Hannah Kate enjoys her swing and is all smiles in her bouncy seat.
Mason is sporting his new LSU cap that his Daddy bought for him after they won the National Championship game. Go Tigers!At the end of the day, Hannah Kate finds her favorite spot curled up in Daddy's arms.When we moved her last spring, I was hopeful that we were far enough north to possibly see some of the white stuff during winter. I was disappointed when everyone told me it "never snows" here. Well, yesterday morning I was sleeping soundly (as Hannah Kate was sleeping soundly) when my husband rushed into the bedroom, stood about 2 inches from my face and excitedly announced in the loudest whisper he could muster that it was snowing. I jumped out of bed but was sorely disappointed when I peeked out the window to see snowflakes so small that they were almost invisible and no accumulation. No fun! Needless to say, I crawled back into bed. The flurries lasted not more than an hour or so. As the day progressed, I grew disappointed that I didn't get up and at least attempt to take a picture. So I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up my camera to find that Seth had taken some pictures. Now, he hates cold weather so he didn't go outside but took all of them from inside so they aren't the greatest. And you might have to squint a bit to see the snow . . . but we did have snow!
Mason is very fascinated with giving Hannah Kate a bath. He wants to be in on the action, just as he does with diaper changes, feedings and anything else involving Hannah Kate.
But sometimes jealousy rears its head . . . this morning we were playing in Mason's room with his train set. Hannah Kate was in there in her bouncy seat. I told Mason it was time for lunch and headed to the kitchen. He followed me and told me we should just leave Hannah Kate in his room. When I'm holding her, he often tells me to "put her back in her swing."
Of course, I really have no room to be talking. I've no recollection of this so I'm only going on what I've been told. Aunt Harriette lived across the street from us, and I would sit on the steps of our front porch many afternoons waiting on her to arrive home from work. She was loads of fun. She would take me swimming and play hide-and-seek with me. One afternoon shortly after Rob was born, she came over. I asked her if we could play hide-and-seek. Once she said yes, I supposedly told her that we should hide Rob in the attic. Again, this is only what I've been told.
And, yes, Mason does what all big brothers do . . . takes her pacifier out of her mouth, pulls her socks off of her feet. One day I caught him climbing up on the side of her crib. I'm certain that had I not arrived in her room at that very minute, he would've been over in the crib with her! He has attempted several times to pick her up. Not a good thing . . . so I don't leave him in the room with her unattended. But one day I'm sure he'll be the over-protective big brother . . . or at least I hope he'll be!
When we were looking for a house in Mississippi last year, one of the things I wanted was trees. Yes, trees. We didn't have any trees in our yard when we lived in Louisiana, and I wanted trees. Well, we got them! We have several trees in our front yard, and our property is lined with trees and tree-like growth in the back yard. And they aren't pine trees either. So you know what that means --- leaves! And more leaves! Raking leaves was part of our Saturday ritual (right before football games) every weekend in the fall. Yes, every weekend!
It had been a few weeks since Seth had been outside to rake leaves so they were piled up everywhere. He ditched the rake and opted to blow them into a pile with the blower. That's when Mason's fun began.
Seth has said we will not have trees in our yard when we move again. I beg to differ! I mean, it's just way too much fun (besides the raking)!One thing is for sure . . . Santa definitely left his mark this year!
Mason enjoyed riding his tricycle around the house. We moved it outside, but now we are waiting for some warmer weather so he can go outside and ride.
Hannah Kate was still a very sleepy baby at this point, but she did open her eyes for a minute during all of the excitement, and we were able to get a picture of her with her baby doll.
Thanks to so many friends and family, Mason spent at least three hours opening presents. He had a ball! While I'm going to try my best, I may not get thank you notes sent this year. So if I don't, please know that we so appreciate the gifts all of our family and friends bestowed on us.Hannah Kate is posing with her presents . . . a little girl can never have too many baby dolls!I had a hard time getting this picture because by this time, Mason was no longer interested in posing for the camera. But I think you can see it well enough to get the point . . . this was one of Mommy's gifts to Daddy.We went to Grosse Tete for Christmas. When we got there, all of the cousins were unknowingly dressed in Christmas red . . . perfect photo opportunity! What can I say . . . even more presents!This picture really doesn't do it justice . . . Mason is absolutely adorable in his new fleece camo! Bright eyes! Beau and Hannah Kate
Abbie and Hannah Kate