Christmas Cheer

Things have finally settled down over here, unless you count the fact that we are leaving this afternoon to go to Memphis for the weekend. We've been going full throttle the past 2 weeks, spending time with almost all of our family.

My dad's family was here last weekend, and we had a blast showing off Sarah Beth to everyone. They all adored her, of course; my 80-something-year-old grandmother kept talking about how cute he was, although she had to ask every few minutes, "Now whose little boy is this?"

Unfortunately, I was only able to snap a couple of pictures before my camera bit the big one. I think it's finally dead this time.

We had a great time, and SB slept through most of the festivities.

We spent Christmas Eve and Day with an assortment of parents, grandparents and siblings. The best present I received was a toss up between the Liberty Bowl tickets and the day after Christmas shopping spree with mom and sisters while Jack kept SB.

I took SB to Jackson yesterday to see some of my girlfriends from college. We had lunch at the OG (Olive Garden), but SB didn't sleep through that like I thought she would. Way too much going on to be napping. She recently started trying to communicate by shrieking as loud as she can. She was very excited yesterday to meet all of my friends, but I don't think all of the other OG patrons shared in her joyous expressions of life. We had to leave a little early.

We had a great time catching up, but I was rethinking my decision to make the trip alone when we got ready to go home. As darkness fell, SB threw a fit. We were on our way to visit one more person on our way out of town when she started screaming bloody murder. I freaked out and pulled over, desperate to save her from whatever horror was attacking her. I took her out of her car seat and held her and rocked her and made sure nothing was poking/pinching/biting her. I have only heard her scream like that one other time-when she got her shots at 2 months old.

I could not calm her down, and I was getting a little freaked out. There we were, sitting alone in the backseat of my car, both of us crying hysterically. I didn't know what to do, all alone, 2 hours from home. I finally pulled myself together and, after checking her all over and feeling pretty confident that she was not injured in any way, put her back in her car seat to scream it out. She finally screamed herself to sleep and woke up when we got home, just as happy as a lark. And just when I was ready to retire the SF title... So I probably won't be making any more trips by myself for a while.

All things considered, the holidays were pretty great. And SB has slept through the night 4 out of the past 6 nights. The other 2 nights she only woke once to eat. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but maybe this is it!! I feel like a new woman.

Okay, I've got to go get ready to go. Liberty Bowl, here we come!

The Prodigal Sister Returns

Meredith is finally home! Since she lives practically in Mexico, I have not seen my sister since August. She was not able to come when Sarah Beth was born, so yesterday was their first meeting. Here are a few pictures of the happy occasion.

Bunny!

Meredith agreed that SB is even cuter in person, and they got along famously. Glad you're home bunny!

Hip Hip

HOORAY!

I have wonderful news for Starkvillians. I went to the surprise party for Helmut and Leona last night at LJs to say goodbye forever, but the surprise was on me. Leona announced that LJs has been purchased by Dr. Brown, and it will be reopening on January 18 in the Book Mart downtown!!

While they will not carry their full food menu, their wonderful coffee will still be available, and so will Leona, as she is going to manage the new cafe.

Thursday is the last day at their current location, so go get some coffee. I'll see you there. And sleep a little easier that night knowing that it won't be the last time.

Silent Night

Three cheers for Screamy Face, who finally seems to be getting used to her nighttime schedule. I put her down at eight thirty last night, and she didn't eat again until 3:15. She's a good little girl.

I did wake up around 2, and, realizing that she hadn't woken me up, panicked. Even though it usually wakes her up when I go into her room to check on her, I did it anyway. She was fine, still snoozing away, and she didn't even wake up when I peeked in on her. So I went back to bed.

Now, if we could only get rid of the squirrels that have been hosting dance parties on our roof every night. I've almost gotten used to the sound of acorns pelting our roof every time the wind blows, but they don't just hit the roof and disappear. They hit the roof and roll down the slope, making very loud rolly noises. It's great fun for the squirrels, and convenient too, since no one has to make cookies for the dance parties when manna is falling from heaven.

Unfortunately for us, the acorn tree branches are strategically positioned directly over our bedroom. Thus the dance party guests tend to congregate there also. You can laugh if you want, but I'd like to see you try to sleep with a dozen squirrels scurrying over your head, chasing the hail-like acorns across your roof.

It's either that or we have R.O.U.S.'s living in our attic. True, I can't compete with them physically, but they're no match for my brains. I've put rodent traps on my Christmas list, so their days are numbered.

Little Gymnast

I couldn't help but share these pictures we took of our little gymnast stretching herself out. She sometimes likes to sleep like this.

Bowl Bound

In the words of my precious mother, "Yipee, Skippie!" The Bulldogs are going to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on December 29. Jack and I have been celebrating all day.


I was really hoping we would get that bowl game, since we have lots of family in Memphis, and it's only a few hours away. Also, it makes buying Jack's Christmas present a no brainer. We've already decided to give each other bowl tickets for Christmas.


In the words of Andre the Giant, "I hope we win!"


Since Beth, beloved aunt, wasn't able to get tickets for us, it looks like SF and I will be standing in line bright and early tomorrow morning at the MSU ticket office. But I don't mind. Hooray for the Bulldogs! Mere, SF wants to know if you will babysit her while Jack and I go to the game. She really misses you.


In other football news, it appears as though my fantasy football team has gone the way of the Ole Miss Rebels. This weekend's matchup was my last chance to get into the playoffs, but things are looking grim. Special thanks go out to the super secretive Jets, who couldn't be bothered to announce that one of my wide receivers would not be playing today. My backup receiver, who is currently warming my bench, already has one TD today. But such is life, difficult as it may be. There's always next year.