The day before Christmas we celebrated with my (Nick’s) family at our house. Everyone brought something to eat and I cooked two beer-butt chickens, which turned out great. We opened presents after dinner and Eisley got a Radio Flyer wagon from my dad and an excerise bouncer from my mom.
On Christmas day we had Courtney’s family over. We ate another traditional meal and then watched the kids open gifts.
The day after Christmas, we went to Brenham to celebrate with Nick’s side of the family. We all met at David and Rhonda’s house and enjoyed a seafood feast. After that we spent hours playing Rook before we headed home.
Some pictures from Christmas 2008:
Dear Eisley,
On November 30th you turned 4 months old. We are a little behind in posting this, but it is only because we have been too busy enjoying you. Life is just so much more fun with you in it and Mommy and Daddy just couldn’t be happier.
It seems as if you are growing and changing each and every day. Daddy sometimes thinks that you get bigger just in the time he is gone to work. You have definitely taken note of your little hands and are getting quite good at grabbing your toys (sometimes it takes a little cross-eyed determination). You have rolled over 3 times so far on your own, always from your tummy to your back, and always rolling to the right. We are working towards getting that roll down completely, but surely don’t want to rush you because once you start moving it will be a whole new adventure (for you AND for us!).
Daddy and I think we have now heard the most wonderful sound in all the world – your laugh. We are eliciting laughter much more easily these days, and sometimes you get quite giggly. It truly is the most wonderful sound because at one point in time, we thought we might never hear that sound in this house.
We had to call the doctor’s office one night because you broke out in a rash and we weren’t sure what to do (silly rookie parents of yours). Mommy took you in for an appointment the next morning and it turns out you have hives but we can’t figure out what caused them. Luckily, they ended up going away on their own after a few days. We took you in for your 4 month check up on December 1st, and you are doing so well. You are 14 pounds 1 ounce, and 25.5 inches long. You are in the 50-75th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for length. You had to get 2 shots at this appointment and you handled it so well. You are a brave little girl. Dr. F. says that you look very healthy and we are scheduled to go back in 2 months for your 6 month checkup.
You have been quite the busy socialite, and have been traveling around town to different events. You have been to first birthday parties for your friends Peyton and Emery, and one for cousin Finley. You also celebrated your first Thanksgiving – once with the Weynands at Aunt J and Bella’s house, once with the Popp’s and Gath’s at Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Mike’s house, and once with some extended family at Great Grandma Popp’s house in Temple. As we head towards Christmas, I think your calendar is still pretty full. Since you are the main attraction in our family of 3, Mommy and Daddy will just have to get used to chauffeuring you around. 
Throughout all of the growing and changing, there is one thing that we are undoubtedly sure of – our lives couldn’t be better. Daddy and I still look at each other when we know you are up in your room sleeping, and say to each other, “We have a baby in there”. Even though we have had 4 months with you, it is still hard to believe our luck. You are a wonderful baby, and an amazement for us to ponder each day. And one thing is for certain…our cheeks haven’t stopped hurting since the day you were born from the smiles that are constantly spread across our faces.
We love you,
Mommy and Daddy
A collection of pictures from November and December, 2008
Random Eisley Pictures
A small collection of Eisley pics.
Lindsay Wilson’s Wedding
Baby Play Day at the Park
Eisley’s New Swing
Janis (one of Nick’s colleagues) gave Eisley this outdoor swing. She’s still a little too small for it.
Peyton Lloyd’s One-Year Birthday Party
We went up to Cedar Park to celebrate our friends Mike and Dianne’s daughter’s birthday.
Thanksgiving at Grandma Popp’s
Mostly pictures of Bryson playing in the leaves.
Finley Gath’s One-Year Birthday Party
Christmas Tree Cutting
We went out to Elgin with the Gath family to get a Christmas tree.
