My beautiful family

New Pj's

Riding his Tonka truck from Grandma!!! Look out!

I got an awesome new camera for Christmas. I just started using it Saturday so I hope to get some great photographs soon... Need some practice... Trace in his new big boy tub in the real tub.


Wild man... showing out for his "girls"

Trace and Leah

Aunt Michelle!!!! Love you and miss you already!

Tills

The beginning of the demise

Sleepy baby. Sweet little girl

almost...

and.... gone..... Sami rocked him to sleep.. standing.

Sam and her bath wrap

This is the only picture I have so far of the awesome quilt that mom made for Trace. It is her first quilt and I love it and know that he will too! Thanks mom. and thanks Kim for teaching her.

: )

Trace opening gifts with Grandma

Laura

Aunt Kristen Sami and Trace

Mommy and Trace!

Grandpa and Trace matched

ready for bedtime? No!

Playing with his new table from Santa!

I can not thank my family enough for everything they have done for us not only this week but this entire year. You guys have been here for us in so many ways and I love you all very much! Thursday when I was told that I was staying in the hospital and going into surgery we knew we had to get a plan together for Trace. John went home to pick up Trace from school and Aunt Kristen drove over from Murfreesboro straight from work! I didn't get out of surgery till after midnight so she ended up borrowing some comfy clothes from me and spending the night only to get up and drive back for work the next morning. Then Mom and Ed drove up Friday to get Trace and kept him till Sunday. They had plans for Christmas with Ed's children on Saturday so Trace went along with lot of attention. Its great that he will go anywhere with anyone right now. I think ten different people have gotten him up in the morning over the past week and he still has a huge grin on his face. It made things really easy. They even brought the little man to the hospital for a quick visit to see mommy! I came home from the hospital on Sunday, Mom and Ed left and Dad came up and stayed till John got home from work on Wednesday. He was great getting up with Trace and getting him ready for school. I'm sure dad hasn't changed a diaper in 25 years he did Great! John was home on Thursday for Christmas and then had to work on Friday so I got up with Trace and was alone for a few hours but Michelle, Leah, Laura and Samantha drove up and got here by 11:30. I know it was hard for her to get all the girls out the door by 8am just to help me for the day and I really appreciate it. We had lots of fun and I don't think Trace hit the floor for 24 hours. The girls love holding him and loving on him and playing anything with him and he eats up every ounce of it!!!! Then on Saturday EVERYONE came BACK up just to have Christmas with John, Trace and I. It was so amazing that everyone wanted to drive back up to celebrate with us. Yes there were 7 adults and five kids in my small house but it was wonderful. Mom got tons of food and we had a beautiful day! Thank you everyone it meant so much to us. When my surgeon told me that I couldn't go home for Christmas after my surgery I cried for hours. I was alone in the hospital when he told me and I was so sad. I think I freaked the nurse out a little.. oh well... I have been waiting all year to share Trace's first Christmas with everyone and I was just crushed. I knew that I need to get better and that was the most important thing but that didn't make it hurt any less. It was wonderful to share him with everyone over the past week. They grow so fast and change so quickly I just want everyone to see him like I do. A precious baby boy. He was a trooper on Saturday, he was so tired but would not take a nap... too many people here. So Samantha held him and rocked him while we opened (too many!) gifts until he tuckered out. We opened the rest of his gifts including his tonka truck from grandma. It was together and ready for him when he woke up and he love it!!! He loved all his toys and got SO many cute clothes witch he desperately needed. So thank you family for making my Christmas one of the most special ever! Love, Angela

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Trace in the rocking chair from John's childhood.
Enjoying Logans new chair.

The boys in their matching christmas sweaters... I didnt do it... dont blame me.

Trace wanted anything except his presents. The can of deicer was a favorite...

Milk always comes first!

Playing with blocks Christmas Eve

Sweet boy.

I've been a little behind on the posting but I have a good excuse. My appendix decided that it no longer wanted to be a part of me so.... I wasn't feeling well last Wednesday and decided to leave work early. Thursday I knew something was wrong so I went to the doctor and she sent me for a CAT scan. My bad feeling was true. Appendicitis. So I had surgery to have my appendix removed later that night and stayed in the hospital till Sunday. My mom and Ed came up to take care of Trace so John could go between work and staying with me in the hospital. I was glad to come home on Sunday and then my dad came up to help me with Trace while I recuperated at home. So needless to say there was no last minute Christmas shopping for me. I did have everything pretty much done and had everything wrapped thankfully. So go me for not procrastinating this year! :) We were suppose to spend Christmas in Mississippi with my family but we ended up staying here at home. Since my appendix had begun to rupture they are nervous about the infection speading so they want me to stay close to the hospital. Mom and everyone are coming up this Saturday just for the day so we can have our Christmas. I am feeling better everyday thankfully and hope to be back to work soon!

Santa!

Trace went to see Santa on Sunday. He was mesmerized by his beard and didn't want to look at the camera. He didn't seem to mind him though. He just wanted to pull his beard. His hair looks even crazier in the picture...

Nine Months! (so big and crazy hair)

Trace turned nine months old this week. I can tell you that this past nine months has been a lot more fun than the nine months before it! Trace is such a sweetheart. I love him with all of my heart.

9 things about my nine month old:

1. Loves to eat anything but not really into solids yet.

2. Loves Tiger

3. Isn't afraid of Santa (They met today :) )

4. Crawls like a big boy now, no more army man.

5. Has CRAZY hair and whatever I do it is going to stick out from every end. I guess I could hairspray it but somehow that seems cruel.

6. Loves to stand and walk along the sofa.

7. Thinks he is really cool when he stands up.

8. Is learning to give kisses on command.

9. Can say Mama and Dada and other random bablings...

It is so fun to watch him learn and react to certain things. He is really starting to know some words. He knows the "yorkie" for sure. We say good morning and good night to her every day. :)

Getting ready

Trace heard a big man was coming soon... I think he is trying out for top elf.

I didn't really take any pictures this weekend. Trace has a stomach bug or something. I had to pick him up from school around lunch on Friday. He had thrown up 3 times, more when we got home, more Saturday and it got a little better and yet another time or two on Sunday. I think he is doing better though.