Stranger Danger

Roman has a pretty bad case of stranger anxiety. I am not totally sure it is is actually stranger anxiety or just a severe case of being spoiled after his Mommy and MiMi. Here's the thing~ the people that he has been afraid of is the fam. I am sure that they think that we are fibbing when we say that he is really a good baby. Anytime he is around either side of the family he is ROTTEN. Lots of crying and refusing to let anyone other than the two people mentioned above hold him.

Starting on Monday he will be spending 3 days a week with his new sitter. I have not exactly broken the news to the little guy yet. If you are reading this please pause for a moment and say a prayer for me, Roman, and most importantly his sitter! I pray for a smooth transition for all of us. It is hard to let your baby go even when you know that they will be in loving hands.

This is an example of the look that I get when Roman is held by our family.

This example right here is one of my favorite pictures....EVER! Every time I see this picture I smile. The look that he is giving me is priceless.
Check back for updates on Roman's "condition." Also, feel free to give me a call or email next week to give me words of encouragement. I'm sure that we will all have a rough couple of days...

Now Hiring Within: Job description below

Today marks the end of MiMi and Big Poppa's babysitting job. They have officially retired now for the 3rd time. (1x job, 1x Griffin, 1x Roman) In their absence we are looking for a "jack-of-all-trades" type. The willing candidate must be able to cook, clean, do yard work, drive the school bus, laundry, love babies, be a sounding board and an awesome friend. Yeah, I know it may sound like pretty big shoes to fill. A downside for many may be the pay. The money isn't great. I guess you could consider it pro bono work, but take a look at the rich rewards below:

You get the opportunity to spend quality time with Griffin and Roman. The two most amazing little boys in the entire world!!

We provide you with a wardrobe.
We can assure you that the laughs go on for days. No frowning on this job!
You will receive a lifetime of tight hugs and sweet kisses....
We provide reasonable housing for you.

You will also receive some pretty awesome meals from our very own little resident chef d cuisine!

Most importantly you will receive the unconditional love of this little guy.

AND the adoring look of this one too.....
Thank you MiMi and Big Poppa for all that you have done for us. You have blessed our lives with your love and generosity. We are forever grateful and love you big, big like the sky...

through the eyes of a child~ Christmas day. A visit from Santa and a visit to urgent care

The BIG day finally arrived~ Christmas morning! Griffin had everyone out of bed at 6:30am to get this glorious day started! He received lots of practice opening gifts on Christmas Eve so he was ready to face Christmas morning with full force! We all jumped out of bed because we all wanted to capture the pure joy of Christmas morning through a child's eyes...

Santa was very good to the boys. It must have been because he received such glowing reviews from Lefty the Elf! (I told Lefty that he really should take notes.) Looks like Lefty the OPTIMISTIC Elf will have to join us again next year! Santa did not actually give Griffin the train, but was kind enough to set it up for him to play with.

Griffin LOVING his train from Nona Courtney! Roman also LOVES to demolish the track. Good times!!
Roman enjoying his first Christmas morning with MiMi Kat.
All of my boys in new toy overload!
Roman and Daddy-O.
My precious baby... Looking back I did not get any pictures of Roman opening his gifts. Big brother took such pleasure in opening BOTH his and little brothers presents. I'm sure Roman will not be so generous next year. :)
Roman in action. This little guy is quick. He stole a moment with Griffin's car hauler.
I love to see my boys playing together...
Daddy-O, Roe-ski, and Griff having a de-briefing in the Buzz tent. I have a feeling that many important decision will be made in this tent!
We had a brief intermission with a visit to an urgent care clinic. Griff was in need of medicine. His Pediatrician was closed on Christmas Eve (Friday), Christmas Day (Saturday), and Sunday. I felt like Monday was too long to wait so we made a little pit stop. Before we left Griff gathered an arm full of his new loot! Once there to continue in the spirit of things he tried to unwrap the "fake" gifts under the tree.
He was such a good boy and cooperated with the nurse and doctor~ he was an awesome little patient. He cried through an antibiotic shot, but was sweet enough to wish everyone farewell at the end of the visit. "Bye-bye dok-ta." Oh yeah, and while were there Kenton got a flu shot too! I sure hope my husband and precious child forgive me for shots on Christmas!! Can you say Mommy Dearest?!?
Now back home again. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of gumbo, potato salad, baked ham, shrimp pasta, sweet potato casserole, and corn casserole. After our food settled we went back to opening family gifts. Picture slacker strikes again. Miss I don't miss a picture EVER had a moment. Of all days to miss pictures... Christmas. Geesh!

Hanging out in the Buzz tent with MiMi.
Just like any awesome super-hero~ a personalized cape. Don't hate... even Satch was a tad jealous!
Satch hitting his best super-hero pose. Work it Daddy-O!
I love it~ here is Roman sneaking a little more un-interrupted play time with Griff's toys.
I enjoyed Christmas 2010 to the fullest and I'm pretty sure that my boysies did too. We are so blessed to have shared this special holiday with those nearest and dearest to us. Much love to Big Poppa, MiMi Kat, and Tio John for spending the day with us! (and the sweet nurse, and random Dr. too...)

through the eyes of a child~ The Cajun Night Before Christmas

I have been waiting for this moment for such a long time. When my brother John and I were in school my Mom would come every year and read the Cajun Night Before Christmas to our classes. I am so happy that she is able to pass this sweet tradition along to my children.

MiMi and Griffin cuddled up on our favorite big chair to read my favorite childhood Christmas story.

Just like old times~ MiMi is a pro reading this book and was able to jump right back into Cajun character.
MiMi and Griffin sharing a precious moment.
I was so excited to see Griffin really enjoying the story with one of his favorite people.
He brought his the book over to share it with his Daddy. I guess he knew that his Daddy needed a little Cajun lesson too! :)
Here is a tradition that I am so happy to share with my boys. To the first of many years reading this special story to my little ones...

Through the eyes of a child~ Christmas Eve

I have anticipating and planned for Christmas for over a month. I was so excited to share Christmas with my boys this year~ I just knew that Griffin would have a ball! Well even the BEST planning doesn't prepare you for a case of the "yucks!" As luck would have it Griffin woke up on Christmas morning SICK! I called his pediatrician for a quick visit, but they were closed. Ummm, okay we will just have to power through tough guy! We hoped that a good nap would make it all better. Yeah, not so much. When he woke up his eyes were swollen shut. Ordinarily I would have kept him home, but not on Christmas Eve. We still went to Church, but I sat out in the hall with him. Aside from the stank eye there was no indication that the child was sick. He was running around the lobby as if he were 100%! How do I know this? That would be because I was the one CHASING him around!!

We then headed down the bayou to celebrate the evening with Big Poppas side of the family. What can I say? This side of the family likes to do it big and this year they did not disappoint! Lots of food, lots of people, lots of kids, and a whole LOT of PRESENTS!! Thanks Aunt Bev for opening up your home to all of us once again. You are a treasure to us all...

Griffin opening up his gift from Nona Courtney. Awesome job again Nona. The train was a HUGE hit!

Thanks to Nanny Lissie for Toy Story 3~ Griff LOVES it! Yes, he has watched it as many times as possible from Christmas Eve through today! Here is Griffin watching it movie style with cousin Beau.
I don't know what was up tonight? I didn't take nearly as many pictures as usual and the quality is not up to par. Our Nikon (my precious) needs to be taken in for a check up. Here I am with Roman and MiMi Kat.
Thanks to Aunt Bev for setting up a game of Dirty Santa for the ladies. We had a ball!
Here I am eyeing the gift that I was about to steal from my GRANDMOTHER! Ruthless, yes I know.... Her response to me was, "you sure have your nerve!" Ma Roe did not skip a beat as she quickly turned around and stole something from someone else. Needless to say we all got quite a chuckle out of that!
Still in search for the perfect shot of me and my boys. Alas.... I will continue to try. ;)
Ro-ski modeling his precious hat from Nana A. Sha Ba-bae...
Enjoying my baby on his very first Christmas!
We had a great time celebrating with family. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives. Thanks for making this evening so special for all of us, especially my boys!

Girls Christmas Get Together

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." The other night I hung out with some of my favorite high school girlfriends for our not-always-annual Christmas get together. A few of us started this tradition about 5 years ago. Thanks to Naomi for keeping it up! It is such a treat to catch up with some of my favorite gals. We chat about times old and new, nibble on goodies, drink a little wine, and celebrate our long lasting friendships!

Here we are together again 15+ years later.

Pixie, Germaine, and Aimee as beautiful as ever.
The stories go on for hours...
Here I am with Naomi~ the maid of honor in my wedding.
Gathered around the kitchen table. The place where friends meet.
It was great seeing all of you! I look forward to sitting around the table with all of you in 2011!

One of these things is not like the other

I can't put my finger on it, but something seems to be out of place?

Pint Sized Santas

Nothing warms your heart like a pack of pint sized Santas running around! Griffin celebrated Christmas with his class mates today. It sure looks like a good time was had by all!

I know once I drive up I don't have much time to silently observe before being "outted" by squeals of "Griffin's Mom, Griffin's Mom!" This is the scene I happened upon today. Griffin in the middle of all of the girls playing ring-around-the-rosie.

Rats..... I've been spotted. I LOVE our daily ritual. Once Griffin spots me he runs to me full steam ahead shouting, "MMMMMOOOOOMMMMMMMYYYYYY!" I am then attacked by big hugs.
Griffin showing me some of his cool stuff! Thanks to Miss D for taking such good care of my baby!
Merry Christmas to all~ Love Griff

Sneaky Sneakerson strikes again!

This morning Griffin ran into the bathroom to find me with 2 glue sticks in hand. I immediately knew that meant that he had been rummaging through my craft stash again. Kenton told me that he walked into the utility room because he heard a "soft" noise. Griffin barely pulled out my craft cart and was digging through of my stuff AGAIN in hiding! Wow.... isn't that boy sneaky?!?

I just went to put everything back in place. Nothing like re-sorting 200 tiny buttons, glue sticks, spools of ribbon, tiny jingle bells, and fuzzy balls! I had to smile when I saw the crime scene. He had such intent when he went in this morning that he even brought his Halloween flashlight to assist! You know just in case he needed a flashlight to help him see while he was hiding in a dark corner doing something that he knew not to do!!! Looks like my craft stash needs to find a new home. Until the next time he finds my secret hiding spot...

You fancy huh...

I love the image that Griffin has of Satch and I. This morning while we were getting dressed for our day Griffin picked out our outfits. He brought out Satch's Saints jersey and a pair of fancy heels for me. In a closet FULL of items these are the two things that he handed to each of us. I am sure Satch would have gotten a few sideways glances showing up to work on a random Thursday wearing a Saints jersey. I giggle at the thought of myself trucking it through Wal-Mart this morning with Roman, a basket full of groceries, wearing moms clothes and a pair of hounds tooth heels?

I could not get the camera quick enough. Griffin walked the entire house in my heels. The "click, click" on the hardwood floor was too cute... Also just as an FYI~ Griffin has more sweaters than the one that he is wearing in this picture. The only problem is this is the ONLY sweater that he will wear.

Dressed and ready for school! I adore the look that he is giving me. The look of "momma.... would you please tell the paparazzi to leave me alone!"
Gotta love the backpack. No worries it is not heavy just a few diapers and a change of clothes.
Thank you Griffin for making your Daddy and I smile this morning. You rock!!