Busy Saturday!

It's been a BIG Saturday around here, so I wanted to share a few pics from the day...

In case you haven't heard, Reid is not a fan of haircuts. In fact, I would venture to say... he HATES them. Long story short, this morning we went for our second attempt (this week) to cut our kiddo's shaggy head... it took myself, Ben, and another hairdresser to hold him down while the 4th hairdresser cut his hair. Since an even cut with scissors was clearly out of the question, our little dude got his first buzz cut. I was a little sad it was going to be so short, but he didn't leave us many options. The funny part about haircuts is he is 100% fine as soon as they are done... and he even gets excited about the new do (and the sucker).

Here is the handsome little man post-haircut... so cute!

After Reider's haircut, he got to go pick out two new pairs of tennis shoes - Yes, he LOVES shoe shopping! (Of course I didn't get any pictures) Then we went home to set up his "Big Boy Bed"... Here he is - he was so excited! (We just converted his crib to a toddler bed to get him used to it)

We are so proud because he has done really well! He went straight to sleep tonight and didn't get up one time - yay!

Oh! And one more cute pic... we cooked his favorite meal for dinner... SPAGHETTI!

GOTCHA DAY 2011!

This past Wednesday, October 5th, we celebrated Reid's GOTCHA DAY!

It's hard to believe that this was already his THIRD Gotcha Day celebration! For those not involved with adoption, "Gotcha Day" is a term that a lot of families use when describing the court finalization date that forever (legally) joins their child with their family. This court hearing seals their records, allows you to legally change their birth name if you choose, have a new birth certificate issued, final adoption decree signed, etc... To say it's a huge day in our family would be a massive understatement!

Reid's GOTCHA DAY was October 5th, 2009 - you can read all about it and see more pictures HERE. In 2009, Ben and I and both of our families also threw a massive celebration party with over 80 of our closest friends and family who so faithfully supported and prayed for us throughout our entire adoption process. It was such a special day! You can see pictures from the original Gotcha Day party HERE.

Ben and I decided that Reid only needed one birthday party per year (he might protest this later.. haha!), so each year on October 5th we spend the day together as a family and let Reid pick anything he wants to do. It's really becoming such a special tradition!

This year, Reid decided he wanted to spend the day at the Little Rock Zoo - his favorite spot! Here he is (with his puppy, Scout) on our way to breakfast at Chic-Fil-A... then off to the zoo!

Our family - love these two with all my heart!

The Penguins

Me and the little man =)

Reid loves the Giraffes...

And the zebras... Daddy was helping him to see better

B and I

This tortoise was the highlight of his day... it begged to be petted like a dog, and Reider LOVED it! Of course!

I really need to get better about taking more pictures, but that is all I have (we miss our personal photographer, Aunt NeeNee!). The three of us had such a wonderful day and capped it off with burgers, fries, and milk shakes at The Purple Cow (again, Reid's pick)!

Michael Reid - Mommy and Daddy love you more than you will ever know! You are the miracle that completed our family and we are so thankful for you each and every day. Looking forward to many, many more Gotcha Day celebrations!

Calling the Hogs (and Bears)...

...and maybe eating some spaghetti from between his toes.

Finally caught up! Whoop!

It feels so good to finally be caught up on the blog again! I'm going to try my best to post every week and not get that far behind again. So... here are a few pics from these last two weeks... They have been busy ones! Grandma and Pops came in for a visit... then KK came in... we've had 3 birthday parties, a sleep over, and LOTS of fun. Here they are...

Our handsome little man...so grown up!

Having a great time at his buddy, Carson Darby's, birthday party!

Carson's Birthday

Reid & Cole

Have I mentioned this kid LOVES "sketti noodles"???

Had a quick visit home to DFW this summer and got to see lots of our friends - here's Reid and Keagan =)

We do a babysitting co-op with several friends here in Little Rock - the kids LOVE it, and it gives us adults some free babysitting for nights out as well! Last weekend was our night to keep the kids... we had 5 (Alex & Kylie - the girls)... then these 3 boys - best buddies! (Reid, Cole, and Carson.) Here they all are getting ready for bed - it's too cute!

Benjamin and I on a date night - love him.

Enjoying some cake at Avery's birthday party... Reid loves him some Jump Zone!

Welcome, Annabel Grace!

On September 3rd, 2001 our beautiful niece, Annabel Grace arrived!

She was 9lbs 3 ounces and 21 inches long.

She was born in NYC, NY by proud parents Joe and Candice (Ben's middle brother).

Annabel, we are so excited to meet you and already love you so much!

First Day of Preschool

To say that Reid was excited to start preschool in his "new classroom" at his "new school" and take his teachers their "special presents", is an understatement. Ha! (He only said the words in quotes about 100 times!) We are so very thankful that Reid loves school - he loves to learn and loves meeting new people!

This year, he started at Second Presbyterian here in Little Rock. We've really liked the school so far! He is in the 2B class with his best buddy, Cole, and right next door are two of his other little buddies - Owen and Miles. He goes to preschool at Second Presby on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30am - 12noon. Then on Tuesdays, he goes to our church's MDO from 9am - 2pm.

Here's Reid on his way to Meet the Teacher... He loves his new teachers - Ms. Karin, Ms. Sandy, and Ms. Sarah Jane!

First day of school (he's just a little excited)!

I think he looks so big in this picture carrying his own back pack! I asked if he wanted help and he said "No, Mommy...I a big boy now!" Mommy tears.

Finding his hook for his bag and jacket outside his classroom

With his buddy, Cole

Looking for his name =)

He found it and hung up his own bag

He and Cole playing puzzles in their new classroom

To celebrate the first day of school... we made "Happy Cake", of course!

Big Boy Pants

Reid is definitely NOT ready to begin potty training (Mommy CANNOT WAIT for the day he is), but Grandma sent us some Thomas the Train "Big Boy Pants" in a package and Reid was REALLY excited about them. I had a brief glimmer of hope that these might be the motivation he needed to start potty training... but nope. He's just not ready. And I'm not going to push it until he is. Preserving some of my sanity - ha! Reid did look really cute in his big boy pants, though, so here are a few pics!