Heartbreaking

I have a list of questions for God that I want to ask Him one day when I see Him. They range from the silly to the mundane to the serious. The newest addition to the list: why in the world does teething have to be so darn painful? Poor babies can't communicate their pain (except with crying and screaming), and it just seems like all that pain is unnecessary just for these little boogers to pop up in their mouth. I mean, look at this face:

And this one:



Is that not the saddest thing you have ever seen??? It seriously just breaks my heart. The worst thing is that there really isn't much I can do about it! Even picking him up, rocking him, singing to him, kissing him, or letting him gnaw on my fingers doesn't help. He just gets so upset and so inconsolable - it's just awful! The saddest part is that the pain literally scares him and wakes him up in the middle of the night - he goes from sleeping so soundly to screaming! It nearly gives me a heart attack. Poor little guy.

I finally got a smile, though, after literally singing and dancing in front of him for about 30 minutes. He gets a kick out of my ridiculous songs...if you could only hear them!

I love this kid. And I officially HATE teething!

We still love Rosie!

Just feeling the need to give Rosie some love these days. She has been SO patient and SO good with Knox, and we haven't given her the recognition she deserves. For so long, she was our only child - she was given all the attention any doggie could ever need. Now, she sadly gets a little neglected. We are usually able to give her some undivided, quality time each evening, and she loves it! But it's not quite what she used to get. So, to try to make up for it, we've nominated Rosie to be the MVP of the new Bissell campaign (the vacuum cleaners). Look to the right of the blog; click on the link; and vote for Rosie! Or hit this button here:

EDIT: So, turns out that you can't start voting until 1/29/10. I'll remind you then :)


Here are some other beautiful pictures of our sweet girl whom we love so much!

Travelin' Fools

Knox and I have been all over the southeast in the past week. First, we took a last minute trip down to Watercolor (near Seaside, FL) with Lindsay Swain and her two youngest kiddos - Savannah (3) and Brennyn (8 months). To say that our time there was good is just an understatement. Time with Lindsay is simply good for the soul. We talked about everything and nothing. I could literally post about six different blogs about all the things I learned from her in our 4 short days there. I love hearing her heart and about all the things God is teaching her. She walks so closely with the Lord and is so in tune with His voice, it is just awesome to see.

We spent most of the time in our jammies; we drank lots of coffee and some wine; we took lots of walks; and we got to sit on the beach a couple of days. Knox saw the ocean for the first time - although, he slept through it the first day :)

Savannah-Banana rode her bike 3 WHOLE MILES to Starbucks one day! She's a champ!!

This is beautiful baby Brennyn. She and Knox LOVED each other!



The babies sitting on the beach - this day was cold and rainy. Knox slept - didn't miss too much!

Such a ham! She really is a joyful little girl.

Sweet mommy and daughter time.


Yup - sleeping.

We also walked to Seaside a couple of days. Savannah is such a goof-ball!

We had an ice-cream eating dance party in the middle of Seaside. We caused quite a commotion. (Notice the chocolate ice cream smear on her forehead - it was there for several days. Love this girl - ain't afraid of getting dirty!)

Savannah is such a good big sister, too. She loved Knoxy (yes, just like Lucy giving him the same nickname!)

This is pretty much how we spent every morning - laying on the floor watching Strawberry Shortcake. I know all the words to the songs now, thankyouverymuch.

PRECIOUS!

I just love this picture. Good bonding by the sea.

Three of the beautiful Swain girls.

Thank you, Linds, for the invite! Can we go back now???

When we got back, our sweet friend, Teri, came to visit from Dallas. Unfortunately, the circumstances weren't very positive (she was in town for a funeral); but nevertheless, we very much enjoyed our short time with her. She FINALLY got to meet Knox, and Knox loved her! They're gonna be best buds now...as long as she doesn't try to tell him that the Cowboys are America's Team...that's just garbage ;)

Come visit again soon, Teri!! We love you!

After only being home for about 24 hours, Knox and I jumped back in the car and drove up to East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN for Kurt's track meet. We had missed daddy so much, we couldn't stand to be away from him any longer.

GO BLAZERS!

We were also able to visit with Kurt's Nanni while in East Tennessee. She had collapsed in her bathroom last week and suffered a concussion (they think - they're still trying to run some tests to figure out exactly what happened, but they did rule out a stroke. Prayers are appreciated!!) It was so wonderful to get to see her and spend some quality time with Kurt's family there. We just love them.

We don't have any other road trips planned yet; but I now know that Knox does excellent in the car, so that means we're up for it any time! Anyone else wanna go to the beach?? Let's go!

Enemy Country

As you know, we live in Alabama. As you know, we are University of Tennessee graduates and die-hard Vols fans. And, as you know, Alabama won the national championship last week. I have yet to turn on the radio in my car or watch local news because it is literally ALL THEY TALK ABOUT.

As of this evening, our head coach (excuse me, EX-head coach), Lane Kiffin (who's son is also named Knox), decided to jump ship and take the USC job. Details here and here. Think Kurt is happy? I think not...

BUT...no matter what, we are still loyal to our team. And Knox - well, he is too. Go Vols!

Better late than never (I guess!)

Inspired by The Elkins Family's most recent blog, I thought I would also post some pictures from our trip to Philadelphia for Christmas. After all, it was Knox's first Christmas and first plane ride - two rather big milestones in his sweet, short life! While I don't have pictures from the airport or the plane (really nothing special there...), I do have a ton of pictures from our trip and from the few weeks surrounding Christmas. So here goes nothin'!

Even though Knox won't really remember this Christmas or really understand what the heck was going on, he was still spoiled with lots and lots and lots of gifts! His sweet Nana and Ed sent him some pretty cool stuff from Colorado:

That is one of those awesome turtles that illuminates the stars and constellations on the ceiling for Knox to stare at. I think that is so cool!

And here is daddy helping Knox open a new book - I love that Nana was a teacher, too, so she understands my love of reading and desire that Knox has that same love!


Speaking of "a love of reading", Nana also got daddy and Knox a subscription to Sports Illustrated! I'm pretty sure he'll enjoy that more than any of the books I'd prefer he read. But hey! Reading is reading, right??



And this shirt just says it all...



"There's no place like Colorado...except Grandma's!" So true! Thanks Nana and Ed for all of the wonderful Christmas gifts!

After having our own mini-Christmas as a family in our first house (yes, LOTS to be thankful for in 2009!!!), we drove up to Nashville on the 23rd to have Christmas with my dad and his wife, Kristin. We had a great Christmas dinner, complete with GREAT wine. They also spoiled us and Knox absolutely rotten! Sadly, I didn't take a single darn picture from that night!!

On Christmas Eve, after a weather scare that threatened to strand us in Chicago for Christmas with a 12 week old baby (wouldn't that have been fun! Thank you, Uncle Buck, for getting us there!!), we finally made it to Philadelphia! My cousin, Jarrett's two kids (Ethan, 6 1/2, and Lucy, 4) both made Christmas morning SO. MUCH. FUN. There is nothing like seeing kids that age so utterly excited. It made us SO pumped for when Knox is that age one day! Here are the kiddos opening gifts at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's house (that's my Aunt Mel and Uncle Buck) - and yes, we had a white Christmas - love it!

Ethan and Lucy gave Knox a great little gift. They absolutely LOVED Knox...they called him "Knoxy" - hysterical!



And one of the more comical things that happened on Christmas morning...

"Poopy Reindeer Butt", as Ethan and Lucy called it. Yes, Knox had a minor blow-out. Sorry, mom-mom!! ;)

Knox was definitely not short on love or attention while we were there...














You think they're smitten??



Since Kurt had never gotten to experience Philadelphia with me and my family, we wanted to do it right. So what does that mean? E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES! We couldn't get tickets to the actual game (they played, and beat, the Broncos that weekend), but we were able to tailgate with Jarrett, his girlfriend, Patrice, and the wild fans!




And here are just a few additional pics of my sweet baby boy because, well, he's just that stinkin' cute!


Look at those CHEEKS!!!



And finally, one of my new all-time favorite pictures:


I hope they're best friends forever!