December 23, 2009
11 Months (few days late)
This past month has really flown. This month has been very busy. Along with trying to create a special first Christmas with Tennyson, Kris has been in the midst of “buybacks”. He was at 24 different schools, so you can just imagine. We haven’t seen much of him, but, as always, he has still made time to make it to important events.
At the beginning of this month, we went to Breakfast with Santa. Tennyson only gazed at Santa rather than cry. I almost think it is cuter when they cry. What is so funny is that she has cried at every other male with facial hair except for Santa. What can I say?
We went to “A Walk Through Bethleham” last Sunday night. It was very interesting. Woodmont Christian Church converted their entire gym into the streets of Bethleham. They had all kinds of vendors selling items that would have been sold during that time period. Along with a manger scene, they had a real camel and sheep. So, Tennyson and her friend Elizabeth enjoyed looking and petting the animals.
What has Tennyson been up to this month?
Tennyson is beginning to cruise along furniture and with her walker toy. She is not very good at it as of yet. She looks as if she is neurologically impaired which she is essentially given that it is immature.
She now says “bye-bye” and waves simultaneously. She says “ma-ma” which means me and food. She loves balloons and says “bvu” or something like that. Actually, most things are “bu”.
She loves to point, take things in and out, tease the dogs, be tickled, eat, and drink from her sippy cup. I now cannot eat in front of her without sharing. It can be really annoying.
We will begin phasing out nursing this month. It has been a complete joy knowing that most of Tennyson thus far has been from me. I know it was the best that I could give her. There have been many frustrations throughout; however, it has been worth it. Although, as I write this, I am excited about the freedom that I will enjoy within the next month. It will be nice not carrying a breast pump to work with me or having to take vitamins to maintain my milk supply. This is mainly because every time I start my menstrual cycle, my milk supply bottoms out.
We are looking forward to next week. I still have a few gifts that I would like to get Tennyson, and then I will be finished with Christmas shopping.
Hope all of you have a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas.
November 26, 2009
Thankful Thursday
I feel so thankful for so many things today as I am sure you do too. God has blessed us with an abundance. Here are just a few things that I feel thankful for.
1. Tennyson: God has blessed us with a beautiful, healthy child.
2. Kris
3. Our family.
4. Our jobs.
5. Our house
6. The wonderful spread of food that I have eaten all week. I am stuffed.
7. A wonderful Church family.
8. Our health thus far.
9. Our wonderful friends.
10. This beautiful weather.
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 19, 2009
10 Months
Tennyson is really getting big fast. This month she has gotten a lot smarter. She now can follow some basic directions such as “Go get your bunny” (i.e., her lovey). She is pointing at everything and will point to basic things that you name such as light, ball, duck, balloon, etc. She loves balloons. We found this out at her first birthday party that she attended. She says “bvu” for balloon, we think. At least, that is what she kept saying when she looked at it. Close enough for me. She loves “Ride a Little Horsey”. She falls backwards before I can finish. She pulls up really easily and will occasionally let go for a second. No furniture cruising as of yet.
In the past few days, she has refused to let us feed her vegetables to her. So, I’ve had to hurry and cook peas that she can eat by herself. She thinks that every time we eat, she has to eat. Even if she has just eaten. So, needless to say, I have to share my food now, or I cannot eat in peace. Her table food repertoire has expanded to what I would call in my profession mechanical soft with ground meats. She is eating rice, eggs, bread, ground or shredded meat, any soft vegetable, casseroles, cheerios, and crackers of any kind. Tennyson as of now likes anything that she can feed herself. She does not take this after me but after her daddy. I was extremely picky as a baby and child. Hopefully, Tennyson will continue to be a good eater.
Here are a few pictures from this past month.
The first few pictures were taken at Radnor’s Lake. This is an amazing amenity to Nashville for nature lovers. It is actually one of the largest natural parks in the U.S. in such close proximity to a major city. It is very popular in the Fall. The main trail is probably 2 miles around a lake with wildlife that are very docile.
Notice the deer in the background. Tennyson loved it.
She loves riding on Kris' shoulders.
Tennyson went to her first birthday party. It was her friend, Elizabeth, who just turned one. I was not able to attend, but from the looks of it, she had a great time.
Tennyson and birthday girl, Elizabeth.
She got to help open presents,
play with new toys,
and best of all, her daddy let her have some cake.
November 19, 2009
Thankful Thursdays
This Thursday we are thankful for Erin Jones for loving and caring for Tennyson on Fridays while I work. To me, I am very gracious to anyone who loves, takes care of, and keeps my baby safe. When we were in a bind this summer with childcare, Erin volunteered without hesitation. I know that the logistics of caring initially for two stationary, demanding babies was very difficult. Hopefully, it is getting easier and funner 
THANK YOU ERIN!
November 10, 2009
Missing My Girls
So, I’ve been on the road for a few days and I’m missing my girls something awful.
Brigitte told me that each morning Tennyson has been looking for me in the bed. You see, Brigitte brings Tennyson to our bed when she awakens and I always talk to both of them. So, apparently, Tennyson has been used to me talking to her and she’s wondering where I am 
Can’t wait to be back home and saying Good Morning to both of them again!
-Daddy
Brigitte and Tennyson in Memphis
November 4, 2009
Thankful Thursday
In the spirit of the season, I am wanting to post every week about people in our lives that we are so very thankful for.
The first people who we thought of are Jessica Stults and Tanya McMahan. These two ladies organized Fall Fest for West End Church of Christ for our children and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Hopefully, Tanya’s pictures will be coming soon. Thank you girls for organizing such a wonderful family event. Kris, Tennyson, my family, and I truly enjoyed it.
