#2 Vietnamese Please? No Thank You!

I don't know if any of you caught Food Truck Wars on Food Network, but it was GOOD!  Ever since I saw the Nom Nom truck I have wanted to try a Vietnamese sandwich. Haley and I went to a Vietnamese restaurant and I ordered it up.  I knew Marc would be so proud of me...and he was!  The picture below is what I ordered.  Unfortunately, that's also what I took home to Marc!  I took one bite and saw the dark meat chicken.  YUCK!  So, that's number #2 for the year.  I tried and that's what counts right?!?!

It's been a great weekend and a great day off today!  Here are some pics of the little man playing today.  

Yes, he is wearing a cop uniform in the first 3 pictures.  Haha! 

 He's really focusing in this picture! 

52 New Things in the New Year!!

Ok, so ....I know.  It has been over 2 months since my last post.  Clearly, I couldn't handle blogging and working.  However, it is a new year, and I'm READY!  I've been thinking a lot about this blog and how much I really want to keep it up.  Today, I decided that my new and improved blog is going to be "52 New Things in the New Year."  So, what does that mean exactly?  Well, I'm going to try 1 new thing ever week for the next year.  I kind of have a hard time trying new things.  I like what I like, you know?  So, I thought this would be a great idea!  Hopefully (fingers crossed) I will stick to this!  Don't get too excited right away though.  These things don't have to be wild and crazy.  I'll do my best, but a new thing no matter how wild is my goal.  Take #1 for example....

1.  Painting my nails a COLOR!! Yes, that's right!  A color!!  Let Me Entertain You is the color I have on my nails.  This may not be new to you, but to me?  Oh yes!  I'm a French Manicure kind of gal.  I always have been.  SO, my new thing for this week is painting my nails a beautiful color...and I like it! Check it out...

Ok...so on to what you all really care about...Ryder!  Man is he huge!  I can't believe how fast he has grown.  Everyone warned me!  Where to start?!?!
 I'm sure everyone has heard the story, but after 3 days back to work, Ryder hit my in the eye with his finger nail.  The doctor said he "took a chunk out of my cornea."  So, I ended up missing another week of work.  It was really painful!

Moving on...Marc and I spent Thanksgiving in Mississippi.  We had such a great time and ate lots of good food!  Since we were going to be in Texas for Christmas, we went ahead and had our Christmas with my family at Thanksgiving.  Here are some pics!

 Haley came home from Thailand!!  Yah!!  She finally got to meet Ryder and reunite with Hutch.  Look at what she brought them!! haha! 

 What a precious family! 

 Mee Maw making Ryder laugh! 

 This picture makes my heat smile! 

 Ready for some turkey and Mee Maw's dressing! 

In December we went to San Antonio with Daniella and Jason (Marc's sister and husband).  We took the kids on the River Walk and had a blast!  The next day, we went to Marc's Uncle's house where we hung out with his whole family.  It was great seeing everyone! 

Before we left:

 This is a picture of Jordan and Ryder on the River Walk.  Clearly, Ryder can't hang with his cousin Jordy! 

Grandpy and Gigi with the babies!

Family pic. 

Next, Christmas in the Woodlands with Marc's family.  We had a blast, and AGAIN...ate too much!  

Marc with Ryder!  haha! 

My precious niece! 

Jordan and Ryder got these Chevy cars for Christmas.  Aren't they cute!  Ryder got the little push car that Jordan is on!  Can you see her?  Too cute! 

 Mamo and Ryder

 Marc and Fisher

 Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree! 

So, I officially spent my first Christmas away from home.  It was great being with Marc and his family and seeing the way that they do things.  As soon as Gloria pulled out the Honey Baked Turkey, I knew everything would be ok!! haha! (my mom always has one for us!) It's great being married into a family that does things like my own family! 

Finally, we went to Austin for New Year's.  My mom, dad, and Haley were there also. We got to ring in the New Year with a new little blessing Hazel Claire Hoskinson.  She looks just like Lindsey.  She is beautiful!  

 Look at all of that HAIR!!  WOW!! 

Finally (again), Ryder completed his first trial run at the daycare today!  The school was opened.  So, I went to work for a little while and he got acquainted with his new friends!  Here he is all dressed up and ready to learn! 

So now we are to January!  WOW!!  Time flies! Haley made it back from Thailand safe and sound.  She is staying with Marc and me until she figures out what she wants to do.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she stays close to home.  We miss her wayyy too much when she is gone!!  
I hope all of you are ready to bring on the New Year!  I also hope that it is filled with lots of love and many blessings.

Here's to the stay at home mom...

Well, today wraps up my maternity leave.  It has been a great experience, and I have so much to be thankful for (NOT in order of importance!)

1. A healthy, happy, BEAUTIFUL baby boy
2. A room full of family before and after delivery
3. My health and quick recovery
4. My wonderful, loving Mom staying with us for over a week
5. An AWESOME husband who stuck by me through many mood swings....including me getting mad at him because he did not feel well.  Sorry babe.
6.  Wonderful in-laws giving Marc and I date night!
7. My very brave mother-in-law for keeping Ryder when I go back to work.
8. A job to go back to with the best coworkers and friends in the world
9. 24 Hour Fitness (not that I have gone more than twice!)
10.  WINE

So, Ryder is getting bigger every day and is the most precious thing I have ever seen.  Noooo...I'm not just saying that because he's mine.  I would say it even if he wasn't!  haha!!  I have learned a lot of things about myself over this time off.  I have gained even more respect for my mom who did this 3 times and had all 3 of us in diapers at one time. WOW!!!  That is insane!!  Seriously!!  I remember going with her and my sisters to the grocery store when we were little.  I think it was Haley in the top, small part of the cart.  Lindsey in the big open part, and I was on the bottom.  First stop, the deli to get a free cookie and entertain  us for a few minutes.  The thought of having 3 kids at the grocery store just freaks me out!!
Speaking of freaking out...I think that I have learned to be more patient. Marc may disagree!
 Poop no longer disgust me.  Actually, I get so excited to see Ryder's poop now.  We even do a little cheer.  haha!   I have learned that I can do sooo many things at once.  Bottles, laundry, feeding....however, nothing ever seems to get finished!
I have also learned how incredibly important family is.  I have always been a family girl and loved spending time with my family.  However, this experience has made me cherish every single minute I am lucky enough to get to spend with them.  I wish it were more, but I am thankful for the time we get together.
Last thing...This morning I woke up and began my day with coffee and making a bottle.   I played with Fisher as I do every morning, careful not to make him feel neglected with the arrival of Ryder.  I fed Ryder and put him in the bassinett so I could get ready.  Then, I walked into the guest room where Fisher sat looking at me with his big, guilty eyes.  Slowly, I looked over and saw that he had peed all over the bed. At that moment, Ryder began to cry which quickly became a scream.  I tried and tried to comfort him, but nothing work.  The only thing I could do was to cry with him.  So, there we sat...next to the bed with pee, Ryder in my arms, crying together.  SO....here's to the stay at home Mom because it is a HARD job!

Here are some pictures of Ryder at 7 weeks:

Yesterday, Ryder had a play date with his friends Aldo and Avery.  Aren't they the cutest little things ever?!?!

Home Sweet Home

Last week my sweet mom flew into Houston and we drove back to Mississippi with Ryder.  We stayed there all week.  I had the most wonderful time!  I love going home, but I hate it because it always makes me realize how much I miss it!  I miss the smaller city and slower pace...and I definitely miss my mom and dad!  However, I am so blessed to have such wonderful family here in Houston as well!
Anyway...throughout the week we went and visited friends and family, and of course...ate delicious food! Ryder got to meet his great grandmother Gran on Monday.  We got to see her new home and show Ryder off to her friends.  Here is a picture of Ryder and Gran.

Ryder also got to spend lots of time with his Pop!  

On Tuesday we made the trip to Utica to visit Mee Maw and Paw Paw.  We had lunch with them and guess what Mee Maw made??  If any cousins are reading this you may want to sit down!  Yes!  She made dressing!!  That was my request when she asked what I would like.  However, we all just laughed about it, not really expecting her to make it.  She surprised me with it when we got to her house.  I thought I took a picture of it, but it's not on my camera.  I'll take one at Thanksgiving! 

And of course, Lolli got to spend her share of time with the little man as well!  

We sure missed Daddy while we were gone, but we had a blast!  I can't wait to see everyone again at Thanksgiving! 

Friday we made the drive back to Houston plus my Dad.  He was in his truck.  Lindsey, Jeremy, and Hutch met us in Houston.  We got to spend the weekend together.  Saturday we went for lunch and margaritas and then we headed to the Mississippi State / Houston game.  It was a lot of fun and WE WON!  woooohooo!!!  Go DAWGS!!! 

I don't have any pictures, but I think Lindsey may have taken some.  

So, now everyone is gone and it's really quiet.  I had my regular cry as I always do when my family leaves. I love y'all!  Thanks so much for coming to Houston!  

**Sister Haley we missed you and look forward to you being with us at Thanksgiving.  

Ryder - 5 weeks

I just wanted to post some pictures really quick.  He is now 6 weeks and 3 days.  I'm just late posting these!  Keep in mind that the pictures are taken with my camera and it is not professional.  Also, I don't have editing software on my laptop.  So, the quality is not the best.  Sorry!