Christmas Cheer

Our Christmas fun started with Jackson's Tia Penny coming over on Christmas Eve, Eve. She got Jackson a dinosaur, book, and the boys matching PJs. She got me some fun make-up. It has never made sense to Jackson to call her "Tia Penny" so he has taken to calling her "Tiny Penny" and she is great with that too! This was Jackson's first gift. He loved it. (No Texas Chainsaw jokes please). After he opened it, we had to sing Happy Birthday to my mom and then to Baby Jesus. (Dont ask why.) Then following ever other gift opened, (the entire night) we had to clap and then repeat after him, "Everybody say, Great Job. Everybody say, Do Your Trick. Everybody say, Angel." We decided he is going to be a motivational speaker when he grows up.

Here we are together. Notice how Jackson has grabbed Harrison's hand, I think that is so cute. My parents were so generous, they got Shaun Omaha steaks, and me some new pots and pans and silverwear. There were also clothes, toys and fantastic stocking stuffers. Thanks Fey Family!

This is the next day. You should notice the dramatic change in picture quality. Yes, Santa got me a camera. Thank you Santa Shaun. I love it. My baby looks great!

My poor grandma fell a few days before Christmas. No broken bones, but she did need 10 stitches in her chin. My mom said maybe we should have played, "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" as she walked in, but we decided against it. Good decision, right?

Harrison loved the stuffed animal he got from Nana and Grampy. We loved all our gifts. They also got Jackson a dinosaur, a work bench and us a new rocking glider for the Harrison's room. Thank goodness, because Shaun broke the old one and nursing in the middle of the night was becoming a pain. Thank you Hedgepeths for the large variety of gifts, we are so glad that you came over for Christmas.

Here Jackson is discussing some issue. Notice the rocking chair. It was a gift from Tiny Penny and has been in her family since the late 1800s. I know, it is over 120 years old. I hope it lasts.

Our vacation has been great so far. The house is a disaster and I think that is normal following Christmas. I hope you all got your Christmas wishes and spent some fantastic time with your family. I got everything I wanted and more. Happy Holidays!

Songs from Friends

This is the list I got from my dear friends when I asked for running suggestions for my ipod. They are listed in no particular order (but grouped by friend) and are quite diverse, like my buddies. Merry Christmas Eve.

U Don't Dance 2 Tekno Anymore Alabama 3

Up for Breakfast Van Halen
Woke Up This Morning Alabama 3
Hump De Bump Red Hot Chili Peppers
E-Pro Beck
LockJaw Davíd Garza
Photograph Def Leppard
Vertigo U2

Stronger - Kanye West
Umbrella - Ciara (?)
Rocky IV songs get me going :)
Fighter - Christina Aguilara

Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez
2. Got To Give it Up, Part 1 - Marvin Gaye
3. Freedom - George Michael
4. Holiday, Madonna
5. Vivrant Thing, Q Tip

Devo, Crack that whip, brake your mamas back!

The Distance--Cake
Fall Behind Me--The Donnas
Since you've been gone--Kelly Clarkson
Let's Get Loud--J Lo
Dark Latin Groove—DLG

Walk Through the Bottom Land – Lyle Lovett – Anthology Volume One
Buenas Noches from a Lonely Room – Dwight Yoakum – Dwightyoakumacoustic.net
Black River – Amos Lee
Gira Con Me – Josh Groban
SexyBack – Justin Timberlake – FutureSexLoveSounds
Hallelujah – Rufus Wainwright

Shania Twain - She's not just a pretty face
Dixie Chicks - Not ready to make nice

Gonna Make You Sweat- C & C Music Factory
Groove is in the Heart- Deelite
Ray of Light- Madonna
White Wedding- Billy Idol

Low - Flo Rida
Easy - Paula DiAnda
Love Song - Sarah Bareilles
I got it from my mama - Will I Am
Calabria - Enur (this is more of a dance club song)
Whine it up - Kat deLuna

Bon Jovi's "Keep the Faith"
AC/DC's "Back in Black"
Ricky Martin's spanish version of "Cup of Life"
Devo's "Whip It"
Def Leppard's "Animal"
Duran Duran's "Wild Boys"
The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat"-

The Offspring – Keep Em’ Seperated
J lo Play, I’m Real, Jenny from the Block
itunes – go to Army Cadences

Watch the leg

Harrison is now turning over. Watch his right leg - he really uses it to turn over. Don't you think his brother is so helpful too? I hope this is not too many videos, because I am really enjoying these boys and their antics.

Jingle Bells or Mail Fraud

This is Jackson at his finest. He has climbed a top the mailboxes and views it as a stage. His brother happily participates as his audience. I hope this gives everyone a better picture of my sweet, wild, funny, crazy child. What do you think?

fighter

I asked many of you for some running song suggestions. A few of you mentioned Christina Aguilar's "Fighter." This has become Jackson's favorite song. The stage is an accident waiting to happen.

Orange Belt

Jackson got his Orange belt this weekend. It was a pretty big deal. He is the youngest student; all other students are 4 years old. I have great video but cant figure out how to upload it (the sound is there but not the video -Help me if you know how. I am so frustrated!)

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,
May I please have a new camera for Christmas. My current one has a long delay and flashing "flash" that causes any hope of a smiling 6 month old to dash before my eyes. It literally makes Harrison all silly faced. I promise I have been good.
Love, Dawn

Our weekend

We had a fun weekend. Friday night was Luby's and the hot tub. Saturday was Nordstroms and the Olive Garden. Today we had McDonald's for breakfast (tip, there is no one there on Sunday mornings), Lowe's for flowers, and HEB for this week's food. This afternoon we went to my parent's for Sloppy Joes (Shaun's favorite) and to the park. The house is picked up, the boys are in bed (it is now 8:27 pm), I just finished running for the first time in months (okay a year or more), my hair has new highlights, and I'm going to go watch the Grey's Anatomy I taped. What a great life I have.

Random Facts

So, I have been tagged by Melody to play this game where you list 7 random facts about yourself. There are these rules that you are supposed to post …

1. But those who know me well will tell you that I am a rule breaker. Thus, I wont post the rules or tag anyone else. I know, I am a rebel. But really, this is just me. I don’t wear my name tag at work. I try to use expired coupons. I am always looking for the best deal. Sometimes at a restaurant if I ordered water and the waiter comes back and asks if I want more iced tea, I take it – without paying! I often don’t use my blinker when I change lanes. This is a flaw, a big one. And the strange thing is I am surrounded by the most honest people…you know who you are.
2. I love being a mom but getting pregnant or pregnancy did not come easy to me. With my son Jackson, I threw up (a lot), I was super swollen, and I labored for 22 hours. With Harrison, I threw up (at least daily for a while), I had gestational diabetes and I broke my ankle at 35 weeks pregnant.
3. When I was little I had a Doberman Pincher named Bo and a Toy Poodle named Tilly (at the same time). I am not a cat person. We got our Schnauzer, Hanzi in Germany and had him for about 14 years. We do not have a dog now, and I really don’t want one.
4. I love TV but don’t get to watch as much anymore. Shaun and I have really bonded on Sundays (Dream On, Sopranos, Sex in the City, 6 Feet Under, Big Love, Entourage, and Curb Your Enthusiasm) and Thursdays (Friends, Survivor, and E.R.) over the years. I love me some good TV. For my 30th b-day I even got a TV for out bathroom. There isn’t that much great TV on right now, in my opinion.
5. In 6th grade I did a jazz dance to Centerfold by the J. Giles Band.
6. I was never athletic. Then in my 30s I walked marathon, and ran a half marathon, and did quite a few triathlons. This was before Jackson. I started working out again after he was born (a little). But since Harrison I have lost my mojo. I have no desire. I wish I did, I know it is good for me, but the desire is gone. I’d like it back.
7. I am an only child. Yet, I have some fantastic girlfriends. I have had them for years and I seem to be only getting more. I love talking and bonding with females. Girls are great. I hope to raise fantastic boys who can be wonderful to the women in their lives (including me).
8. I wish I was more creative. I love to scrapbook and take pictures, but I am not great at either one. I love my job. But if I could do something else (and do it well), I would be a photographer, or open some sort of Hallmark store (you know, that sells invitations, fun things and cards… things that make people happy). It would be great to only have people see you when they are happy.

Look I broke the rules and did a list of 8…you’ve got to love that.

The story behind the naked Santa picture

This is how the evening parade started. All the cuties were lined up in a row waiting for Mr. & Mrs. Claus to appear on the parade route. Little did we know that they would be the last float...about an hour later.

Jackson spent half of his time with Melody (she took our fantastic pictures a while back). He loved sitting on her lap and thankfully Melody's daughter, Vienne didn't mind sharing her mommy.

Pryia loved playing with Harrison. He was happy or asleep until the "incident" happened.

What a cutie and look at those blue eyes!

Devan and Jackson looking towards the parade, wondering, "Where is Santa???"

Once the Boerne parade was over, we made it to the Gazebo to get our pictures done. It was a beautiful setting; there was a rock garden, strolling little river and bridges over the man made water features. Jackson was warned by his dad and I that he needed to be careful or he might fall in the water. And yes, he did fall in. Of course, this was in complete view of the forty plus people in line to see Santa. And man, can this 3 year old scream. He caused quite a stir as he shrieked in shock! Everyone was looking at us as we stripped him down to his tidy whitties. Harrison who asleep in the sling had to be jostled awake and thrown into Animesh's arms so that we could attend to Jackson's emergency.

We insisted that we had to leave and go to the car. This caused even more crying because he wanted to see Santa so bad. Now, he was cold, wet, tired, naked and longing to see Santa. But wait, our first Christmas miracle of the season happened.

We ran smack dab into Mr. and Mrs. Claus (and an elf) on our way to the car. Thus, the naked Santa picture.

The best ever Santa picture

If you want the story behind this picture, I'd like three people to leave comments that have not heard the story. ..

Happy Thanksgiving 2007

Check out this video...should I post it to youtube and then maybe I too, could be on the Oprah show?

Here are the song lyrics:
I'm the Indian on the go
Here's my arrow, here's my bow
Boing!
When I'm hunting
Hear my shout,
Bears and Buffaloes you'd better watch out!

Hint - let it buffer, the hit play. Yes, I am thankful!

Quiet Please

This is a picture of Jackson not talking. Let me tell you, this is a rare occurrence. I mean he is constantly talking. I promise you, he says, "Mommy or Mama" at least 100 times per day. No really, I am serious. The boy barely breathes he talks so much. Most of the time it is cute, but lately it is nerve racking. And when I ask for quiet time, - he stills talks, "Mommy, you need quiet time? How much time you need? You want 4 minutes? How about 5 minutes. You tired? You happy? Is it 4 minutes yet? What number on the clock will be 4 minutes? Does Harrison need to be quiet too? " So, I need to have an entire conversation to get to the quiet time and by then there is just no point. I know when he is a teenager I'll be wishing he'd talk to me, but right now there is never a break. His teacher says he is very social for a boy. Shaun thinks he gets all that talking from me. But I don't talk a lot....right??? Oh yea, I only need to look back at my 7th grade report card for the answer to that question.

You Ought to Be in Pictures

My new friend Melody, (thanks Jenny) took these pictures of my boys. I love them. I feel like she truly captured their spirit and mood. They are just what I wanted. I can't wait until Harrison can sit up on his own and we can get more pictures done. Both boys are fabulous right now. Can't get enough of them. I am really looking forward to spending extra time next week with them.

Kudos to my wonderful husband, Dr. Shaun. He just got a grant to assist him in paying off his student loans. I am so happy for him (and us). And Happy Birthday early honey, I love you.

Old outfit, new person

This is one of my favorite old outfits that belonged to Jackson. Even though the weather here is starting to get cooler, I decided to put it on Harrison today. My little man still has not mastered the art of sitting up. But he is eating peas, holding his own bottle and grabbing everything.

Jackson quote of the week, "Mama, if we go to visit Nana and Grampy don't forget to take 410" - how does he even know that? Oh, and he has started calling me Mommy, I think I like it.

Happy Halloween!

This big Dinosaur was my buddy the whole way to work this morning. He kept the outfit on the whole day.

Tigger and his double chin were fed and happy when I dropped him off at school.

I was a catcher of the AHHS baseball team. "I'll go to bat for my students."

Jackson made it through half the trick or treating with his hood on, but toward the end of the night just walked like this.

I think this picture is so cute. He is going through his bag from school and his face is in the bag but you all you can see is his Dino head. Today was fun with the kids. I had a super big crisis at work that kept me from getting pictures with Maile - my one shot to have her take some pictures of the boys. Ugh! Maybe next year. I hope everyone got a great bag of yummy candy and had a fun day!

No honey, you don't fit.

Cute as a Pumpkin

Motherhood can be hard sometimes. So, why not have some fun? This is what I came up with before the boys fully carved our pumpkin. Be ready for more pictures, I dont think I'm done having fun with this little guy. Yes, he is inside the pumpkin, sitting crosslegged. What a great sport.

After the laundry is done

I hate laundry, cleaning and picking up. I really hate to do it. Yet, I love a clean house. Love it, love it, love it. I mean if I was rich I would not quit my job, I'd get a maid weekly or better yet, twice weekly...is daily an option? I struggle with keeping a picked up house and spending time with the boys. It seems it is harder to enjoy my time with the boys when I feel like I have house work to do. Yet, I was able to fold some clothes this weekend and think of a new use for the laundry basket. Our little Harrison is now 16.8 pounds and 5 months old, wow. Time is passing too quickly. Oh, and he has found his toes, and boy are they yummy!

Happy Fall

We had a great Sunday. We went to the pumpkin patch at Apple Creek Orchards. It was far but well worth the drive. The crowd was nice, it was pretty cool outside and there was plenty of room to move around. It is always nice to get out of town, even if it is just Medina Texas. I hope each of you can enjoy some family fall fun too!

Even in the tough times, Count your blessings

This week has been tough at work. Two students I work with lost their mom in a tragic car accident. The mom was 38 and she leaves behind 17 and 12 year old daughters and a 14 year old son. And a loving husband. And her mom and her dear abuella. So, many people loved her. Wow...it takes my breath away to think about this family. They will make it and stick together - I can already tell.

Love your kids and love them hard. You never know what is going to happen. And even when times aren't the best - know that you are all together and loved.

It takes a lot of bad pictures to get the great ones, and maybe sometimes it's the bad pictures that make us family. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Birthday Mom!

In Honor of my mom's birthday I wanted to share some fun facts about her.

1. She is a fantastic mom, grandma (Ga Ga), wife, daughter, sister and friend. I think the reason I have so many great girl friends is because she was and is such a great mom to me. 2. She is a fantastic cook. She can make anything. And in our family she is famous for the variety of food she cooks. She can bake (I always requested her upside down pineapple cake for my birthday each year.) - she also bakes a green nut swirl cake, and rum cake... yummy. She is an international cook too! She can cook Italian food, Turkish food, German food and Chinese food. Hey mom, after you read this, can I come over for dinner???

3. She loves all my boys. I mean Shaun too! She doesn't even get mad when Jackson used to climb in her dishwasher or take out all of her Tupperware. She even has a favorite song that she sings Jackson and now Harrison. They both light up when she sings, "Ga Ga's little baby."

4. She loves to shop. Really shop. I can't even keep up with her anymore. This woman can go for hours (like 10). She loves to shop for make-up, gifts, clothes and shoes. And she loves color. The more color the better. (Did you know that she had her living room painted purple?) Every Saturday when I was growing up we'd go run errands together. I remember that she'd always have me take out her wallet and count her cash so that we knew how much we could spend that day.

5. She has moved over 11 times in the last 20 years. I'm sure she will correct me on this fact; it is probably more like 16, but 11 is all I counted. She and my dad even lived with Shaun, Jackson and I for the first 6 months of Jackson's life and we all survived.

6. She has great legs. The kind of calves and ankles that many women work out daily for. She has also lost 70 pounds in the last 2 years. Way to go mom!

7. She does not drink coffee. But she loves to be the center of attention. She is a great story teller and loves to talk. (That doesn't sound like me, does it?)

8. She is always full of great ideas. Like taking this picture just two days before I delivered. See how she is so thoughtful. She is beautiful on the inside and out. And she keeps an immaculate house; she did when I was growing up too. I always knew when she was going to bed because I could hear her fluffing up the couch pillows. Her tidy house is one of the many traits I envy in her.

9. She loves to travel and has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. She is unjudgemental and liberal. She loves to laugh and together we sometimes laugh until we cry. Like this one time at the Black Eyed Pea Restaurant, we had this weird waiter. My mom started cracking jokes and we had to leave we were laughing so hard. She has a wonderful sense of humor.

10. She takes fantastic care of the people she loves. She has committed to taking care of my boys every Monday night so that I can take a graduate class and Shaun can teach. Then she even told Shaun that he didn't have to come straight home after teaching. She said, "take a karate class and go get a fire house sub (his favorite) and then come home." She has also been taking care of my grandmother for a number of years. She makes sure that my grandma has everything she needs and really dotes on her.

All in all she is a wonderful lady. I feel like I am the woman I am today because of her.

She comes from a great line of outstanding women in my life. Now that I am a mom, I realize how hard she worked and continues to work. Now I understand how much she worried about me, sacrificed for me and all the wonderful values she has instilled in me. I am so lucky she is my mom and my boys are truly blessed to have her as their grandmother. I love you mom!