Almost 2 months without blogging and this is what I post first?????

We have been Elfed! Click here and Merry Christmas!!!!!

11 months....

So in just a few short days we will be celebrating Savannah's 1st birthday. I can hardly believe that a year ago she wasn't here yet. She is growing so quickly. She has outgrown the shoes we bought her two months ago and they were too big when we bought them! She is climbing the stairs, cutting two more teeth, holding her own with her big brother, saying a few words, and trying to walk. Of course the latest is her first stomach bug - a first I would gladly do without. Below are the pictures I took of her at 11 months. Once again she and Cole would not cooperate at the same time. You can really see her dimple in the close ups! And she comes by that scrunched up nose naturally!!!!

Favorite Pen

I have had lots of favorite pens in my life. Currently my favorite is my dollar store pen. It is just the right size so that I don't get hand cramp when I right with it. It is blue ink and has a yellow highlighter on top. It twists open so there is no cap to mess with (except for over the highlighter). I love my dollar store pen!

My Five Factor Personality Test Results

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion. You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party. Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences. But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Savannah's 10 month pictures...very, very, late

So here are the 10 month pics. They are very late. I did take them on time, I just haven't gotten them posted. In just a couple of days I will be taking the 11 month pics so I thought it was about time to put them on here. I guess I wasn't in too much of a hurry because they really aren't very good pictures. Cole was in no mood to have his picture taken and Savannah wouldn't sit still for 2 seconds. Anyway, here they are...Savannah, Cole, and "the chair"...

Behind in my blogging...a month in review...

I realized that it has been a while since I posted much of anything. Over the last few weeks we have spent A Day Out with Thomas, Nana & Pawpaw came for a short visit, Savannah learned how to do the touchdown sign, we went to a retreat with our youth group, Savannah learned to climb - EVERYTHING, and we spent a morning at the zoo where Savannah really got to see the animals for the first time. Cole and Savannah are really starting to play and have fun together too! It is so much fun to watch them laugh and play. Below are some pictures from our recent adventures (with a few just for fun ones thrown in)...

Favorite Laundry Detergent

I love All liquid laundry detergent - the original scent formerly known as Surf. It just smells so fresh and clean. I love putting clothes in the dryer after they have been washed in it. I have been washing all of our clothes in All Free & Clear ever since Cole was born and have reserved yummy smelling detergent for just our sheets and towels because when I was little I was very sensitive to laundry detergent and my mom had to wash all my stuff in Purex so I am trying to avoid yucky skin stuff with my children. Anyway, I decided that today was the day to at least wash mine and Matt's clothes in yummy smelling laundry detergent again. Call me crazy, but it smells GOOD!!!!

Also, All has there 3x concentrated version of detergent that is bottled in smaller plastic bottles with the same great smelling cleaning punch! Check out their website for how it helps the environment!

For All the Alabama Fans I Love...

Favorite Elementary School Teacher

I went to 5 different Elementary Schools in 3 different states in 6 years. I don't even remember most of my teachers' names. But for the first half of 3rd grade my teacher was Mrs. Guy. I don't remember a whole lot about her, but she is the one who taught me that peanut butter is really good on apples! She was also very kind. I remember that she was probably in her 50s when she taught my class and she was taking piano lessons. I thought that was really neat. She even participated in a recital. I don't remember much about my school lessons from her, but I do remember the simple way she taught life lessons.

What crayon are you?

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors.
You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself.
Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming.
Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships.

Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What crayon are you?

I am cracking up that Mindy & I are color wheel opposites!!!! :)

Favorite Cartoon I Watched as a Kid...

My favorite cartoon I watched as a kid was the Smurfs. I loved the little blue guys and all the mischief they got into. I wish cartoons were still like that!



Alvin & the Chipmunks come in a close second!

Favorite Candy That has Chocolate In It

I love Reese's peanut butter cups! I especially like the holiday versions (Easter eggs, Christmas trees, etc.) because they have extra peanut butter. I LOVE peanut butter!! I also like the white chocolate and dark chocolate varieties. I don't care so much for the kinds that have all the extra stuff - crispy wafer, crunchy peanut butter, etc. - I like plain old creamy peanut butter covered in chocolate!! YUMMMMMM.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM/GRAM GRAM!!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear Mama/Gram Gram
Happy Birthday to you!!!!
And MANY more.......

More things Cole has said recently...

(Stopping at a stoplight)

Cole: "GO GO GO GO"
Me: "Cole, we have to wait our turn."
Cole: "My turn, my turn, MY TURN!"
Me: "No we have to wait for the light to turn green."
Cole: "MY TURN!"
(Light turns green and we proceed through intersection)
Me: "Cole now it's our turn."
Cole: "(S)top, (s)top, (s)top Mama."

• "Await now." (Awake now.)
• Regarding the zit on my chin - "Mama boo-boo. Fall Down. Hurt."
• "No nap."
• "No eat. Play now."
• "Mama ree boot." (Mama read book.)
• "Eat more."
• Regarding the car Matt usually drives, "Daddy car."
• Regarding the car I usually drive, "Cole car."
  

And my new favorite......

When he completes a frustrating task, such as putting the covers back on the armrests of his car seat or turning the light in the bathroom on,
"Got it myself!"

Favorite Thing About Fall

Since I don't think Fall is ever going to arrive, I thought I would let you know what I am missing most. My favorite thing about fall is the crispness in the air. I love the way it makes it "feel" like football. I am really ready for the air to feel crisp instead of my grass!!!!

What can happen when you are blogging and your baby is very sleepy but will not lay down for a nap

All of a sudden it got very quiet. I turned around and this is what I saw. She is just too cute!!!

Proof that I didn't leave her in the exersaucer

Over the mountains and through the woods...

We spent a few days at my parents house this weekend. It was so great to see them and so hard to leave. I really do wish we could live closer to them. Anyway, we had a great time while we were there. Mom & I got to spend some time together just the two of us and that was really nice. We got to eat the best pizza and wings at one of our favorite local restaurants. We drove up to Blowing Rock and had a picnic and some of the yummiest ice cream I have ever had. Cole had a great time playing at the park with Papa and Gram Gram. We got to spend an evening with my Uncle Chris and Aunt Beth and a little bit of time with my cousin Taylor. Cole got very attached to each of them and has been talking about them ever since (it probably helps that Taylor handed some old toys down to him that he loves -- Thank you Taylor!) Mom helped me start making a dress for Savannah that I am going to finish sewing on my own. I will post a picture of it when it is done. All in all it was a wonderful little vacation - it just went by too fast. Here are some pics from our trip!

This is the best nap couch in the whole world. Savannah has now gotten that wonderful nap experience.

Playing with Papa

Cole climbing...this was so out of character for him ---HAHAHA!

Picnic at a park in Blowing Rock

Looking at the fish at "Chris and Bess (Beth)" house.

Want to know what Savannah will probably look like when she is older? My cousin Taylor is holding her in this picture. We looked at some of Taylor's baby pictures while we were there and there is a definite resemblance between these two.

Papa trying to feed Savannah applesauce.

"MMMMM...So Gooooood! Thanks cousin Ben for leaving some strawberry applesauce for me!"

Cole was so good in the car on the way home. Portable DVD players and naps are wonderful!

A good little traveler.

Favorite College Football Team

WoooPigSooie! Go Razorbacks!! Or as Cole would say "Wooooo Pig Soo Soo!! Go Azorbacks!" I am so proud of him. Savannah is learning to call the hogs too!!

If I can ever get my videos to post I will put one on here of the kids "callin' the hogs". It is so funny!!

3 years and counting...

Three years ago today I married my best friend. Who knew so much could happen in 3 years?

InfantSEE - Free Eye Exam for Children in their first year of Life

http://www.infantsee.org/

I just recently found out about a national public health program that offers free comprehensive eye exams to children once during their first year of life. I took Savannah today and she has perfectly healthy eyes. I only wish I had known about this before Cole turned one. Our pediatrician recommended an optometrist to us. Click on the above link for more info and to locate a doctor.

Recent things Cole has said...

Me: "What is your whole name?"
Cole: "Mattew Cole No No!"

Conversations with Cole are hilarious these days. His vocabulary and personality are growing everyday. Here are a few things he has said recently...

1. To the tune of the Alphabet song "O, P, O, P, O, P, O, P, R, S, T, EW, V, DOUBLE, X, Y, Z, sing with me -- Cole..."
2. While changing his teddy bears diaper "More wipe, Gross, Dry Now."
3. While eating pretty much anything, "MMMMMMMMMMMMM (head shake), SO GOOD!!"
4. "Help, Pease"
5. "Hey Mama"
6. "Too loud!!!"
7. During a dirty diaper change, "Cole tinks, Cole tinks"
8. "Wooooooo, Pig Soo Soo"
9. "My turn, my turn, MY TURN"
10. "Va-Va" - His version of Savannah

Cole's ER Debut & the Kindness of Strangers

At 11:00 this morning Cole, Savannah, & I were making our way into Wal-Mart. About 5 ft. from the front door Cole tripped and fell. From the sound that was made as his head hit the concrete, I knew I didn't really want to see the right side of his forehead nor did I have any idea what I was going to do with Savannah who I was carrying in my left arm. At about the instant I decided I was just going to have to set her down on the ground, a mother with her small child came out of Wal-Mart with a cart full of stuff and asked what she could do. So she held Savannah for me while I took a good look at Cole. As expected he had a GIGANTIC goose egg above his right eye. Another mother had come up behind us and offered her help as well. She went in and got an entire bag of ice for us. A man who had been standing outside Wal-Mart put some ice in a Wal-Mart bag for us so I could hold it on Cole's head. Cole didn't really want the ice, but I was able to hold it on there a little. I quickly called the doctor's office to find out if I should go to see our pediatrician or head to the ER. They said go to the closest ER so that is what we did. The mom who was holding Savannah carried her to the car for me while pushing her cart and buckled her into her car seat while I got Cole into his car seat. Luckily the closest ER is only about 5 min. from Wal-Mart and was not busy at all so we were able so go right back. Matt was able to meet us there shortly after we arrived. Cole is fine and we will just have to watch him closely for a couple of days. He was lucid and acting normal through everything. We will go see our pediatrician for a follow-up in a couple of days. Thank you so much to all of the "strangers" who helped us. I did not hold it together quite as well as this little narrative sounds and if each of those people had not been there to help me I am not sure what I would have done. God really does provide for our every need!!

Here are some pictures of the "boo-boo". Within 2 hours of the fall we were home and watching Veggie Tales. The swelling is already much better than it was. Cole is dancing in circles, jumping, and climbing as usual. Children bounce back so quickly!

Favorite Color

My favorite color is purple...bet you couldn't tell that from my blog's new color scheme!!!!!

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Savannah sat here so patiently while I got caught up on my blog, I decided to let her do a post of her own. What do you think???

Security Larry

Before Cole was born I thought he would one day have a "blankie". I assumed that of all the beautiful baby blankets he had received, that he would have a special one that he would want all the time. Just recently Cole has picked his security item. It took a lot longer than I thought it would and it is not one of his beautiful baby blankets. It is Larry the Cucumber. Larry does everything with us. He eats meals with us (in a bib and buckled into a booster seat), he goes to the grocery store, restaurants and church, he goes to the potty and is present for baths. Larry is very much a part of the Moss family now. I must say that it is nice that Larry is so agreeable with me about naptime and bedtime. Larry wanting to go "night-night" makes Cole much more enthusiastic about it too!

Doughtie/Moss Family Night

So Mindy and I have been trying to find a time to get our families together for what seems like forever. We finally did it last weekend. Here are some of the pictures of the kids. I apologize for the funny camera angle. I was attempting to be artisitc...ATTEMPTING!!

"Mom, why did you dress me like her????" - Hannah

Aren't they sweet???

Going in for the steal...

"Mama, Daddy, do you know what Cole & Hannah are doing...gross!" - Savannah