Matt and I celebrated a “just us” Christmas this year. NBC called for Matt’s service on Christmas eve and Christmas day so, needless to say we where home for the holiday. On Christmas eve we attended a late service at FUMC Grapevine. The service was beautiful and really helped it feel like Christmas. I had flashbacks of so many candlelight services as a child and adult, I was glad we attend one with Dean on his first Christmas. After the service we returned home to finish wrapping gifts and stuffing stockings…some how things were very last minute this year!
We enjoyed a VERY relaxed Christmas day. For the first Christmas EVER I stayed in my PJs all day long! We woke before Matt had to go to work and opened few presents. Thankfully Matt was able to come home from work early and we were able to enjoy an early Christmas dinner followed by gifts. We skyped with my parents and opened all the gits they sent back with us. I’m so thankful for such amazing technology, it was nice to be able to share the gift opening with them.
It was a wonderful Christmas holiday. Next year we plan to be home for the holiday but I’m sure a “just us” Christmas will be in our future again.
Dean had a whirl wind tour of Humble in which he met many of our family friends. First Dean and I visited the counseling office at Atascocita Middle school. It was nice to see my former co-workers and get to introduce Dean to my friends. On Tuesday, December 23rd Dean met the masses! Early in the afternoon my aunt and cousin came over to visit. We had a great visit Aunt Delores, Kim and AnElizabeth, it was so nice to see them while we were home. Later that evening Carla and my mother hosted a “Cookie Lookie” for the mothers club. The women were invited to meet Dean and share in some fun desserts and great wine. After the mothers club part was over Tom and Ann Gibbins came to meet the newest member of our family and then Dean and I went over to the Hopkins to visit with the Tucker family. It was a busy day of meet and greets but it was so nice to see everyone and have a chance to catch up.
Our time with the Hopkins began with date night. Ronny and Carla graciously volunteered to baby sit so Matt and I could go out for the evening with Jana and Derek. We enjoyed some yummy Chuy’s mexican food followed by bowling. I managed to bowl a less than stellar game but the rest of the gang did a great job. After the fun of dinner and bowling we returned to the Hopkins house to see Adam and Genie.
On Sunday Dean visited Atascocita UMC for the first time. It was so nice to see so many friends and introduce them all to Dean. We enjoyed the service and the opportunity we had to worship with our families. After church we headed to the Hopkins house for an early Christmas. It’s always fun opening gifts with your family. We were blessed with some amazing new toys and had a great time sharing our surprises with each member of the family. After gifts we enjoyed a wonderful Mexican dinner for which Grandma, Grandaddy and Uncle Dale joined us. Carla, Ronny & Genie really out did themselves, the food was delicious.
It’s always nice to get together with family and we especially enjoyed this Christmas with the Hopkins! Thank you, Ronny & Carla, for such a great day!
After arriving in Humble Dean and I headed to my mom’s school so we could take a few pictures with Santa. My mom had bribed Santa to hang around a few extra minutes so we could snap a few shots. Of course Dean was totally underwhelmed with the experience but I’m sure next year will be an entirely different ball game.
We enjoyed getting to see my family during “Family Dinner night”. Emma, Morgan and Logan were able to meet Dean. Emma was a little apprehensive once she was finally face to face with Baby Homer but quickly warmed up to him. Uncle Travis and Aunt Amanda also met Dean for the first time. I look forward to the day that Dean is old enough to run around with the rest of the kiddos, I know they will all have a blast together. My mom fixed a terrific dinner and we opened our special Christmas PJs.
It was nice to be home and together as a family. Emma, Logan and Morgan are changing so much Matt and I had a blast watching them share all they had learned since October.
On Dean’s first night in Humble his presence was requested at the annual Christmas gathering of the Bunco Babes! Matt’s mother has been gathering with the same group of women for 10 years and she was eager to show off her no. 1 grandson to all the women. Thanks Bunco Babes for letting us crash your party! Dean can’t wait to come back.
Matt and I couldn’t wait to introduce Dean to his great grandparents. On Friday morning Matt and I went over to Grandma and Grandaddys for a terrific breakfast and a great visit. Grandma (GG to Dean) was content holding and talking to Dean. When Grandaddy got back from his walk he was thrilled to meet Dean. Again we were so happy that Dean was able to have some quality time with his other set of great grands. Thanks for breakfast Grandma, we are ready to do it again!
On Wednesday, December 19th the counseling gals at CHHS threw Dean a little shower. I was super excited to bring Dean to school for a social event and looked forward to seeing all of my coworkers again. The shower was lovely and to my surprise they showered me not Dean! I ended up with a tree of awesome coupons to be cashed in for free babysitting, advice, and errand running in addition to gift certificates to get my nails and hair done…what more could a mom ask for!
After the shower Dean and I headed over to his school to meet his teacher. His teacher appears to be very nice and I’m sure that he will be very happy getting to know her. I on the other hand am having a nervous break down thinking about my baby starting school but thankfully I feel super comfortable with our choice of day cares.
As if the shower and school visit weren’t enough for one day Dean and I loaded up and started part one of our road trip to Houston. We made plans to spend the night with my grandparents in Huntsville. Dean had only met his great grands one time so this was a special time just for them. He made the trip like a champ. I never heard a peep out of him the entire ride. At one point I contemplated pulling over just to see if he was still breathing.
Dean and I enjoyed a lovely night at Granny and Pops. Granny was eager to spend time with Dean and did a great job spoiling us both while we were visiting. She loved, played with and held Dean the entire time we were visiting while Pop spoiled me with great food and company. I was sad that our stay in Huntsville was so short but two grandmothers were eager to get their hands on Dean. We look forward to visiting again on one of our future trips home.
Last night Matt and I moved Dean from the cradle in our room to his own room. I had told Matt we would do it after our Thanksgiving company went home but, I managed to drag it out a bit longer. Dean had a great night and slept for 6 hours in between feedings! I did have a touch of separation anxiety before I went to sleep but quickly got over it and fell sound asleep.
Dean had his first play date this week. My childhood friend Susan came over with her baby Presley. Presley was born 2 weeks before Dean. Although there wasn’t much playing going on (Dean slept through the fun) Susan and I enjoyed swapping stories and sharing ideas. Presley is so petite Dean looked like he was the older baby, his hands and feet were twice the size of hers! It is fun that Susan and I grew up together right down the street for one another and how Dean and Presley can do the same.
Sweet Presley…isn’t she cute. Check out that hair!
Dean and his new friend, he’s trying to play it cool!
Dean is one month old today! It’s hard to imagine our lives without him, we can’t believe how fast a month has gone by. Here are some pics of Dean with Phil the Frog. Phil is Dean’s “growth chart”. It will be fun to see how big Dean gets and how little Phil will seem over the years.
Thanks for keeping up with Hopkins’ Happenings this past month and for loving our son as much as we do!
