Happy Holidays

We send our warmest wishes to all during this holiday season!

A special thanks to our dear friend and neighbor, Laurie, for taking these beautiful pictures of our family in our neighborhood. I think that these pictures are classic Louisiana, with the pond and moss in the background. The weather was also slightly warm during our photo shoot, which gave us a nice "glow".

The more "realistic" family picture! (also notice Sam's hair)

Wow, we have been busy! We are all doing great! Sam is almost 8 weeks and weighs 14 lbs. He is only 6 lbs. lighter than Stella! He is now sleeping 6 to 7 hour stretches at night, so I am only waking once a night to feed him. He smiles all of the time and is beginning to coo and gaa. He is just precious and a very "good" baby.

Stella is growing everyday. She is now 15 months and walking and dancing all over the house. She loves for us to play music and dance in a circle. Every Friday, we go to a place called "The Little Gym" for gym class with children her age. She walks on a balance beam, hangs from bars, and jumps on bounce mats. They also focus on cooperative learning skills. She just loves it! She is also talking, A LOT! She understands simple directions. She also LOVES her brother Sam. She gives him his nu-nu when he is crying and says "shhhhh". She has the sweetest disposition.

This is a picture of Sam at 6 weeks, below is a picture of Stella at 6 weeks. You can tell that they are brother and sister!!

Marla and Aunt Susan Lott put on a "Sip and See" for Sam and Eli. We had a wonderful turn out and it was so good to see so many relatives we haven't seen in a while. Thank you so much to Marla and Aunt Susan for a beautiful event that we will always treasure and remember!

Mo and Stella dressed alike! (not on purpose)

Sam and Eli on display!

There were 5 Great Grandmothers at the party! What lucky boys!

I was so excited for Halloween this year! Stella was a Lady Bug and Sam was a "Creeping Cutie"! Mom had a party at her house. We took Stella to a few houses for trick or treat, passed out candy, and had a wonderful meal. Stella LOVED the candy bowl and the children's costumes!

Stella enjoying one of many suckers.

Ready for Trick or Treat

"ooooooooohh"

The cutest Lady Bug!

Miss Blue Eyes

Granny giving Stella a piece of candy

Granny and Stella waiting for Trick or Treaters

Baby Sam and his "scary" hair!

This is the Pumpkin Cheese ball I made for the party.

Baby Sam

Mom turned 60 on September 29th! Here we are celebrating her birthday at the Bonefish Grill.

Mom and her dear friend, Sandy.

We celebrated Granny's 82nd birthday at Superior Grill. After the meal, Stella loved dancing to the band. We had a really good time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANNY!

Granny showing off her pictures of Stella and Eli.

4 Generations! Paw Paw Firmin, Mr. Randy, Lucas, and Sam

Sam's big cousin Ava

Ava, Aunt Randi Kay (Sam's godmother), and Sam

Stella and her bows!

PIGTAILS! Stella's hair is finally long enough for pigtails!

Sam's First Week Home

The "Firmin Four" are doing great! Baby Sam is a wonderful baby. He pretty much just sleeps and eats during the day, but likes to stay up for a couple of hours at night! Last night, we did have our first 4 1/2 hour stretch, so we are hoping for more nights like that!

Stella is adjusting well to having a little brother. She has called him "baby", but mostly calls him "dog". She is very sweet to him, touches him gently, and gives kisses on his forehead.

Lucas and I are so fortunate to have such wonderful family and friends. Everyone has been so supportive and helpful. We couldn't be more grateful and blessed.

Below are pictures of Stella and Sam's baby rooms. Sam's room is Stella's old baby room (another great reason not to find out the sex of the baby!). Thank you Paboo for all of your fabulous decorating help! You did a wonderful job and I love you so much!!

Stella's New Room... The picture above the crib was in Mama's first apartment as well as mine, we had it reframed in red. The butterflies are attached to the wall with magnets, so you can move and turn them any way you wish. More of the butterflies will be painted red, like the one to the left of the picture. The small rocking chair was my father's rocking chair as a little boy. The chair was given to me, from my best friend growing up, Mrs. Oakes.

My old collection of music boxes are on the shelves. Also, my sweet Aunt Joanie sent me her baby china that is also on the shelves. The red and cream boxes house Stella's Lego's and wooden train set. Stella loves music and loves to dance. The CD player currently has Fats Domino, which Stella and her Daddy love to dance to.


Baby Sam's Room

This is a table runner, that I painted while I was pregnant with Stella to go along with the animal theme.

These are pictures that I colored as a little girl of my Dad and Mama. We had them framed with a red background.

Sam and I spend a lot of time in the rocking chair! I painted the picture above the chair as well.

Dragonflies

This is Zel. She is a neighborhood cat that loves to come to our windows. I thought this picture was very fitting for October!

Stella LOVES her cousin Ava! Here is a picture of the girls playing at Stella's table and chair set in her room.

Brian and Sam... Brian is Sam's Godfather and Randi Kay is his Godmother. Sam will be baptised in November. Sam sure is one lucky little boy to have such GREAT Godparents!

Last Friday night, we all went to La Fonda's with the Firmin's. We had a really good time! Stella loves to drink out of a straw and thinks she is such a BIG girl!

Daddy and Sam

Paw Paw and Stella

Stella and Ava had a wonderful time playing "Ring Around the Rosie" with Aunt Randi Kay.

Mo and Sam

Paw Paw admiring his little man.

Last Saturday, we took Stella to Leeward Park. Here are some pictures of our fun day.

Sam enjoying some fresh air.

Mama and Sam

Stella playing with her cup. (It was Sprite... not Budweiser. :)

Sam and Eli (Forest and Allison's boy) had their first play date on Sunday. Eli is one week older than Sam. I am so excited about them growing up together! Eli is adorable and the spitting image of Forest!