One Last Goodbye

Farewell sweet lamb chair, we bid adieu

For our Annabelle has finally outgrown you

With your soft fleece seat and gentle humm

She was so happy but now it must be done

You have always done us right

We owe you a debt of gratitude

Mom and Dad especially, they couldn't have slept without you

So farewell sweet lamb chair, until next time

Your comfy seat will entice another one

Adieu, adieu rest assure
 We will remember you forever more!

Things I Don't Want to Forget

A is fast approaching 6 months old. I can't believe it! Way back when we first brought her home, people would say to me "treasure every moment because time flies by so fast." I didn't really understand it then.... but I do now! I am so glad that I have taken so many pictures and videos. Annabelle has changed so much in such a short time. She is growing and learning everyday and it is such a treat to be along for the ride.

Since I feel the need to reminisce here are some things that I don't want to ever forget.

Those long eyelashes

She loves her toes

Holding her hand for the first time  

Her first smiles

How she sleeps so soundly

Play Time

Now the real fun begins.... after Christmas and Annabelle is playing with her toys. I can't decide if it is more fun for her or me! There is so much to do and learn, she loves every new experience.

In my jumper

Playing with my toes 

In my excersaucer

On the floor with my favorite bunny

Reading to my new friends

A Hanukkah Christmas!

Annabelle's first Christmas was filled with family, laughter, love and of course... PRESENTS! We spent the holiday in Houston with family- Mimi, Gramps, Bryan, Steph and the twins. This is such a special time for everyone because we all are so excited to celebrate the kids first Christmas together. Kinsey and Grayson are a month and a half old and Annabelle is just shy of six months (OMG, she is growing so fast!). It is really fun to see the differences in the kids growth. Annabelle seems like a giant compared to the twins! Also, we are so very thankful that we are no longer having sleep deprivation like in those early months... HAHA!

Annabelle did well for herself this year. On Christmas day we had a special mini family Christmas in the hotel room with our little fake tree and then went to Aunt Steph and Uncle Bryan's house and had the big celebration with everyone. Then, when we got back to Dallas on Monday we had our "real" Christmas with dinner and opening presents.

Annabelle got a lot of stuff. She is incredibly blessed! I am not naming all the gifts just the highlights: a Baby Einstein musical table from Mimi and Gramps, a Wheely ladybug from Kinsey and Grayson and a musical seahorse and electronic storybook from Uncle Phil and Aunt Katie.

All in all A's first Christmas was a big hit. I can't wait for next year! The kids will be running around and playing together AND Phil and Katie will be with us to celebrate! (We missed them terribly this year).

Blog post would not be complete without photos so here you go:

At the Houston Galleria Christmas Eve

Crown Plaza Hotel Christmas Morning

Kinsey and A Christmas Day in Houston

A and Grayson at Bryan and Steph's house

Grayson and Bryan saying hi!

My new Wheely bug

Opening presents at home with Dad

What a great first Christmas!!

MO-NOM-O-NOM

Do- doo- da- doo- doo!

In order to get this smile:

You must play the Muppets MO-NOM-O-NOM song:

My first visit with Santa

A's first visit with Santa went pretty smoothly! There were no tears just a little confusion. I am pretty sure that she was weirded out by a strange fat man wearing a lot of red but the visit was short and she seemed to tolerate it really well. Can't wait for next year! Merry Christmas!

5 Months!

Hello 5 months! Annabelle is grabbing toys and giggling up a storm these days. She weights 12.5lbs and continues to grow taller by the minute. She is rolling from her belly to her back but not the reverse. She can sit up with help and enjoys her bumbo seat. But, most of all she loves standing (with help). Annabelle is on track to start solids by the end of this month... we will see how that goes. For now we are just enjoying her happy nature and the fact that she is still not mobile!! HA!

Oh, Christmas tree

These pics were just too cute not to be added to the blog. Annabelle really loves looking at the lights on the Christmas tree.

Did I mention that I LOVE Christmas time?!

Carolina VS Clemson

USC brought home the third consecutive win against the Clemson tigers this year.... and we couldn't be happier with our football team! This is THE big game of the year and we are excited to put it in the "W" column! GOOOOOOO COCKS!

Christmas Card

I LOVE Christmas time... and its even better when you have kids! I was so excited about this year's holiday card I made sure to get them ready early (photoshoot in Oct) and in the mail by Dec. 1. Here are a few of the card photos.

PS- lots of people have mentioned that Tillie didn't make the Christmas card this year. I assure you that she wasn't upset about missing this photoshoot. She is still worn out from our shoot in July! Oh, the paparazzi!

Thanksgiving 2011

The Nickles spent Thanksgiving in Houston this year as we were excited to finally get to meet the twins, Grayson and Kinsey. It was a short visit but we had fun and look forward to heading back to Houston for Christmas.

Annabelle on Thanksgiving day - watching football with Dad

At the hospital with Grayson

A meets Grayson

Welcome Cousins!

Grayson and Kinsey Magers arrived on Sunday, Nov. 20th. It was a little earlier than expected (edd was Dec. 1) but the twins were apparently ready to come out. Both babies and Mom are in good health. Grayson and Kinsey spent a few days in NICU. Grayson came home on Thanksgiving Day and Kinsey came home the day after. Kinsey just needed an extra day of observation.

It is of note to mention that the Magers twins were born on Mimi's birthday! So fun! Also, Annabelle was especially excited to welcome her cousins and she can't wait to play with them.

Surprise!

Mimi turns 60 on Nov. 20th!

It really goes without saying that Mom's (in general) are really hard to surprise but we attempted it anyways because we knew that our Mom had always wanted a big surprise party. Dad and I started planning way back in September. It was a hefty project to get all of the names and addresses of Mom's friends without her knowing!! I do have to say that Dad was very impressive with his stealth spy skills! He was instrumental in getting a hold of a lot of Mom's Austin tennis friends.

Anyway, we ended up sending out about 50 invitations to friends and family in South Carolina, Georgia, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Arizona and of course Texas. The party was set for last Saturday (Nov. 12th) from 6-8 at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse in Austin. It was the perfect day to do the party because Mom was actually in town....everyone knows she has been traveling a lot lately. AND there was no football game (a big plus for Dad!)

The hardest part of surprising Mom is coming up with excuses s in order to get her to the party on time and without suspicion. Neither Dad or I are very good liars. Its a fact. So, Dad and I had to "practice" our stories so that we wouldn't give up the secret. Dad told Mom that she had to come with him to a recruitment dinner- Dad does this a lot so it wasn't a stretch. Stephen and I told her that we were coming to town to see some college friends. We were going to spend the day with them and then have dinner later that night. We had to be in town early in order to get everything ready for the party and to pick Phil and Katie up from the airport. They were the BIG surprise as they came the farthest (Phoenix) to be a part of the celebration.

Anyway the night of the party everything went off without a hitch. Mom had a great time and she was surrounded by friends and family that adore her.

Happy Birthday Mimi- we love you!

4 Months!

Happy 4 month birthday to Annabelle! She is getting so big-- 24 in long and 11.9lbs. She is smiling and giggling and loves the sound of her own voice! Annabelle grabs and holds her toys now too and can really focus her eyes on things that are far away. She loves when you read to her and when you make silly sounds. Its a joy to see her discover the world everyday.