The Rawlings Family

Thursday, December 11, 2008

My Christmas Cookie

Toddlerhood is giving way to some pretty fun activities for the Rawlings household. Shawn is now at an age where he can be of some "help" in the kitchen with decorating Christmas cookies. My grandmother wanted to be there for his 1st culinary experience so with the limited time that we had she purchased some "preformed" dough shapes that we could pop in the oven without the mess and decorate ourselves. (We do plan on making some home made cookies later on in the week when Daddy can be involved.)

Watch out Rachel Ray... Shawn Rawlings is coming to town!

Landon getting in on the action.

Decorating with Nanny. She sure got a kick out of Shawn trying to eat all the sprinkles and dumping the sugar crystals all over the plates.

Taste Testing

This sprinkle just wasn't in the right spot.

We need more sugar Mom!

Our cookie for Daddy.

The verdict: Yum Yum!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Blankies

When Shawn was born friends and relatives flocked with handmade blankets for our 1st born. And as I guess is usually the case with 2nd borns, Landon didn't have a single handmade blanket. So I decided since my sewing skills are non existent that I was going to find a way to make him a blanket from Mommy. I finished his a few months ago. Well, it got the better of me that I made one for Landon, so I needed to make one for Shawn as well. Tonight I finally got around to making it.

So here are the boys and their blankets... Made with Love from Mommy :)

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Joy to the World

And what a Joy he is in our world. This son of ours amazes us every single day with his funny sayings, cute faces, and ever growing knowledge of the world around him.

Last night we were watching Shrek the Halls as a family before bedtime. Shawn has the pop up book that goes with the movie and he was leafing through it as the movie played. One of the pages has an advent calendar on it and he was reading off some of the numbers in the teens. "Seventeen. Fourteen. Eighteen." He came across 11 and hesitated. Glancing over at me with a puzzled look, he stated "One Teen." Now that is smart logic for a 2 year old who momentarily forgot the name "eleven."

Tonight, Shawn was coloring a few pages of an alphabet book in his high chair as I was giving Landon his bed time bottle. I took Landon out into the kitchen to give Shawn a goodnight kiss and as their faces met huge strings of drool landed on Shawn's nose and mouth. A look of dread came over his poor little face. "Tissue for the dribble spit." he says to me in disgust. See, Daddy calls Landon "Dribble Spit" because he is by far one of the drooliest children we've ever seen. Poor Shawn wanted something to wipe up all that "dribble spit" that was coating a good portion of his face.

It is my wish that everyone has joy in their worlds... joy like our sons bring to us.

Playing his musical Christmas toys to GiGi on the phone.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Six

Can you believe it? My baby is 6 months old! Seriously now, where did all this time go. It was just summer time and Shawn was hitting those terrible twos as his new baby brother entered his life. Now fast forward 6 months and Shawn is speaking some sentences, and Landon almost crawling. Every moment enjoyed... and every moment treasured.

A few photographs to celebrate my little red head's 1/2 birthday which was December 4th, 2008.

Isn't she lovely?

Lovely is the perfect word to describe my sister, Tearsa.

"Everything happens for a reason." That is a saying that I have come to not only believe, but actually understand. My sister and I met just over 6 years ago. (I know, that sentence is confusing... but it is a long, LONG family story.) She and I have always shared in the fact that we dislike the time that was lost as sisters growing up together... the pajama parties, truth and dare, make up, teasing, cat fights, etc. However, we also share in the fact that we are fortunate to know each other now and build a friendship that has grown into sisterhood. Something that is to be treasured for a lifetime.

Just as wonderful as having a sister is having an Aunt for my children. For Shawn, she is someone to learn from and act silly with. For Landon, she has the love and hugs like Mommy, but the ability to hand him over for diaper changes ;)

Family means everything to me. I am privileged to have such a <3 lovely <3 sister.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Santa Claus is coming... to town!

Year number three and we are 2 for 3 in the "Not Crying for Santa" game. To our very big surprise Shawn was EXCITED to see Santa this year. The whole way to the mall he was bawling "Santa, Mall, Santa, Mall." I reassured him numerous times that "Yes hunny, we are going to the mall to see Santa." Still, nothing could stop those flow of tears like actually SEEING the mall and that we were headed for the front doors where he spied Santa off in the distance.

Last year the moment Santa was in sight, the tantrum started. I believe Jon and I tried 10 times to get a picture with at least a smirk instead of open mouthed screams. To our embarrassment the two ladies working the camera at Santa's chair remembered Shawn and laughed when they saw us coming! Both ladies were in shock that Shawn went right up to Santa and that I could place him right on that jolly old man's lap. How could they possibly have remembered our precious little boy out of the thousands of children they photograph sitting on Santa's lap?!

Landon on the other hand did not do what his brother has done for the past 3 years. He did not smile... as was Shawn's 1st Christmas (and thankfully this Christmas)... he did not cry or scream... as was Shawn's 2nd Christmas. He did nothing but look around at all the lights, people, and crazy ladies shaking bells to get his attention.

Surprisingly, we were able to get two pretty decent photos... one of the two kiddos together and one of Landon for his 1st Christmas with Santa.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

The Rawlings Family Christmas Tree is now up on display! Despite poor Daddy not feeling too well, we all worked together to hang the ornaments while listening to cheerful Christmas music. It was fun this year for Shawn because he could help hang a few ornaments (with the assistance of Mom and Dad.) The look on our sons faces as the tree lit up the room is something Jon and I will never forget. This truly is a *magical* time of year.