Some funny pics

Okay--sorry for the complete lack of updates. You won't get much here either unfortunately! But I did want to post a few funny pics of Liam. I'll add some from our Colorado trip and the 4th of July soon!

I love portobellos

Liam's favorite part of Aunt Kaitlin's wedding was the portobello mushrooms at the reception! Notice I had changed him out of his all white outfit prior to this moment--good thing!

Kaitlin's wedding

Here are a few pics from Kaitlin's (Josh's sister) wedding:
Kaitlin and Dennis

Delivering the rings (Liam's favorite part!)

Me and Daddy

The Cruikshanks

The Gary's (minus Kaitlin)

Moms Out Loud

Okay, okay--I know I've been a poor, poor blogger who doesn't keep her promises (how long ago did I commit to updating "this weekend"? Some teaser that was!) And I will fail to offer much in the way of Liam now as well, although I did at least save some new pics off of kodak photo gallery that my mom took and, I swear, I really will post soon!! (how bad is that--this is my first child and I already consistently forget to take pictures and therefore have to rely on getting the pics from my parents or in-laws)

But I'm taking the time to do a quick post now to let all of you moms out there know about my enterprising friend, Rebekah, and her vision. Some of you may have heard me talk about Rebekah. She was my boss at Frito (the best boss ever!) and I actually bought my house from her. This house alone is a testament to her vision (if you've ever had a chance to check out the before and after pics in my hallway.) I never would have been able to see that what was once a complete dump could become the amazing place I call home today--but Rebekah could! So now Rebekah is a mom to two and--as is the case with many natural entrepreneurs--she saw a need and set out to address it!

Rebekah saw a need to build a place where moms could connect--especially with moms they may already know and just not have enough opportunities to connect with. A place where moms could get info on local businesses that would be relevant to them--and from sources they could trust--other moms. Thus--MomsOutLoud.com was born! It's still in the early stages but signing up now allows you to be a part of something from the get go--and it's so fun to watch the idea grow! Plus you get to be a part of defining what MomsOutLoud can ultimately become.

Right now--the focus is Dallas/FortWorth, but of course, Rebekah's vision extends much further. To learn more--check out momsoutloud.com and become a beta mom (keep in mind that the site doesn't officially launch for another month, so at this time you can't use most of the features to come--but you can go ahead and sign up to be a part of it as a beta mom) You should also check out Rebekah's blog (listed in my friends' blogs list) at mykindofmom.com to learn even more about her vision for MomsOutLoud. I hope you'll have as much fun as I've been having living vicariously through my friend as she makes her dream a reality!

Updates--a teaser

Okay--I admit--I'm a horrible blogger. But for those devoted few who actually still check this now and again--I promise some real updates (at least picture updates) over the next weekend or so. There is so much to catch up on with Easter, Liam's Aunt Kaitlin's wedding, the first haircut and other good stuff! Here's a glimpse of pics to come....

Liam's new use for book shelves....

Wearing mommy's glasses

Liam in his favorite new spot (he always climbs in this thing!) Notice his "cheese" smile. This is definitely his "I'm a little ham" fake smile when he squints like that. I think he's trying to copy mommy's look =)

Liam's first haircut--so exciting and a little scary at the same time! But he looks so grown-up now!

Liam and Granddaddy on the boat at Horseshoe Bay. Liam is in the new lifejacket that Granddaddy bought him. This made for a much more enjoyable boat ride for all vs. the last time we tried this with another lifejacket that Liam found way too constricting!!

More birthday pics

Well I am finally home from Austria so I'm trying to get the blog updated. Austria was a fantastic time by the way, although I did miss Liam and Josh back home. All went smoothly in my absence thanks to Josh's great parenting and some help from his parents and my friend Courtnye in getting him to day care in the morning (since Josh has to be at work too early) Only bad thing was that Liam was sick one of the first days I was gone. Fortunately, Josh's parents were here to help him out through a very long night! Anyway, here are some additional pics from his birthday party a few weeks ago!

Happy Birthday Liam Layne Gary!

I can't believe it has been 1 year since our tiny little boy entered the world! I remember thinking that I just couldn't even fathom what life would be like as a mom and now I can't really picture it any other way. Liam has been a blessing and a joy to his entire family and I'm looking forward to all of the years to come!

We celebrated his birthday with a party on Saturday. As you can see from this picture--he thought it was the most exciting event in his short life. =) More pictures to come soon! (including a more well lit version of this one)

More Christmas pics (a little late!)

Our friend Dominique (who is the mom of Liam's friend to be, (in just a couple of weeks!) Landon)--just sent us these cute pics of Liam at their Christmas party. He was up late partying that night!

Go Mavs!

We bought Liam a little Mavericks warm-up suit yesterday and it looks so cute on him! You can't see it that well in this pic--it even has "MAVERICKS" on the back! He was just in such a sweet mood today that I had to take some pictures. We were having so much fun playing. Also--he now poses for the camera. He would have a serious look and I would say "Say Cheese, Liam!" and that squinty smile would light up his face!

At long last....updates!

So after a couple months away, I have finally done a bulk update! You'll need to scroll down all the way to the "Hawaii" post if you want to see all of the new ones. As for a general Liam update....he is crawling around like speedy gonzalez these days! Starting to pull up although no real "cruising" yet. He also finally has some teeth! He started getting both of his two bottom teeth right around 11 months. His first birthday is right around the corner which means a couple of things: 1) He gets a new view of the world when we finally turn his car seat forward 2) He switches off formula and on to whole milk (we're already starting to mix in a little.)

In other Liam news, we were sad to say goodbye to his Nanny Carlene at the end of December. It was getting too tough for her to watch both Liam and Thomas. We're hopeful that Liam will still get to see her some when she babysits on occasion. Sadly, we were having trouble finding a nanny to watch both boys so we decided to split up Thomas and Liam. The Andrews' found a great nanny and we also found a great nanny to watch Liam temporarily (she lives too far to do it long term.) And in a couple of months, Liam will start going to day care 3 days a week (with the other 2 days spent with his GiGi.) We think it will actually be a good thing for Liam since we'd like him to adjust to being around other kids more (and not always being the center of the world!) but he'll still get plenty of one on one time with his GiGi and with us on the weekends.

On the general Gary front, my job is still going great and I'll actually be headed to Austria in a month to be on faculty for a training program. It will be a lot of fun but I'll miss Liam and Josh a ton! Josh just switched to the VA (after 6 months at Scottish Rite and Children's) and I have to say--call is much better!

That's all here!!

Granddaddy's future hunting buddy!

Here are some pics of Liam in one of his Christmas presents from Granddaddy, a camo fleece! For some reason he is squinting his left eye a ton so he looks a little "one-eyed willy" but he's still cute!!

Hanging out with the McClendon and the Gibbons families!

We finally had a chance to catch up with Josh's two best friends from high school (Steven and Michael) and their families. We go way too long between visits! I think it's a little surreal to all of them that they now hang out with their wives and kids! Thank you Sundey for the pic which I blatantly stole from your blog and thanks for the shout out--I feel practically famous!

Liam's First Christmas!

Liam Christmas morning with his new play table (it has a piano on it!)

Liam and Aunt Kaitlyn on Christmas Eve

Pre-Christmas festivities

The build up to Christmas was a ton of fun with a Christmas dinner with Gram and Gramps, Santa at the Cooksey's, and plenty of time to play with the Christmas tree with Thomas! (my buddy who I shared a nanny with)

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving with both families this year! My parents, brother, and Grandma B (dad's mom) came to visit and we joined the Gary's for Thanksgiving at their house in Rockwall.

I'm so cute!

Cruikshank Christmas card picture

Mmmmmm! This stuffing is great!

Hanging out with Grandma B.

Our trip to Hawaii

So I am finally updating the blog and I'm starting by sharing a few pics from our trip to Kauai (2 months ago!) It was Josh and I's first real vacation together in almost two years! It was hard being away from Liam for a week but we knew he was in good hands with his Mimi (my mom.) Unfortunately, Mimi got more than she bargained for when Liam got his first major cold plus an ear infection in each ear two days before we left. Then, to top it all off, the cat got sick too. So at 8 am the morning we flew out, I was at the vet's office trying to get them to see poor Abby without an appointment so that she could get her much needed kitty meds! Thankfully, despite all that--all seemed to go well in our absence. Although I'm pretty sure mom was ready to have a full night's rest again once we got back and took our sick baby off her hands! So enjoy a few of our pics and I would highly recommend Kauai as a vacation spot if you want a combo of a "lay around on the beach" vacation (Josh's style) and a "Do some fun things" vacation (my style.)

For everyone out there who thinks Liam looks like "Josh Jr."....

Apparently Sundey was right on in her comment that Liam looks like a complete mix of Josh and I! I stole this from the Gibbons' blog. Isn't it cool?

Liam's 9 month check up

Just thought I'd post Liam's stats from his doctor's appointment yesterday:

Weight: 19lbs 11oz, 45% Length: 28 1/4, 50% Head: 17 3/4, 50%

So my little boy--who for the first 6 months was way off the charts on the bottom (<5% on weight) is now smack dab in the middle! Pretty average, just like his parents!

My little baby is growing up!

So I don't have any video--but I'll add it soon. My sweet baby is crawling! Just in time for his 9 month doctor's appointment he finally managed to move from the "1 crawl and then frog-legs"--to the "I can go across the room--look at me mommy!" stage.

I also had to go and buy 4 (yes--4!!) new car seats today since Liam is outgrowing his infant seat. Unlike the infant seat-convertible car seats don't let you buy one seat and multiple bases. So for every one of Liam's care givers--I had to buy a seat (Nanny, GiGi, me, and Josh.) Ugh. The lady at Babies R Us kept asking me if I wanted gift receipts- because what kind of person buys 4 car seats for themselves?!

Also, this weekend our Sunday School class had our family picnic. The weather was beautiful and we got a great pic of Liam and his little friend Whit (2 weeks his senior) going tandem on the baby swing! It was Liam's first time to swing and he got a kick out of it!

Diary of crazy working mommy

Okay--so I like to think I usually have it all pulled together nicely. In general, I feel I've achieved a pretty good balance in my life despite working full time and still having to travel on occasion. No--the house does not always look as nice as I'd like it and I'm terrible about keeping the blog and the baby book updated--but I feel like I get to spend plenty of time with Liam (not always as much time as I'd like with Josh but that's partly because of his job) and I love my job (and this is the first time in a long time--probably ever--that I can say that!) However, I still have my moments....here is a little evidence of that...


"What?" you think, "how can that be evidence of anything but how cute Chase and Liam look in their Halloween costumes?" Well, well my friend--the issue is that in this picture Liam is a chile pepper..great costume-but Liam was supposed to be a dragon! That's Chase's costume from last year that he's wearing!!

Yes--crazy mommy that I am--I realize half an hour into our traffic plagued 1 hour drive to Plano on Halloween night that Liam's sweet little dragon costume is still sitting in the kitchen! In my craze to get everything ready after flying in from LA that afternoon--I managed to walk out the door without it. At this point, it's way too late to turn around so I'm just stuck feeling sorry for myself and the fact that I've ruined my son's first Halloween. Overdramatic? Of course--after all Liam could care less if he's dressed up in some goofy costume--but it still upset me. Fortunately, the always thoughful Thompsons came to the rescue. They dug out Chase's costume from last year (gender neutral fortunately!) and let Liam borrow it. My heroes!

And Liam and Chase (a darling flamingo) had a great time-- so I was upset for nothing!