Ho Ho Ho! pics

Well, I couldn't get flickr to cooperate, so I made a slideshow with music. Probably more fun anyway.
So, a belated MERRY CHRISTMAS with photos from our celebrations. I was a delinquent photographer and did not capture everyone. We didn't even get a family picture that was in focus. Sigh. Now I know.
Enjoy the festive photos!

The boy wonder.

:) We are getting to the really fun age when Shepard starts identifying stuff, making animal sounds, etc. I was able to capture our "body parts quiz" earlier today...

Christmas 2011

Still trying to post our Christmas pictures. Flickr is driving me a little bonkers. Please let me know if you CAN'T see this set of pics. I can, because it's my account...but I don't know what YOU can see.  :)

See if this link works...

I'm a big boy. ~by Shepard

This week I am 18 months old. That is a year and a half. Mommy keeps using the phrase "big boy" these days. That sounds good. I am learning to be a big boy every day. I went to the doctor today and he said I have big feet. Why does he always tell me that?
I am about 26.6 pounds and in the 60th percentile for weight. I am 35.5" and in the 99th percentile for height. No surprise there. I can reach the door handle at the doctor's office now and like to open and close the door while we wait on the doctor.

I got to see lots of my family at Christmas. I ripped paper off of presents and stood on my train box. My favorite part was getting love from Gigi and Pops and Grandma. They smile at me a lot and hug me. I also really liked climbing the stairs at Gigi and Pops' house. Daddy kept saying it made him tired. But I was the one climbing. Daddy was just making sure I didn't fall when I went down the stairs head-first on my belly. I know where my belly button is and I will show you if you ask. I also know about my nose, eyes, mouth and teeth. I like to put my finger in mommy's nose. I don't think Mommy likes it very much though.
The end. I have to go run and wiggle.

It's a new year's miracle!

Last January, I lost our camera. We had a great little point-n-shoot that we had painstakingly researched and chosen. We also have a "real" camera, but I don't like taking that to the beach or using it in high humidity...or when I'm toting 27 pounds of child + his gear.

So the camera has been missing ever since. I kept thinking it might show up...and it never did. On Saturday, I decided to go ahead and purchase a relatively inexpensive point-n-shoot to replace our Sony. I hated to spend the money on something I was sure we had, but if I hadn't found it after a full year, what were the odds? I thought perhaps I had dropped it out of the car or something. As I was sharing with Jerod that I thought I might use a gift card to replace the lost camera, I whispered a prayer that we would not buy a new one if our old one was findable. I didn't really give God a timeline, but just asked that He would help me find it in the next week or two. I had a sense that I should check coat pockets. Now, I have been thinking and searching for this camera for a FULL YEAR. I knew I lost it last January. I have torn my car apart, closets, etc. looking for it...

Fast forward to tonight. I finally remembered to check the coat pocket (we were in the car when the other discussion/prayer happened). The first coat I went to...and there it was!!!!

Here are some sweet pictures that were trapped in my coat pocket all year from 1-11-11. Snow Day. A snowy little trip down memory lane.

Breaking in the "new" high chair

Baby, it's cold outside!

Sweet snow baby. Age 6 mos.

OK Mommy. My nose is cold now.

What a year! Goodbye, 2011.

Well, it may very well happen. A year-end post! I stinkin' love the holiday break. We got to visit with lots of family, spend some time just relaxing, and are already dreaming some dreams about the upcoming year.
{click on the pictures to view full-size}
I won't give a play-by-play, since you need only revisit old posts to get the actual year in review...so maybe just some highlights.

Grandmas know all the tickle spots.

It is amazing to imagine that one year ago, Shepard could not even sit up on his own; and now, he runs full-speed-ahead at everything. What a fantastic growth period between 6 months and 18 months! His understanding and vocabulary seem to grow every day. Having a little explorer is sometimes challenging, but I'm so thankful that he's interested in life and learning about everything.
There really isn't any news of interest to report for Mommy and Daddy. We are still at the same jobs--Shelley in the Winthrop University President's Office and Jerod teaching the 4th/5th graders at Woodlawn School. It works for now. Shepard enjoys his days with a handful of his buddies at a local Baptist church's daycare. He makes artwork every day, plays outside a LOT, and reads and sings and learns all kinds of things. I love that he has interaction with his peers and other adults. I also love that he greets me at the end of each day with a huge smile and arms extended and a command, "UP!" Gladly, sweet boy.

I got a train!

So far, Shepard is so very gently-natured. He smiles and giggles--especially when we tickle him, he presses microwave buttons (changes our microwave voice to Spanish!), and gets attention from dogs. He loves to play with anything that has some cause and effect, like his musical instruments. He also really loves some unorthodox "toys," like the retractable dog leash, swiffer mop, and laundry baskets. And he loves to run and play outside. He definitely has a typical toddler stubborn streak and is able to communicate what he does and does not want. His favorite foods right now are eggs with cheese, yogurt, blueberries, bananas, lasagna and cheerios.

2011 has been consumed with working, a few trips to the beach (here and here), and watching our baby turn into a boy.

Yup. It's our family addition. Her name is LaFawnda. (for real)

Jerod was able to fulfill a dream by purchasing a sweet "new" ride, his 1974 Gran Torino Elite (see pics). His dream is to get Shepard to reach all the small parts with his dextrous little fingers...eventually. The car needs a little TLC, and Jerod is well on his way to learning about engines and grease and stuff.

I may have to get a stocking for LaFawnda next year.

Leaf and LaFawnda

All in all, we are really getting in the groove of this family-of-three thing. Plus a dog and lots of fish...lots of fish. Who knows what 2012 will hold? Perhaps it will be a year of big changes...I wouldn't mind decorating a new mantle this time next year with our stockings. Just sayin'.  :) But, we'll see where the Lord leads.


There were so many great pictures of our holidays that I uploaded them all to a flickr photo set. Seriously, you don't want to miss these. Here's a sneak peek.   

Flickr LINK HERE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hopefully I'll have time to write a proper year-end post very soon.  (fingers crossed)
Meanwhile, enjoy our electronic holiday card!

We opened a few gifts this morning. The excitement level was pretty high, so we'll do a few more tomorrow morning. That will basically make about four days of non-stop gifting for him once we get through with the grandparents and aunts & uncles. I think start understanding gifts a little more after all this. I'm sure he'll be sad to see the tree go, though I think he will be AWESOME at undecorating it. He's been practicing that for a few weeks now.
New tricks lately are repeating words like help, bird, open, hot, up, star, etc. He can definitely follow simple commands and is starting to practice obeying Mommy and Daddy. (he can be taught!) He wants to climb everything in sight. (see video below)