Team Hames: A Busy and Beautiful 2009!

2009 has been busy, busy, but we are so blessed! Looking back on this past year I remember our sweet baby girl turning 1 in February and the feeling of excitement in March when we learned we were having a boy! I recall waiting anxiously in April to feel our new baby move in my belly for the first time and loving watching my Ella Rae learn to swim all summer. In August our hearts were filled with love as we held our new little guy. Fall flew by as we enjoyed our lazy football Saturdays. December 4 was a big day…as we all said good-bye to “Pappy (the pacifier)!” We cut the end and put it in Ella Rae’s bed. When it was nap time she climbed in like usual and grabbed “Ya-Ya” her lovey and pappy. She took one look at Pappy and realized something was wrong. The whole nap she kept whining and saying, “Pappy.” It was so sad, so I stayed with her till she went to sleep. December 18th Alden had his 4 month well-visit and he weighed 16lbs 1oz!

Ella Rae is talking so much…finally something she got from mommy. She calls all sippy cups “princess” because she has one with Princess Cinderella on it. She says so many things but these are my favorites, “Wanna bite, mommy?”, “Here ya go.”, “Sit with me.” She loves to swiffer the floor, hold her brother, wear sunglasses, read books, go to school and sing songs. Alden is smiling and cooing now and it’s so sweet. Ella Rae was never very ticklish, but Alden has the most precious belly laugh when you tickle him. He is sooo easy going and just plain sweet! He loves his exersaucer, watching football with daddy, and cereal...yep…on 12/19 Alden started on baby cereal and LOVES it.

Christmas Eve was quiet this year. Ella Rae spent the day with Uncle Thunder and Aunt Melissa (and cousins, Zachary and Will). She had a great time and was worn out! Brad, Alden and I attended a beautiful Christmas Eve service at our church. Alden was so sweet and didn’t make a peep. He slept in my arms most of the service as I smelled his sweet little head. He still has that new baby smell!! Christmas morning was so much fun this year. When Ella Rae came down the stairs to find her play kitchen she was so happy…she was pointing and saying, “kitchen.” She plays with one at school and on Sunday’s at church. After spending the morning opening gifts we headed up the street to Uncle Thunder and Aunt Melissa’s house for lunch…it was delicious. We opened some more gifts with them, Papa and Uncle Russ and just played with the kids. It was a very special time. We are so blessed and thank the Lord for our 2 beautiful children, family and friends.

4 months!