Merry Christmas!!!

Jillian at the Christmas Party

A girl in out neighborhood hosts a Christmas Party every year where you bring your kids and Santa is there and hands out one gift to each kid. There are cookies and lots of crazy kids running around everywhere! You also get your kid's picture taken with Santa. This was our first year to go and of course Seth had to work late (stupid end of the month)...so I was wrestling an 18 month old and trying to take pictures all by myself. Since we already did the picture with Santa, I didn't stay all night for another one. So, Jillian just got her gift and we opened it in the car on the way home! She was just as excited though about her new DVD...and so is Mom and Dad...we are hoping for a little variety in the car on our way to Arkansas!!!

None of the pictures turned out great...but I was just so excited about her outfit, that I had to post some pictures. Summer and I went shopping for Christmas clothes the other day and we got these great deals on some really nice Christmas outfits. The deals involved packing up the girls and driving to the gas station for a coupon out of the paper...but it was so worth it in the end. WE got GREAT deals! Here is Jillian in one of her cute and festive dresses.

Waiting patiently for Santa to call her name

Opening her gift on the way home

On a Happier Note...

My dad told me that my last post about Miller was too sad and so I thought I would put something a little more up beat on here for today. Below is this collage that my photographer put together for me of Jillian's latest photo shoot. I thought these pictures turned out great!

You can click on the collage and make it bigger...

The Miller Man

It was one year ago today that our first child, Miller, died. Seth got Miller for me for my 23rd birthday...right after we were married. We babied Miller and loved him like our child. He was the cutest puppy of all time and was such a good dog! We took him everywhere and even stopped going out at night because we didn't want to leave him!
Miller was so well behaved. He was not wild or too rambunctious...just such a sweetie. He was a big licker...and loved to lick our faces and ears all the time ( I know that sounds gross to non-dog lovers!!!). He was completely unaware of the fact that he was a dog. We got Tyson one year later so that Miller would have a companion...and Seth and I are sure that Miller thought Tyson was the family dog! We would take them to the park and Tyson would run free with the other dogs while Miller just sat beside me the whole time. It was as if he was annoyed by all the dogs everywhere!
After Jillian was born, Miller started having seisures. They just got worse and worse until finally there was nothing else we could do. On December 19th, 2006 Miller died...and I will say that was the worst day of my life. I cried and cried and couldn't get off the couch for almost two weeks. His death was the worst I have ever had to go through....I really thought that I would never get over it.
We still have nothing but sweet memories of our first born and have a hard time even looking at all these pictures below. I am sure that him and Jillian would have been great friends. He was always very interested in Jillian...the newest family pet in Miller's eyes!
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU MILLER!!!

The Miller Man

He just let me do whatever I wanted to him...and was happy about it

This is where Miller would hide in our new house after we got Tyson. Tyson couldn't get up the stairs and Miller knew it. This was his safe place.

My two boys...brothers

Miller laid out on the couch with Tyson sleeping on him

Pretty Pugs

This was the day before Miller died...their last picture together

Miller liked to try out all the baby equipment to make sure it was safe. We ALWAYS found him snoring in Jillian's papasan chair. Seth would even turn on the vibrations for him...what a baby!

Here is big brother Miller keeping watch over his little sister.

This was Miller's last day at home. He still was staying close to his sister even though he was very sick.

Jillian's Leopard Print Dress

My mom, who loves all things leopard, bought Jillian a leopard dress. I LOVED her in this fun outfit and I wanted to get a couple of sassy pictures of her before church. It went about as well as you could imagine...see how cute she looks??? NOT!

Congrats to Matt and Cristy

Aren't they cute???

Today, one of mine and Seth's best friends from Harding, MATTHEW GORDON LAWRENCE got engaged to his girlfriend, Cristy! They have been dating FOREVER and so we are so happy that Matt FINALLY popped the question! Cristy is so cool and fun and she fit right in with our college crowd from the first day that we met her! I just wanted to do a little tribute to our good friends...we are so glad they are joining the old married club! (Seth and I seemed to get here WAY before any of our other friends did.)




This is a picture of the ring that Matt sent me on my cell phone. The diamond is SO big...way to go Matthew!

Happy Birthday!

Here Comes Santa Clause...

This year starting in about October, I have been talking to Jillian about who Santa Clause is and all of that good stuff. We have read books, looked at pictures...she even got some Santa Clause PJ's from her grandparents! So, the child seems to think that she LOVES Santa. We have even been to the mall more times than I care to admit...and every single time we walk by Santa and wave to him and get all excited. I was doing this routine in hopes that Jillian would become familiar with the Jolly Man and hopefully not completely freak out when we did meet him! I know she is only 18 months, but I guess mothers like to believe that they can make a difference, right?

Well, no such luck. We went to the mall on a Tuesday morning...no one is there and we have Santa all to ourselves. We walk up to "The North Pole" and wave and freak out and get excited as usual. Then I get her out of her stroller...still doing good. We walk up to him...still doing good. I am just about starting to think that my plan worked...and then I sat her in his lap! NOT HAPPY NOW! Jillian freaked just like any kid her age would despite my attempts at making this reunion a happy one! We got several pictures, the one below being the best of the worst...and then I picked her back up. As soon as I did, she was fine again and giving out high fives and waving like a crazy person. I guess she didn't want to give up the control and have to actually sit with him. She gets that control thing from her momma! So, here is the lovely picture...I actually love a screaming Santa picture! They are too funny.





Santa also makes his rounds in our neighborhood each year on a fire truck. We took Jillian outside to anticipate his arrival and she acted the same way! So excited about Santa...until he stepped off of that firetruck to give her some candy. She freaked out and we really didn't get any good pictures. But, it looked a lot like the picture above.

And, Finally...A Flashback to Happier Times:



Jillian at 6 months old

The Verdict Is In...

It's A Girl!!!!

Seth and I went in today for our second sex check on baby #2...and I was just convinced, I guess, that we just wouldn't find out! But, I prayed that we could see the baby and I even drank a huge REGULAR coke from Sonic on the way there in hopes that the caffeine and sugar would flip this little tyke around. I guess God and the coke did the trick because the baby had flipped to head down!

So we searched around and the baby was still being modest with it's feet in front of "the spot", but we finally were able to get a good shot. In the picture below, you will be able to see the three lines that indicate girl.

I really could not believe it! I have been thinking boy ever since I took that gender test in October...so the news of a girl is totally shocking! I have to admit that I am a teensy weensy bit sad about no boy...just because I have been preparing for a boy for 2 months now. But, as I have said before...a girl is what I know! I love bows and dresses...and, oh, the matching that will happen between my two precious girls!!! I am sure they will hate me after a while...but it must be done!

Everyone that I have told so far keeps asking me if Seth is disappointed...but really, he is so excited. Jillian is obsessed with her daddy and so I think Seth is okay with the thought of his own little fan club waiting at home for him to return each night! He believes the same as my dad and Layton...once you have a girl, the more the merrier, right?

So here is the picture of our second girl. My doctor is a big silly man and so he always puts funny messages on my ultrasounds...

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To read the picture, you have to know that both feet are all the way to the left and then the legs lead in to the middle of the picture. The arrow points to the girly parts.

No Such Luck!

Well, Me and baby #2 are not exactly on speaking terms tonight. Seth and I went in for our appointment...both of us nervous and anxious! We get in there and check everything out...heart, brain, umbilical cord, spine...etc., etc....and all is fine...such good news since I had been a little nervous to hear that all day! A healthy baby is the most important information to receive, so believe me that I was thankful to find everything in place and working appropriately.

Then...we look for the good stuff...and baby #2 will not cooperate! First of all the baby is in a breach position. Secondly, the baby is sunny side up (even though my doctor says no one calls it this anymore)...And finally, the baby is sitting Indian style (pardon my lack of political correctness on this term...I don't know what the kids are calling it these days)!

So, WE.SAW.NOTHING. I told Dr. Maxey that I was not leaving until he told me some news...but there was simply nothing to report. We looked for a good 30 minutes and only saw this little foot covering the exact spot that we needed to see! Me, Seth, and the good doctor were all pushing on my stomach trying to get a good shot, but nothing ever happened! I was really sad at this point...I was preparing to walk out the door and go buy the stocking stuffers at Heavensent that I have already picked out for either gender!

In order to get me out of his office in a timely fashion, Dr. Maxey promised to squeeze me in on Monday morning for a quick sex check. So, it isn't all bad...I only have to wait 5 more days...but still! I did have to walk out of there and call everyone to tell them NOTHING! I just hope I have better luck Monday or my doctor will be seeing a lot of me in the next couple weeks!

Here is the first really good picture of the stubborn baby for everyone to see! I realize it looks just like everyone's ultrasound picture...but it is still very special to me!

Baby #2...its about time we heard some news

I started this blog to keep our out of town family and friends up to date on Jillian on a regular basis...and so that is pretty much what every single blog I do is about. There is really nothing THAT interesting to hear about me and Seth each day...he goes to work...I go to Target...and there you have it.

Well, there is a new baby coming soon, so I thought I would give that kid a little air time for a change. I am 19 weeks and counting and we go to the doctor on Wednesday afternoon to find out if we are having a boy or girl. I have been thinking boy ever since I posted about the intellegender test I took in October. At this point, I really will be equally pleased with either! I have spent the last two months thinking about how sweet and loving a boy would be...a real momma's boy. But I also love girls and bows and dresses...and have so many clothes already for a girl. So, either way at this point, we will be happy! Wednesday is the big day, though, where we will find out for sure...hopefully. I have had two friends lately who haven't been able to find out due to uncooperative babies...but I am hoping that baby #2 will show me the goods!

This is such an exciting visit but also a little nerve racking since we will be making sure that everything is in place and all the right parts are there. Summer found out about Macy's heart issues when she was 20 weeks, and so of course that makes me a little nervous. But, after Wednesday, we should know for sure that all is well and what we are expecting. Then I can FINALLY start on the nursery...I know Seth is so excited about this happening again...NOT!

I will try and get my ultrasound pictures scanned and the news out on Thursday...so wish us luck!

And for those grandparents out there who need their daily fix of Miss J...

(sorry baby #2...I am also a second child and you just get used to sharing the spot light!)

Oooooooohhhhhh Christmas Tree

This year I am totally in the Christmas spirit...and I have Jillian to blame for that. I always love Christmas and everything that goes along with that, but this year, because Jillian is so ultimately happy about all things Christmas, I am too! Knowing that she would TOTALLY be into all the lights, I committed the ultimate sin of putting my Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving. Well, it was worth it, because EVERY SINGLE MORNING when I bring Jillian into the living room, she gets this huge look of surprise and happiness on her face as she sees the lights on the tree. She even gets mad if the tree isn't on, and will point at it and look at me and Seth as if to say...Hello, fire that baby up!

I decided to try and capture her face as I turned the tree on so that I could share her sheer happiness.

Oooooooh Aaaaaaah

I love the lights!!!!

Notice anything different about my tree this year? That is right, the ornaments start about 3 1/2 feet from the ground and go to the top of the tree. That is so that a certain toddler will keep her paws off of my ornaments! This hasn't completely stopped her, though. She moved a box up to the tree and stood on it to reach higher! I thought that was fairly smart for a baby!

This is Jillian's favorite ornament

This is my favorite ornament

And this is Seth's favorite

Here are our stocking...Seth, Me, J, baby, and Tyson the Pug

(We might have to do some rearranging so that if it is a baby boy...no pink stocking! We will figure that out as the time comes!)

The Patterson Version of The Griswald Family Christmas

Yesterday I went and had lunch with my mom and was gone all morning. When I came home, I went back to Jillian's room to get her ready for her nap. While I was in there, I heard a noise outside and ignored it. Then I heard it again, so we went to the guest room and looked out onto the front porch. Out on my porch were two workers that appeared to be putting up Christmas lights. Well, Seth and I didn't order any Christmas lights this year...we thought we would hold off on that untill our kids are actually asking to have that done! So, I go outside to correct their mistake, and my ENTIRE house is decorated. There are lights outlining the entire roof, the flower beds, and the sidewalk leading down to the street. There is also a HUGE lighted garland hanging around my doorway and a wreath hanging up on the tallest part of our house. I must say, it looked beautiful! But again...we never ordered this service. Neither of these guys spoke very good English, but I tried my best to explain that this was all wrong. I then asked them how much it would cost...just to see if it would be worth just paying for it...I mean, it did look good! The guy tells me $600!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT???? Are they kidding, who pays that? I mean, it was really professional...you couldn't see any cords, it is all put to one timer, etc. But still? So, I told him that I couldn't do that. After a while, I look out the window, and I see the guys sitting outside devastated that they have worked for hours on my house...the wrong house, and I decide to make them an offer. I go outside and make a really low offer...and they take it! They did take down the wreath and the garland to use on the correct house...which turns out to be just across the street...oops! Anyway, I got a really great deal on my house getting decorated...and I keep the lights after they come and take them down in January! YEAH!!!! So, here is the picture of our house so beautifully decorated for Christmas!

This pictures is obviously not great and does not do it justice really...it looks like no big deal. But in real life, it actually looks REALLY great!

Here is Jillian's reaction to the lights that she is seeing for the first time. She LOVES lights when we drive around...and really liked to see them up close and personal!

(BTW...we were just retuning from having Christmas pictures made...I don't just have her all dolled up for a party everyday or anything!)

Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a really nice and uneventful Thanksgiving weekend. The best part about it was having Seth here for four whole days to play with me and Jillian. On Thursday, we had Thanksgiving lunch over at my parent's house. I totally forgot to take ANY pictures of everyone there...I suck! Of course, I did get some of Jillian...but what was I thinking? Anyway, after lunch, we all watched the Cowboys win AGAIN and watched Jillian be her wild self. She did get some quality time in with Mimi on the piano...see picture below!
On Friday, we went on a nice FREEZING walk at our favorite park. Seth and I had no idea it was only 38 degrees until we got there...but luckily I had bundled J up and had a blanket in my car. Jillian was totally freaked out about Seth in his stocking cap, and she would not smile or move the entire 45 minute walk! This is the most still she has been since the womb!
Friday afternoon/evening/night we watched ANOTHER Arkansas football game marathon as the Hogs went into three overtimes to beat LSU! YEAH...go Hogs. I haven't seen Seth on such an emotional roller coaster since college when the Razorbacks did this to us several other times! Jillian almost starved to death as her dinner kept getting pushed off later and later! She was not very understanding even though her Daddy has taught her to call the Hogs. A 17 month old will only be happy about calling the Hogs so many times before she is ready to move on.
The rest of the weekend we just spent as a family trying to stay entertained and out of the cold rain. We really enjoyed our time together and I always get sad when these long weekends are over and Seth has to go back to work!
Here are just a few random pictures of our weekend. I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving with their families.

Jillian on Thanksgiving Day

Eating her Thanksgiving Feast

Running and acting CRAZY outside with cousin Ansley

Calling the Hogs with Daddy


Playing a Duet with Mimi


My Bundled Baby

Jilly and Mommy

I just love her pink nose in this one

This is One Happy Hog Fan...This is also how Seth spent the entire game...on the phone with about ten different people talking about how McFadden is the greatest football player of all time...or something like that.

Jillian and Emerson Play Mommy

Go check out Summer's blog for some cute pictures of Jillian and her cousin Emerson. Jillian is absolutely obsessed with all things baby...including strollers! Here are the girls playing mommy with their babies and the strollers. You can see in both pictures that Jillian is taking advantage of her four extra months of life over Emerson...and is totally hogging both strollers! We are working on sharing...

Jillian and the Pink Tree

The Tree

Jillian's Mimi like to buy all of the granddaughters a pink Christmas tree for their rooms. (Rumor has it that she has already bought a pink and a white tree for our new baby...we just have to find out if it is a boy or girl...) Jillian got her pink tree last year, but at six months old...she didn't really care. This year, however, is a different story. I put up Jillian's tree about 2 weeks ago...AND SHE LOVES IT!!! She gets so excited each time we plug in the lights...almost like she is seeing it for the first time! She has several ornaments from Mimi and a couple that I have bought her...but as you can imagine...they do not stay on the tree for long. Jillian's friend Adalie also has a pink tree, but she must do a much better job of leaving hers decorated...her mommy put a lot more things on her tree!!! Anyway, here are some pictures of Jillian and her first Christmas with her favorite pink Christmas Tree!

I had to post this because it is the first picture she has let me get of her face in a long time...and of course it is blurry! So sad!

Jillian kissing her tree...

And hugging her tree

This is Jillian starting her daily routine of de-ornamenting her tree

Here she is playing with a couple of the ornaments that she has pulled off of the tree

This is Jillian right in the middle of the temper tantrum she threw when I told her she couldn't rip all of the ornaments off of the tree. This would be the only other picture I got of her sweet face! Isn't it a good one?