The last we left off, we were looking forward to your birthday. Well, it was a success! Thank goodness I took off work on Friday before your party, because it took me 2 days to make your cake! It turned out pretty well. I was just thankful it didn't fall over. That was a definite possibility, but thank goodness your Emme is very resourceful and found ways to prop it up as it was leaning over.
Your dad went decoration-crazy and found all kinds of barnyard props to decorate the house with. It was a GORGEOUS day, so we ended up opening your presents on the deck. We were all prepared for a full-out devouring of your cake, but you didn't quite put on the show we thought you would. You really wanted nothing to do with it at first, but once I shoved (yes, I think I literally shoved it in your mouth) a piece of cake in your mouth, you realized that it wasn't so bad!! But you didn't make the mess we thought you would (which I was actually very thankful for!!). Presents were funny too. You were excited about opening the first present, but once that was opened you wanted to play with it and not open the rest, so I took care of it for you! All in all, it was a fantastic day, and I can't believe you're one year old!!!!
During all the prep and partying, we found out that sweet little Lexie's health was going downhill fast. We actually had to take her to the vet on Saturday before your party. The dr. gave her a few days to live, so we took her back home and just hoped that she didn't pass during your party! 3 days after your party we were supposed to take her to the vet to have her put to sleep, but luckily she passed away just moments before we were supposed to go. It was a very sad day for your dad and me. I'd had her for 15 years, and your dad had known her for 9 of those 15 years (and she loved him way more than me!!). I know you'll never remember her, but we've got lots of pictures of you as a baby with her!!
So after all of that, we did our typical weekly routine for a few weeks (with me traveling for work in the middle of all of that). Then came Thanksgiving. We went to Ripley to spend time with your dad's side of the family and then we went to Little Rock to spend time with my side of the family. Everything was going good - you had a great Thanksgiving meal in Ripley and ate it all like a champ! But then you got a little fever. By the time we got to Little Rock your fever was pretty high. Luckily my cousin Preston was there and is a dr. so we bugged him like crazy to make sure you were OK! In the meantime you had developed a rash all over your body. We had a family gathering at the farm and drug you to it, and you were such a trooper. After we got back to Franklin, we went to your dr. and found out you had a double ear infection and hand, foot and mouth! I feel so bad that we drug you all over the place while you felt so bad. Hopefully you won't be haunted by those memories!! Just have happy memories of Mommy - forget the bad stuff!!!
The next weekend we went to downtown Franklin for their Christmas parade. Abigail and her parents came too. We were a little concerned that you and Abby were going to miss the parade because you were both sleeping when we got there, but you guys perked up when the parade started. You seemed to enjoy seeing all the cars and trucks go by, but you got really excited when you saw Santa!! We'd shown him to you before but this time you go to see him in person!
The next weekend we went to the Opryland Hotel to show you the Christmas lights. We thought we'd just breeze right on in and go through the hotel and then go to dinner (at one of your dad's favorite restaurants - Cock of the Walk). We seemed to forget that the Opryland Hotel is a major tourist attraction! We waited probably an hour in traffic just to get to the hotel! Luckily you had not had an afternoon nap, so that was the perfect time for you to take one! Once we got there though, it was worth the wait. You loved all the lights and seeing the decorations. We also just happened upon Santa (and there was no line to take a picture with him)! So we decided we'd give it a try and see if you'd be up for it. And to my surprise, you actually did very well. I thought for sure you were going to lose it as soon as we sat you in his lap, but I think we'd played up Santa so much that you were actually a little intrigued (I wouldn't say you were thrilled, but at least you didn't freak out!). All in all, it was a successful venture! The next day we went to downtown Franklin where they were having a Dickens Christmas festival. It was basically craft vendors and a petting zoo, but it was fun to walk around and see everything.
So that was last weekend. This week I found out that they're moving you up at daycare to a toddler room. That freaks me out more than you turning one. This means you really are getting to be a big boy! You're going to transition when you come back from the Christmas holiday. I hope it all goes well. I think you're really going to learn a lot and have a lot of fun!!!
Also this week, you've decided that you need to wake up multiple times during the night!! We've figured out that your molars are coming in, so I think they're keeping you up. If it's not an ear infection, it's a tooth! One of these days you're going to get a good night's sleep, I'm sure of it!!!!
Well, I think I've caught you up so far (if you haven't dozed off while reading this!!). You've got more Christmas activities this week, so I'll try to do better about updating the blog, so you won't miss any details! I hope you have a restful sleep tonight and I'll see you in the morning. I love you. Kiss Kiss from Mommy!
