Warning: Long post...
So November was a whirlwind month, and unfortunately a grief-filled one. We started the month off with a great long weekend in Savannah, and we had to put our beloved beagle Milli to sleep that same week. The day after Milli passed away, we received terrible news that my cousin Stephanie had suffered bilateral pulmonary embolisms, from which she did not recover, and the next weekend we attended her funeral. The holiday season feels totally different this year with the loss of a dear family member. The loss though, while painful, does help us maintain focus on what really matters.
So, here goes, lots of pics from the past month:
In Savannah for the 1/2marathon: We had a great time with the Arnette family and are so thankful for my mom who came along to watch all the kiddos while we ran.
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| Sporting my UA duds in prep for the UA vs. LSU game (which i slept through:) |
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| Fun playing with Daddy |
We decided to take Christmas card pics while in Savannah; it turned out to be a challenge to get a single picture with Ethan still and looking at the camera; thanks to Natalie for her patience:)
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| Literally one of the 2 pictures where we are all looking in the direction of the camera. |
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| The ONLY pic of E solo looking at the camera! |
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| Christmas picture outtake |
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| Sunggling with Gam Gam after a wardrobe change after the photo shoot |
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| Rested up and on the move! |
We returned Gam Gam to her house, just in time to help Pop Pop feed the horses, and for Ethan to sit on one of them
These next ones are from a random day outside...
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| Love playing with my truck |
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| Hmm, this is not going like I thought... |
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| How can you not want to kiss those cheeks??? |
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| LOVE that smile |
A fun day at McWane with Miles...
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| The little climbers... |
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| So fun |
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| Serious about the trains... |
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| Hmm, wonder what we should get him for Christmas... |
Speaking of Santa, later that night we decided to go see him...
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| Thankfully, Baby Jesus is and will be the focus of our Christmas celebration... |
So, needless to say, until Ethan says, " Mommy, I would like to go sit in Santa's lap", we are DONE with Santa!
Random other pics from the month..
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| CRAZY hair post-nap |
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| Reading with Daddy |
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| Picking out the tree |
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Right before Mommy took this pic, I was gazing so sweetly at the tree...
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Bus and truck parking...
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| More fun with my truck |
We have enjoyed the mild weather so far this past month; these pics are from a day at the zoo.
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| Climbing, Mommy's little monkey |
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| Look at those eyes, he's up to something |
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| Running is sooo fun |
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| So is riding the giraffe |
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| And playing the "drums" on my snack cup |
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| And playing the bongos with Miles |
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| More running; mommy doesn't look this happy when she runs... |
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| More bongo fun |
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| so Silly! |
Despite the sadness of the past month, Ethan's smile keeps us going and makes rough days better with the joy that he brings to our life.
Catching up with E:
He is 19 months old now, and at his 18-month check-up was 31.4 lbs., and 34.5 inches tall; (my back estimates that he has gained a little more since then...). I literally cannot keep up with all of the words that he can say; he seems to gain new ones everyday and is imitating much of what we say too. He loves to run and climb, and just after Thanksgiving began climbing out of his crib-not gracefully, so ready or not, he is now in a toddler bed. We have had a few rough nights, but for the most part has done well staying in his bed...
He still LOVES books, school, and being outside, and can turn almost anything into a train (including his nativity set). He also loves the Christmas tree and has been really good (so much better than we expected) about "gently" touching the ornaments. He is also quite the helper around the house; likes to help unload the dishwasher, put away laundry, and loves to throw anything in the trash! He makes me laugh out loud at least once a day, melts my heart with his sweet kisses and hugs, and makes me wonder again and again how I get the privilege of being his mommy. We are so excited to see Christmas through the eyes of a child and cannot wait to celebrate our Savior's birth with our own little miracle son!
