Christmas is Over and 2009 is Almost Here

Our first Christmas as a family was great. We were able to see all of our family and got way too much stuff to have to fit into our apartment. Tessa had her picture taken with Santa at a church primary activity. Santa was her Papa Foote. She liked him especially his beard.

Tessa Opening a Christmas Present!

On Christmas Eve, we went to Mark's parents for Mexican food and lighting of the luminaries. Christmas Day started bright and early thanks to Tessa but two hours later she was ready for a nap. Tessa didn't really want to open her presents but was very happy to attack the other presents and tried to eat/rip them open. Between her grandparents and great-grandmas, Tessa is set for toys and clothes for awhile. Mark enjoyed opening his drums and had them assembled by 8:30am. I am getting use to them! Tessa made the Christmas great by perfecting her crawl. It is not a pretty crawl but she gets were she wants to go. All in all it was a memorable Christmas! We plan to stay in on New Year's Eve but we wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Here is Tessa Crawling.........Sort of.

Christmas Countdown

I am so happy that the weather has finally decided to change. It feels like Christmas now! I am really looking forward to the two week break from teaching. The time off could be longer but I can't complain at least I get a break. Mark will be taking a few days off during the Christmas and New Year holiday which will be very nice. I know that Tessa is still very little but it has been so much fun to have her here this Christmas. Mark and I can't wait for Christmas morning because Tessa has discovered that paper makes noise and she can eat it. We plan to stay in town and be with family for the holiday which is what I prefer. If it snows someplace close, we might go see it.

At the end of November, we had our first family pictures taken and they turned out great. The photographer got some beautiful shots of Tessa in her Christmas dress and her parents don't look so bad either.

It's begining to look a lot like Chirstmas!

Well Thanksgiving is over and the fun of Christmas is here. Yesterday we set up the tree and put Christmas lights on the outside of the apartment. Tessa Has been uninterested in the decorations except that the lights and tree seem to capture her attention. We even went to the Tempe light parade, it was fun and Tessa was good until the parade started, I think it was just too loud and too much going on, she finally fell asleep about the time the parade ended. It was fun anyway











Tessa was really excited for Black Friday, so much so that she decided to eat the ad.

We also started trying to feed her Rice Cereal, The Doctor said to start so that she gets used to the idea of trying to eat something off a spoon and swallowing. The first attempt was quite funny and so being the compassionate person I am I decided to tape it!!!!

TIME IS FLYING BYE

I can't believe that it is Thanksgiving already! I am looking forward to having a few days off. Mark will be able to take Wed. off and spend it with Tessa. Some quality father-daughter time!! Our Thanksgiving Day is completely booked. We will be attending 3 dinners and then coming home to crash. I really hope that Tessa does okay with it being such a crazy day!
Tessa is now 4 months and ever changing. She has two bottom teeth coming in and luckily has not been fussy. Mark and I didn't even know that she had them coming in until Grandma Foote said something. Tessa is also rolling just about anywhere she wants which is fun. She has a beautiful smile and an adorable laugh. She's a keeper!
Mark and I are staying busy with work, church, and Tessa. Unfortunately, Mark will not be working with the City of Mesa after Jan. 9th due to budget cuts. Mark and I were really disappointed but we know that everything will be okay. He is currently looking for other jobs. On a happier note, Mark and I went on a date this past weekend. It was nice to get away for a few hours and just be with each other.
Well, I hope that everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

Halloween

Tessa's first Halloween was lots of fun (even if she didn't know what was going on). We went to a church dinner and then made the rounds to see family. But when 7:30 came Tessa was ready for her bath and bed. Tessa was a flower for her first Halloween. I got the idea off the internet and my mom helped me with the sewing since I don't sew. She didn't mind the costume but every once in a while her hat would fall down and she would start to eat the flowers. Mark thought that Tessa shouldn't have worn the hat and just gone as a weed because she is growing out of her 3to 6 month clothes. All-in-all it was a nice first holiday with our daughter.

Schnepf Farms

On Saturday, we went to Schnepf Farms for our fall activity. There is something not right about going to pick a pumpkin and being able to wear shorts. Too Warm! but none-the-less it was a fun day. My parents went with us, so it was a whole family affair. Mark and I rode on some rides (yes we did feel alittle stupid). We got some great pictures of us together. Tessa did really well even though she had a cold. We bought two pumpkins; one big and one Tessa's size. Hopefully we will get the big one craved by Tuesday.

To Everyone, have a fun Halloween!

Into the Swing of Things!

Well, life is busy in the Foote's house. I am back at work and enjoy my students. We are going to the AZ Fair this Thursday;can you say exhausting! Mark is loving his job but waiting to hear what the budget will look like so he can plan the swimming events. Tessa has discovered how to roll over and anything that is good or interesting goes in the mouth.

This Saturday we are going to Schnepf Farms which should be really fun. Mark and I have never been. We thought it would be a fun Fall family activity. I am looking forward to it!

Oh, so BIG!

Well, Mark and I have decided that life is good! We both have jobs that we love, a beautiful daughter (who usually sleeps through the night) and each other. We couldn't ask for much more.

This was my first week back at school and it was very hard to leave Tessa Monday morning. I had to kiss her goodbye and leave for work before I started to cry too much. I did survive and so did Tessa.

Mark and I can't believe that Tessa is 3months old on the 4th of October. Time has flown bye! We couldn't live without her and wouldn't want to, but we do miss our sleep. We are planning to visit Schnepf Farms to celebrate Tessa's First Halloween. I'll post those pictures later.

We Got an ANSWER!!

Mark was told yesterday that he got the job at the City of Mesa. We are soooo excited! He's not sure when he will officially start in this new position but he does have the JOB. He has worked so hard and is really excited that he got his "dream" job.

Tessa's Blessing

On Sunday, Mark blessed Tessa at church. It was a very special experience. Mark was very nervous but he did a wonderful job. Lost of family and friends were able to attend. We had 9 members of our family stand with Mark as he blessed Tessa. They barely fit on the stand but they made it work. She was a very tried girl when we got home. She didn't sleep through Sacrament meeting like she usually does because everyone wanted to hold her.

Two Months and Growing

Well, it has been two months since Tessa was born. Where does the time go!! She is growing so fast. Tessa is starting to smile more and she makes the cutest sounds. She makes us laugh everyday.

Mark and I are doing well. I have about 3 weeks before I go back to work. I have mixed feeling about going back. I want to see my students but I worry about leaving her. Luckily, Tessa will either be with my mom, my aunt, or a friend from church. Mark is waiting (as patiently as possible) to interview with the City of Mesa (hopefully Tuesday). We pray ever night that he gets the jobs.

We are just going day to day and enjoying most every minute. We are looking forward to Sunday because Mark will bless Tessa. We have invited family and close friends. It will be a special day! You only get to bless your first baby once and we can't wait.

Well, to everyone we love you and hope that you are doing okay. Talk to you soon!

More Swimming

She loves bath time and she is starting to kick her feet a lot! she is also smiling a lot, sometimes at us or sometimes just into space but we think it is cute!

She likes to go swimming

She seems to really like to do this and if it makes her happy we do it!

3 weeks old

Well, time flies when your not sleeping! Tessa will be 3 weeks old on Friday. Mark and I can't believe it. Tessa is doing really well. She is eating about 4oz. every 3 to 4 hours and at night she will sleep between 3-5 hours. When she does wake up, she is starving! Tessa loves to sleep with her hands by her face or above her head. She enjoys taking a bath as long as mom is quick about it. Tessa thinks that she is a big girl; she won't sleep in the crib next to our bed. She is Miss Independent and sleeps in her room.

Tessa Lorraine Foote has arrived!

We are pleased to announce that our daughter has come into this world safe and sound! I went to the hospital on Wednesday night to be induced but made no progress until Friday morning when my labor finally started. At about 8pm, I was ready to start pushing but after two hours it was clear she was not going to fit. So we opted for a c-section and at 10:34pm on July 4th, Tessa Lorraine Foote made her arrival. She was and is beautiful! It was without a doubt one of the most nerve racking and sweetest moments of my life. I love being a mom and Mark is great dad!

Just a Waiting Game!

Well, according to our doctor all we are waiting for is her to decide that she is ready to come. Mark tries to talk her out every night but so far she is not having any of it. I am still feeling good except that with this horrible heat my hands have gotten a little swollen.
The Baby Shower was on June 7th and then it took a whole week to recover...getting everything washed, put things away and getting the few things that we needed but didn't get. I think that we are at least organized and as ready as we can be.
Mark has been working really hard at the city but is really enjoying it. Some weeks it seems that he is never home at night and then there are weeks like this one that he is only gone for one night. It always nice to have him home in the evening. I substituted the first week of June but haven't gotten any other calls.
So all in all we are doing very well. We are just waiting!!!

More Ultrsound Pictures

We went to get a 3D ultrsound the other day. It was on the weekend of mothers day and we got a really good deal. It was fun, but we feel like we sort of cheated, we got to see her but we still c an't have her for another couple of weeks. but it feels much more real now.

Now Not Quite Presenting

Well Here she is, sort of. We got to do a 3D ultrasound the other day at our doctors appointment.

Havasupai

I just got back from Havasupai, which is a little village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I went there for my outdoor pursuits class, it was our final, it is an 11 mile hike in to the campgrounds, where you have these beautiful waterfalls with crystal clear water.

We Are Nesting

Well T-Minus 3 months until little-foote arrives. we are calling her little-foote right now because we don't know what the heck to call her. We have three names that we both really like and then we have 3 or 4 each that we like but the other is not so fond of. Right now the three we are down to though is Tessa, Ella, and Audrey. What ever the heck we end up calling her, her room will be ready. I think we are nesting a little bit, or we are just really excited, it is probably a little of both. We have the room all done, we have the crib and the crib bedding, and the dressers, the room is painted and decorated. We are not ready for any of the other things but her room is ready.
Tara is getting more and more pregnant with each day and it is fun to watch, but she is starting to get uncomfortable at night and that is no fun especially because she has to go to work and fight with kids all day. Other than that we are just ready to get rolling with this whole parenting thing.

Almost There!!!

Well just about one more month until graduation!!!! ( I am not excited at all if you can tell ) Tara is starting to get bigger but she looks good. The baby is sitting up high and so Tara is trying with all her might to not have to buy bigger pants, but I hear a little more grunting as she puts them on everyday. Other than that we are good and just excited about becoming parents.

Litlle by little

Well we are getting more and more ready to have this baby. The baby's room (It is more a corner of the room, my office and I get the other corner, but I am sure that will not be for long) is finally coming along, we finished painting on Saturday and we even got the crib put together, it turned out really good. We did stripes of Pink and pink, just two shades, and I went and bought a laser level to be able to do it faster, and wow that made it much easier. Well enough of my rambling here are the pictures.