Christmas Extravaganza 2008

Opening presents Christmas morning.

Playing with Paw in Winchester.

Barrett had a great time playing with all his Averette cousins this year.

Here, Kirsten is helping him slide.

Pile on! Playing with Uncle "Heaf" and Aunt "Yeh Yeh".

Barrett loves his great grandmother!

Here, he is showing "Granmutter" how to put the packages/shapes in the mail box.

Our Christmas Holidays were packed with excitement this year. We visited "Ghee" and "GheeDaddy" (an ever evolving name for Grandaddy), Grandmother, Maw and Paw and the Winchester Tipps Crew, Nana and Pop, both my brothers' families, and Uncle "Heaf" and Aunt Andrea (a.k.a. "Yeh Yeh"). Barrett loved all the festivities and had a great time with his family.

As far as Christmas goes...Barrett likes nativity sets and knows baby Jesus, Mary, and all the animals. He was excited about the tree this year and I think he only broke 2 ornaments. Christmas lights are always supposed to be on. He likes stockings or "boots". Ho Ho (Santa Claus) was a big hit. He absolutely LOVED opening his gifts as well as everyone else's gifts; however, we could have saved a bunch of money by just letting him open wrapped boxes, because the opening was the part he enjoyed most! He has just now started playing with his toys. It was so much fun to watch his excitement this year.

15 week visit

Today I went for my routine 15 week visit. All was well. They had done ultrasounds at my former visits so there was no need to check fetal heart tones until this visit. It was exciting to hear. The baby was active as usual and the heart rate was in the low 150's (normal).

They drew some lab work to check for an increased risk of down's and other major birth defects for this pregnancy. I will hear back from that in a couple of weeks.

We do the "big ultrasound", as my doctor calls it, at our next visit in 4 weeks. It is scheduled for Jan. 20th. So I'm taking a poll -- will baby Tipps be a boy or a girl? Please cast your prediction in the comments. I asked Barrett if he wanted Mommy to have a little boy or a little girl for him to play with. He said "a dirl" (girl).

I have been feeling much better lately. Other than a stomach virus (ugghh!), I have not been sick in quite some time. I am much less fatigued on a daily basis. The beautiful glow of acne has subsided. And, I don't have to pee every 10 minutes. So...all that to say, this pregnancy has become much more pleasant during the second trimester and I am able to really relish the moment now. A big thanks to all of you who have prayed to that end. It is so very appreciated!

A tribute to Pop

We visited Barrett's "Nana" and "Pop" in Jackson, TN for Thanksgiving. Above, you can see a rendition of "Where's the Juice?!?!" This was so funny and sweet Pop played along marvelously, and endlessly too. Several times since we have been back home, Barrett has asked very excitedly "Where's the juice?!?!" It is always quickly followed now by an even more excited "Where's Pop?!?!" Today we were looking at pictures and Barrett saw a picture of him and Pop and smiled SO BIG while announcing "There Pop!" He can't wait to see him again. Thanks for being such a sport, Pop.

To Grandmother's House We Go...

We have traveled up the road to Franklin the last few weekends for Thanksgiving and wedding festivities. Barrett has loved the constant attention and spontaneity. These are some pics from last weekend. Barrett loved Granny ("Ghee") and Grandaddy's ("Andada") Christmas Tree. He memorized where all the ornaments were and liked to pull the balls off the tree. I think he will be quite sad when all the decorations disappear. It is fun to see his excitement this year. Can't wait until Christmas Day!

Barrett calls the stockings "boots" and he thought they should be worn.

Santa hugging a VERY tired, hungry, and a little under the weather Barrett.