Happy New Year!

It is so hard to believe that 2008 is hours away from being over. This past year has been exciting mostly because we started it off with a 4 month old. Becoming a mommy has been such a blessing and I thank God everyday that he has chosen me to be one. Another exciting event was Charlie getting a new job. That was an answered prayer for sure. Being able to have him home in the evenings and on the weekends has been so wonderful. This year has been a huge challenge and filled with struggles for a lot of people. Although, I have been affected a little, I am so thankful to be where I am at right now and I am truly blessed with everything I do have. I just continue to pray that it does turn around and we can all pull through whatever issues each one of us has going on.

So this is the time that we all decide what our resolutions are going to be and if you are like me, I never keep them. I have decided to call them goals for 2009. My list probably could go on and on but just to name a few of my goals are 1) spend less and save more, 2) exercise and eat healthier and most importantly, 3) to continue developing a closer relationship with God.

I am looking forward to what God has in stored for me in 2009 and I know that with him, he will lead me through any obstacle that comes my way. I remember when I was young and in church the pastor would say "GOD IS GOOD" and the congregation would say "ALL THE TIME". And that is the truth.

To everyone, I pray that you have a safe and wonderful Happy New Year! See ya next year.

Doctor Lookadoo says...

22 lbs, 3 oz and 32 3/4 inches
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Mr. Cohen is growing just right. He has been above average in his percentile but has now started to slow down some. Yesterday, we went to the doctor for what should have been his 15 month check up. Cohen seemed to handle it better than the last visit. He was a little impatient in the room and just didn't seem to understand why I wouldn't open the door to leave. I had to entertain him after the nurse measured and weighed as we waited on the Doctor to arrive. We played with toys, sang, read a book about 10 times, searched for items in the picture on the wall(which he pointed out several items after showing him the first time, a mommy was proud) and even did a little dance around the room. The doctor shows up and like the last time, Cohen did not like be messed with. Cried out a few times. Then of course, we still had to deal with the shots. And cried out some more and if you a are mommy, you really hate seeing that. The sweet nurse brought him two little toys as a peace offering. Overall the visit went well and my little boy is growing just fine.

Sweet Kayla turns 1

On December 27th, my cousin Derrik and his wife Michelle's little girl turned the Big One! Friends and Family gathered at their home to celebrate. We enjoyed watching her open her gifts, eat her cake and run around with all the other little ones. Thanks Derrik and Michelle for including us on this special day for your little girl.

Looks like she liked that gift!

Making Music!

Singing Happy Birthday!

Appears the cake was good!

Loves his Grandma!

Christmas is coming to an end

It happens. Every year. The anticipation of this big day and just like that it is over. And it seems as I keep getting older, this time just goes by even faster than the one before. But having said that, it is still exciting and such a wonderful time. And now, having my own family, it is fun making new memories.

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We traveled all of 10 minutes over to my in-loves to celebrate with GG's side of the family, the Alexanders from Charlotte and the Alexanders from Columbia (with the exception of Julie living in Greenville). This year, we were missing some of the family as they were celebrating with their other loved ones. That being Craig, Tricia and Hamilton Howard and Monty, Lindsay and Charlie Alexander. We truly missed you guys and look forward to spending next Christmas with you.

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Instead of the traditional Christmas dinner, GG fixes lasagna, salad and garlic toast, along with lots of sweet goodies. And it is yummy. We all sat around and chatted, played some Guitar Hero and then all the kiddos opened their gifts. Thank you all for the wonderful gifts for Cohen.

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So Christmas has ended and now we have to get back to the real world. Take down the tree and put away all the decorations, find places for all the toys Cohen received and now we can look forward to a new year. I pray that everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their families and God continues to bless you.

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I leave you with some pictures from our Gibson/Alexander Christmas!

Thanks Tricia, Craig and Hamilton for the gift!

Santa came....

So maybe I could have gotten away with just boxes for Cohen this year but it was really hard resisting from purchasing anything and everything for him. What can I say, Cohen was a good boy this year! Battling a cold this week, Cohen wasn't the happiest kid on Christmas morning. We managed to get upstairs and once he saw the toys, things started to change a little. He went straight to the bouncing pony and it didn't take him long to figure out what it did. Something that I am sure he will enjoy, it hooks up to the TV and has three different learning stages. For right now, he can bounce and different things such as animals pop up on the screen while playing music.

Shortly after, GG and Pops stopped by to see what all Cohen had received. He really got excited to show the toys off.

We would finish the morning off with some juice and yummy ham biscuits prepared by GG. After resting a while, we got ready to head over to GG's house for Christmas time with the Alexanders....

My Santa was good....

.... to me this year. I had mentioned back in October that I had received my Christmas present this year, the rug, but was sure that my sweet hubby would have a gift under the tree for me to unwrap. Well, that sweet hubby had a few gifts for me. I guess the rug was forgotten come shopping time in December. After a late evening over at the Gibsons and putting Cohen to bed, mommy and daddy decided to go ahead and open their gifts. To my surprise, my Santa got me a Nintendo DSS, along with some great games. Super Mario, Arcade games and Brain Age (which I really needed, lol). I was really excited but my Santa was really smart because I think he is going to enjoy it as much as I will. I also received some well needed socks, a perfect pair of pajamas and scarf set. Charlie's Santa was good to him too. He received Guitar Hero - World Tour game (which I enjoy playing as well), steering wheel for the PS3 and the one thing he really wanted, a golf bag.

It's a Gibson Christmas

Christmas Eve night, we headed over to my in-loves to celebrate. I was excited because at 8 o'clock, A Christmas Story marathon would begin. Every year, we put it on that channel and watch bits and pieces through out the evening. Charlie and I continue watching it when we get home. Just love that classic. After croissant sandwiches and finger foods (the chicken lettuce wraps courtesy of my brother-in-love, Chef Clint, were terrific), we exchanged gifts. Cohen did participate in the unwrapping; however, he seemed to only pull a little piece at a time so it took a little while to get to the gift. He had fun trying to help everyone open their gifts too. Like always, it is such a joy to hang out with the Gibson family and we are so blessed to have each one of them in our lives.

Cohen admiring his Uncle Clint.

How exciting? Elmo!!

Checking him out. Too Cute.

Oh boy, what is this?

Helping GG .

Looks like Daddy is going to play golf!

Aunt Kimberly and Uncle Clint loving the dinnerware.

Pretty P.B. Christmas bowls from GG & Pops

Pops checking out his gift card from Uncle Clark

Merry Christmas Eve!

How exciting! Christmas Day is almost here. This morning was a little ruff, having to drag myself out of bed to come to work. Not to mention the lack of sleep because we have a little sick boy on our hands. Nothing too big yet, just appears to be a cold and a major runny nose. I cant remember the last time I had to work on Christmas Eve. I am trying not to fuss too much because I am very thankful that I have a job, even if they are making us work today. There was no traffic this morning, hardly anyone is here, the phone is not ringing and there seems to be only one client that was scheduled to come in.

BUT I am really excited that it is CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!!

On my work today, I remembered we were out of Diet Coke at work and I will admit, I have an addiction to DC. I have to have my DC each day. So I decided to stop at the Spinx store to pick one up and a pack of those delicious Little Debbie chocolate donuts. Nutritious, I know. But it's Christmas time. Walking to the car, a gentleman wished me a Merry Christmas and I thought it was sweet for a stranger to say it. It just makes you love this time of the year when everyone is in good spirits.

We are leaving work at noon today in which I have to run to the store to pick up ingredients to make sausage balls (a must have for my hubby). I have several things that has to be done before we head over to my in-loves for our Christmas. One thing is we have to get Santa ready for Cohen. I know he still want really understand but a mommy can be excited. Looking forward to spending some time with our family tonight and tomorrow.

I hope that everyone has a great Christmas and enjoys every minute. But between all the fellowship with family and friends, the wonderful food that will be prepared and that perfect gift you will receive, stop for a moment to remember the real reason for this season and wish Jesus a Happy Birthday. He is the reason we are able to celebrate and have this wonderful time. And know that he loves you and is always there for you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES!!!!

The family get togethers begin....

Saturday, my side of the family joined us at our house. It was a nice time to get to see everyone and spend a little bit of time together. We enjoyed great good, fellowship and of course, cant forget the gifts. This year the adults decided to draw names and just buy for the little ones. We let the two little ones go first and I have to say, it is getting a little more exciting to see Cohen's reaction to opening the gifts. I am sure it will be totally different next year. He still likes those boxes, especially the ones he can climb into. It was also a joy to see Cohen and Kayla interact together. Kayla will be turning one this coming Saturday and she is such a sweet little girl. Thank you Hardees, Nabors and Owings family for coming over and celebrating Christmas in our home. Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Tradition

As far back as I can remember, my mom always would purchase a Christmas Ornament. So I wanted to start that tradition with Cohen. Last year, being his first, I had a hard time trying to find that Baby's 1st Christmas ornament that I really liked. I did finally find something which holds a picture. I decided that every year I would buy a frame ornament to place a picture from that Christmas in. However, this year I had hard time just buying that one. So I figured it would be alright to get two. I purchased one from Pottery Barn Kids that is just a simple red rectangle with his name printed (not hanging yet until I get a picture). He has also received ornaments from his grandparents and close friends. To add to this tradition, I wanted to also pick out a special book to give him. This year I purchased his second ornament to go along with a book. Here are some that he has received.

2007....

from Mommy & Daddy

from GG & Pop, along with "The Polar Express" book

from Grandma & Papa

So far for

2008...

from Cathy & John Crabtree, along with "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" book

from Mommy and Daddy, along with the "Gingerbread Friends" book

16 Months

Yesterday our adorable little boy turned 16 months old. And it seems that he has changed a lot in the past month. Few of those changes are signs of a little temper, trying to speak more words and is becoming a climber. He gets into everything and of course, you try to tell him "No" or direct him somewhere else and he thinks you are being funny. A few times it has been hard because he so darn cute and when he turns around and smiles, you just want to laugh. He now has learned the word No (it is hard, but I recommend trying to stay away from the use of that word). When you ask him a question, his little sweet voice says "no". We go to the Doctor next week for what should have been his 15 mo check up. I am anxious to see what he now weighs and the changes in his height. He is a growing little boy and it is exciting to see it each day.

Santa @ LTAT

Santa dropped by to see all the little ones but Cohen wasn't even going to attempt it. He wouldn't go near him or even allow mommy to. We tried taking a picture with me holding him sitting on Santa's lap and he just screamed. I guess it is to be expected though. But it was nice getting to see all of the other kids and hear them tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. They even received a gift from Santa. Cohen's attention seemed to be not on Santa but an adorable little girl, much older than he is of course. It appeared he took a liking to one of my dear friends and co-worker's daughter. It was so cute. He would just stand there and hold her hand. I believe he had a little crush. As far as Santa goes, again, there is always next year.

I'm ready for Christmas

The gifts are wrapped and waiting to be distributed to all the loved ones. I took this past Thursday and Friday off to finish up some vacation time and finalize my to-do list for one of our family get togethers at our house on Saturday.

Thursday, I dropped Cohen off with GG and Pops which he took a road trip to Georgia to meet his Great-Grandpa Gibson and Libby's Aunt Francis for the first time. It appeared he enjoyed himself and I am sure they were thrilled to get to meet him as well. My mom and I decided to do some shopping and spend the day together, followed by a yummy lunch at PF Changs, one of my favorite places.

Friday, I desperately needed to get some house cleaning done. I sure do wish I could stay on top of keeping it clean. Later that day, I picked Cohen up to go see Santa at my work and of course, it didn't go to well, which I figured it wouldn't but he looked adorable (pictures to follow).

The weekend turned out pretty well and also very tiring. I was glad we were able to have one of our Christmas get togethers on Saturday because it just gets so hard trying to do them in two days. And looking forward to seeing everyone else in a few days.

LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!

It took having a kid

But we finally went. A little joke between the hubby and myself. Saturday, we, along with GG and Pops, decided to head out to see the lights at Roper Mountain. On the way there, we were able to pass some houses with lights and it was funny to hear Cohen say "wow" which sounds more like "whoa". So this mommy was getting excited because I couldn't wait to hear his reaction to the Roper Mtn. lights. However, I guess all of his wows were gone because there wasn't any enthusiasm, which is OK, I have plenty more years to see it. He did however want to check out Santa at a distance. Mommy passed on the roasted marshmallows and Hot chocolate to enjoy one of her favorite treats, Cotton Candy. It surely is fun making memories even if a 15 month old want remember.


On our way, I caught a glimpse of a very well lighted house and told them that we had to come back to go look at this house. Picture isn't all that great but you get the idea. Crazy!