Christmas- First Half

We had an amazing First Half of our Christmas....
We went to my dad's parents, my grandparents in Bastrop for Christmas Eve. It was the first time my grandparents met Cade- so important to me!!!
Then we headed to my brother- Brad and his wife- Cynthia's house in Austin.
We will stay here until Sunday and then head back to the Valley.
It was such a great celebration.
We wish it was possible to be with all of our family for every holiday, but as we all know, we can't be that lucky!!
We will celebrate with my mom on New Year's- so more fun to come!!
And we will see Colby's parents in January- YAY!!

Proud Daddy!

So I was out at the gym running my butt off trying to get my hot bod back (hahahahaha) and this is a pic Daddy took of his boy!
He's so proud! Especially when he's sporting the Camo!

Let the Fun Begin

So during the past few weeks, Cade had started to kinda smile, but it's a GENUINE smile now.
He is the cutest little guy.
He smiles and "coos" for us all of the time now.
He loves to "talk". He will talk to himself or anyone who will pay attention to him.
It's the most awesome thing to see your baby respond to you.
We spend every evening just staring and laughing with him.

He loves this elephant he got from Nannie and PaPa as one of his Christmas Presents.
It made him laugh!!!! Which in return, made us laugh right back at him! SO CUTE!!

The Valley

So here is an interesting site for you all.
Living in the valley is an interesting experience.
Nothing surprises us anymore.
People around here that don't have trucks still make-do!!

Weekend With Aunt Mandy

What an awesome weekend!!!
Colby's little sister Mandy came to visit us from Dallas. It was the most perfect weekend.
She got here Thursday and stayed till Sunday, not long enough at all.
We did some shopping, we ate a WHOLE lot, the girls went to an Aveda salon for pedicures, we cooked-out, we went to some neat restaurants, we tried on cowboy boots, we experienced the McAllen mall on the weekend, we thought we lost a dog, we laughed, we loved, and we just enjoyed her so much.
It made us realize how much we miss our family and friends.
We appreciate her making the long trip to visit us. She has a huge heart with so much love to give.
And Cade just ADORED Aunt Mandy!! He misses her sooooooo much already!






Proof that Cade has developed a "baby mullet" HAHAHA!!!

Santa and Cade

So today Cade met Santa!
He was just SOOOO excited as you can tell!
We had to wake him up for all of the excitement.
I think Colby and I enjoyed the moment more than he did.
But Santa said that Cade sent him a really long list, I just wish I knew what was on that list..... I think he pretty much has all he can handle at this point!
But he sure is a cute cowboy that loves Mr. Santa!
Yee-haw reindeer!! Get moving!

2 Months Old

So lil' Cade turned 2mo old on Dec 9!
Wow, how the time flies!!
Our 2mo check-up showed that Cade is growing like a weed, but he's still a little peanut! I call him our Magnificent Little Munchkin' Man!

Weight: 11.10 lbs (50th percentile), previously 7 something
Length: 22.25 in (25th percentile), previously 19.5 in
Head circumference: 15 in, previously 14 in

The shots were icky. But I really think it's so much worse for us parents than it is for them. And I thought it was awesome that one of the vaccines was oral! And one of the shots had 3 vaccines in one shot! Can you imagine how many times we were stuck 30 years ago when we were babies??? Technology is awesome!!

He just started wearing his 0-3mo clothes.
But he seems so much bigger to us, even though he's really not!!!
He's been eating like a champ. He loves his nightly cereal meal- it's his favorite without a doubt. And he has been sleeping 7-9hrs each night, thank God for that!! The bath has gotten more enjoyable. He used to truly despise baths, but with some great advice from friends and my mom, he has started to really love it. And we love his "talking", he goes on and on forever like he's have a true conversation with us, it's so dang cute.

Oh and he's going bald! It's so funny. He has his hair still on the crown of his head and above his neck. It looks like he has a little mullet. I have been tempted to cut that mullet hair so people don't think we came from some backwoods honky-tonk, but I won't, I promise!!! It's so funny!!!!!!

We are loving having this awesome creation in our life. He's gorgeous, he's perfect, he's sweet, he's a cuddle bug, and he's just so darn cute! Not that I am partial or anything! HA!!

You Go COWBOY!!!

So this morning we played dress-up with Cade!
It was hilarious!!!
The hat is a gift from Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Brad.
The boots are a gift from Aunt Carrie.

Are you serious?? What is this on my head??


Ride em' Cowboy!


Too Cute!!!


This cowboy ain't happy!!!


Cowboys love kisses from their momma!

Gobble Gobble

Cade's first Thanksgiving was perfect!
Our neighbor's graciously invited us over for a feast.
It definitely wasn't our grandmother's or mother's cooking, but it sure was close!
I have to say, the past few years, the holidays have just been so blah.
But this Turkey Day I was so excited. It's amazing how having kids brings out the kid in you. I was so excited all day that it was Thanksgiving! I watched the parade this morning with my lil' Cade and sang all of the songs and danced with him. I baked a cake and licked the bowl and the mixer thingys. I put whipped cream on everything all day. I definitely was in the spirit for a change!
I also thought a lot about the true meaning of Thanksgiving and how awesome our country is. We are just so lucky to live in the USA and have the freedom we have. Regardless of what is going on in our country today, God has a plan for us, this country will be taken care of.
I teared up many times today just because of how thankful I am for the life I am living. God has blessed me with so many amazing things. I just love the Lord for all of the love he has shown me and my family.
So Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Below is Cade in his Thanksgiving "get-up"

Aunt Jos's Visit!

A good friend of mine I met while I lived in Gainesville, Florida came to visit us for the weekend.
It was such a great few days, that ended way too quickly.
Mr. Cade loved his Aunt Joslyn. He thought she was a really sweet lady. He fell asleep in her arms and enjoyed her walks around the house with him in her arms. Good times for baby Cade.
She also was a blessing for me! I needed some "adult-time". We enjoyed cooking, getting pedicures, going to dinner at PF Chang's. It was so greatly needed.
I sure miss having my girlfriends around.
We all wish she could have stayed a lot longer!!!



The excitement from the weekend pooped him out... here he is passed out on the couch! He loves lazy Sundays!

Belly and Newborn Pics

YAY Daddy!!

Cade and daddy having some chill time!

So there was a major breakthrough this weekend....
Everyone forgot to mention to me that first time daddys are scared of crying babies!! Colby and I hit a few bumps in the road the first few weeks of Cade's life. He would become very frustrated and he felt very clueless in regards to a screaming, crying baby. There were a lot of "discussions" on how we could fix this!
But with a lot of prayer and just time, we have had an awesome breakthrough.
My husband is the best daddy ever! He has tons of patience and love for lil' Cade.
On Saturday I was gone for 5 hours getting my hair done. I know you are like 5 hours???? Well I got highlights and a haircut and had my hair blow-dryed and fixed for the first time in over a month. It felt so good!!! And I think daddy was happy to know that I would look like "Pennie" again one day and not just a slob!!!!
And then I got to go grocery shopping yesterday! Yes, I got excited to go grocery shopping! Getting out and having some alone time is just amazing when you have been stuck in the house for a month!
So daddy- YAY!!!! Cade and I are so thankful to have you!!! You are an awesome dad.

One Month Old

I can't believe a month has gone by...
It's been a lot of trial and error, but it's been so awesome!!!

Here are a few things I've learned:
1) Crying, well get used to it, it's gonna happen- mom and baby!!
2) Breast-feeding poop is weird!
3) Boys don't like cold wipes on their tinkers
4) Diapers, diapers, diapers, wipes, wipes, wipes, wipes, wipes, wipes, wipes...
5) They not only pee on you, they poop on you too
6) One boob can produce A LOT more milk than the other
7) Don't feel guilty when you give them a bottle, as long as they are full, life is good, however you can make it happen, do it!!!!
8) Men didn't have dolls, they are clueless on how to dress a child. Pay close attention to prevent injury when dad is changing the clothes!
9) Some babies love to sleep on their tummy, sorry doctors! I just pray every night that he continues breathing, God has an agenda, he will take care of us!!
10) Being a stay at home mom is harder than working 40hrs a week. How do you girls do it???
And last, being a parent is the best "oops" I have ever experienced!

So well said....

A friend of mine posted this on her blog, and I had to steal it...

"1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2


Whether you voted for Obama or you voted against him, tonight we as a country have made history. Tonight we can mourn and be disappointed but as of tomorrow, as Christians we have a choice to make. We have to choose to respect, pray for, and submit to his authority. It is commanded by God. God has all authority in all the earth, and he chooses to whom he bestows authority in the earth. Please take some time and pray for Obama and his family, for now they face the challenge that can only be overcome with the guidance of our Lord.

When I say pray for the guidance, I also say pray for protection. A short 55 years ago Africans were considered separate but equal. A mere 44 years ago African Americans were given the right to vote. There are many African Americans that voted in this election that endured the hardships that came with separate schools, water fountains, separated buses, and senseless violence and much more. There are still people today who think that that is the America that we need to have today. Ignorant as that may be, people are blind. Pray for protection for the Obama's from these people that may scheme to harm and destroy. Now November 4, 2008 we have seen a complete 180 degree turn from the slavery that plagued our country and ended in 1865. Pray. Pray. Pray. God is good all the time and His ways are not our ways. He has a master plan and our faith in Him and his sovereignty will get us through.
Written by Lanessa Cokenour- a friend of mine from New River Fellowship- Weatherford, TX

Now my own spill-
I needed to hear this, especially considering I truly felt defeated last night when my husband woke me up to tell me the news. It's been a long, rough road through this entire campaign. I am glad she could write this to help me be more positive about the "change" we have coming. God will take care of us, I do know this!!!
And since my Horns were defeated 5 days ago too, you can imagine how defeated I felt after this one too!!!!
And I still love Sarah Palin! She will be back!

Let the Courtship Begin....

Aryn and PJ are the proud new parents of a gorgeous little baby girl!
Little Anna Lynn was born on October 31 at 7PM. She was 6 lbs 8 oz.
Aryn and I have been best-friends since high school. We went to elementary school all the way through college at UT together, Hook em' (yes I still say that even after the HORRIBLE game this past weekend).
I introduced her to her amazing husband PJ, so I feel it's only appropriate our children get married!!!!

Just Some News

Well I haven't been the best blogger lately, mainly because I am super BUSY with a newborn!
Cade has had a rough few nights, well actually the past 2 weeks have progressively gotten more and more challenging! Cade's favorite hour of the day is 5 o'clock. Consistently at 5PM, Cade begins to literally scream his brains out. Each night has gotten longer and longer and longer. Well after 6 hrs of it last night, my husband and my Aunt Cathy convinced me I HAD to call his pediatrician. So today, we went in for a quick look, and it seems we have found the answer. At Cade's last appointment he was 6lbs 15oz, well today he was 6lbs 13oz, and that was with a dirty diaper, so he probably is even less. So basically, he is STARVING!!! He is breast-feeding well, but he falls fast asleep as soon as he has ate for about 5min. So my pediatrician and I made a joint decision, based on mine and Colby's sanity and Cade's health, formula supplementation will begin!
So I just fed him a bottle of Similac, and he LOVED it. Gulped it down. And guess what??? It's past 5PM and he's NOT screaming. He's fast asleep in his swing. He's the happiest I have seen him in a long time! So for the next 12hrs I will feed him formula and pump. Starting tomorrow I will alternate between formula and breast milk. I go back to the doctor Monday to make sure his weight has increased!
Colby and I have prayed for many nights. And I have cried with Cade for many nights. So I truly believe maybe this is God's way of answering our prayers.
I was feeling a little guilty about supplementation but after a lot of prayer and support from friends (Lockie) and family, I have realized a happy baby equals a happy mom and vice versa!
Below are Cade's pics from his first bath!



And here is what the valley is famous for, their grapefruit! My hubby loves grapefruit, he eats at least one a day. But these are the BIGGEST dang grapefruit I have ever seen. It is bigger than a dinner size plate. He was in heaven! We are loving the new culture and excitement down here!