Which way to go?

The first sketch from our Architect

 We met with our Architect this past Friday.  Overall we had a good meeting and generated many ideas on where to acquire more space for our growing family.  As shown in the drawing (close-up below) he was suggesting going out in the front, in the back (behind the master currently) or to the side where the driveway is.  We think we may go out in the front and on the side, but have nixed in the back behind the master.  We are also exploring the possibility of going up!

It was an exciting meeting and we can't wait to see what the more detailed drawing phase brings.  We are hoping to meet again in early December.

Close-up of areas for building

The Holidays are HERE!

Another Christmas card contender...

I think I'm in denial.  How can it be that the holidays are here already?  The Christmas music is already playing on the radio and people in our neighborhood have already put up lights.  Can it be that the holiday are already here?

I love this time of year, but I'll admit that there is an element of sadness this year.  With the loss of Uncle Dennis the day after Christmas, and also my Grandmother on April 15th things just aren't the same at the holidays.  I have so many great memories of both of them at this time of year and that will help me through this time.  How I wish they could be here with me, so I'll do my best to think of them and how they would make these times special.

On that note, I'm trying my best to re-create my Grandmother's dressing for Thanksgiving.  It will be a hard undertaking, but I'm going to try.  Chandler is very excited about the holiday season and Brighton feeds off that excitement.  In Chandler's mind Thanksgiving is coming and Christmas is the day after that!

Maybe I will feel more in the "spirit" once we get some decorations up.  The boys already demanded that we get down all the Christmas books this weekend.  Since Daddy does bedtime books with the big boys, I haven't gotten to read any of those yet.  Derek and I have already decided to scale back our decor this year.  Mainly because with all that's going on with the house and possible renovations coming it seems like so much to get done.  It's hard to figure out what "not" to do though.......

Maverick's 8 Month Stats

My little guy is 8 months old already!  Where has the time gone?  This little guy is such a hoot lately.  He is generally happy, but has had a few "fussy" periods lately.  Perhaps he'll finally get some teeth in?!?

I got his stats as the following:
             Weight: 17 lbs 10 oz
             Height: 28"

In comparison to Chandler and Brighton he is quite the peanut.  Chandler was over 19 lbs and Brighton was 20!  He doesn't seem to be any where near crawling yet, but we'll see.  We might end up having to place a gate around the Christmas tree after all!  Maverick doesn't have stranger anxiety yet and loves for other people to hold him.  He likes investigating their glasses, jewelry, and earrings.  Be careful because he's been known to rip things right off and broke my mom's necklace just the other day.

He loves it when his older brothers play with him.  Chandler and Maverick especially seem to have a separate "brother" language.  Maverick is still nursing exclusively and to be honest, I've had a much more laid-back approach to introducing solids to him.  Now that he's eight months I'm starting to give him more than one meal a day and he's snacking occasionally on Cheerios and Puffs.  We've tried giving him some juice/water on a few occasions, but only a handful of times.  It's not that he doesn't like it, but he could take it or leave it for now, and I'm happy with that.

He goes down about 7:30-7:45 and is sleeping great.  Sometimes he'll wake up around 6ish, but will settle right back down and then gets up about 7-7:30 a.m.  He still naps in the morning for about 1 hour (or a little more) and then in the afternoon for about 2 hours.

I'm starting to see the light (at the end of the 1-year tunnel).  I think we're going to make it sooner than I'd like!

Maverick's Wide mouth happy

So, I'm still learning how to upload videos to the blog without asking Derek any questions.  This video was almost there.  Hopefully I can do the next one without ANY help :)

This is a short clip that shows Maverick's big mouth open when he is happy.  Such a sweet boy!

He's Happy, I promise

Maverick turns 8 months old this Friday.  He is changing so much these days.  This past month he has started doing some funny things including blowing raspberries all the time.  He also does this thing where he opens his mouth up really wide and is almost saying "ha, ha, ha".  He looks mad when he does this, but he's really having fun.  I had Derek get a picture of this so hopefully I can remember his silliness someday!

Christmas Card Outtakes

So, this one won't be making the "A" list.  Derek did however, snag a good version that you'll have to wait and see for yourself.  I thought the boys looked great all ready for church this morning!

It's been a hard week!

Today is Veteran's Day.  I'm certainly thankful for all the brave men and women that have put their lives on the line for our country.  Thank you.

There are many changes going on around here this week.  I'm still not feeling the best with my back and neck.  I'm hoping this one step forward, two steps back starts moving in the forward direction for good soon.  My Dad, Mom, and Aunt have been cleaning out my grandmother's house in Nashville this week, and Derek is off work today and helping them.  I hate that I can't be a part of it, but I'm playing the part of "mom".

We have hired an architect to give us some plans for how we can add onto our house.  It exciting, but at the time bittersweet.  I know where the money for this addition comes from, and it had a very steep price.  I'm still very upset over the death of my grandmother and I miss her very, very much.  I wish she could be here sharing in this exciting time with us.  

All the boys were home when the architect came by to measure our house and get a floor plan before getting started on his designs.  I was here with them by myself and tried to not get so stressed out keeping their curiosity at bay.  The architect has no children, so it was hard to tell if he found their curiosity endearing or annoying.  Hopefully I kept the annoyingness down to a minimum.  Chandler carefully followed him around and drew his "plans".  That was cute (at least to me!)

Super Brighton!

Maverick trying to stand!

That about wraps up our week.  I can't wait to see the architect's ideas.  I'll keep you posted....