Christmas 2009

Ok...I'll go ahead and apologize for the ton of pictures in this post. But, in all honesty, how do you divide up the happiest time of the year. So, without further ado...Merry Christmas Everyone!

Finding the stockings

A new Gamecock football

(and please note the Toy Story dish in the background. If you were to ask Porter what he wanted for Christmas, his usual reply was "a toy dish." Well, I'm so glad Sants did not disappoint!)

Finding Santa's goodies!!!

Bucket O' Dinosaurs!!!! (The other thing Porter asked for this Christmas!)

Tool set from Aunt Jen and Uncle Al

Christmas Cutie...who ended up messing up his festive jammies shortly after opening gifts!

Porter's new Big Wheel from Grammy and Pop-Pop

Bowman's new riding toy, courtesy of Mimi and Grampa Bud

A dinosaur raincoat...what every little boy needs!

SAY CHEESE!!!!

Trying to the get the perfect picture on Christmas...easier said than done!

Reindeer Games

Unfortunately, this year I had to work Christmas Eve (7a - 7p), but I knew my boys would have a wonderful day nonetheless. Craig took them over to Grammy and Pop-Pop's early in the day. Maylee, Uncle Jonathan, and Aunt Anna were home from Asheville, and Craig's sister Leslie was also home for the holidays. Since I wasn't able to spend the day with them, I still wanted to be part of the day, so I sent along all the ingredients for the kids to make Magic Reindeer Food. Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup red and sugar crystals

Porter and Maylee mixed everything together, and Aunt Leslie helped them sprinkle it all over Grammy and Pop-Pop's lawn.

Making sure Santa and his reindeer know where to come!!

Sweet Bowman helping out (as much as he can!)

Welcome Baby Berzins!!!

Olivia Gray Berzins

December 20, 2009

7 lbs, 2 oz

20 1/2 inches

Joy & Michael, we are so thrilled for you and cannot wait to meet your precious baby girl!!!!

PJ's With Santa

Friday night, my mom and I took Porter to the new event at Holiday Market designed just for kids -- PJs With Santa! Though Porter has seen Santa at the mall (and wasn't too sure about the man in the red suit), I decided to take him anyway. There were crafts, tumbling mats, characters, milk and cookies, and even a storyteller! We ran into Sarah and Amanda there (Amanda was brave enough to sit on Santa's lap!) I think Porter's favorite part of the evening was the giant candy cane he got...made from balloons. It was a fun night at the Market and, even though Mom and I didn't really get any shopping done, we still had fun looking at everything the vendors had to offer. And, we ended the evening with a trip to Starbucks...Mom and I got peppermint mochas and Porter had a milk and donut!! Porter and Amanda...cozy in their jammies!!!

Waiting for his balloon

Checking out the Gingerbread Man!

Hugs from Elmo!!!!

Attempting to get a picture with my son....

Oh Where, Oh Where Have I Been??

Actually, I wish I had some really exciting excuse, like I've been away on vacation . But, sadly, I just haven't taken the time to update this darn thing. I guess to be fair to myself things have been fairly busy: from football games to trips home to Beaufort to scrapbook days (woohoo!), I've been using most of my free time to do other things...like laundry! AND, let me not forget that lovely afternoon when I realized my camera had somehow made it into the laundry...and I didn't realize it until that load was bring transferred from the washer to the dryer. YIKES! Thankfully, I had recently uploaded my pictures to the computer. After a few days of "drying out," I am happy to report that little Sony camera is really no worse for wear. Craig contends I did it on purpose -- I have been aching for a newer piece of equipment -- but honestly I blame it on the trials of Mother Multi-Tasking. My mind (and body) are usually tackling multiple things at one time, so I'm really not surprised this happened. Hey...it could have been worse...Anyway, we are all alive and well! Bowman is walking!!!!!! And Porter has recently met his new little friend, his own little Elf he so lovingly named, "Reindeer." Craig and I are the same, though another year of my life has passed...seriously, am I really 33!?!?! Seems too hard to believe...

Anyway, I promise to get this thing updated by week's end. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now let the Christmas festivities begin!!!!!

Bowman's Birthday(s)

My little one year old!!!! Bowman ended up having a few celebrations -- one with us, one with some close friends, and a final party at Grammy & Pop-Pop's. Talk about a special little boy! His actual birthday fell during the week, and I couldn't let this special day just pass us by. So, Craig and I decided to do a "family" party...just the 4 of us! Though it wasn't Bowman's first taste of cake, he didn't seem to care. He was so excited to see the tiny cake coming towards him; don't you wish you could hold on to some moments forever!

Obviously he wasn't shy...he dove right in without a moment's hesitation! Though he did manage to eat a few bites, I think Bowman liked playing with his cake more than eating it. Oh well! When else in your life do people find you covered in a cake absolutely adorable???

For Bowman's second celebration, we decided to keep it very small...just Bowman's closest friends. Since Halloween is right around the corner, we went with the theme and had everyone come over in their costumes. Too cute!!!

Our cute little horsey!

Yet another cake...this time in miniature (I made cupcakes for everyone!)

Porter singing to his brother

William with his cupcake...don't think he's quite too sure of this stuff!

Jennifer & McLean




Finally, we celebrated Bowman's birthday at Grammy & Pop-Pop's on Halloween. Aunt Leslie made YUMMY carrot cake cupcakes (enjoyed by all!) As you can see, Bowman's definitely starting to enjoy all of the festivites!

Happy Birthday Bowman...we can't wait to see what the next year will bring!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Saturday, Craig and I took the boys out to Chapin to trick-or-treat. We love our neighborhood, but there aren't too many houses in our section and the houses are pretty spread out. So, we decided to try Grammy and Pop-Pop's neighborhood, and it did not disappoint! They have a wonderful neighborhood with kids of all ages, so the place was pretty hoppin'. Porter was very excited, and we kept having to remind him that the events didn't start until dark. Thank goodness we were able to keep him busy until then!

We got the boys dressed about 6:30...Porter the cowboy and Bowman as his faithful horse companion. Even Aunt Leslie got in on the fun...she went as their loyal pal (Porter kept referring to her as Jessie, Woody's friend from Toy Story 2). I felt a little guilty about Bowman's costume -- it was pretty warm that day, but he still looked ridiculously cute!

We set off about 7pm, and walked to the houses in Grammy and Pop-Pop's cul-de-sac. Porter was a little unsure at first; he's is not a fan of the dark, so he tended to cling to one of us when we walked between houses. Thankfully, Craig came up with the idea to give him a flashlight, and I really think that beam of light made him more comfortable (I'll have to remember to get him a glowstick or something next year!)

This was Porter's first real experience with trick-or-treating. Last year, I came home from the hospital on Halloween, so we ended up not taking Porter out. But, once he discovered how easy it was, he did not hesitate to run up to doors and ring the doorbell. Well, unless there was something spooky outside -- then he asked me to walk up to the door with him. But, he did well: shouted 'TRICK OR TREAT' and even thanked people for his treats.

We had a great time in Chapin, and will most likely go out there for the next few years. Porter lasted about an hour before he told me he wanted to go see Daddy (Craig manned the door for his parents.) Bowman actually held up well too; I think he was fascinated with all the "characters" he saw. Just wait 'til next year...Bowman will be running up to doors with his big brother!!

Bowman's Well-Check: 1 Year!

Bowman had his well-check appointment with Dr. Cabiness yesterday. All checked out well, though he did have a bit of a sniffly nose that we are keeping an eye on. The doctor was pleased to hear that we were no longer having food issues; Bowman's gag reflex is almost completely gone. He manages to eat almost anything we give him from meat to cheese to veggies. Developmentally, he seems right on track: he's a full-time cruiser, has taken his first steps, picks up food using the "pincher grasp," babbles constantly, and still loves to clap. Here's how he measured up:

Height: 31 1/4 inches (90%)
Weight: 23 lbs, 3 oz (57%)
Head: 47 1/2 centimeters (81%)

Right now, Bowman's bigger than Porter was on his first birthday. Looks like Baby Bo may be the bigger brother after all!

Happy Birthday Bowman!!!

How can my baby boy already be 1?? I cannot believe so much time has passed, but I also can't imagine the world without you. You are such a sweet, loving boy. You seem to be a little shy, but love your mommy and daddy. In fact, we have to greet you with hugs and kisses whenever we see you or you get VERY upset. You've started babbling on a regular basis...even say MAMA when you crawl towards me (may be just a coincidence, but I like to think not!) You point at things all the time and "tell" us what you see, make your "OH!" face when something new appears, raise your arms in the air when we say, "YAY!" You will eat almost anything -- except bananas -- and baby food has pretty much become a thing of the past. You love veggies, especially carrots and green beans. You've started drinking milk, and we're down to only 2 bottles a day. And walking...well, you've taken your first steps!!! Though they are wobbly, you manage to walk between a few objects...such a big boy!!! So much has changed in only one short year...Happy Birthday, little monkey!

October 28, 2008

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OCTOBER 28, 2009