the merriest Christmas!

Merry Christmas friends!

We are celebrating our 2nd Christmas with the Kirby crew in the morning, so i'm not really late in wishing you a merry Christmas. 

We spent this week and celebrated the actual Christmas day with the Taylor crew in Texas and it was absolutely perfect. 

We have a 2 month old on our hands and my blogging is suffering. 

Somethings gotta give when you just want to play with this guy all of the time!

Wishing you the merriest and happiest New Year!

Kate

Truck stop

We have been on the road since noon. A roughly 470 mile trip is taking-what seems like-FOREVER!

However swiftly we may have traveled before has quickly been overtaken by slow travel with a baby.

Stopping every few hours to feed the beast, we may make it home by morning.

The last stop, we got JR out to feed him....in the back parking lot of a truck stop. Keeping it classy. Trying to keep covered in the front seat while surrounded by 18 wheelers can prove challenging when the ones you thought were parked for the night....started moving. Whoops

Although the drive has taken 4 years, our little guy has been a trooper. He has slept mostly and been an absolute delight when we get him out (after being fed, of course).

I've also enjoyed the time visiting with my boo. With his crazy busy schedule, we have missed out on some quality chatting. I've got some good people and for that I'm grateful.

Hello friday

this little booger was 7 weeks old yesterday

6 weeks was big 

he got sick

he started smiling ALOT

he started sleeping longer at night

he grew out of his newborn clothes

we're pretty pumped about 7 weeks

and all the fun Christmas activities will bring!

happy Friday!!!

Little things to be thankful for...

...while my 6-week old is sick and we're inside for (going on) 4 days

Downton abbey

Netflix

hospital bulb suction and saline

swaddles

Facebook...the new google

the baby swing

the baby vibrating chair

stroller and quiet street + the pups

cinnamon rolls

my Cracker Barrel rocking chair

 the Moby wrap

Since he's been under the weather, he seems to prefer a little more cuddles. I'm ok with that.

He isn't keen on being flat, due to all the drainage I'm guessing.

I'm ok with that. I can hold him.

My job is to take care of him and I intend to do just that!

 When he's awake, there's only so much talking we can do.

So, I tried something else.

I turned on my ipod and we danced. 

That's when I had another unexpected emotional moment.

I started thinking about our future together.

Not that I've never done that before..but, this time it seemed more tangible.

I thought about us dancing in our living room- in the same spot-when he's 7 and then 17 (that is, if he'll have me). 

I thought about the girl he will love someday and the girl that will break his heart. Will I be tough enough to help him through it? Right now, I'm not sure i won't be a big ole puddle. 

So we two-stepped to George Strait, the Avett brothers, Heart (guilty pleasure), Wilco and Fleetwood Mac. Then he smiled in his sleep and I like to think it was intentional. 

Perhaps he felt this was a special moment for us, too. 

Or perhaps he had gas.

Here's to hoping and praying he'll wake up well tomorrow!

little Luke

I just adore our new nephew, Luke Jacob.

He was born one week ago today and is absolutely perfect.

Beau, the excited and proud big brother

an obviously excited big cousin

Mamaw Jo and her great-grandson

beautiful mama and babe

aunt and uncle are over the moon about this chubby little face

beautiful family of 4

Judson slept through meeting Luke

but, i'm pretty sure they'll get to know each other..ha

a glimpse at real life with 2 boys

1 day old

that chin!

all 3 grandsons for Honey and Pa

bffs in the making

The day that brought us Luke was pretty crazy.

GT and I were headed to Harding (our alma mater) for the day to hear Willie speak.

My mom texted me at 730 and told me that Jamie was having very frequent contractions.

She ended up going to the hospital where they slowed down, so she left to go home and walk.

At that point, I decided to go on to Arkansas and just be prepared to head to Tyler when it was go time.

GT and I made it less than 5 miles from our house and I told him to turn around. 

I'm going to Tyler.

I couldn't stand the thought of missing being there when Luke was born.

So, he took me to my parents house and I would ride with my dad (my mom had already left for Tyler)

GT was going to ride to Harding with my cousins.

15 minutes later, Dad and I start loading up his truck and GT walks through the door.

"hmm...why are you here? aren't you on your way to Harding?"

They had made it less than 5 miles from the house and got an email saying how many new orders they got overnight at the warehouse. (GT's in charge of warehouse production/orders/shipping...along with many other things)

They (him and my cousins/his bosses) decided he needed to stay in WM since work was so crazy busy.

So, GT heads to work

Dad and I head to Tyler

Jamie's contractions pick back up as soon as she walks out of the hospital doors.

Dad gets the stomach virus on the drive.

It's not even noon yet.

Luckily, my 1 month old sleeps the entire way.

So, fast forward.

We make it to J&J's house and dad is sick as a dog, drops me off and heads to hotel to hibernate (poor guy)

Jamie is contracting every 3-5 minutes and mom and I are begging her to go back to the hospital.

She makes it up there around 2-3ish

Mom and I stay at the house while Beau and JRay nap.

Around 5pm Jake says it might be a while.

At 530 Jake texts "he's here".

What!?!?!

Mom and I pack up the boys and head to the hospital!

We have a baby.

There you go. 

A crazy, crazy day.

But, it all ended perfectly with sweet Luke Jacob coming into this world.

(did that make any sense?)

We love you Luke and can't wait to see you tomorrow!!!!

We just can't stay away.

Tummy tub saves the day!

Poor little Judson Ray hated the bath.

He hated anytime he was naked.

screamed.

it was rather unpleasant.

Sponge baths weren't going to last, he needed the real deal.

And even sponge baths weren't very serene.

Aunt Jamie saved the day!

She let us try out the Tummy tub she used for Beau.

Low and behold.....

JR LOVED it.

as soon as we put him in it, he completely relaxed and just chilled

like a hot tub for a wee little lad.

if the water would stay warm, he would've stayed in there for days

there's music to spare you all the sound of my voice and his screaming

it was an instant change in his demeanor.

Thank you Tummy tub!!!! 

It's supposed to simulate the womb..or something like that.
Whatever the reason-we love it.

It's bath time tonight at the Taylor house!

Thanksgiving photo-overboard

We had a first this year for Thanksgiving.

Jake and Jamie hosted!

and it was wonderful

With Jamie being so close to her due date, we all traveled to Tyler to give thanks there.

Josh, Tate & Jen and their kiddos all flew in from LA and I was sooooo happy to see them!

outtakes from the Christmas card picture session. always a blast. right? 

everyone is always so amenable. right? even at 32, 31 and 27, right?

the four babes 

prep and lounging

precious kiddos

JRay got some extra love

Beau asked to hold him. we all panicked... hand sanitizer, camera, STAT!

the girls took the little ones to the zoo for the day.

let me tell you...that Tyler Zoo is pretty great.

it was crazy cold and windy, but we persevered. 

Beau

our fearless zoo leader

sweet Lillian

baby James Everett

the little guy, Judson

morning cartoons and cuddles

one day, we had lunch atLago Del Pino

a beautiful gem in Tyler

hey Fabio

more Thanksgiving day chillaxin

Lillian was very interested in Jamies baby belly!

love those eyebrows

GT left on Thanksgiving day to go to the Cowboys game and hunting (for work). jealous? i kinda was

When he came back on Sunday, Beau was so excited and did not want us to leave.

These two make quite a pair.

I'm so thankful for my family and the time we spend together.

Hopefully you had just as much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

if not, you can join our family!

all are welcome!

Happy Monday,

Kate