All I want for Christmas ...

... is JOSHUA'S two front teeth. MY poor little one has his left front tooth, but is working on his right one. He normally sleeps very well, except when he's teething. This tooth is no exception. He has awakened once or twice a night for the last 7 out of 8 nights. Needless to say, mommy and baby are a little tired and cranky!

Our Christmas season has been filled with Sunday school parties, shopping, and time with friends. I truly love this time of year, and it has been so exciting to share it with Joshua. He is mesmerized by the Christmas tree and doesn't seem to mind the flurry of activity in our home.

Here's what Joshua has been up to:

Yes, this is a picture of my child in a roasting pan. No, this was not my idea. I do, however, think it's adorable! Joshua blows raspberries ALL THE TIME.

Joshua is really, really, REALLY excited about the Christmas tree!

I just thought this picture was totally cute.

Yes, my child now has another reason to consider himself "scarred for life" when he grows up.

And here's another. He actually seemed to enjoy these photo shoots. Mimi (my mother) is thinking about making a calendar out of them.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love,
Denise, Mark, and Joshua

Random Musings

I really, really dislike the weather we have been having recently. Although I don't mind the cold, I hate looking out at a gray sky. It makes me feel so dreary.

Our little family is still doing well ... despite the fact that it took five days for Joshua to cut his fifth tooth, and neither he nor I slept very much those days. I found myself wondering how on earth we survived the newborn months. It's so nice to have a little boy that sleeps through the night again! I'm starting to get caught up on my rest.

It seems a little weird to be posting Thanksgiving pictures in December, but I'm a little behind the times these days. So here they are:

Me and my baby, celebrating with a Thanksgiving BBQ at
Aunt Gigi and Uncle Chuck's house.

The two of us again, this time at Granddaddy Joe
and Granpeggy's house.

Our little family. I am so thankful for these boys!

Thanksgiving wore Joshua out! He was such a sleepy little guy.

I have been feeling so guilty lately. Joshua is such an active baby, but he is also a bit on the clingy side. He will play by himself, but not for long ... and I have had to "neglect" him a little while I try and get the house cleaned. I know that he should be the priority and that often the house can wait, but I cannot allow my baby to be raised in dirtiness. I feel selfish, and I cannot seem to find the balance between being a good wife and being a good mother. And I guess there's not really a place where one ends and the other begins.

Also, two of my friends have had to bury their babies in the past couple of months. My heart just aches for them. Both of these babies were born with conditions that were not compatible with life. When I was feeding Joshua in the middle of the night (his poor little toothies!), I realized that my friends would probably give ANYTHING to be right where I was then.

I don't think I will ever understand why my friends had their babies taken from them. I feel so guilty that my baby is alive and their babies are not. And although they will be reunited in heaven, it must be little consolation here.

In my work, I have taken care of so many children that were neurologically devastated. I've changed diapers on teenagers who have virtually no cognitive function. I have been guilty of saying that their parents just need to "let them go to Jesus" in the past. Almost 11 months ago, I became a mommy. So now I understand why their mothers don't want to let them go. All these things just make me want to cling to my Joshua even tighter.

He's growing up so very fast. Joshua is adventurous and independent. He likes being the center of attention and having an audience. And I am loving being his #1 fan. I don't deserve the blessings I have been given. I just wish I could get over feeling so guilty.

My boy ...

is probably the happiest baby on the planet. Yes, he can get fussy at times, and we've had a few meltdowns, but generally he acts and looks like this:

Joshua is so proud of himself when he gets a hold of his socks!

Mr. Stinkypants!

Yep, this child never smiles at all.

Occasionally he'll give a picture with a goofy stare. Here's a family picture ... we're all dressed up and at my cousin Scott's wedding!

Such a silly face!

Joshua in this sweater vest may be the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Hmm ... or maybe THIS is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

"My name is Joshua ... hear me ROAR!"

Fingers are tasty snacks!

"I'm a BIG BOY now, Mommy!"

I cannot believe my little boy is going to be 10 months old this week! He has been such a delight, and I am so thankful that God chose ME to be his MOMMY!

It's not fair!

When I was younger, I often complained that many situations in my life were "not fair." My father always replied, without fail, that "the fair only comes in October."

I know that it rains on the just and the unjust. And although my life is about as perfect as I could hope for right now, I am burdened for my friends, several of whom are facing trials I cannot even imagine. The life that is happening around me ... well, it's just not fair.

I feel helpless. I don't know what to do, or think, or say that would make a difference to these people. And I feel guilty when I look at my baby and wonder why God blessed ME with a healthy, huge, precious little boy. Sometimes, I almost take him for granted. When I step back and think about things, I remember how very easily we could have lost him ... but God was gracious to us, and I am so thankful.

So much seems to be wrong with the world. I wish I didn't have to watch my friends suffer. It's just not fair.

The QUACK ATTACK!

Happy (late) Halloween, everyone!

This year our family attended our church's second annual Trunk or Treat event. I had been looking forward to it for weeks. During the afternoon, however, Joshua stopped eating well. He was gnawing on his little fingers like crazy ... his poor little toothies must have been hurting very badly! Since we didn't want a chance to miss Mimi's birthday (her special day is actually on Halloween), I went ahead and loaded Joshua into the car, and off we went!

I had to finish dressing him in the church parking lot. His costume wouldn't fit safely in the car seat ... but I was pleasantly surprised at how he didn't seem to mind the outfit TOO much. He didn't appreciate his duck bill, but he eventually got used to it, and I enjoyed walking around and showing off my little duckling!

He wasn't his usual smiley self -- but I think he was just sitting back and taking in all the activity. The church estimated that 1200-1500 people came, so there was a lot going on. We saw quite a few members of his "fan club," all of whom seemed to love his duck outfit. Mimi and Granddaddy Richard were especially pleased to see him.

Trunk or Treat seemed to be over much too quickly! Joshua was such a trooper, even though he was awake long after bedtime. Before I knew it, it was time to fly my little Joshua-duck home.

"Daddy, please rescue me from this crazy hat!"

Me with my silly little duck.

"I've decided to be serious today."

Joshua with Granddaddy Richard and the BIRTHDAY GIRL!

"Granddaddy Richard, you really QUACK me up!"

Joshua ducks don't need to fly ... they get to be carried!

Happy Halloween from the QUACK ATTACK!

Joshua-duck is getting sleepy ... very sleepy. It's bedtime!

The Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend Mark, Joshua, and I headed over to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch. It was a little muddy and crowded, but Joshua loved looking at all the people and playing in the hay. It was also very bright -- the sun was shining, and the weather was perfect! Here are some of my favorite pictures from our visit:

I think I see a ghost!

Look at my big boy! He LOVES standing, and will cruise around furniture by himself. He can also stand up by himself while holding onto something with only one hand now.

I can't wait until Joshua and I can watch Wall-E together!

Joshua is so very tall!

My boys ...

Joshua was getting a little tired of pictures at this point. He's trying to run away from me.

I really wanted a picture of Joshua with Snoopy, because his shirt had a picture of Snoopy on it.

But, as it turns out, Joshua did not want a picture with Snoopy.

He was ready to go home. So we did.

The past few weeks ...

... have been very busy! Joshua is having a ball, and is learning so many new things every day! He also has TWO TEETH now! Here's some of the highlights from our many adventures:

I am the mother of the happiest boy on the planet. Joshua's smiling --
and we're at the doctor's office for our 9-month appointment!

I love this sweet, goofy expression. I am so lucky to be able to
wake up every day and spend the entire day with THIS baby!

I helped host a baby shower for my friend Kelly. Wow ... I am really tall. I even took my heels off for this one! Baby Emmett is due very soon, and we look forward to meeting him!

Kelly with Emmett's growth chart. Joshua has one just like it!

My little boy is so pleased with himself ... I have no idea why
he enjoys playing with my duckie trashcan.

Sorry for the creepy red eyes ... but look at this face!
We bought Joshua a new walker, and he LOVES it!

Another cute picture with the new walker.

Joshua and I love taking walks together, even if it's cold outside!
I love his new little jacket ... it keeps him nice and toasty!

Thanks for looking at our newest photos ... how has YOUR week been?

9 months old!

My sweet Joshua Daniel turned 9 months old yesterday! And he is getting to be QUITE the MESS! I have a bunch of cute pictures to post from the Dallas Arboretum (we went there with my parents this week), but Mr. Stinkypants is up, so here's just a few:

Don't let this sweet, innocent face fool you. Joshua loves to get into things he's not supposed to. His favorite things include dirt, grass, leaves, sticks, doorstops, and outlet plugs. He is going to be the ULTIMATE boy. I don't think it gets any cuter than this, though. No, I'm not biased at all.

Joshua and "the Mommy" at the Dallas Arboretum. Joshua is starting to have major, major separation anxiety if someone tries to take him away from me.

Look at my big boy standing up all by himself! He can actually stand up holding onto furniture with only ONE HAND. And he's scooting around the side of the table standing up as well.

Okay, here's the moment you've all been waiting for (drumroll, please):

Joshua weighs 22 lbs, 12 ounces (82nd percentile).
Joshua is 29.5 inches tall (86th percentile).
Joshua's head circumference is 47 cm (91st percentile).

What a BIG BOY I have! I am so proud to be his mommy!

The BEST of the BEST!

As I was trying to figure out which of our most recent pictures to post here, I realized ... I have a lot of pictures! So, here are some of the BEST of the BEST from the past few weeks.

Joshua is now "Pancake Boy." He's earned that nickname because
he never, ever stays still on the changing table.

Look at all Joshua's hair! I love giving him baby Mohawks ... too cute!

My baby has to be one of the happiest kiddos in the
ENTIRE WORLD! He is ALWAYS smiling.

This is how Joshua keeps himself occupied when I am trying
to get dressed to go out. See his adorable milk gut?

Joshua and I are all dressed up for church!

I think this is such a sweet face.
And I'm not biased at all.

I don't understand why Joshua's new favorite toys are all household items. He has tons of ADORABLE toys, but his favorites include pots, pans, Dr. Pepper cans, and plastic water bottles.

"Someone let me out of this joint!"
(Look at my big boy -- he's pulling up on EVERYTHING!).

I'm not LION ... I love my Joshua Daniel!

Joshua adores swing time. I love this cooler weather ...
we're able to get outside, and I don't feel like we're always stuck in the house!

This is one of our better self-portraits.
Joshua and I were on the "big people" swing.

Hi, Joshua! Mommy loves you!

Thanks for indulging a silly mommy and looking at our photos! :)