growing rhamy family

1.02.2013

December happenings

Since I am just now getting all caught up on blogging (well, trying anyway!) I will throw all of our December events into one. December was filled concerts, dinners, playdates, and parties!

I couldn't have started off the month better than seeing Jake Owen. He has been quite the obsession of mine lately considering I got two of his CDs for Xmas and they are playing constantly in my car. Jenna and I went to see him in a very small venue in Des Moines. As most of you know, I LOVE going to concerts. I knew once I heard that he was coming to town and playing at Val Air that this probably wouldn't happen again because he is getting big pretty quick. It was a great show. It started off with Florida Georgia Line, followed up with Love and Theft and the finale Jake Owen. He is quite the entertainer. He dances a lot on stage and really interacts with everyone. Definitely worth baring the heat that filled the place. We eventually made our way to close to the front. I would do it all over again!

great view!

love her!

The next weekend was followed up with yet another concert. This one was Carrie Underwood. I had bought these tickets for my mother and I back in May for her birthday and was very excited to see her in concert. Unfortunately Carrie was losing her voice, so she said she was about 50% (which I thought she sounded awesome for the most part!). She announced during the concert that she had felt guilty about losing her voice and that whatever profit she was making from the event she was going to donate back into the community, which I thought was very classy and honorable. It was a great concert as well. She had about 5 costume changes and I loved every single one! Hunter Hayes opened up so it kind of felt a little bit like a Beiber concert at the beginning because all the young girls were swooning over him:). I had a good time with you MOM!

My pretty Mom

The following night my mom played babysitter while Josh and I went to the Narcotics Christmas Party for the PD. We had missed a couple previous years so we were glad we were able to go this year. They had a white elephant exhange after eating dinner at Raccoon River. It was fun to see everyone and also meet some of the new investigators. After dinner we headed downtown for a couple cocktails and then home to see our little boy!

date night

The next week I had dinner with a couple girls that I don't see as often as I would like to, Sarah and Allison. Sarah has a little boy named Conner a few months younger than Bo, and Allison is expecting a baby girl any day now! I was so glad to catch up with them and see Conner. I can't wait to meet baby Davis!

what a cutie

Another good friend of mine, Amanda, had her first baby on November 30th. Amanda had the same due date as me so it was fun to follow her pregnancy. They did not find out the sex so I couldn't wait to see if I guessed right (a boy). After her husband, Greg, showed Josh and I the 3D ultrasound we both guessed right away that it was a boy and we were right! Baby Aiden Gregory is so handsome and petite (like his mommy). Can't wait to see him and his parents again!

We also gave Bo his big Christmas present from us a little early since it was too big to take with us to Villisca. We got him an "anywhere chair" from pottery barn. He loves climbing on the couch, so we thought he would love a chair of his own. Right now it is more for playing than relaxing and he has learned some new tricks with it too. But boys will be boys!

he will do anything to get to the table--needless to say,
we have few decorations up anymore

We finished up the year with a playdate with our favorite pair, Sara and Jack. We met them at the mall at the play center. This was Bo's first time, but Jack is an old pro! You can tell because he isn't scared to jump and climb on all the fun toys. Bo was a little hesitant at first but eventually warmed up. This was the first time that they have really got to play with eachother since Bo started walking. Bo was a little busy at his bday party:). I enjoyed chatting with Sara, I don't see her as much as what I would like either, but love our time with them.

BFFs!

He was tuckered out

a couple other fun pictures from this month...

eating a mickey mouse pancake

Christmas fun

Christmas Eve Eve Josh got up early that morning and went coyote hunting with Nick, Adrian, my dad and the rest of the group. This is something that I have missed!! Josh had been fighting off a cold and I think the cold won. When he got back from hunting around 10 it had set it. That afternoon we planned Christmas with Josh's brother, Justin, so we headed to Red Oak and met with them for a few hours and exchanged gifts.

The boys had so much fun playing together as usual, but I felt terrible for Josh because he wasn't feeling well at all. He layed on the couch most of the afternoon and tried his best to socialize. After having some pizza and exchanging gifts we headed back to my parents around 4 to get ready for the big Christmas dinner my parents had planned with the Wolfe's. Josh immediately walked back to the bedroom and laid down. Needless to say we didn't see him again until the next morning around 11. He had a fever of about 103 and didn't make it out to visit with Adrian, Norma and Avery.

getting ready for Xmas in Mommy's old hat

dressed like papa and even wearing his glasses

All of us had a great time on Sunday night. My mom had prepared a feast - turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls, corn, cucumber sandwiches, pumpkin pie, cherry salad. I made pickle wraps and Norma brought a couple apetizers as well. After eating entirely way too much we all sat down to play Left, Right, Center. It was Avery's first time playing and it was a good way for him to learn his left and rights. I think Avery had beginners luck because he won 2 games, Norma won 1 game, and Nick won 1 game. Everyone gave all their winnings to Avery to put in his piggy bank when he got home. It was a great time and there is never a dull moment when my family and the Wolfe's (our extended family:)) get together. They left around 10 and we all got settled in for the night.

Christmas Eve Josh started feeling a little bit better so we were all happy about that. My mom, Bo and I ran some errands. She made beef stew and we got everything planned for the big morning to come!

Twas the Saturday before Christmas...

The Saturday before Christmas the day started off with Bo having a slight fever (101), we didn't worry about it too much because he had been cutting his front teeth...finally! We had planned on running a few errands and knew it would take a bit with the 13 inches of snow we had gotten the Thursday before (Dec. 20). The top of our list of errands was going to see Santa at Bass Pro. They always have such a neat display of Santa's elves and his Reindeer. Last year Bo was just over a month old so he slept the whole time getting his picture taken with Santa. This year Josh and I had made bets if Bo would cry or not when sitting on his lap. Josh guessed he would and I said no. Well, after Dad set him on Santa's lap, he looked at him for a second to see what he was all about. He had a gazed look on his face (like what is going on??) But at least he didn't cry!:) I think it is because he didn't feel the greatest and he was fighting off a fever. We did some last minute Christmas shopping and went back home to pack for Villisca. When we got home Bo's temp had spiked again to almost 104! We gave him some more Motrin and waited a bit before leaving for his temp to go down.

checking out Santa, not sure what to think

the official photo of 2012

After getting all packed (We looked like the Clampets and could hardly see out the back window) we headed south for my parents house. Bo slept most of the way and we took his temperature throughout the trip to make sure he was doing allright. About 10 miles South of Atlantic Bo's temp spiked again, back up to 104. At this point I told Josh that we should probably head to the ER---it seems that Bo is never sick during the week so there have been a few ER trips, better safe than sorry:). About 5 more minutes went by and his temp read 105.1. I told Josh that he definitely needed to hurry to Red Oak because I was getting nervous! I called my parents and let them know where we were headed and that we would be late for dinner.

When we arrived at the ER we got in fairly quickly, but we still very nervous. They took his vitals and his oxygen levels were great, which relieved Josh and I. That was what we were most nervous about. When the Dr. came in and began his examination it turned out that Bo had a fairly bad ear infection in his right ear, this is the ear that has fluid in it. We were a little surprised because he had been sleeping good, it didn't bother him to lay down, and he had been acting ok. The Dr. said the same about Bo's temperment. He is always filled with such personality! The Dr. was very helpful and gave us some great advice to avoid ear infections in the future. My mom had also met us over there because I think I had made her slightly nervous when I called. So at about 830 that evening we made it to my parents and ate dinner with them and my brother. So our trip started off a little rough, but everything turned out ok.

12.31.2012

GIDDY UP! Bo turns 1!

THIS POST WAS WRITTEN IN NOVEMBER!

A few days before Bo's first birthday we had his birthday party with our closest friends and family. It was a Cowboy Themed birthday (would you have thought any different?:)). I probably went a little overboard, but like they say, "You only turn 1 once!". I tried to get as many pictures as we could because I know that is going to be the only thing that he will have to remember the party with.

Etsy was definitely my friend during this process. Thanks to Esty I got his 1st birthday customized shirt, customized banner and door sign. We got the cake from Hy-Vee along with balloons. I purchased the plates, cake plates, napkins, and a few other things from birthdaydirect.com. They had some great deals! I also put together a photo collage and strung his 1-11 month pictures on the window. We also had "Cowboy Cookie" party favors to hand out to the parents that chose to take one.

Along with the 14 lbs of meat from Jethros (pulled pork and brisket), we had little smokies, buffalo chicken dip, potato chips, smore's on a stick, cowboy caviar, and cheese & sausage. So needless to say we had plenty of food, but it wouldn't be me if I didn't overdue in the food department. I hope everyone left with full bellies, because that was my intention.

Overall it was a great party filled with lots of children, laughs, and fun! Bo wasn't acting his normal self that day because he had broke out with a rash that morning (see previous blogs).

A few pictures of the big day:)...