New Years 2008

This year for New Years we decided to do something different. We went with three other couples and all of the kids to a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN. We stayed for three nights which made it feel like a real vacation and gave us all time to unwind. There was an indoor pool nearby so we swam a few times and a hot tub at the cabin which was enjoyed by all. We played lots of board games, watched movies and ate a ton of great food! I think we all feel like we need a vacation from our vacation but it was well worth every second!

Luke's Baptism

Luke was baptized at Asbury United Methodist Church on Sunday, December 28th. Rev. David Woody led the service. Although I couldn't see his face, apparently after Rev. Woody put the water on his head he faced the congregation and was laughing and smiling. He also let out a great, happy scream when he was handed back to us. It was wonderful! It was definitely one of the most special days of my life. We were joined by family and friends at church and then again for lunch at Link Hills Country Club.

Christmas 2008

This was the best Christmas ever! It's amazing how children change the atmosphere at Christmastime. Grammy and Grampy and Great Grammy Westwood all arrived in Tennessee on the 23rd. We had the most incredible weather while they were here-70's and sunny most of the week! Santa came on Christmas Eve and was very good to all of us...especially Mr. Luke! We opened gifts Christmas morning and prepared for Joe's side of the family to join us for lunch. They arrived around noon and 20 of us (including Luke) sat around a huge table and enjoyed a wonderful family lunch. Uncky B (Brad) arrived on Friday night and spent the weekend with us. We missed Auntie Cole but had her with us in spirit! Grammy and I took Luke to Dollywood on Saturday while the boys played golf. It seems there was a celebration at our house every night that week. It was a wonderful, wonderful week.

Mr. Big Brain

I can laugh about this now but it was very scary at the time. Luke had his 6 month check-up on December 17th. His pediatrician, Dr. Cobble did all of the routine exams and for the most part, everything was fine. His head, however, seemed to be growing at a much faster rate than the rest of his body. Dr. Cobble is a very cautious doctor (which is one of the reasons we chose him) and suggested that we get a CT scan done to make sure there was nothing serious causing the accelerated growth rate. So, after two sleepless nights for mommy, on Friday he wen in to have the scan done. We had to be at the hospital at 5am and the scan was done at 8am. Thankfully we had Papaw and his prayers with us at the hospital. He was a huge support. We were out of the hospital just after noon. It was an exhausting morning for all of us but, as always, Luke was a trooper and remained in great spirits the entire time. We found out at 4:00 that afternoon that the scan was clear and everything was fine. Christmas Eve day I got a text from my good friend Maxi saying to tell Mr. Big Brain that Santa was coming that night! That definitely brought a good laugh to all of us!!!

2008 Christmas Play

As much as I'd like to be a stay-at-home mom, I have to admit there are so many benefits to Luke going to daycare. One of them is that this Christmas we got to see him in his first Christmas play! His class (the Roo class--there are 7 of them)sang Rudolph and Luke got to dress up as Donner. His teachers kept this all a secrect from the parents so it was a wonderful surprise to watxh them the night of the program!

First time in his highchair!

December was a very exciting month for us for many reasons....Luke's first Christmas, his baptism, he's rolling both ways and starting to sit up on his own, and he's finally holding his own bottle and sitiing in his highchair!!! It's all a tad bitter sweet. It makes life much easier in some respects to hand him his bottle and let him feel himself and it's wonderful to watch him learn and grow, but I can't help wondering where my little baby boy went.

Thanksgiving in Key West

Thanks to all who have patiently waited for me to update this blog and are still checking it! The last few months have been crazy!!! Luke spent his first Thanksgiving (and his first vacation) in Key West. We went down there with Mom and Dad, Brad and Nicole and our friends Joe and Donna Meade. The weather was beautiful and every day was spent poolside. Luke LOVED swimming and Grammy even put him under for the very first time and he didn't even cry! We went on a sunset cruise and took lots of walks into town.

It was wonderful relaxing with family and friends.