Today you turned 11 months old! This month has flown by. This month you cut your first tooth, quickly followed by another 2. You now have 3 teeth on the bottom. We’ve felt a tooth on top, I swear I did, but now it’s gone. Hopefully it’ll come back soon. You were such a trooper while cutting these teeth. You had a terrible runny nose, cough, and very nasty diapers! Thankfully Daddy was on diaper duty and we had plenty of Motrin on hand. Dean, you had more firsts than teeth this month! You also went on your first plane trip and traveled outside the state of Texas, and attended your first Aggie and Hogs game.
You have added new sounds and words to your vocabulary. You say “ba” for ball, “Bu” for bottle, Bye, “pu”, and “pa”. Your grandfathers are particularly proud of the “Pa” sound. When said alone Pops beams and when 2 are said Papa stands proud. I like it when you say “Ma Ma” best! You love to babble, click your tongue, and squeal. I know we will have some dear conversations on day, we’re already off to a great start.
You are such a hard worker, Dean. Your curiosity provides endless hours of play and fun. Your Daddy and I love teaching you how to use your toys. This month you mastered stacking your plastic rings on the holder, filling countless containers with objects only to empty them, pushing larger objects like boxes and baskets around on your knees.
Dean Thomas, you are so much fun! We love waking up to your smiling face and going to sleep to your snoring through the monitor. I can’t believe that you will soon be one! I recently looked through our blog to see what your Daddy and I were doing October ’08. I was as big as a house and we went to the State Fair. We talked the entire time about taking your to the fair the next year and how much fun it would be to share the experience with our little boy or girl! This past weekend we had that privilege. Phil came along for the journey too. We were able to take some wonderful 11 month pictures inside the big wheel of a John Deere Tractor…Papa was exceptionally proud! You loved everything about the fair.
Dean I love when you come crawling over to me, grab my pant legs, and reach up for me. I love it when you lean over on top of me and bury your face in my chest or stomach and giggle, and when you cry because you think we’ve left the room and then break into a huge grin when we walk back into the room. Dean, you are the light of our lives. Such a blessing to your Daddy and I. We are so blessed to have you for our son. We are excited to see what this month will bring!
This past weekend Matt, Dean and I have another set of special visitors. My parents came to visit and see Mr. Dean for a few days. They arrived Saturday morning. After a few hours of quiet time we set out for lunch and the State Fair! Matt and I planned lunch with the Cherry family. Granny Glenda and Paw Paw Bill have become a huge part of our Ft. Worth life and we were eager to have our parents spend some time with people so special to us. After lunch we set out for one of the most famous fairs in the nation – the Texas State Fair! Our afternoon was filled with the smells of yummy friend goodness – corn dogs, funnel cakes, fried butter…., the sounds of midway games and happy people and the sights of Big Tex, and new Camaros. After several hours of fair fun we headed home from the cold to enjoy warm bowls of chili.
My parents headed back to Houston on Sunday afternoon after a nice, relaxing morning. Their visit was way too short but such a treat. We look forward to the next time they make the drive north.
Dean and I were blessed with the opportunity to visit my best friend Myra this past week. She recently moved to Montreal and was visiting her parents in Orlando. Thanks to the generosity of the McCray family Dean and I were able to make the trip and enjoy 2 and a half days with Myra and Morgandy as well as Myra’s friend Kim and her son Ryan.
The trip to Orlando was Dean’s first plane trip. I was very proud of how well he did on the trip despite being held for hours on end. Dean entertained everyone on the plane with his touchdown routine and his endless waving. At one point all 3 flight attendants had surrounded us so they could play with Dean. On the way home Dean was maxing out on being held so, during our layover he crawled up and down the Jetway – super clean I know! I realized that while traveling you’ll let your baby do things you wouldn’t allow them to do otherwise…just for your sanity and theirs! Right before we departed on the last leg of our trip Dean was also lucky enough to sit in the cockpit and talk with the pilot. Maybe there’s a future there….
While in Orlando We enjoyed shopping in Downtown Disney, swimming, and having the opportunity to sit and visit while the kids played. Mrs. McCrary was sweet and listened for the babies Monday night so that the Mommies could enjoy a trip to Starbucks. That Pumpkins Spiced Latte tasted so good knowing that I had a few moments off duty and great company to spend the time with!
It was so nice to get to see my friend in person, to connect and touch base. I’m so thankful Dean and I could make the trip and even more thankful for a wonderful friendship that has withstood the test of time! I love you Myra Dawn and can’t wait to visit you in Montreal soon!
For the 1st time in 18 years the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas Aggies faced off in the Southwest Classic game. After the Southwest Conference was dissolved the Razorbacks moved to the new Southeast Conference and the Aggies to the Big 12. This game used to be held a the Cotton Bowl each year. An agreement was signed for the game to be held at the spanking’ news Cowboys Stadium for the next 10 years.
One of our family traditions growing up was to meet Honey and Pops Sr (my father’s parents) at many of the Razorback games each season. Usually all the games that were in Texas, which in the SWC was all the games except for home games and LSU. Honey and Pops Sr traveled in their camper and tailgated along with the Hogs the entire football season.
We thought the renewal of this rivalry would be a neat opportunity to start a new family tradition. Especially since I’m a Hog fan and my dear wife, well, she’s an Aggie. We decided between us and my brother and his wife we would go in on the tickets this year and surprise my dad with an early birthday gift.
What a fantastic weekend it was! Adam and Genie with Gunner in tow joined my parents, the new Honey and Pops, for a trip up here to Bedford. The entire weekend was a blast! I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking. Cheers!