Hallelujah!

Well, I got the call I've been waiting for the last few weeks. It came about 7:45 this morning from Marcus...

Anna had her gorgeous baby this morning at 1:18 AM! The baby was 8lbs 3oz and 20.75". According to the docs, she is perfect in every way!

I know lots of you were praying for Marcus and Anna's sweet family, and I wanted you all to know they are doing great!

I'll let you know when they have posted pics of Abby Lu on their blog. I can't wait to see her!

Just another completely exciting day Being Billingsley...

Abbie and the Fat Guy...

This year I realized how QUICKLY Abbie is growing up. I've always wanted to have that excellent picture of my child with Santa where she is screaming and poor Santa is awkwardly trying to get the picture taken so he can be rescued from the terrorized child.

Each year, Abbie is just so darned happy to see him, there is no chance of crying or fear of any kind. I've always thought, "Maybe next year my baby will cry on Santa's lap."

Year One: No chance of crying. She thought it was the coolest thing ever. She could have stayed with him all day. Her favorite part was actually the photographer. Even then she thought it appropriate for people to make a fuss over her and take her photo.

Year Two: Santa gave her a piece of candy to start the session off, and forget it...there was no way any tears would come after that. Again, as you will see, happy smiling kid in Santa's lap.

Year Three: Well, this is the year she discovered her "photo-taking-smile" a.k.a. the fake smile. This was the year she discovered she could ask Santa to bring her the stuff her mom already told her she couldn't have. She was awfully proud of herself, and so again...no tears.

Year Four: Well, this year, on our way to see Santa, Abbie told me she really wanted to, "Chat him up this year." She had a lot to discuss...no doubt things like the election, state of the economy, the creepiness of the whole elf thing.

So, if any of you have a great pic of your kid screaming on Santa's lap send it my way. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!


Just another day Being Billingsley...

Santa is Coming to Town... I Hope!

Well, Abbie woke up this morning with a great concern.

There are no gifts under the tree for her because I’ve screwed things up for Santa. First of all, there is too much stuff in front of the fireplace making it impossible for him to come into the house. Abbie tried to explain to me, “He really doesn’t want to break your stuff…and if he comes down the chimney, he will knock all those silly things over.”

Because I’ve done a horrible job rolling out the red carpet for Santa, he’s felt unwelcome to come into our house and confirm we are in fact ready for him to deliver Abbie’s gifts. You can understand her worry. I actually started to worry for myself…I don’t see anything for me under that tree either.

So, Santa, I hope you are reading this despite the fact it has been a month since my last post. I promised I would post some pics so you could see that, at Chez Billingsley, we are certainly ready for and anxiously awaiting your arrival.

Tree trimmed…CHECK!

Scattered Santas to remind us of you…CHECK!

Tree for Mom's room (which means there is plenty of space for my gifts...don't worry about not having space for anything extra you had in mind...we've got the room)...CHECK!!

Tree for Abbie’s room…CHECK!

Abbie wanted to make sure you knew she got your latest FAO Schwarz catalog, and she may need to send an addendum to her original list of needs.

Thanks for your understanding Santa, and I sure hope the placement of decor did not in any way make you feel unwelcome at this house. (If it did, I just want to make clear that it was all James' idea, and if anyone should be held responsible, it should certainly be him.)

Just another problem solving day Being Billingsley…

One Room Down...

We started our Christmas decorating last night, and Abbie was very clear that her room should be done first. She was very helpful this year. She put the hooks on the ornaments. She arranged them on the tree...she actually hasn't stopped arranging the ornaments since last night. I woke up this morning to find a nice grouping of ornaments on the very bottom branches.

This child LOVES Christmas, and between ornaments she would do a few of her favorite dance moves. This move is obviously called "The Dork." Her father has also perfected this move.

She has had this tree in her room since her first Christmas, and it was so much fun to watch her decorate it this year. I can remember when we would put her in the crib, and she would watch her parents do all the decorating. She's grown up so much!

She is so in love with this tree and so concerned with its perfect arrangement that we are pretty sure it is going to fall down in the middle of the night. We should teach her, "Timmmmmberrrrr."

Just another decorated day Being Billingsley...

The Adventures of Super Girl

I had the pleasure of being able to sit down and chat with Super Girl to get to know the girl behind the mystery:

Mommy: "Super Girl, help us to understand you better. What is it that you do?"

Super Girl: "Well, Super Girl flies around and she hits people."

Mommy: "Fascinating stuff. Tell me...why does Super Girl have to hit people?"

Super Girl: "Well, sometimes when people sneak up behind you, you have to hit them."

Mommy: "Indeed. You also apparently need to wear your new snow boots to do it. Super Girl, what do you superheroes eat?

Super Girl: "Mostly just people food. We don't eat dog food or anything because dog food is for dogs.

Mommy: "Thanks for clearing that up. Where do you live, Super Girl?"

Super Girl: "I live by myself... without a mommy or anything."

Mommy: "Interesting. You know, Super Girl I find that hard to believe in light of how clean and fresh smelling that cape is. Do you have time for another question?"

Super Girl: "No."

And with that, she hurried away for some superhero business. .. hitting her father.


Just another day with Super Girl and Being Billingsley...

America's Next Top Models

This weekend we had family portraits done by Cozy Impressions Photography, and wow she did an amazing job!

If you've ever wanted photos taken of your family, do you yourself a favor and call Tanya. She is organized, quick, and extraordinarily talented.

Take a look at the photos she took and help me decide what to order! After the show comes to an end it will go to a gallery. Each photo is labeled (b#). Let me know which ones you like.

http://cozyimpressionsphotography.com/Billingsley/

Just another indecisive day Being Billingsley...

So Far...Not So Good

Well, it all started at 10:00 this morning. I went to my polling place, where I have voted in many an election in the past, to discover the line wrapped completely around the building.

I think normally I would have been thrilled about all those folks showing up to vote. I mean in the past I could simply allocate 5 minutes to the entire voting experience including drive time...I could actually hear crickets in the voting booth.

But, I know this morning's line was full of people who had no idea why they were voting for their candidate of choice. People are buzzing with HYPE! So irritating! Does anyone do their own independent research anymore??? People seem to be making this decision completely based on sound bites and pep rallies.

Do me a favor today. When you encounter that person who is all too willing to discuss the person he voted for, ask him WHY he voted the way he did. You will no doubt get the same answers I've been getting....stupid ones. If you get, "We need change." Be sure to ask, "What changes do you expect to see?" Then, step back and watch the genius fumble for a meaningful answer. Idiots.

Well, an hour later I finally got to cast my ballot for the lesser of the two devils running for pres. Nothing like waiting an hour to vote for someone you have to hold your nose to tolerate.


Just another election day Being Billingsley...