The stockings were hung

Twas the night before Christmas when Chris, Becky and Baby A drove all the way to Panhandle. They hurried as fast as they could to beat Santa and luckily he was running late because they arrived just in time to put on their Christmas jammers and snuggle into bed. As sugar plums danced in their heads Santa dropped off all the presents. Now Sprout being so excited about Christmas couldn't let Becky and Chris sleep in. Oh no, 6 am was time for her to wake and get into her gifts! As Grandma helped her rip open her presents one by one she was inordinately amused with all the wrapping and ribbon! It must have been wonderful or she must have been hungry because Sprout tasted it all! As the family gathered around the table for Christmas dinner they all said a prayer and blessed the day they had been given.

The days flew by with plenty of La Fiesta and Villa! Ava enjoyed her time with Murr and Dandy so much she just couldn't help but giggle. She was all smiles and laughs with all her new toys and her gift wrap. Becky and Chris just grinned as they listened to her snicker and Grandma exclaimed, "What a beautiful noise!"

Now it was off to Brownwood for more Christmas cheer! Sprout was excited for her Mimi and more presents to eat! Ava now has enough toys for 2 years and more clothes then Chris! For her 1st Christmas Baby A also received an unexpected gift. Her first tooth! So for plenty of good luck Becky served Sprout up some black eyed peas. She was weary at first taste but then was eager for more!

With Ava eating real food and having plenty of new toys she was ready to move forward! She decided to go house hunting for a new home in Brownwood. Of course Becky and Chris followed behind but there has been no one to catch the eye. Sprout promises to keep looking because soon she will be ready to crawl out of Dallas!

A family affair

Baby Ava joined the family around the Thanksgiving table for the first time on Thursday. Grandma held her tight while Becky and Chris enjoyed the feast. Murr and Dandy were both so awe struck at Sprout's beauty they could hardly take their eyes off of her to eat. Forget about the Cowboy's winning, Sprout was the biggest hit of the day! The whole family fought over who got to hold her next, but in the end all she wanted was her mom and dad to hold her tight so she could sleep safe and sound in their arms. What a precious baby! As the day turned into night Becky and Chris had to get Ava home to her bed, but everyone was sad to see them go or at least sad to see Sprout go. All in all it was a beautiful Thanksgiving and they couldn't be more thankful this year for all the wonderful moments they have together.

After a long beating

Last night the Red Raiders were sadly and harshly beaten by the nasty Sooners. As Sprout watched in horror she became very upset! Becky and Chris were of no use trying to console her since they themselves were crying at the embarrassing and upsetting football game of the season. Baby Ava was tired of seeing her favorite team get picked on so she decided to head off to dream land. Becky and Chris soon followed behind her. As the sun came creeping through the bedroom window Becky squinted to see the clock. 6:30! No way, she thought, it can't be! Sprout had slept all night and was still sleeping! She then quickly rolled over to check and make sure her precious baby was still breathing. As she watched her chest rise and fall she smiled and slowly drifted back to sleep.

In the beginning

In the beginning Baby Ava wanted to show Becky and Chris who was running the show. She started off with a giant temper tantrum to scare all the neighbors for miles, but luckily Mimi was there to save the day. Sprout soon learned how to get her way around the house and that she did, all the time. Everyone thought Sprout was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen and those words made a little halo appear over her little head. Then she would suddenly make the most odorous noise creating a gas chamber for anyone standing too close! Baby A was definitely not as lady like as she looked. This tiny girl could create a mess so big you would wonder how it all fit inside her!

As for her eating habits, the girl can put down some milk! She was eating every 2 hours on the dot and consumed enough in a day to feed a miniature horse (or so it seemed for Becky). Although Becky was blessed to have the opportunity to stay home with Sprout for 3 whole months, now it was Chris's turn. Daddy Day Care was about to commence! Little did Baby A know her dad was going to put her to work. They started training early and often! Then one day Becky arrived home and Ava Claire was showing off her new moves on the floor mat. Chris had taught her how to do push-ups! As Baby A lifted her wobbly head off the floor she looked around and smiled at her accomplishment. She couldn't have had prouder parents at that moment.