FIRST, FIRST, FIRST, FIRST

This has been such a fun couple of weeks, first of all, we went to Tuscaloosa for the weekend to visit Nana and Papa. Miss Weldon came over to see us and brought us our Christmas presents. She gave George a frog and me Princess Shoes! I love to dress up now and absolutely LOVE to wear heals. Thank you Miss Weldon!
The next morning, we got up with excitement about the BIG day! We started off our day with a good breakfast under our belts and a few books. We were certainly going to need energy for the day we were about to have. What is so special about today, you ask? For starters, I got my FIRST haircut ever! Daddy gave me some Treat Treats and then they sat me up in the twirly chair. Then I got to wear this cool animal princess cape while this really sweet girl brushed my hair and sprayed it with water. I should have told her that I was really good at spray bottles but I thought that I would just let her do her thing!
Then she got to cutting and cutting and cutting. I think that I got about 1-2 inches cut! My hair had gotten so long that it was looking stringy but now it is even curlier and more full. I did really good and did not cry once. Everyone was so impressed by the way that I acted and I got a piece of gum after it was all over!

George is too leetle to have is hair cut yet so he sat under the dryer with Nana just watching. Everyone thought that he was so cute and loved the way that he would get shy when people would talk to him. I have actually started putting my head on Mama's chest and saying "Harmie get shy too!"
Next it was George's turn to be the center of attention! It was time for his FIRST shoes! I know that he is 10 months but he is Mama's baby! First they measured his foot and he measured a 4 1/2 so we looked for a 5 1/2 shoe.
We decided to go with a Stride Rite High-Top to give him the support that he needs. He has a really chubby foot so we had to get him a wide. I told him that it will take some getting used to but once he is used to wearing them, he will not want to walk around without them. We think that he will be walking in no time.

While George was getting his shoes, I found the most beautiful, clear plastic heal and black patten strap heals that I have ever seen. I immediately put them on all by myself because they also had Velcro...how convenient. Everyone in the store thought that I was adorable and if anyone thought that Nana was going to make me take off my new $11 shoes, they are mistaken! Mama says that they are my play at home shoes and that I can't wear them to school. I can't imagine why!

We also found George some New Balance tennis shoes so that he can fit in at The University. I think that he could pass for a Frat Boy already! He is looking more and more like Daddy, it is just crazy! Daddy is proud of that ;-)

That night, George started having some breathing issues but was better after a good breakfast. We probably should have just gone on home but we thought that he was feeling better. That night, we put him to bed and he woke up about 7:30 and could not get a good breath so Mama and Daddy to him to Children's ED so that they could check him out. While they were there, Mama pulled a Kathryn and tripped over the side table in the waiting area. They admitted her to Children's hospital so that she could get checked. Yes, my 29 year old mother was admitted to Children's ED...how embarrassing! Gretchen and I got to stay with Nana and Papa. He ended up okay but has to take steroid for a few days and Mama was just really sore.

The next day, Mama, Daddy and George all went to Billy's for lunch and then Mama went to go study for her test. He really liked sitting in the highchair and loved the french fries! Mama let him try some of the white sauce but he was not to sure about it.
The following weekend, I had two of my friends over to play for the FIRST time. Lexi and Owen are two of my best friends at school and since it was a dreary day, we thought it would be fun to have them over to play. Miss Amy and Miss Delphine came with them too! It was a great day of eating snacks, drinking juice, going to the potty and playing with all of my toys! George loved to follow us around, which I am used to! Owen will soon be used to it too because he is going to be a big brother in August!! Congratulations Tony, Delphine, Owen and Shak!!

Then Lexie found my princess shoes and since I have 3 pairs now, there was enough to go around. Owen even got in on the action and everyone thought that it was really funny. They plan on bring this photo out during our rehearsal dinner! I was really sad to see my friends go home but now I just get to look forward to next time! Sunday Mimi and Grandpa came over to eat dinner with us since they had not seen us in a week. We had Baked Ziti, Salad and garlic bread. It was delicious! I was really glad that they came over and gave them a really big greeting!
George loved the ziti too! He ate two helpings and probably would have eaten some more! He is a great eater and usually eats more than I do at dinner. He has started to only want to feed himself which is sometimes a little hard but he is growing up so we have to let him do some things on his own. He also has two more teeth up top for a grand total of 6 teeth! After dinner, George wanted a little exercise so he cruised around behind his push toy. He has really gotten good and walking behind something. We are looking forward to warm weather so that he can do it in a bigger space like I used to do.
All of that exercise just wore him out so he had a little snuggle time with Grandpa. As you can see, he still loves that thumb. I have tried it myself and I just do not see what the big deal is and would much rather have my passy.
Since Mimi and Grandpa came over for dinner, they got to see me go to sleep for the FIRST time in my big girl bed! I checked it out first and thought that it was so cool that I could climb in and out all by myself. So much for Mama and Daddy carrying me to bed!Mama and Daddy talked about how it seems just like yesterday that they were moving in my baby crib and assembling it. Like I always say...life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it...or was that Ferris Beuller?

2010...Going to be a great year!

For New Years this year, we went over to Lagrange to celebrate Rob's 3rd Birthday. When we arrived, we went straight over to Emily, Greg, William and Charlie's house. There, we ate lots of snacks, rode the pony tire swing, ran all around the house and just had a ton of fun! William and Charlie are not my real cousins but they sure seem like it! Charlie is just 4 weeks older than me! George and Matthew had fun as always crawling all over the house. They had free reign to go where they wanted. George loves the hardwood floors because they are easy to slide on! They took turns taking each other's toys and laughing at each other.

Rob got to open his first birthday gift over there and it was a Spiderman t-shirt! His birthday party theme was Spiderman this year since it is his favorite! The next day, we all got up for the the big day. George, Matthew and I thought that we would make some sandwiches for everyone. I told the guys that I was the only one that could use the knife because they were too leetle.I even took some time out to give Uncle Robert some loving. I have really taken to Robert now to the point that when I woke up, he was the first person that I asked for! Mama was shocked! He has decided to grow a beard during hunting season so everyone is hoping that he does not have to ride in a plane anytime soon.

They really went all out for the birthday party. Everything was Spiderman...the table cloth, cups, napkins, treat treats, favors, cake, centerpiece...they even had a video playing where Rob's face was put in as spiderman! It was too cool!
We gave Rob a welding kit to go with his tool cabinet that Nana and Papa gave him for Christmas. Once again, we gave him his favorite gift of all! He had a very happy birthday and I was glad that we were able to come over for it!
When we got home, we decided that it was time for George to start eating big boy food. It was a hard decision for Mama to make because she wants him to stay a baby a little while longer. He Loved his food! He had chicken fries, carrots and fruit! When we tried to give him some baby food afterward, he looked at us like we had lost our minds!

The next day, we got dressed in our Alabama garb and went into the den to play after breakfast. We both had a Nutragrain bar and fruit. It was a huge day for us since it was the National Championship and Alabama was playing against Texas! I thought that I would read George a few books since I am so good at reading these days. I like to pretend that I am the teacher!
George had a different idea though. He wanted to play the tackle game. He is all boy if you did not already know that! Mama says It is all fun and games until some one gets hurt so she made us settle down and sing some songs.
That afternoon, Mimi and Grandpa came and got us for the night so that Mama and Daddy could go watch the game with some friends. I rode my rocking horse and gave George a tutorial on how to ride safely. He was very attentive.

I am such a great cowgirl and really look cute when I dress the part. I can ride all by myself and really am glad that we got such a great gift for Christmas. Hey, so you know when it is Christmas again because I like this present stuff! Mimi let me stay up late to watch some of the game and she got a little sleepy when we snuggled up on the couch. When Alabama would get the ball, I would nudge her and say "Look Mimi, Rooooollll Tide!!"
George played a little football himself and caught up on the local news before bed. His bedtime is before mine since he is just a baby. He got to sleep in the crib this time and I was in the computer room. Alabama won the National Championship that night and everyone was so proud! ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Yesterday, when we were on our way home from school, Mama looked in the back seat and this is what she saw. George and I love each other so much and are just become great friends. While we were holding hands, George was just belly laughing like he only does with me. I could not be a better big sister and he could not be a better little brother. It's times like these that make all of the things that Mama and Daddy do for us worth every minute of it!

George's First Christmas

This was such a wonderful Christmas!! The night before, Mama and Daddy told me that Santa was going to come and bring my toys but I was a little unsure about someone coming into my house until...when we awoke, this is what was down stairs! Santa had really come to visit George and me! Now I know what all of the fuss is about! We got lots of toys and books! He filled all of our stockings with lots of fun gifts and candy! He even came to see Gretchen! I guess that she was good all year too, well, most of the time!
Everyone came in my room to get me and I was overwhelmed with excitement! I understood a little more about what was going on this year!
I did not know which present to go to first! George followed right behind me to see all of the wonderful new things in our den.
Lots of pictures were taken and Gretchen wanted to be a part of the action. She did a good job herding George around. He was not really sure what to think about everything!

One of my favorite toys was My Little Pony! George kept taking the flags off of the top and I kept putting them back on. I had fun brushing their hair and setting it up for play. Funny...Mama had one just like this when she was a little girl! I wonder how Santa made it look so much like the one that she used to play with!
Mama taught Tante to braid My Little Pony and I hope that when I get a little bigger that she will teach me too. Until then, I'll enjoy brushing their hair. I think that they are due for a shampoo.
There was one gift after another and it was just the best morning. Since George is so little, I got to open his gifts too! My cast did not slow me down one bit!

George and Gretchen had a great time watching me open all of our presents. They are not really good at the opening part yet so I decided that I would be the official gift opener for the family this year. Next year, I will let George try out for my assistant.

We got this really neat book that is also a puzzle. I had fun putting it together and George had fun chewing on the foamy pieces. We also got a Sesame Street book that plays all of our favorite songs. I can put the CDs in all by myself!

We also got a Cookie Monster that laughs and rolls around and an Elmo that tells stories and talks to us! That is hours of entertainment for George and I like to make them move but then I keep my distance while they are doing their thing!George was so happy all morning but who wouldn't be?!? It was really nice to see him all smiles since he and feeling so crummy all week! We are both still coughing a lot but all of the gifts kept our minds off it for a bit!
He got a really big Curious George Monkey that was one of the hits of the morning! It was one of the first things that I saw! Gretchen was not so sure about it though!
He was really sweet to let me play with it! I was a little unsure about it at first but after a little reassurance from Grandpa I was ready for it! I like to run and tackle it when I walk in the room!Then George wanted it back so I let him and Daddy play with it for a while. George likes to rub his face on it's soft fur. It is 3 times the size of George this Christmas but it won't stay that way for long! All of that playing just wore George out! He took a little rest break on one of his favorite places, Daddy's chest. You can tell when he is tired because grabs hold of your shirt and starts sucking his thumb.
Then it was time for stockings and I opened all of them! I got a baby doll feeding set and George got toy cars. We both got candy but I got to eat his because he it "too leetle!"

Then it was time for Gretchen to open her stocking! She got Canine Carry Outs, Snausages and a bone shaped tin of treats! I made sure that she got her fair share of treats...it is Christmas after all! Mama and Daddy are so proud of our little family and love us both so very much. They cannot believe all that we are doing and had a blast watching us open all of our gifts and seeing the looks on our faces.
Do you think that they are proud Grandparents or what!?! We are so lucky to have all four grandparents that love us so much! Everyone took turns loving on us and we like being the center of their attention! Our teachers are going to have their hands full when we go back to school!

Then it was time for a little story time with Papa. I like to read the books TO you not the other way around. I tell you what pictures I see and do a lot of jabbering! You can also see my cast really well in this picture.
George has started eating Cheerios and I told him that they used to be one of my most favorite things in the world! He is really getting good at feeding himself. His hand-eye coordination is really progressing! We had grits casserole, potato casserole and fruit. George tried some of the potatoes and loved them.

That afternoon, we went to Mimi and Grandpa's to do our last Christmas gift opening! I like our Christmas tradition because Christmas lasts so long! I helped everyone open their gifts! Frankly, I do not know what they would have done without me!! Our big gift from them this year was a huge Radio Flyer Rocking Horse! It took me a little while to get used to it but then I was a rocking fool! We even let George give it a spin! It is really cool because it makes sounds when you ride it! Uncle David gave me a computer and George a Radio Flyer push wagon. They were two of our favorite gifts!! I always see Mama and Daddy typing on their laptop and now I have one of my own! George has been practicing walking behind his push toy and I must say that he is doing a really good job!!

Mimi found the cutest shirt for George that says "What happens at Mimi's, Stays at Mimi's!" George liked that idea so he went ahead and put on his shirt!

Again, I thought that all of the gifts were mine and that everyone needed my help with the opening process. Grandpa was happy for me to help!

Maggie was even gracious enough for me to help her with her gifts! Maggie loves me and my brother. We have to watch George though because he likes to grab all of our dogs hair and although we are quite sure that they won't do anything, it is better to be safe than sorry until he understands how to treat animals.

I would open a few gifts and then take a spin on my horse. I was a little apprehensive but then I just decided that it was so much fun! Mimi and Grandpa are currently looking for a stable to keep her in when we are not visiting.

George had more fun playing with the laundry baskets full of wrapping paper more than anything else! He really likes going to their house because he can crawl around the kitchen/den/dining room circle all that he wants!

David helped us out with George when he started to get fussy. He was not feeling his best and lets face it, it was a lot of stimulation for a child his age so he was exhausted! George enjoyed the down time!
After opening all of our gifts, George and I decided to have a pretend picnic behind the Christmas tree. We thought that we were doing something that we shouldn't have and so we look like we have been caught in the act! It was a great little hiding place back there though!

Dinner was wonderful! We had our annual rib roast, brown rice, mashed potatoes, jello feast! This year David made chocolate pecan pie and it was delicious! George ate cheerios so that he would not be left out. Mama gave him some of her jello and now he has decided that it one of his favorite things!
The next week, we were out of school because it was closed for teacher training and the holiday. Of course, George was going to be home anyway because of his pneumonia. Monday morning, we got up like we were going to go to school because Mimi and Grandpa were coming over to keep us for the day since Mama and Daddy had to go to work. We found the laundry basket and decided it was our new play toy!
Daddy was sure to stand behind us to make sure that we were safe and that we did not tumble out! He is the best Daddy in the world by far! Mimi had some pictures from this day but something happened to her camera and they were all erased. Sorry Mimi!
The next day, I went back to see Dr Doyle to have my cast taken off and to get the first look at my thumb. They had all kinds of toys in the waiting room and so I had to try them all out!
I really wanted Daddy to get in the playhouse with me and so he tried. The secretaries behind the desk all started running out and were laughing pretty hard...so was Mama! Oh, the things you do for the ones you love!
When they called me back, they asked me what I was having done today and I said "A A Harmie get her cast off, excited!" They all thought that I was just adorable and I put a really big smile on all of their faces. I have a really great gift of doing that for people! I cried a little after they took my cast off but the bandaid that they gave me made it all better.

After my appointment, we met Mimi and George on 280 so that I could go home with her for our second day out of school. When we got to their house, George spent some time helping Uncle David with some computer issues. He is so advanced.

This was our last visit with Uncle David and we were sad to see him go. We usually only get to see him once a year. We had a wonderful time with him and I think that he enjoyed it as well. Thank you Uncle David for everything and we look forward to seeing you next time!

As you can see, that day my finger did not bother me in the least. I get a skittle when I do my thumb exercises and I get to wear a dora bandaid! I am also riding our horse alone now...such a big girl!

Mama and Daddy say this Christmas was the best Christmas yet because we were all together and George was with us this year. Everyone really came together to make it all happen when we were not sure that it would and we all appreciate it more than you know! Thank you everyone for everything and George and I love you very much!