Christmas!

We had such a fun, busy Christmas this year! We started off when Brandon's mom, sisters, and grandmother came over and celebrated with us on the 23rd. SuSu got Brandon all the stuff to make homemade pizza and taught him how! Here is Gates (in her new princess dress) cooking with SuSu and Daddy. Alison, Laura and Alan

On Christmas Eve we went over to Carianne and Rodney's house to eat, make gingerbread houses, and have some holiday fun! These two kids LOVED making the houses, and eating the candy!

The completed village!

When we got home we read The Night Before Christmas, got our cookies (oreos) ready for Santa, and went to bed.

It was very hard to get to sleep because of all the anticipation. Gates was sooo concerned with the cookies and where Santa was, and was he bringing treats? She was very excited and pretty darn cute with the whole thing! Alan was pumped up too!

We got up and set the video camera up on a tripod, just in case she went into the living room first before our room. She ended up coming to us first, but we still have the morning on video. It was sooo magical and fun to see her excitement.

Mommy, a new cart!!!!!

She was super excited about every single thing. Even the panties. She just kept saying, "Santa brought me princess panties"

Gates asked for treats. Lots and lots of treats. In her stocking, there was a lot of candy, and so she carried that around, until I hid it a couple of days ago... :)

What's this? Her favorite gift, from her favorite person. Uncle Tucker gave her this book full of starbursts!!

So, after Christmas morning at our house, the 4 of us packed up and went to Granbury. Were Gates had a very special gift and surprise from Grandear. See that door by the toilet? Grandear turned it into a special "little room". She filled it with all sorts of Gatesy's favorite things.

The door opens..

and here we are.... Brandon says its like Anne Frank.

Here is another little pic of the three of us in the special little playroom.

Sunday we went over to MawMaw's house to visit and celebrate again! MawMaw gave Gates this awesome Dora tent, and even got in there and played tent!!! Sadly, I did not take many pics on Sunday...

Gates and Alan both 6 days old

Baby Alan Oakley

Bed Rest

Things are going pretty well on the ol' BR, so far.

I am super duper thankful for my Brandon. He is really being a champ.
I am super duper thankful for my mom. She is really being a caring, loving, mom.
I am super duper thankful for my mother in law, Donna. She is helping us so very much!
And I am super duper thankful that I do not have to sit in my bed too long! I just keep thinking, what if I were only 20 weeks pregnant??? I may very well go insane. I am not one that sits still. I am not one that stays home.

As I lie here, I make little lists of things that need to be done. Doesn't that sound like a charming attribute?? The 3 aforementioned saints have been knocking off the items on the list. Occasionally, I get an eye roll or two (Donna doesn't eye roll). I can't wait to see what they say when I add "put up Christmas tree" to the list.

My Blood Pressure is high. That is what this is all about. A week ago Monday, when I went in for my regular appointment it was elevated, and she said to take it easy. She told me to call if my face or hands had intense swelling, if I got headaches, or if I was nauseous. Well, my face blew up like a balloon, so I called. I would post a picture of it here, but I am no idiot. It could be used to blackmail me for years to come!!!! Let's just say it was horrifying.

It could be much worse, because when I was in the office Wed, she ran some tests, and told me that if they did not come back favorable, then I was going to go have the baby that day! The tests came back normal, so I was able to remain home! I go back Monday, and will find out the little dude's birthday!

Gatesy's Second Haircut

Uncle Peyton and Gates

Uncle Tucker and Gates
Dee Dee brought Gates a big sister gift. She is loving this baby, which she has named Baby Dear, after her favorite book. Although the first time I asked her the baby's name it was Oakley.