The last 2 weeks of December shifted quickly, bringing family plans, last‑minute changes, and a stretch of days that asked for flexibility, steadiness, and a sense of humor as we moved through it all.
So Rob got a call from his Dad on Sunday night, Dec 14th saying he had sold his house in Huntsville, TX and so he his wife (Rob’s step mom; Pam) were headed to Auburn the day after next to look for a house to either buy or rent. In all honesty, this was terrible timing with LA coming to stay with us on Wednesday through the next Monday. However, with family you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and make the best of it! We didn’t know how long they’d be here, because it just all depended on them finding a place to live in January after their house closes.
December 18
LA’s parents finally took their first vacation since she’s been born and we were so blessed to be the ones to get to keep her while they were gone. She wakes up and is just singing and talking. I hear her and see her on the baby monitor just playing. I go in there to get her up and she greets me with a smile. It’s the BEST!
Here’s LA with Rob’s step mom.
Got to hang out with big guy too. He’s a little less enthusiastic until we say “walk!”
December 18
Got my hair cut! It’s a little shorter than I wanted, but it will grow back. No biggie! It actually looks longer in the photo.
December 20
On Friday, I went to LA’s Christmas Party at her school. Santa came. He was a really cool looking Santa.
December 20
Having LA stay with us for a few days while her parents were gone gave me a sense of freedom (besides keeping her on her schedule). I was so excited to get to bring her to my work and show her off as well as Rob’s office on another day. My coworker gave her this Ralph and its now her favorite thing to play with when I change her diaper. She brought it downstairs one morning.
December 21
Rob headed out early to work the church services. LA and I were able to stick with her morning routine because I ended up skipping Sunday school so he could get her morning nap in. Here we are about to load up the car and go to worship.
That afternoon, we took our niece and nephew (K-12 only) out for their Christmas present outing. I’m going to write a post about that soon.
December 22
On Monday, I finally got some time to do a quick little photo session with LA for her 1st Christmas
That evening her parents got back and Alex also came over to hang out. We ended up going to eat at Baumhower’s for dinner.
December 23
Tuesday morning I went back to the dr as I was so sick again. Maybe I never got over it completely from Thanksgiving. In fact I was so sick, I almost cancelled Christmas Eve dinner that I’m in charge of. After the steroid shot, I started feeling better so I started prepping everything.
Drew and fam came over and he ended up cooking fajitas for us on the Blackstone. Yummy!
December 24
Christmas Eve day was busy. I was finishing prepping dinner for that night as well as the dumplin’s for in the morning. I ended getting a prescription for an antibiotic after result came back that I had a bacterial upper respiratory infection.
December 25
Christmas was great! I’ll be sharing a post with tons of pics soon.
December 28
The Saturday after Christmas we drove down to Tampa with our niece and her friend for her senior cruise. Sunday we got on the ship!
By the time the month wrapped up, what stayed with me most were the small joys, the full days, and the moments that reminded me how much can unfold at once and how much we’re capable of carrying.
She seems like such a happy baby. That must have thrown you for a loop to get company on such short notice!