I Love Christmas.

The time to celebrate Christmas and my birthday has finally arrived! Like so many of my other blogging friends, I spent a good part of my Thanksgiving holiday decorating our house for Christmas. Our inside decorations are complete, and our holiday cards have been ordered. Presents are purchased, wrapped and under the tree. All we (and by "we," I mean Dow) have left to do are outside lights (and since that is Dow's job, they'll probably be put up on December 23).

Here are some pictures of my fine decorating skills (by the way, that's a joke. I hate decorating). Although I do have to admit I had a small hissy fit with the mantel garland (just like I did last year...but I no longer have pregnancy to blame), everything eventually came together. Martha Stewart should be jealous.





Did anybody notice the stocking addition??








I really like this last picture. In fact, I spent about an hour Monday night trying to get a picture like this for my blog. After numerous attempts, and even some lengthy counseling from one of my photography guru friends, I had to let Dow take over. Our digital camera, while a good bang for our buck, has a built in lens and, consequently, limited capabilities for taking pictures in low light or with moving subjects (i.e., Liam).

Santa, please bring me a "photography for dummies" book for Christmas. I've got to learn the relationship between shutter speed and aperture to maximize the abilities of my current camera. Or, better yet, Santa, please bring me a Nikon D3000 for Christmas. It's only a mere $550.00.

Morgan

Thankful

Although turkey day has passed (in what felt like a split second), I do have to say that on this very day exactly one year ago, I found out that I would soon have something I would be VERY thankful for: Liam.





This time last year, I had to work on Sunday (the 30th) to assist with my first-ever jury trial. So, after a long day, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some strawberry beer (yum) and, while I was there, a pregnancy test I knew I really didn't need (heck, how worried could I have been if I was buying beer?). I just wanted to reassure myself that I was not pregnant, just stressed.

By the time I got home, that test was burning a hole in my bag. What if I really was pregnant? Was I ready to be a mom? I promptly locked myself in our bathroom and took the test. When I came out crying, Dow knew that it was positive. I hate to say that I was crying after I found out, but I was COMPLETELY overwhelmed and unprepared. Four pregnancy tests and one doctor's visit later, Dow and I knew without a doubt that Liam would be arriving in July.



Now, one year later, my life has completely changed. I am a wife, daughter, attorney and mother to a beautiful baby boy. Although it is often an exhausting and thankless job, I am oh so thankful for my surprise.



So, happy (belated) Thanksgiving everyone!

Morgan

Rocking Around the Toy Department

I couldn't wait any longer. I had to buy at least some of Liam's Christmas presents, or I was going to burst.

Note to anyone else in my family: You won't be getting much this year. Liam is first (and pretty much the only) name on my list. Sorry.

Here are some of the toys Santa will bring Liam this year:



-The VTech Learning Laptop



-Sassy's Baby's First Books



-Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Walk & Ride Lion



-Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Fun with Friends Musical Table



-Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Toolbag

They are all so colorful and fun. And you're welcome, Fisher-Price.

I can't wait for Liam to open these gifts Christmas morning (or, better yet, me open them for him)!

Happy Four Months, Liam!

Today is Liam's fourth month birthday! It seems like only yesterday he was a tiny newborn wrapped in my arms. Now, he's giggling, cooing, playing with toys and amazed at everything that goes on around him.

We saw Dr. Simpson yesterday for Liam's four month check-up. Other than 6 nasty shots, Liam's visit was great. He weighs 13 lbs 13 oz and is 24 inches long. He also gets to start "real" food, i.e., rice cereal and applesauce.

In fact, we had our first "big boy" feeding tonight! This is what I ended up with:





You might be wondering how Liam ended up with a rice cereal beard. Well, here's the explanation:


Although I don't think he swallowed ANY cereal, he seemed to like spoon feeding, which I guess is a good sign.

More to come later!

Morgan

Giggles

Liam has finally started to giggle lately, and I have to say it is one of the best sounds in the world. It makes me smile and tear up at the same time. I'm so thankful he is a happy and healthy baby! Enjoy :)

Busy Bees

We have been busy bees in the Sport household. Last week is now a blur, which explains my lack of blogging. I'm so tired at night that I can barely stay awake longer than Liam!

On Tuesday, Liam started school (I don't like the word "daycare") at the Elizabeth Perry Rushton Child Development Center. The decision to send him at all was really, REALLY hard for me (i.e., involved a lot of crying and guilty feelings). But since we were locked in for one month's tuition either way because of their enrollment policy, off Liam went. Surprisingly, sending him to school has not been that bad at all. I didn't even cry, and I actually like it (so far). The facility and faculty are very nice (it should be for what we are paying). There are 8 babies in his room with 3 teachers, and he has his own crib/area. What's strange to me is that even though he is so young, he seems to generally enjoy going to school. He gets daily report cards, and, best of all, I can watch him over my computer (or any Internet connection) from three different cameras in real time. I LOVE watching him at work and seeing that he is being held, rocked, played with, etc. I got to visit him for an hour over lunch on Friday (it takes me 8 minutes to get there by foot from my office), and it made my day. So, with all that being said, we are going to try school until December. If I change my mind (i.e., Liam starts getting sick all of the time), we'll go back with our nanny, who is great.

You are probably wondering how Liam starting school made my week a blur, but getting myself dressed and a baby dressed and out of the door by 8:00 ALONE (Dow is at work when Liam goes to school) is tough stuff. I'm pooped.

I did manage to go Santa shopping Saturday, and someone in our house has lots of toys now!!! He also got some super cute hats, two new sweaters, and two sets of booties. Bring on the snow!





I seriously don't know where those lips come from. I've been trying to figure that out since we first saw these puckers on our 4D ultrasound.....

Halloween Weekend!

I love Halloween! Besides Christmas, it's my favorite holiday. On Friday, we left Birmingham and headed to Auburn for the weekend. We had a birthday costume party to attend and then the Ole Miss game. We've been planning this weekend for a while.

But, as soon as we got to Auburn, I realized that I FORGOT Liam's pea costume in Birmingham. How bad of a mother could I possible be? I forgot the costume that I have had hanging in his closet for two months now and probably ruined my child's first Halloween (in my mind....Liam didn't have a clue it was Halloween). Thankfully, I did pack his glow-in-the-dark skeleton sleeper, so we made due. I still can't believe I forgot his costume. I'm usually so organized....

So, here's the family. Dow was a dead firefighter (can we say morbid???), and I was a ladybug. Liam was a super scary skeleton baby.



Here's mommy-that-ruined-Halloween and her sweet baby.



Saturday, everyone in the Sport household (except me) got up early to head to the Ole Miss game. I stayed up WAY past my bedtime the night before and met everyone out there after the game started. We kicked some rebel butt. WDE!

Here is Liam with Aunt Heather after the game. I love his pumpkin outfit, and Liam loves his Aunt Heather!



Sunday, we had a lazy morning in Auburn. Out of curiosity, we decided to weigh Liam on Phil's postal scale. He is a whopping 13 lbs 6 oz now! Oink!



Drum roll please.....................................

Here is Liam as a pea pod!! Yes, I forgot his costume, but I wasn't about to let this picture-taking opportunity pass me by. We got dressed up this afternoon for our adorable photo shoot!









I think the pea pod was a good choice :)

Morgan