to see her beautiful pudgy face. Easton will be the best big brother ever...her protector. We are still deciding on a name, so be patient. You will know soon!

Also since it has been awhile, lets update on the visit with Jon, Nicolette and Emmerson. It is always so nice to have them here and spend some time just doing nothing. All right we went to Pumpkinfest in Franklin and went trick-or-treating, dressed the kids up, but just hung out. It was nice to see the cousins interact and it gave us a crash course of what it will be like with another little one around. Easton was very interested in Emmerson and every time she cried or made a noise it alerted him and he wanted to know what was going on. He did try to sit on her a few times, but he just wanted to be close. He would get his face so close to hers and want to touch her. It really was cute!
The toys that he hasn't played with in forever became his new favorites again...because Emmerson wanted to play with them. His bouncy that he hasn't played with months became his new favorite...he doesn't even fit in it anymore, silly boy!

We will be going home for Thanksgiving which we are super excited about. Darrell actually got some time off....thank you! It is so important for us to spend time with our family during the holidays and we cannot wait to see everyone....xoxo!

News, Weather, and Stuff

Well work has been crazy busy but that is good.
The weather has been cold in the am and pm but leveling out in the afternoon which makes for nice walks. Too bad I have been working so I can't take advantage of those! When I get home it is too late and time to start our nightly routine (Dinner, Bath, Bed...Forget about anything else!). It always seems so routined! But it is what it is.
Easton has been very attached to Daddy lately and it is super cute. He will run up to him after a long day of school, snuggle so close to him in the morning and cry for him when he walks away. How did this happen and when did he stop being a momma's boy? Joking aside, it is nice to see them bond and it makes my job a lot easier.

Brrr!

This past week it has been very chilly. Nice, but chilly. In the morning it has been in the low 50's and by mid-afternoon in the 70's. Gorgeous! Fall weather is my favorite!
Easton has been enjoying the weather with the exception of his runny nose. My poor little guy! I hope he gets better soon because I think momma is starting to feel the effects.

Visitors

The month of October is going to be a busy one for us! Work for me is going to be slammed, which is great, Darrell is keeping busy his job and Easton is keeping both of us busy at home. He literally never stops going...even while he sleeps. Good thing he is cute! We also have some family coming to visit.

In 2 weeks we have Grandma and Grandpa Springer coming to visit and 3 weeks after that we have Aunt Nicolette, Uncle Jon and Emmerson coming for Halloween.

We cannot wait. We are going to try to coordinate the kids costumes so they match. Who knows what they will be? We are hoping to go to Octoberfest, visit the Pumpkin Patch and maybe go to Cheekwood and see the Scarecrow exhibit.

I always say this, but afterward, I will post some pictures. That is my new year resolution, ha.

"Surprise" or Not!

For those of you blog followers, friends and family, some of you may or may not know this, but in the Spring, Easton is going to have a sibling. Surprise! We are very excited and are happy to share the news with you if you do not already know.
We know that it may be difficult at first with two tiny tots, but we are very optimistic that things we be will great and they will good buddies!

Birthday Pics

I know that this is super late, but better late than never!

Cheekwood

So today, Easton started his new school, Cheekwood Child Development. I called to check on him and he is doing great. He is playing well, loved the playground, ate a great lunch and took a long nap. Good job buddy! They even said that he has a new BFF. I was so worried about how he would adjust and come to find out, he is such a big boy that he doesn't even need mom or dad to worry about him. It sounded like they were surprised at how well he was doing too. It has been a couple of weeks of Easton playing alone and not at school, that I bet he was just happy to have some friends to play with. I would say let's hope this continues, but I know it will. He loves being around other children, my little social bug.

Do we ever stop going?

Sometimes I feel that we never stop going and life passes by so quickly. Sometimes I think about how my life was so different before kids. Not necessarily a bad different, just changed or modified. When we moved to Nashville, it happened so quickly that before we really got settled in the apartment and our jobs, things were already changing. We bought our house, which is great, but next time we will do a little more planning and research. Then 3 months later we got married and moved into our house. 8 months later we were pregnant and 10 months later we had a beautiful baby boy. Now 1 year later, I wonder, where did the time go? So many good things have happened along with so many challenges. Every day I wonder how much more we can be stretched. And believe it or not, we are very bendy. It definitely surprises me, both mentally and physically. Having children is challenging and no one can ever really tell you the degree of difficulty that you will have.
Despite having said that, things are great! We love where we are in life and can't wait to see what comes next.

Birthday Party

On Sunday we had a birthday party for Easton. We celebrated with our family and a few friends. It was nice and quiet but Easton loved every minute of it.
I will post a pic from his birthday with him LOVING the cake. Let's just say he slept very well that night. He was such a good boy and got tons gifts. Thank you to everyone!

Almost "1"

In one week, Easton will be "1". I cannot believe it. Time has gone by so fast and there is so much that has happened.
Family will be here soon. Grandma Cindy will be here tomorrow and the rest of the family will be here Thursday. Yay! That is super exciting. We always seem to get a break when family comes in town....thanks!
Sad to say that Jon, Nicolette and Emmerson and Sarah and Ian will not be able to make it. We will miss them but will have to send them pictures.
So happy to say that we are going to Chattanooga for a night. Just the two of us, no babies allowed! It is just for one night but we are excited. I would be lying if I said that I am a little sad to leave Easton. He will be with Grandma Cindy but I have never left him alone. It will be fine!

Easton's 1 year Pictures

So yesterday we had pictures taken of Easton for his 1st birthday and they are amazing!
Here is a quick preview:

Thank you so much Brooke Kelly!

Almost 1

I cannot belive that Easton is almost 1. Where has the time gone? It is hard to imagine our life without him and how much we all have grown.
Here are few things that has happened in the first year:

1. Rolling Over
2. Sitting Up
3. Crawling
4. Taking Steps
5. 7 Teeth
6. Saying "Mama & Dada"
7. Experienced Traveler to Florida
8. Eating on his own (Solid Foods)
9. Drinking from his own cup

Our life is so much better with you in it Easton and I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us!