Today is John Curtis's first birthday. As I think back on this time last year, I am so thankful for him and the joy he brings to our family. This time last year was a crazy time. San Angelo was without water including the hospital I was supposed to deliver in. Thankfully we were able to go to another hospital as the dr. didn't want to wait to induce. John Curtis was not growing at the rate he was expected to and I worried that there would be developmental problems. He came out a tiny 5 pounds, 13 ounces, but was so perfect.
He has come a long way in the last year as he is now over 20 pounds, healthy and
happy. He is walking all over the house, playing with everything he can get his hands on. His favorite (and pretty much only) word is uh-oh which he says as he throws things across the room, including his food. This is something we have not
been able to break him of. He loves balls and climbing on things. He tries to play with his sister when she lets him and laughs a lot. Overall, John Curtis is a joy!
We went to story time at the library this morning as we do every Wednesday. All of the kids sang Happy Birthday to him and he wasn't sure what to make of that. We went out to lunch with Dad and had friends over for dinner tonight. The Peacocks have a son Caleb who is 4 and Connor who turned one in November. The kids enjoyed playing together and eating cupcakes. I made homemade mac n cheese since that is John Curtis's favorite. He ate it by the fists full. He had a fun first birthday.
We got to Texarkana around 5:00 on Christmas night. We opened MORE presents and had a great dinner. The kids really enjoyed being in Texarkana. Uncle Erick was there with his dog, Ellie. John Curtis couldn't get enough of her. In the mornings he would navigate his way past the chairs and couch cushions that had been set up to keep Ellie in the sun room where Erick was sleeping. He would go over to her and squeal with delight. Uncle Erick didn't get the sleep as late as he would have liked most mornings.
Christmas morning was a fun time. John Curtis got a play cube and a stocking full of goodies from Santa. Sophie got a washing machine and some dress up shoes. After we opened our presents, we got in the car and headed for Texarkana. We stopped half way in Weatherford at my parents' house for lunch and were in Texarkana by dinnertime.
Sophie woke up very excited on Christmas Eve morning. We made cookies for Santa and then our friends, the Waltons, came over for a yummy lunch. It was good to spend the afternoon with friends since neither of us were able to be with our families. We went to the Christmas Eve service at 5:30. Sophie walked in with the rest of the kids and put her rice bowl full of change at the manger at the front of the church. When she came to sit down she asked me, "Where is Baby Jesus?" She has been asking a lot of good questions about Him during the Christmas season. One night we were talking about how He died on the cross to take away the bad things we do. She said she wasn't going to do bad things anymore so He wouldn't have to die. Christmas Eve was a special time at church. Taylor had to stay for the 7:00 service, so I went home with the kids and got John Curtis in bed. Then Sophie and I read Christmas books, put reindeer food out on the lawn, and set cookies out for Santa. When Taylor got home we lit our advent candles and read the Christmas story. Of course I had to end the evening by reading The Night Before Christmas.
Today is John Curtis's first birthday. As I think back on this time last year, I am so thankful for him and the joy he brings to our family. This time last year was a crazy time. San Angelo was without water including the hospital I was supposed to deliver in. Thankfully we were able to go to another hospital as the dr. didn't want to wait to induce. John Curtis was not growing at the rate he was expected to and I worried that there would be developmental problems. He came out a tiny 5 pounds, 13 ounces, but was so perfect.
happy. He is walking all over the house, playing with everything he can get his hands on. His favorite (and pretty much only) word is uh-oh which he says as he throws things across the room, including his food. This is something we have not 
been able to break him of. He loves balls and climbing on things. He tries to play with his sister when she lets him and laughs a lot. Overall, John Curtis is a joy!
