Jones Companies Christmas Party

Jonathan's company had their Christmas party a few weeks ago. So fun!! He has been with the company going on 6 years and accepted this position after leaving KPMG in Memphis, TN. He really enjoys the people, atmosphere and challenges, etc. The owners are wonderful, and we love them!! Jonathan Jones is one of Jonathan's best friends, and "JJ" as we call him is the primary reason (well, "the" reason) Jonathan left KPMG and moved to Hattiesburg. We are blessed Jonathan has this wonderful career that allows me to stay home with Cecilia. Pics below!

Love these guys!
L to R: John Karnes, Brett Jones, Jonathan Jones & Jonathan
We are all headed to their industry's annual convention in San Diego in February. The convention is always so much fun!!

Jonathan, Mr. Brett & Mrs. Lisa Jones (Mrs. Lisa is wonderful!)

Us!! What a great night. My Mom came up from Gulfport for two nights to watch Cecilia and let us attend our bible study Christmas party and his company's Christmas party --- and also let me wrap tons of gifts, do laundry, etc, etc, etc, etc. As my Mom pulled in our drive, I basically met her at the car with Cecilia for the hand-off.:) Ooops! Thanks, Mama Jo!! If I didn't have Maama (Jonathan's Mom) and Mama Jo, I'd be LOST!

Christmas Eve Breakfast with Daddy

Jonathan and Cecilia joined Forrest Hartel and his precious little girl, Ella, for breakfast this morning. This was not only super sweet but gave Mommy some time to relax. (I actually went back to sleep for over an hour!! After being up since 5:15 am, I didn't think I could easily close my eyes at 8:15 am for a quick nap... well, it ended up being quite easy;)). Let's hope these super Dads make Saturday morning breakfast a ritual. I know Forrest does! That's a start.

Cecilia and sweet Ella. According to the Dads, they laughed at each other the entire time, but neither J nor F had a quick enough camera to catch those two in action.

Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Birthday, Uncle Jules!!

Ella & her Daddy, Forrest

Cecilia & Daddy

Birthday Celebration for Uncle Jules!!

My little brother Jules turns 27 on Christmas Eve (today), and we celebrated at my Mom's in Gulfport earlier in the week. It was so, so fun!! We had an early dinner and were on the road back to Hattiesburg by 8 pm. Cecilia fell right to sleep when we got in the car. Very nice.;) Below are a few pictures my Stepdad took!! Thanks, Dave!!

Excited to see Mama Jo!!

Little brother Miles and I (this is what no make-up will get you...)

She finally let Brittany (Jules' girlfriend) hold her!! And how happy does she look??!

Someone dipped into Uncle Jules' birthday cake!! Nummy!!

She was dancing... arms were everywhere! Mommy and Ceci dance and sing around the house to Christmas music every day. Every. Single. Day. She sings with me and it is the CUTEST!! She still thinks I sing ok --- great because I know that won't last...;)

Ohhh, Cecilia!!

Cecilia LOVES other babies and loooves looking at pictures of them (especially those of herself;)). She gets extremely excited. See her below admiring my screensaver. Good thing her Daddy doesn't see her giving all those "kissies" to the babies on our Christmas cards as we get them in the mail each afternoon. Opening the mail with all these pictures of babies is her daily holiday highlight. One of her favorites --- Davis Pittman! (son of Josh & Elizabeth Pittman)... Oh goodness!!

2011 Christmas Card

Since our cards have gone out, I figured I could post ours to document on the blog! I thought Cecilia's pictures turned out too cute. I posted a few other pictures we were choosing among.






Photos by Sam McAlister

Cecilia's One Year Stats

Well, we had Cecilia's birthday party on Saturday, December 10th then went for her one year well-baby check-up on Monday, December 12th. I'm very glad we waited until after her party... she got four shots! Poor baby.

The visit went GREAT!! I have yet to post details re this, but our Cecilia was born prematurely --- at 29 weeks, 6 days weighing 3 lbs, 5 oz. I was diagnosed with placenta previa and was in the hospital on bed rest for six weeks before having her 10 weeks early. She stayed in the Forrest General Hospital NICU until her due date. She was just perfect but needed to grow a bit before we could bring her home.:) It was an exhausting and scary 16 weeks, but we made it through. Since arriving home, she has been flourishing beyond belief!! Our pediatrician gave us her stats and reassured us how quickly she has caught up with full-term babies and how well he thought she was doing. Wonderful report! Below are the stats for Cecilia compared to full-term babies (not preemies!). The doc told us everything couldn't look better, and she is going to be tall and thin. We have a model on our hands...;)

Height - 90th percentile (30 1/2 in)
Weight - 40th percentile (20 lbs, 9 oz)
Head - 90th percentile (18.4 in)

Oh, and she is finally getting some hair!! Papa (Jonathan's Dad) affectionately calls her "fuzz head!";)

Waiting for Dr. Shook...

Checking out the waiting room with Daddy...

Cecilia's Party at Lagniappe

Cecilia turned one on December 9th, and we had her birthday party at Jonathan's parent's new fish camp in Bay St. Louis - "Lagniappe." What could be more appropriate than a fish theme! It was cute. It was a small party with family only. Next year we will probably have something a bit bigger and invite her pals.:) It was such a fun and special time!!

Maama's little helper --- Cecilia helping Jonathan's Mom unload groceries when we got there on Friday. And how cute is it that they are dressed alike??!

My Step-Dad Dave caught me taking pictures with my mini-cam. Jonathan is getting me a "big girl" camera for Christmas. Thank goodness. In fact, I think he is buying the same one Dave is taking my picture with --- yay!

My Aunt Susan and Aunt Lynn own a shop, The Paper Moon in Biloxi, MS, and they did these precious invitations for us!!

A few decorations for the party... (There were some others I didn't get pictures of... Ugh!)

Splat cake. See below for what she was doing just minutes before attempting her "splat..." Needless to say she wasn't enthused! She did, however, perk up for gift opening time. Not surprising...:)

Snoozing on her Mama Jo (my Mom)

My brothers Miles & Jules

Miles' girlfriend Brittney and her precious nephew, AJ!

Trying to wake up from her nap

She was NOT happy about this hat...

We traded the hat in for this bow...

Papa (Jonathan's Dad) observing while we open gifts...

She loved Aunt Leah & Uncle Josh's gift --- a personalized singing monkey!!

Changed into jammies after her party to play...

Her new ride from Maama and Papa

Sunday morning before we left --- hanging with Aunt Sarah, Uncle Ben & Baxter