First Christmas

Our Christmas this year was so magical and also very different!

Having a child of our own this year, Drew and I had so much fun shopping for Everett. Everett was a little to young to know exactly what was going on but he enjoyed seeing all the presents around the tree and opening some of his own packages.

I caught myself thinking a lot more about Mary and how she was feeling being pregnant with Jesus this year after having experienced pregnancy and birth myself. I can't imagine knowing that his tiny precious little babe she had given birth to had the "weight of the government on his shoulders." I know I want to shield and protect Everett from everything and knowing that her little baby would be the one to do that for all of humanity must have been overwhelming for her. Not to mention giving birth in a manger.... that makes my experience look like I was in a 5 star resort  in a Caribbean island. Fearing for your new babies life, of being discovered and killed upon birth... Mary is a major superstar! I am thankful that this year I have been able to spend some more time thinking about her this year and appreciating her gift and sacrifice so much more. What a strong and amazing woman of Faith.

This year for Christmas we spent the night at my Mom's house, like usual, but unlike usual Mom's house which is also Nana's house has now become Aunt Tammy and Kelsey's house also. This meant that Drew, Everett, and I along with Patrick who drove in from Dallas, spent the night with Lane, Neeley, Norah and Kelsey all at the house we have lovingly nicknamed "Casa Loco." It is , I believe, the first time ever that the Schmidt's and Lowe's have spent Christmas Eve together and woken up to Santa. It was so much fun to get to share Everett and Norah's first Christmas together in the same home.

 

Christmas Eve we attended a Candlelight service and then came home to a lasagna dinner with everyone included Charlotte and Doss. We opened up presents with them after, and they were so excited to give Everett and Norah the presents they had bought them. I made them some tile coasters with the babies pictures on it for their home since they are so in love with these little ones. Neeley and I baked sugar cookies while the boys watched football and Aunt Tammy finished wrapping. I must say the anticipation of Christmas morning was overwhelming for me as I was so excited for Everett to have his first Santa experience.

I woke up at 5 on Christmas day after going to sleep at 11:30. I laid in bed wondering if I should wake up Kelsey who was on a pallet in the hallway nook. I decided to wait and after laying in bed for 50 minutes finally got my ipad and moved to the hall to watch some Netflix before time to get up. I heard the jangle of Kelsey's charm bracelet and crawled around the corner to find her staring back at me... she was up! We quickly woke up Neeley, I went to make Everett's bottle and get him and Drew up. With Patrick and Lane quickly following and the babies downing their bottles we called for our "Moms" to wake up so we could all see what Santa had left!

Everett, Norah and Kelsey had quite the loot from Santa. For the first time ever, Santa skipped over us "adults". This year us married couples decided it was time to do stockings for one another and take that responsibility off of Santa since he had so many children to focus on. It was fun to see what Drew had picked out for my stocking and the learning curve we both experienced this year.

Everett's big gift from Santa was an Elephant bouncer, pusher. I was so excited about it, of course because it was an elephant. He sat on it for a minute and then decided it wasn't as interesting as the cell phone and keys Santa had stuck in his stocking. Norah got a play mat where she laid contentedly for the remainder of the stocking opening. Kelsey was bouncing off the walls because she discovered Santa had made miracles happen and left her with an Iphone 6!

After we all sifted through our stockings we ate breakfast casserole while Aunt Tammy read the story of the first Christmas and then gave the Fort's and Neal's each a copy to continue our own traditions next year. We continued to open presents for 5 more hours, slowly making our way through the most ridiculous and abundant pile of presents I had ever seen.

 Everett and Norah took naps on and off throughout the morning coming in to open a few of their presents here and there. E got a pile of clothing twice the size of mine. I wanted to get him very special and presents for his first Christmas from his Mom and Dad. For one gift I chose to give him "The Beginner's Bible" I remember having one of these as a child and thought now would be a good time to start reading these stories to him. We also got him a pop-up crawl tube. Our little bear started crawling from one side to the next with no hesitation. He is fearless!

I had a hard time watching my Mom on Christmas. Her experience of it the past few years has gone down hill as her disease has taken over. Her stocking this year was filled with things far less extravagant than in the past. I stuck in things she would recognize and appreciate such as oreo's and her favorite white chocolate kitkats. As a last minute addition I added in a coloring book and crayons hoping it would give her something to do during the days. I spotted mom continually folding and piling gifts up only to go back through them and find she had unknowingly grabbed some of the people's around her and stacked them with her own. I did the majority of Mom's shopping for her this year, with her help. She was unable to recognize when someone was opening up from her sometimes commenting on how lovely the gift was and wanting to keep it for herself. When each of us would hug her for our gits instead of saying "your welcome" she would say "just love me" or "stay near me" or "just be with me." It was a quiet stab in the heart when she was unable to communicate what we expected to hear but felt so raw and real of the place she is right now.

Sharing Christmas morning with our closest family was so special this year. The magic was really there as we celebrated together.  We were surrounded by so much love and utterly spoiled with gifts.

She's turning 85 and is just as stunning as ever!

Today is my Nana's 85th Birthday!

 (This is one of my all time favorites of Nana and Grandy, they look like movie stars!)

I can only imagine the incredible and also devastating things she has witnessed in her 85 years on this planet. What an incredible accomplishment to live through it all and still be smiling at the end of the road... and she is!

My Nana is one of the most incredible women I know. She is strong and courageous. She is wise. She is nurturing. She takes time to make every person feel incredibly special and loved. My Nana is one in a million and I am so blessed she is mine!

When we would come visit Nana and Grandy in Amarillo during the summers or on holidays I would love to go out with them but especially to church because they were greeted by mounds of adoring people who respected and loved them. I remember thinking they were "superstars." I was so proud to be apart of the Blanton family to to be one of Everett and Peggy's honored grandchildren. That hasn't changed. Nana can still go anywhere and someone will come up to her telling her how much she has impacted this person's life, marriage, career, etc. Sometimes I here whispers behind us in line somewhere of people wondering "is that Peggy Blanton?"  I instantly stand a little taller, hold my shoulders firmly back and smile. Yes it is and guess what... she is my Nana!

 (Nana was a rodeo queen for barrel racing)

85 is a big birthday and we decided to celebrate right with Nana this year! We sent out 250 invitations, and made announcements at 3 congregations in town to ask anyone and everyone to come celebrate with us. The venue was none other than the Blanton Place for Encouragement, at the High Plains Children Home. It is the center that was built in honor of Nana and Grandy. It was such a fitting venue because  Nana is so proud of the building, its beauty and its purpose. All of her children were in attendance, which is an incredible fete in itself, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

(Haha my mom's face... no words! Everett and Norah were distracted by the jumbo TV on the far wall)

The day was amazing and we were all proud to be an extension of Nana as we watched hundreds of admirers walk through the doors wanting to offer their birthday wishes. The day was filled with hugs and kisses from old friends, and lots of people wanting to see the babies. All in all it was a day full of celebration for an incredible woman and all the love she has showered on so many in her 85 years.

Happy Birthday Nana!! I couldn't be prouder to be one of your grandchildren!!

 

Nana made everyone wait for the group picture so she could feed Everett some cake, which he was obviously loving! I am so thankful these two have moments like this to share and remember forever!

 And we can't have an event without snapping these two loves together! We tried to hard to finding matching outfits, illnesses kept that from happening and then we both unknowingly switched their outfits the day of and they ended up somewhat coordinating! Both took a little snooze during the party to keep their spirits up!

It's Christmas Time!

It's truly the most wonderful time of the year! I love the holidays. Spending time with family and friends thinking about what life is truly about and what makes it most special! Having a son of my own now makes the enchantment of the season so much more exciting. I am loving taking in Everett's first experiences with Christmas trees, Christmas lights and wrapping paper galore! We have played dress-up a few times for some special photo ops to commemorate the season! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

 

Morning Sunshine

This sweet boy has been "pulling up" for a while now. In the mornings when I hear him waking up it's not with cries but with babbles. He plays with his blanket in his crib until I come and get him. As soon as I walk in he immediately pulls up on his crib and stands waiting for me. There is something so joyous about a not crying baby in the mornings! Just a smiley boy waiting for his Mom to get him. It melts my heart and starts my day off just right!

 

(This was post nap, and he wasn't happy I left him to go get my camera! It's still pretty precious though!)

A Thankful Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was fun, and full and crazy!! We celebrated Thanksgiving at "Casa Loco" with our usual clan plus The Twins and company from Midland plus Taren, Patrick's Girlfriend of almost a year.

I was so excited for Everett's first Thanksgiving. I retrieved him from his crib telling him all about how excited Thanksgiving was going to be and all the yummy food. He. Did. Not. Care.

We have established a new tradition the past couple of years where Drew and Lane fry turkeys the night before Thanksgiving. This year was no different and Neeley, Lane, Patrick, Taren, Drew and I all hung out at our house the night before. Neeley and I went a little crazy at the store and had a true shmorgezbourg of food to snack on throughout the night. Mom even joined in for awhile before she got worn down by all our food and went home.

It was a fun Thanksgiving surrounded by lots of precious children running and playing in the house and several babies trying to nap throughout the day. Everett was quite impressed with his first tastes of turkey, broccoli cheese casserole but especially by Nana's sweet potato praline.

I kept looking at Everett thinking how incredibly Thankful I am to have such a healthy, beautiful, easy and fun baby! This year has truly been magical with him in our lives!

I was also so incredibly Thankful for another year with my Mom.... year to year is unknown with her disease. To have her celebrate Thanksgiving with us and know what we are doing is such a blessing!

I tried to really take in this Thanksgiving. The future is always unknown but to be surrounded by so many people we love was certainly reason to celebrate!!

Our 9 Month Old

My dear sweet Everett you are 9 months old and you couldn't be more adorable!!

Everett you are sleeping, on a good night, 14 hours. We have just moved your bedtime up from 9:30 to 8 pm and you didn't bat an eye.

Your favorite thing is your walker. You love to follow me around the house. Sometimes when I am doing something in the kitchen I find you just watching me, I give you a quick smile and your world lights up! I hope you always feel that way about your Mom.

You have said "Dada" much to the extreme delight of your Dad!! During the day you walk around the house, in your walker, saying dadadadada real quiet. It is precious!

You have tried so many different foods and the only one you do not like is peas. You are a fan of eggs and potatoes especially!

Everett you cannot stay away from the Christmas Tree. We put it up two weeks ago and you head straight to it first chance you get, whether you are crawling or in your walker. I have had to completely undecorated the bottom because your little hands have found everything on it. You have ripped the ribbon right off the bottom too! We now have a stool separating  you and the tree. You love to stare up at the lights though!

You have perfected your crawling and are now super fast at it! We have to keep a very close eye on you.

When we are out people love to comment about what a "big" boy you are! Everyone wants to grab your cheeks but I quickly keep any stray hands from touching you. It can get annoying how everyone says you are big but you either stare them down or smile at them while I try to keep from jumping down their throats about your percentiles and how you are perfectly proportionate! Your Aunt Neeley gets even more riled up than I do!

We took you out to one of Amarillo's nicest restaurants where we were celebrating Aunt Tammy's birthday and I was very nervous about having a child in a restaurant that is usually for adults only. You did amazing! (not surprising) and an elder couple who had been dining in the same room came up as they were leaving and told us that you were the best baby they had ever seen! They couldn't believe they never heard a peep from you. I was so proud! It's important to remember these moments in case you decide to act up in the future.

You now take a bath in the tub without the help of a laundry hamper. You really enjoy floating around on your tummy.

Everett your hair is finally starting to come in. It is getting thicker on the top and still looking light blond/brown to me!

We just took you to the Dr. for your 9 month wellness check and you weighed in at 23 lbs 3.2 ounces, 85 % and You were 28.5 inches long,  45% with a head circumference of 18 in.

You are perfect in every way!! We could not be prouder, happier parents! You are such a blessing and complete joy my sweet boy!!

My Heart Hurts

I lay awake at night missing you.

I think about all the times I took for granted getting to be with you.

Memories pop in my head of you driving up to my office at State Farm in Abilene and giving me a "Mother's Love" ring from James Avery. You told me that the heart signified a mother and child, and even though I wasn't a mother I was your child and that heart was of you and I. I hate that I was to embarassed to wear it then because I didn't want people to think I was a mother when I wasn't. Now I wear it not only because I am a mom now but because the memory of you giving it to me is something I hold on to dearly.

I hate the time that has been stolen from us.

I am saddened by the stories I will never get to hear you tell.

I still need you. I still need to be taught by you, My Mom.

I need you daily. I miss you every moment. Sometimes I tell you that I miss you, your eyes swell up with tears and you say you miss me too. I think in these moments you know what I mean.... and other times you get huffy and say well I haven't seen you in weeks, even though I saw you the day before.

You have been working ridiculously hard lately in your room moving cluttered stack from one corner to the other. You spend hours busily working away, to the outside world it would look like nothing has been done but I can tell the piles have moved. You say you just want to make it "Beautiful!"

I love how much you love Everett. You adore him even though sometimes you are not quite sure what to do with him. Your not too comfortable with him crawling all over now, you go pick him up and sit with him.

Sometimes I think Heaven can't come soon enough so I can get you back. In some ways I feel like we never really got to have our time. One of us always taking the other for granted. Is that how life is? we never appreciate what we have, the relationships we have.

I am so proud of you. You are courageous and brave. I wish you could understand how much I love you! How my heart swells with love for you but I think in some ways you do!

Instagram Recap From Aug-Nov

I feel really bad for all of my Instagram followers because truly all I post are pictures of Everett. I have become "that" mom who thinks everyone else wants to see picture after picture after precious picture of her child. But seriously they do don't they?!!

For those who aren't on Instagram here are some of the pics I've shared recently!

Halloween with a couple of infants

I think it may have been one of our most low-key Halloween's ever.

I was determined that Everett would be an elephant for his first Halloween, and he did not disappoint. I think he was the cutest Elephant ever made!

There is not much to do with an 8 month old for Halloween. He can't eat the candy and could careless about trick or treating but as his first Halloween ever I wanted to get in the spirit somewhat and show off our little cutie.

We have a neighborhood here in Amarillo, Wolfin, that is full of old beautiful big houses where people swarm to trick or treat. It feels like the scene of a movie, the houses are all decorated, the people handing out candy are all dressed up and there are hundreds of kids in costumes, and some adults. Neeley and I really wanted to spend soak up Halloween with our kids in Wolfin. So we first took Everett and Norah in their costumes, she was a ballerina, to see Nana and my Mom. After some quick photos we ran the kids over to see Aunt Charlotte and Doss, who are both completely smitten with the babies. We then rushed home to pick up our husbands and off to Woflin we went. It was the coolest night of fall so far and Norah was asleep and bundled up as she was pushed around. Everett was people watching from his stroller, calm and quiet as a cucumber. He could have cared less! We walked around for a few minutes and watched the big kids trick or treat. We took some pictures to document Everett's first halloween and then we went home! Drew didn't get to participate in Halloween last year since he had school that night, he made up for it this year by wearing his Duck Dynasty wig and beard.

Very low key but very memorable!!

Burt's Bees Buds

While Neeley was still preggers with Norah she became slightly obsessed with shopping for her new girl and found the most precious outfits for Everett and Norah to wear together! For anyone who hasn't experienced the sheer amazingness of Burt's Bee's Organic baby clothes... they are PRECIOUS and AMAZING!! Everett's was a 9 month size and Norah's was for a newborn and our goal was to take their pics as soon as possible after Norah's birth. Well that didn't happen. 3 months later we finally got them together one morning in their outfits and the results were well worth the wait!!!

 

Norah's facial expression didn't change once, except when she started crying because Everett kept grabbing her face, hat, clothes, trying to eat her face and hands. They are adorable to watch together. Everett is fascinated with his buddy, always wanting to have a hand on her. Precious! These two are going to give us a big run for our money in a few short months!!

Hide and Seek

For the past 45 minutes I have been playing "hide and seek" with Everett. While he is turned around I run to hide in either his room, the bathroom, or our bedroom and call out to him. He quickly comes looking for me in his walker and when I jump out he cracks up laughing! His laughter is the sweetest sound I have ever heard!! A day spent shooing him out of the kitchen away from frying bacon and hot ovens where he just wanted to be near me and I thought I might literally go crazy has just ended with the sweetest moments playing and laughing together!

Motherhood can be overwhelming, exhausting, and full of anxiety but there is absolutely nothing like it. This love I have for my little guy can truly not be described! I know every mother before and after me knows exactly what I feel but sometimes it knocks me off my feet! Sometimes all I can do is acknowledge it and bask in these moments when to this little boy, I am his entire world!

Everett... I ADORE YOU!!!!!