Meanie

For Christmas, my Papa Kurtz bought Diesel a doll.  Not just any doll.  The doll looks like this:

This doll even has wire toe hair sticking out of its feet.

When we asked Diesel what we should call it, he replied, "Meanie."

Meanie scares Diesel. 

We can't keep it in his room.

So, it ends up everywhere around the house.  My husband, David, likes to hide it under the covers while I'm showering before bed.  He gets a chuckle out of me finding it.  Diesel likes to push him around in Sawyer's riding toys.  

But, you know who plays with it the most? 

My 8 month old.

I miss my dad.

This blog has taken a couple days of thought.

I want to use the right words. 

I don't want to cry when I type it.

Too late.  I eyes are already swelling with tears.

I miss my dad.

Yes, my dad is still a big part of my life.

Yes, he is still alive.

But, I haven't seen him in a while, and he's never met

Sawyer. 

It's not his fault.

It's not mine.

He just lives too far away, and time has not allowed either one of us the opportunity to see each other. 

He was supposed to meet Sawyer in December, but unforeseen circumstances didn't allow it. 

So we never got to celebrate Christmas together.

However...

When my grandparents came from St. Louis to Oklahoma to witness Sawyer's baptism, they brought a carload of presents from Poppie (my dad), Grandma Suzie (my stepmother), Taylor (my stepsister), and Garrett (my stepbrother).  Before my dad, stepmother, and step-siblings moved to Washington, they left the Christmas presents with my grandparents in Missouri. 

So, we decided to do Christmas the "new-fashioned" way.  We unwrapped presents on Skype.  That way, Dad and Suzanne got to watch Diesel open up all his presents.

And they got to meet Sawyer.... on the computer.



Yep, that's them on the computer screen!

The boys love their gifts. 

Even David. 

He can't wait to try out the fishing vest.

Diesel won't put his Fisherprice iXL down.

I love mine too.

I love my Vera Bradley backpack.

But most of all, I loved getting to spend Christmas (finally) with my dad. 

He won't get to open our presents until June. 

Hopefully they don't break during the flight.

Hopefully he'll get to hold Sawyer.

Sawyer's Baptism

We are very blessed.

Sawyer Paule Baker

was baptised on January 23, 2011.

His Godfather is Chris Swift.

His Godmother is Carrie Baker.

Sawyer's Great-Grandparents drove from St. Louis to El Reno for the baptism.  The last time they were able to make this long journey was for Diesel's baptism three years ago.  My sister and her husband also made the long trip.  I am so thankful that they made the baptism a priority.

This was not only a special day for Sawyer.

Autym Riley Baker

was also baptised. 

Her Godfather is Trevor Ellis.

Her Grandmother is Theresa Balan.

Not only is Ross a brother and brother-in-law.

Not only is Trisha a sister-in-law.

They are our best friends.

We were blessed to have two beautiful, perfect babies.

We are blessed to be able to share a baptism birthday.

We are blessed to be so close to our family members.

We pray that our children will grow up loving each other in the same way we, adults, love each other. 

 The cake....

Oh, the drama.

How hard is is to get a circular, white cake with a cross?

I guess it's very, very hard.

I was not able to find one for less than $60.

And with two kids who need childcare, a $60 cake was not possible. 

So, we got this cake, and people ate it.

It worked for the purpose.

After the baptism, my wonderful mother-in-law provided lunch for everyone at her home.  The following pictures were either taken at her house or the church.