Friday Favorites: The One With The Random Christmas Fun

Yay Friday!!! 

I was going through my phone deleting pictures to make room for more Christmas fun, and figured I should just post a ton of random photos from the last few weeks.  

*Update from last post*

We don't know the gender of Little G #2 quite yet.  When we went in last week my doctor was out with the flu.  I was totally bummed! BUT, we got to hear the heartbeat for the first time, I got some meds to stop an infection we caught early, we received the first set of genetic screening blood work and all looks well with little one.  So it wasn't a waste of a morning after all.  We are scheduled for the anatomy scan January 9th.  So not too much longer to wait!

Onto all the crazy of the past few weeks...

Playing with some Santa window clings.  Brynn is ALL about Santa this year!

Speaking of...

Last Tuesday was Brynn's Christmas program at school. They sang "Away in a Manger." She now sings it at the top of her lungs...and all the time.  Like when you think she sound asleep all the time.  It's both startling and cute to wake up to. 

These pictures of B and Miss E make my day! They love each other so much!

What-A-Burger after her program. I've started craving gravy lately...I think I need some now actually...

When we got home from the program I ended up getting sick, isn't it great how being pregnant makes any type of sickness a hundreds times worse?  And I'm still fighting off this cold/sinus infection. 

It. Won't. Go. Away. 

My little cheeser on PJ day!

Last Friday, Jonathan took Brynn to his office Christmas party and she came home with this snowman.  She has taken such good care of it this week...feeding it, wrapping it in another scarf, letting it take naps.  It's so special to watch her grow and learn.  

Speaking of growing and learning...

...she has started climbing out of her crib (big girl bed after Christmas for sure! I'm excited to rearrange and organize her room!)

...she has started yelling, "MORGAN!" from her crib when she wants me. 

...says "I hungry for eat" when she wants a snack and I don't see me ever correcting her because that's just too cute!

...she saw a pink car at Sonic the other day and now every time we go (which is every day. There. I said it.) she talks about seeing it. 

...her memory is INCREDIBLE.  Jonathan and I are amazed at what she can recall. We've been adding a new name of Jesus ornament to her tree every night and reviewing the previous ones.  She's able to tell us the name of most of them without prompting.  

But a few come out in "Brynn speak" and make us laugh so hard! Instead of "Lion of Judah" she says "Lion of Cheetah"

And instead of "Living Water" she says "Waterin' the plants" HA! We look forward to it every night!

On Saturday we all felt well enough for a little holiday outing to Holland Gardens.  If you live in or around Lubbock you should definitely check it out! It's been a while since I have been, so I was super impressed with all the decorations there were to see. 

We missed Santa by 10 minutes.  Boo!

Brynn's ornament for the year is Mary Poppins! 

I let her hold it as long as she sits right by the tree.  She sat like this for about 15 minutes Wednesday afternoon just looking at it. 

Yesterday we decided to get out of the house for the day! I could stay home all day everyday.  Brynn loves to see "everybody!" and "Not go home yet, Momma!" So we got dressed in our Christmas gear and went to visit Grams at her new work, Pops at his office, had a Taco Villa picnic at home, and then she went to Aunt DeAnns for the afternoon while I finished Christmas shopping!

This girl is all about the "burri-yo."

I'm so looking forward to Saturday! It's a Mills family baking, playing, & light seeing day. Yay!

Happy Friday!

The One With Week 16 & Some Holiday Fun

How far along: 16 Weeks.  I think my belly feels LARGER than it looks.  Yeesh. 

                             

Size of babe: An avocado (Brynn's favorite!) and I think this calls for guacamole for supper!

Husband: Still taking good care of his girls! 

Maternity Clothes: Yes.  I ordered some great pieces from Loft and Gap during all the sales last week! This new black top is so comfy! I'm also at that weird stage where low band elastic is too tight and the belly isn't quite big enough for the full tummy elastic. So I'm doing the rubber band trick on my maternity jeans...because I'm cool like that.  And you may find me mostly in sweats and dresses until this sorts itself out!

Loving: Christmas time! Brynn is at the BEST age and I have a long list of festive fun for our family in the next few weeks (hows that for alliteration?!) 

Loathing: Nothing really and I'm sooo thankful for that! 

Movement: I think I've felt a few punches, but nothing significant. 

Symptoms: Easing up!! YAY! I am FINALLY feeling {almost} back to normal.  I still have to eat a decent breakfast and lots of snacks throughout the day, but I'm making it until around 7 or 8 at night before I start feeling yucky...so hopefully the queasiness is saying goodbye!

Craving: Now that I can start thinking about food again I've been inhaling... Cheeto Puffs, pineapple, sliced Colby Jack cheese on Ritz, fruit Popsicles, and I'm back on my sweet tea addiction.  

Best Part of the Week: Brynn and I had the best day on Friday.  I felt really good, we went Christmas shopping and just had a great day together.  I love my kid so much!

Missing Most: Sleeping through the night. 

Can't wait for: Wednesday! We find out gender {as long as baby cooperates, which is not typical} & I CAN'T WAIT!!! I was feeling pretty patient about waiting until our 20 week appointment, but when my doctor offered to let us find out before Christmas i couldn't pass it up! 

We aren't the secret keeping kind of people {I HATE surprises} so we will be telling our family by lunch and I'm sure sharing on IG Wednesday afternoon.  So get in your votes!

Gender: I still vote girl! And so does Brynn! I think Daddy is secretly out praying us for a boy.  HA!

Now, on to some holiday fun! 

Brynn loves looking at Christmas lights! Now that her car seat is forward facing she can see everything and gets so excited, "more Christmas lights!! Look!"

In a few weeks my entire family is getting together to go look at lights and I can't wait!

Last Tuesday we headed to LCU for the Big Blue Family Christmas.  I was blown away by all of the decorations and everything they had for the kids to do! 

Looking at the Christmas trees with Grams.  At the end of the night I asked her what was her favorite part and B said, "with Grams!" 

She is very curious about Santa this year.  She sat right in his lap and I could tell she was over the moon!

That time we took a family picture under the blue lights...#beblue

1st year at LCU's family Christmas and this year.  Shes trying to run away from us in both!

On Thursday she hung out with Aunt DeAnn. 

I just love this cutie face!

On Friday we ran all over town trying to finish up Christmas shopping {I'm waiting for a few things in the mail then I will be DONE!} and this little cutie did great! Normally going more than one place is really pushing her patience, but Friday she was content just to see all the Santa's everywhere!

1st stop: Hobby Lobby. 

Then to Target! As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, "Yay! Target!" We typically have the same cashier every time we go and he always supplies the stickers. 

Last week she drank all of my Sonic drink, so I smartened up and got her her own.  Whenever she would see her drink she would yell, "my sonic!"

Then I took her through the car wash {which she normally likes} and she LOST it.  I had to reach back and hold her hand to calm her down.  As soon as we got home she ran to Jonathan and cried so hard.  Broke my heart! 

I posted this picture on IG Friday with this quote, 

"My best gift of all 

is not under the tree.

Yes, you are my joy,all year throughout, my kiss and my cuddle without any doubt.You're my glee and my gigglewith friends far and near,making memories to fill uswith laughter all year.
You're my love and my joy-a gift I'll always carry through Christmasand forever.
You are my merry!" 

--Marianne Richmond 

It's from this book that I found at Target. 

I buy her a book every Christmas and write a special note to her and this one is so sweet and sentimental.  I love it! Maybe one day she will sit and let me read more than one page to her.  

On Friday night we met up with mom & dad to shop for our Angel Tree gifts...but first...the daily inspection of the neighbors decorations! 

At supper she was being a HAM. 

I'm also looking for a gingerbread house kit that is egg and peanut free..any suggestions? 

I've been trying to be more proactive in making Jesus the focus of our holiday.  I enjoy all the lights, decorations, food, movies, music, and family time that Christmas brings but I think it's important to find a good balance between the "commercialism" and the reason we celebrate...Immanuel: God With Us! 

I found this kit at Hobby Lobby and I think it will be a great new tradition for our family.  

It comes with 12 ornaments, each with a name of Jesus on the front and a scripture on the back.  Each night you read from the little devo book provided and hang a new ornament on the tree.  I can't wait to start it tonight! 

This is going to be a packed week with Christmas programs, work parties, a trip to Holland Gardens & a family carriage ride...oh yea, and a gender reveal!! Say a prayer that our little one will cooperate Wednesday {Momma will be drinking an early morning coke to get them going!} Hopefully next time we talk we will know if it's more pink & bows or, the totally foreign to me, trucks & blue!

*insurance update*

We get to keep our doctors!!! We are switching insurance companies to make it happen. If you are local and ever need a good insurance guy to help you sort it all out, let me know!