Christmas Card

This is our Christmas card this year. We were going to go print them out the day all the craziness ensued, and the craziness just hasn't stopped. So, I doubt they are going to get sent out this year, and I figured I would just put it up on the blog.

So, what have we been up to?

Well, we are expecting our second baby anytime between now and mid- February. Hopefully later rather than sooner for his sake. His name will be Coltrin James Briscoe, and he is already a bubbly, active little fellow. They actually made me stay an extra half an hour or so at the hospital because he was doing a jig or something, which got his heart rate up. They had to check on him before I could be let out, and he picked that precise moment to get all excited and act up. The nurse kept commenting on what a strong kicker he is. We are super stoked to have him make his debut.

Dustin is finishing up his last year of Optometry school. He will be graduating in May. Before then, however, he will be applying for residency programs (an optional year for optometrists to "specialize" in something and gain more experience). We hope this will open up some doors for him to get jobs he is more interested in doing. He is applying to three up by his family and one here in Memphis. If we don't end up at any of them, then we hope to go work in Ohio.

Emma has grown SO much this last year. She talks up a storm, but no one ever believes us because she gets very quiet around people until she warms up. She is enthusiastic and stubborn. She is loving and adores giving kisses and being motherly to her dolls. She loves to play and pretend. She is hard to feed because she couldn't care less about eating unless she is with her friends who are eating also. She loves to run and climb...especially climb. She loves reading still, and she loves her ABCs. She tries to sing the song, but she doesn't know it all yet (so she makes it up as she goes along). She loves singing. She's gotten pretty good at matching pitches, and she makes stuff up to sing to herself all the time. She loves Elmo and this video. In fact, she will pick up my computer, carefully haul it over to me (while singing her favorite part of the song of course), and expect me to look the video up for her. She has definitely learned to throw tantrums, and when she wants to show you she is angry, she will throw down whatever she has and loudly stomp out of the room into her bedroom (can we say hello teenager in a two year old body?). Don't worry she looks back to make sure she has gotten her disapproval across. She likes to rub my tummy and say baby, and she is obsessed with all things baby. Dustin is afraid she is going to think Coltrin is her personal toy. However, she still doesn't like it when Mom or Dad holds another baby...she has to be held too. She is such a sweet blessing, and we love watching her grow.

I am just waddling along. I'm pregnant of course. I guess that is the biggest news for what has been up with me all year. I also purchased a nice camera with our tax return, and I have recently started experimenting with picture taking on people outside of the family. I have really enjoyed it so far.

We have had a good year this year and are excited for what the next one holds. We miss our friends and family dearly and wish we could see you all more often. You should stop in if you're ever in the neighborhood. :) Hope you all are doing well and have a very merry Christmas!