And Baby Makes Four?

Well what a difference a couple of weeks and a visit from Aunt Jerris makes.  Item #1 - Teddy has been located!  Daddy found him sleeping comfortably (buried and smashed) in the far corner of Lauren's sleeping bag.   Whew.  That was a stressful couple of days.

Item #2 - Aunt Jerris and family came to visit Valentine's weekend and Lauren had a very calculated plan by which to get her Aunt to buy her her first American Girl doll.   We all agreed...She's too young.  It's not yet her birthday.  This is a BIG deal.  Will she appreciate it.?  And what about the very large expense?  One look at these cute cheeks and all reasoning went out the door, so off to  the doll store we went.

The "doll of the year" is named Grace Thomas and she works in a bakery in France.  

So it was very important to first get into character.

Then, hug everyone in the family with excitement.  This might get you more stuff!

Aunt Jerris explained to the sales person that this was a very big decision for such a little girl, so we started out with four potential candidates.  How to choose?

Down to two!

We found the perfect doll.  

Not only does she live in Paris (where Aunt Jerris promises to take Lauren when she turns 18), but she looks quit a bit like Lauren and her last name is "Thomas".  

What could be better?

Packing up to go home with Grace Thomas (and an accessory or two, or four)...

The bag is bigger than Lauren. That's a good day of shopping!

We could't get home fast enough.  Lauren told her Aunt "I'm amped up!"

Sharing the fun with Cousin Sam.

Best day ever!  Thank you Aunt Jerris.  Lights out.

She's a little runaway

As we continue to scour (and I mean SCOUR) our house for Teddy, Aunt Coni suggested that I may want to look in all of our suitcases.  Reason being that the last time Teddy went missing, he was found in Bryon's suitcase as Lauren wanted Teddy to travel with her Dad.

So as I'm looking in the very back of Lauren's closet today, I came across a new suitcase that clearly was packed to the rims.

Rewind to last month, when I continuously asked Lauren where all of her underwear had gone as we were down to only a few pairs.  "Lauren, where are the brand new Frozen panties that Aunt Jerris gave you for Christmas?"  "Rebecca, do you have extra pairs of Lauren's panties at your house by chance?"  "Lauren, we are going to have to go and buy some new panties this weekend as I have no idea where they have all gone."

Back to present day, and although Teddy is still missing, 9 pairs of panties, 6 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, and 3 pairs of socks have been found.

Clearly she is planning to run away when we least expect it!

MISSING

When you first become a parent your smart-parent friends will tell you "If your child has a favorite blanket or stuffed animal that goes with them everywhere, comforts them in times of need, and that they must sleep with every night, then get TWO of them".  Because inevitably on a cold winter's night, when it's late, and time for your child to go to bed, that favorite item will go...

That's right.  Teddy has been missing for the standard 48 hours and now we're sending out a search team around the Thomas house to find him.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we find him before another sleepless night.  The reward is getting bigger!

We love you...

As many of you know, this past six months has had many ups and downs as we continue to navigate parenting our little firecracker.  I had no idea how true this description would be when we posted our first blog entry after her birth on July 3rd, 2010.  But for every challenge, I see a strong and beautiful girl growing in front of us and know that these are the things I want to remember.  For they are the very things that make you YOU and we wouldn't have it any other way.

I love that you have no regard for making a mess or picking up your toys.

I love that you wear the same pink Crocs everyday, even though you have ten other pairs of shoes.

I love that you are dressing yourself, despite the fashion statement it might make.

I love that you hate having your hair brushed, but want long, blond hair like a princess.

I love that your little body is sensitive to cold, water, lotion and loud noises (unless it's a song you like).

I love that you come into our bed every night, even though you aren't invited.

I love that you hate all of our favorite foods:  Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti, Hamburgers and Tacos.

I love that I never know which "Lauren" is going to show up that day.

I love that you are honest enough to tell everyone how you are feeling even when it's not appropriate.

I love that you truly believe you are the center of the world.

I love that you call angels "fairies" and that you believe in fairy dust.

I love that you move from one activity to another in five minutes flat.

I love that you put a Hallmark "Frozen" card under your pillow for God.

I love that you are resilient enough to face any sort of challenge headed your way.

I love that you can't wait for Opus to pass away so that you can get a Guinea Pig.  Well, I don't really love that!

I love that you can take the simplest of things, and somehow make them an event.

I just love you.

We love you our little bug face

We love you our little camper

We love you our little coffee shop poet

We love you our little Veternarian (or as Lauren says "Vegetarian")

Christmas in January

Okay, okay. Yes it's been 36 days since Christmas.  And yes, I'm continuing to fail on the blog updates, but today marks a new commitment to keeping everyone up-to-date on the adventures of the "T3 Family" - that's me, Bryon and Lauren by the way.

Christmas this year was truly magical.  I'd always been told how fun the age of four was at Christmas, but I had no idea how much.  The best part was just how much she BELIEVES and how much joy she got out of the smallest things.  From the Elf on the Shelf, to the reindeer food we placed outside, to Santa coming down the chimney, it's simply best gift a parent can get.

Speaking of gifts, we were surrounded by wonderful family, great food, and have recently purchased additional storage for all of Lauren's gifts.  Thank you all!

Let's start the day off with matching jammies everyone!

Off to open our stocking.  

Who knew colored hair braids could be such a hit?

Now on for the good stuff.  A present as big as she is...

And 2 hours later, poor Uncle John has the life-size present put together.

Our Christmas Blessing tending to the misfit dolls that Santa left behind.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas is one week away, and one pint-sized person couldn't be more excited!  Every year gets more fun with her as she truly "believes" and brings back many wonderful Christmas memories to our family.

Here we are working through our Christmas checklist...

Toured the neighborhood Christmas lights.

The Elf on the Shelf has been flying to and from the North Pole for over a month (bribary at its finest).

Lauren and Daddy made the perfect gingerbread house.

Went and told Santa all about the Barbie Boat we want.

We also told Santa, we are ready to get moved up to the "Nice List".

Snow is on the way.

Decorations up.

Stockings hung.

Family arrives next week.

We are ready Santa. Come quickly!

Love the hair for proper gingerbread decorating!  One pony tail in. One pony tail out.

Who would believe we've been a tad bit naughty this year?

Santa, can you bring my Mom a trip to the local shoe store

so I don't have to wear pink crocs with my holiday dress?

Happy Gotcha Day!

Four years ago, on December 3, we officially became a family by the state of Texas although we were already one deep in our hearts.  "Gotcha Day" is such a fun day to be thankful for how far we've come, to forget the challenges that we've faced as parents to this beautiful child, and to just celebrate being brought together.

With balloons and a fruit bouquet, a princess cake (apparently Mom picked out the same one we had for Lauren's fourth birthday - sigh!), and a fun filled evening at Chuck E Cheese, we played and ate and laughed.  Until we passed out!  Our little family of three...Perfect, complicated and just as it should be.