Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas! We did - spending it with Cody's family Christmas Eve and first thing Christmas morning and then with my family Christmas day. The boys did great and had a blast; you would think playing with their new toys, but no. Jacob had more fun playing with the large boxes and his old toys. Oh well - I know he liked what he got. Later that night, the boys had a special visitor. After delivering all of his gifts, Santa was able to make a special stop at my parents house Christmas night. Aidan obviously could care less. Jacob was a little more sceptical about the big man in red. At least he didn't scream! (Like his mama used to when she was his age and then some . . .) Overall it was a great Christmas and I look forward to next year!

A Christmas Tradition

For the past several years, we get together with my family (The Davis side) and decorate my parents tree. Last night was the night. We celebrated my moms birthday and then had fun decorating the tree. Jacob had more fun pulling the decorations off - but that's OK - he was having fun.

Here is the group! Uncle Doug, Aunt Lorissa, Ang, Aidan, Cody and Jacob

Me helping Jacob put an ornament on the tree - of which he yanked right off!

Aidan's First Christmas

Aidan hanging his very first ornament!

A very special present under the tree . . .

Mommy and Jacob

Me and my boys!

Welcome to the world and welcome home!

After spending 5 days in the NICU, Aidan James Thomas, born on November 30, 2006, has come home!

Aidan made an early entrance into the world at 36 weeks and 6 days due to a condition that I was diagnosed with. The morning of the delivery, it was confirmed that I had Cholestasis - a condition that could be potentially life threatening to the baby. So, being almost "full term", my dr. decided to deliver right away. Aidan joined us at 8:27pm via C-section, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces. Really a pretty good size for a premie! He would have been a big boy if delivered at full term! After spending a couple of days with us in the hospital, they discovered that Aidan had a pneumothorax, or air in his lung. After a couple of days of oxygen and rest, Aidan was cleared to come home. We have been so blessed to have the help of our family and friends during this time of going back and forth to the hospital and taking care of Jacob. We appreciate all of the prayers and support everyone has given us. It has been an emotionally and physically draining time. We just thank God that Aidan is doing well and that we are finally a family at home.

I can't believe it has come and gone!

This past Wednesday, November 15th, we celebrated Jacob's 1st Birthday!! We had family and friends over for a party and Jacob seemed to love being center of attention. We only had one major meltdown - so not too bad. It's amazing how quickly the first year has passed by. I can only imagine how quickly the rest will pass . . .I try so hard to cherish each moment, whether it be in the middle of the day or the middle of the night (which can be hard). It has been so amazing to watch him grow and change over this first year. I am excited to see what year two will bring.

We have a walker!!

I'm not sure at what point do we call it "officially walking". Jacob has been toolin' around with one of his push toys since the ends of August. And watch out, he is quick with it! As of October 30, he started taking 5-6 steps towards someone or something and each day since he has added more and more steps. He's even getting the hang of turning around and regaining balance before he face plants. If he needs to get somewhere quick, his preference is still crawling or his push toy - but it won't be long before those are a distant memory . . .

I have discovered that it is very difficult to get a picture of him walking. You'll just have to trust me that he is walking in these photos and not just standing.

Halloween Fun!

For Jacob's first Halloween, we had fun dressing him up as "T I double Gu R!" I don't think he even had any clue that he was dressed up. He did to seem to have fun going from Nan's house, to Grammie and Papas, to Uncle Les and Aunt Lori's to Farmor and Grandpa's. I just don't think he understood why we saw so many people in one night!

At Nan's house

At Grammie and Papa's house

Helping with the dishes at Farmor and Grandpa's

With Aunt Lori and Cousin Luke

6 weeks and counting . . .

As many of you know, I am going to need to have a C-Section again with Baby Boy #2. Yesterday at my doctors appointment, my doctor set the date. The big day is going to be December 13, 2006 at 7:30am. It still feels so far away and I can't believe that I have 6 more weeks of baby growth! I know that the time will fly by and before we know it, B2 will be in our arms. We are excited and can't wait. Now, only if we can come up with a name . . . .

Weekend at Kamp Keller

We spent the last weekend up north in Heber, AZ with my family at a friends cabin. We had a great time hanging out, hiking, playing games and lots of eating. It was great to be able to wear a sweatshirt and have to sleep with blankets on! We all had a really great time and look forward to doing it again.

The Thomas Family

Mommy, Jacob and B2 at 31 weeks

Jacob discovering what pine needles feel like

Wow, that is a big tree!

Aaagh! I love this stuff!

Daddy and Jacob

I can walk as long as I have my walker with me!

Naked time with Rosco

What a handsome boy!

Surprise, surprise, surprise . . .

And boy was it! I have an awesome husband and would like to share what he did for me. Yesterday,(Thursday) Cody completely surprised me! First, he woke me up with breakfast in bed and the fact that he took the day off to finish planting our winter lawn (so Jacob and I have a nice yard to play in). I thought all of that was great! Little did I know that he had one more surprise up his sleeve - he had scheduled a prenatal massage for me!! It was SO nice. I highly recommend. It was a wonderful and much needed relaxing day. Thanks again Cody!!!

Nutritional Value of Soap

Can anyone out there explain to me why it is that babies/kids will turn their nose up at all sorts of yummy regular food, but when it comes to something like a bar of soap - they dig right in? A few nights back, Jacob, without any reluctance, decided to take a big huge bite. He has never been that quick to pick up a piece of fruit or veggie and taste it. Everything else goes through careful inspection. Not the soap! All of the sudden, I was prying it out of his mouth - teeth clenched around it. For those who might be panicking - no worries, he didn't swallow any of it. And he has slowed down on his soap tastings. It's made by Burt's Bee's . . .they're all natural, right?

Bloom where you are planted . . .

First, I apologize for the length of this blog, not really a way around it . . .

This past Saturday was a very bittersweet day for our family. We spent most of the afternoon hanging out, denying the inevitable - that part of our family would be moving. My Aunt Jane, and her wonderful family, have been giving the opportunity to move to Oklahoma - a dream they have been praying about for 5 years. In the past few months, God opened every door as wide as He could for them. There was no mistaking that this is what He desired for them. So, on Satruday, we all gathered to have one last hoorah and to say good-bye. I tried not to think about it - it was just another family gathering. Then, it was time to go. I thought I could say good-bye quickly, just another normal good-bye. What was I thinking?! I tried to hold back the tears, but they came. I knew it would be hard to say good-bye, it always is. We will miss them so much. As sad as I am to see them leave, I am at peace with seeing them go. Like I said, this has been a dream of theirs for many years and I know that God's hand is in it. I know that they will be a blessing to many people there like they have here in Arizona. One author, Warren Wiersbe, stated it perfectly:

"One of the greatest tragedies in life is wasted opportunity--not making the most of what God has given us. . . Remember, God has planted you where you are that you might be a blessing. He wants you to take deep root. He wants you to bear rich fruit. And if you will draw upon His spiritual power, He will enable you to be a blessing. Bloom where you are planted and bear fruit to the glory of God and the enrichment of others."

We love you Smalley's!!!!!

The Super Smalley Family

All the cousins . . .

Dude, don't let them take me to Oklahoma . . .

Uncle Dan and Caleb

Steve and Caleb

Teresa high atop the fence, far away from Jasper the dog!

Lorissa, Mariah, Krysten and Tanner hanging out on the fence

Mariah taking her turn riding Chocco

Caleb and Jacob wondering, "when's it our turn to ride Chocco?"

Micah and Doug playing it cool!

Doug, Teresa, Riss and Micah playing cards

The first hottie in Jacob's life . . .

Our close friend Amy, and her beautiful daughter Heidi, were in town visiting and joined us at the zoo. The babes loved the water pad at the zoo. We can't wait for the day that Matt, Amy and Heidi are back in town for good.

Our cute boy . . .Jacob

This was taken at the zoo this past week - what a ham!

Trying this out . . .

I thought I would try out blogging . . .this site will mainly be used to brag about our cute little boy and the next one on the way. We'll keep you updated on any fun happenings between Cody and I too. But, then again, not many people want to hear about us. I will attempt to update the blog at least once a week - to keep the Jacob fix going for all the family! I hope you enjoy and don't get too bored with it - I'm not the best at writing - so we'll see how this goes! Enjoy!