Gabe's Christening

The annointing if the oil. Mabry got to be David's helper.

David and Gabe after the rites. In his dress, we could imagine him as a girl (Gabe, not David).

Matt (one of the godfathers) and Guy. Thanks to Matt, we have photos. Our camera seemed to stay in the diaper bag.

The cake my mother brought all the way from Birmingham. Hopefully, we will have more pictures when Papa gets home to add.

This past week

The littlest Ohio State fan with the biggest Ohio State fan, who is momentarily fighting a cold, in Mississippi.

Newest sister and brother picture.

Smiling a little

Wondering why he is always having his picture taken.

This past week has been rather busy for our family. Guy had to administer his semester exams. Mabry had her last week of school until January. Mabry's last week included a party where all the kids exchange presents in a white elephant fashion. Tuesday, Mabry's Daisy Scout troop went caroling around the Holly Springs square. They were so adorable and out of tune!! When they got back to the office, they inhaled the snacks and collapsed from exhaustion on the floor. On Friday, I had to run to Oxford to take care of some errands. Mabry opted to go visit her favorite sitter, Ms. Karita, who also had a Christmas party with the kids. Gabe will start seeing Ms. Karita every day beginning January 7th when I have to unfortunately return to work. Yesterday, I decided to channel my mother again. I made a batch of peanut brittle and a few dozen chocolate truffles. Today, I have already made another batch of peanut brittle and a loaf of banana bread. I plan to also bake some chocolate chip cookies and another batch of sugar cookies. Thank goodness that these goodies will not be in the house for long since they are definitely not good for my diet!!

Bouncing Baby Boy Dance

Need I say anything else?

Christmas Cookies

Guy is already trying to teach Gabe how to play X-box. Gabe seems disinterested, don't you think?

Today, I decided to channel my mother or Cynthia. I actually made sugar cookies from scratch. Not the fake and bake or mix from the box kind, but the kind you actually have to have ingredients for (not just oil, water, egg). I also made homemade icing. Mabry and I had a fun time making the cookies and decorating them.

They turned out pretty well, don't you think? The only thing I didn't make from scratch was the sugar crystals on top of the icing. these cookies were such work though, I think we will go back to the fake and bake. I do think I'll make my own icing again though. Too easy!!

One Month Old!! and Getting Ready for Christmas!

The stockings are hung. My mother makes all members of the family a stocking. You are not an official member until you receive your stocking. Luckily, Gabe's was done a couple of months ago.

Our beautiful Christmas tree has finally been decorated!! We should only have a few more presents to put under the tree since Santa actually comes to our house and leaves most of the presents unwrapped. Luckily, Santa thinks that since Jesus only got three presents on his birthday, all children only get three presents from him. Great thinking, Santa!!

My mother is the craftiest woman on the planet. She made us an entire set of ornaments that are hand sewn and beaded!! Aren't they cute?! In addition, my mother also gets everyone in the family an ornament that has some type of signifigance for them. Here they are:

Guy's yearly Star Wars ornament. The obsession never dies. Besides having gotten Mabry so into Star Wars that she can recite any line and if you show her approximately three seconds of any of the movies, she can tell you which of the six movies it is from, Guy has now gotten Gabe to focus on Star Wars movies as well. Did you know that it is possible to find a Star Wars movie playing at any hour of the day?

Mabry's yearly ornament is Tinker Bell. She is extremely into Tink this year.

My ornament from my mother is a tree that is quilted with phrases associated with family.

Gabe's is a Winnie the Pooh and Piglet looking into a cradle. Adorable!!

Today, Gabe is officially one month old!! He has survived being Guy and my child and being a little brother to Mabry. Isn't that amazing. No major trips to the hospital yet! We might be an okay family. No pictures of the little one though. Today, we accomplished several things. We drove to Olive Branch to go to the bank (yes, that is the closest branch to where we live 26 miles!!). We went to the Wal Mart there to do our grocery shopping. Shopping at the Holly Springs Wal Mart is hell since they never have anything and you run into all of your present and former students and their parents and have to have impromptu parent conferences, but I have never experienced anything like the Olive Branch Wal Mart. For one thing, there were more people in that Wal Mart than at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. No one observes the proper shopping etiquitte of pushing their buggy to the right--no, they have to drive it up the middle of the aisle. Also, who the hell stocks the shelves of a grocery store between the hours of ten and three on a Saturday, especially a Saturday before Christmas!! That's why they are open 24 hours--stock at night!!!! Anyway, enough ranting. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Smiles and Angels

Peace on Earth. Mabry's Christmas card. I wish I could mass produce them for all of you.

Gabe's first interaction with Ree. Can you believe she purred?

Playing on my mat.

A little smile. Also, Mabry earned the center of the daisy on her Daisy Girl Scout uniform yesterday for knowing the Girl Scout promise!!! Goodjob, Mabry!!

Milestones

We are starting to hit some new milestones. For the past couple of days, Gabe has been cooing at us when he is really happy and spotaneously smiling (and not because he is gassy!). It would be nice if he would start to smile at us in reaction so we can get a picture, but I am sure it won't be long now. Check out how huge Mabry's feet are compared to Gabe's!

We've grown so much!!!

Today was Gabe's first visit with the best pediatrician in the world, Dr. Dennis. Gabe is extremely healthy. He has gained 2 ounces in three weeks, grown a quarter inch longer, and put on 2 cm of head circumference. We will go back at the end of January to get shots. Yuck!! I scheduled that appointment late in the day so that Guy can also go since I cannot bear to watch my children get poked and prodded. Anyway, off to feed the giant baby.

Today's agenda

We are trying to get back into a routine after a week with everyone in the house on vacation. Gabe decided that yesterday was a good day to start sleeping for an hour and a half and then waking up to eat an ounce. Not our normal sleep for three to four hours and wake up for two ounces of food. Last night, Gabe decided playtime was from about seven until eleven thirty. Dad did the night duty and I went to bed at eight. Around two am, we noticed that he had not eaten since eightish. I went and woke him up to eat and he promptly went back to sleep until six fifteen. Guy and I think that if I had not woken him, he probably would have slept all night (at least until four thirty or five). Gabe has had the worst time with gas and not being able to poop. We switched bottles last night to the playtex drop ins. Gas is now minimal and we have had a great poop today. We took sister to school and our goal is to grade my fifth period's classwork from the past two weeks and update the online grade book. We are going to take a bath (Gabe's least favorite activity after a diaper change). We are going to attempt to work on more Christmas crafts and then go pick sister up from school. Guy will only be home briefly today since there is a school basketball game tonight. Gabe will have to get a lot of quality time with Daddy in a short period today. Tomorrow, we go to the pediatrician for our first check up. Hopefully, the doctor will tell us that we are gaining the right amount of weight and that everything else is wonderful.

Home From the Holidays

Well, we are back after a wonderful visit to the beautiful Smith Lake area to visit my parents for Thansgiving. The first meeting between Gabe, Nana, Papa, Ricky and Lucy went very smoothly. Gabe managed to only pee on Nana and one of her couch cushions. I really have to figure out how to prevent leakage. We celebrated all of the November birthdays on Wednesday night by having cupcakes and ice cream to Mabry's delight. Thursday we all watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade before settling in for football. I don't even remember what games were on. Mom started a new tradition this year that I really enjoyed. Before sitting down to eat, we each were given a card and had to write one thing we were thankful for for each person. We then took the time to read them aloud at dessert. Of course, I cried and blamed the pregnancy hormones that are still surging through me, although we really know that I would have cried anyway. Friday, we watched the train wreck called the Egg Bowl. Congrats to State for playing much better than Ole Miss. Thank God that Ole Miss fired Ogeron today. Maybe next year we will play much better. We also watched the Arkansas game before leaving to head home. I absolutely hate sitting through overtime, but thank you Arkansas for beating LSU!!!! Guy and I are preparing for the Iron Bowl tonight (the one game I can't wait for every year). We have made seven layer dip and I have a ham in the crock pot cooking and am savoring the afternoon, waiting to partake in the food and the greatest rivalry in the world. Roll Tide!!! Quick cute Mabry story: When Mabry was asked why she was thankful for Papa, she replied, "Because he put the potholes in the road." Nana and Papa looked confused until it was explained that Mabry thinks the mayor's job is to put potholes in the roads. Papa is considered the "mayor" at their part of the lake. Leave it to kids to add two seeminly unrealted things together.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We are preparing to go to the lake for a low key Thanksgiving. I thought I would share what we are grateful for this year. Guy and I are grateful that we have two extremely healthy children, especially since Gabe gave us a scare a couple of days ago when he developed an allergy to milk based formula. Guy and I are grateful that we are able to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table during this economic downturn. Luckily, teachers are not as vulnerable to recessions as other jobs. We are grateful for the many family and friends near and far who have kept us in their prayers and been there for us during the past couple of months.

We hope that everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Check out the pumpkin and turkey that Mabry made at school!! We will post on Saturday with pictures of my mom and Barry meeting their grandson for the first time. I almost forgot. Happy Birthday to my "sister", Memrie!! I won't post how old you will be tomorrow, but we do hope that you have a great day. My birthday wish for you--MSU will win the Egg Bowl (not so much a dream, but a soon-to-be reality)!

Happy Birthday, Nana!!!

Mabry drew Nana a picture of a birthday cake with 56 candles on it and lots of balloons and presents. I can't find it now. I think it is in the mail. I hope it is in the mail. So a picture of the grandkids will have to suffice for now. Have a very happy birthday, Nana!!! Make Papa be good to you today!

This is what Gabe does 99% of the Time and a rare pic with open eyes

Beautiful Boy

Happy Birthday, Mabry!!!

Today is Mabry's sixth birthday. I can't believe how much time has passed since giving birth to her. It seems like yesterday that she was toddling around torturing the cats (wait, that was last night). Gabe and I took her class cupcakes since the munchkin can't have a party this year. She got her presents last night (Shrek 3, Bratz make up doll (i can't believe I bought that), and a book). Tonight, she is spending the night with Ms. Bridget and Bowen. She is going to have a blast and will go to sleep at 4 tomorrow afternoon.

Best Baby in the World!

Just to let you know, I have given birth to the easiest baby in the world. He is sleeping 3 to 3 1/1 hour stretches. He is eating well. He seldom cries (unless he is getting a diaper change or bath). today, we went to Oxford to fill out insurance forms for disability, the Bottletree to visit Cynthia (the godmother, who unfortunately had stepped out), Square Books Jr. for Gabe to pick out a birthday present for big sister Mabry who will be six tomorrow, Walmart for Shrek 3, get gas and pay the electric bill. We were gone for almost five hours and not a complaint to be made about GAbe. Thank God that Square Books Jr. has a changing table in the back stocked with supplies!! We only stopped once in a parking lot for a quick feeding. I know that as he gets older, it will be a little more difficult, but I really like this newborn stage. Tomorrow, Gabe will be show and tell for the 5K when we take cupcakes to MA for Mabry's birthday. We are going to celebrate tonight though, since Mabry will be spending tomorrow night with her best friend, Bowen and Ms. Bridget's house.

Just another day with Gabe

Today is the first day back at work with Guy and Mabry went back to school. The morning was a little hectic, but we managed to pull it off on time. I'm sure that we will streamline the morning routine until it runs smoothly. Gabe managed to sleep in four hour stretches last night. That meant that getting up at 3 am wasn't as hard or blurry as the couple of nights before. I made Guy go ahead and feed him a little around 6:30 when he was still in the midst of a really good dream. Since then, the little guy has yet to wake up. I guess I should enjoy this while it lasts. I am trying to let Gabe wake himself since for two days he would wake up and eat half-heartedly. Last night, he finally ate with gusto when he was allowed to just sleep. Anyway, here are a couple of pictures for you.

Gabriel Barnett Landingham

He's here. After many hours of a stressful, nonworking induction (24 to be exact), the doctor decided to go ahead and break my water. This is a horrible pain to experience when you are not dilated. I asked for stadol immediately after and five minutes after getting it, told them that it was not working anymore. The nurse checked and I was four centimeters. They told me they would order an epidural and I started cussing out all of the nurses. The nurses paged Dr. Smith and basically in twenty to thirty minutes, I had dilated from nothing to eight centimeters. Needless to say, it was too late for an epidural and I had the unfortunate pleasure of delivering Gabe naturally. I do not wish that upon my worst enemy. Anyway, here's what you came for--pictures. Enjoy!!

Today is the day!!

I a little less than two hours, Guy and I will be on our way to the hospital to help move Gabe out of me and into the world. Talk about taking control at an early age. I am extremely excited and very anxious, but did manage to sleep for almost six hours (thanks tylenol pm!). To those of you with picture phones, you should get a picture announcement today or early tomorrow. The rest of you will have to wait until we return home to Ashland. Anyway, talk to all of you later!

still pregnant with an end in sight!!

We went for the last weekly doctor appointment today. Still dilated at 1 cm, but am definitely thinning. The doctor was able to tell that Gabe's head is in the right position, but was easily able to move him out of place, meaning that he isn't engaged yet. So Wednesday morning, Guy and I will be seeing the wonderful staff at Baptist North MS Hospital in the ER to be checked in and in L and D to start the induction process. The doctor is going to try cervadil to ripen the cervix and hope that labor starts spontaneously from that. If not, at 6 pm, he will start a pitocin drip. Anyway, Guy and I are planning for a nice, long boring day. The doctor says not to expect Gabe until extremely late Wednesday night or early Thursday AM. He also told us to bring a lot of reaidng material and stuff to entertain. Anyway, Mabry will be going to school that day. Tom, Guy's dad, arrived last night and Louise, Guy's mom, arrived yesterday afternoon. They are going to help us out by getting Mabry to and from school on Wednesday. Hopefully, Gabe, Guy, and I will be home on Thursday or early Friday since we just found out that Guy has class on Saturday. Keep us in your thoughts.

Happy Birthday, Papa Boogie!!

So Barry's dream has not come true (yet). Gabe still has not arrived. Hopefully soon. Anyway, happy birthday, Barry! Here is a picture of Mabry wishing you happy birthday (thanks, Amber for the idea). Everyone have a great day. We will update after the dr. appointment tomorrow.

yet another doctor appointment with no changes

So we had another appointment. No changes from last week. I even told Guy that it was sad to drive to a doctor an hour away to hear that there are no changes. The doctor did say that if we are still pregnant next Monday, we will schedule an induction for Wednesday. So, only 8 days until Gabe comes at the most. Send us labor vibes, but not until after Thursday since Mabry has a field trip tomorrow, trick or treating Wednesday, and Girl Scouts on Thursday and I don't want her to miss anything. Talk to you soon when we know more.

Gabe's Christening

Just thought I would go on and let everyone know that we are planning to christen Gabe on December 30th at Christ Episcopal Church in Holly Springs. We will be having the christening in the early afternoon (one-ish) as it will not be a part of the regular service. We still have to make arrangements for the gathering after the event and will let you know if anything changes and when everything is firmly planned. Please try to be there to share our special day!!!

Another doctor update

So, it was a dark and stormy day. My allergies are going haywire causing lots of headaches (hopefully the rain will wash away the ragweed). Guy has a little cold and played hookie from work as well. I woke up at four this morning and knocked out two more weeks of lessons for my government class. So now I am planned through Thanksgiving. David and Louise brought up the camper yesterday. Louise will be arriving after church on Sunday to start her extended stay with us. I have been having lots of contractions (yes, the real ones!! not the fake Braxton Hicks ones!). Of course, they amounted to diddly squat. The doctor checked today. I am measuring 35 weeks (so at least he has dropped a little). I am still 1 cm dilated. My cervix is still long and high, but he could feel the baby's head (progress). He told us that we would not be having a baby today (ya think?). Guy is under the impression that Gabe will be here this week according to what he heard the doctor say. I only heard him say that he will be here before Mabry's sixth birthday (November 14th). Thank God! Anyway, we came home and had a couple of presents waiting on us. Here is a picture of Mabry with the travel system from Tom and Theresa (luckily, the cats haven't discovered it although Mabry's baby dolls have). Here is also a picture of Mabry with the pack and play that we got with a generous gift card from Ernie, Telithia, Donna, and Chris. Thanks to Ellen and Louise again for all the baby gear and clothes. Also, we want to thank Guy's professor, Dr. Monroe, for all the baby clothes that she sent us. We would be in a hard spot without friends and family. Anyway, send good labor vibrations this way. Tell Gabe that it is time to vacate the premises. I have had the joy for a year of getting to know my son. It is now time for him to meet his dad and big sister. Only four days left in the poll!! Don't forget to vote (thanks to all of you for your optimism)