Christmas Morning

Kaleigh & I were up at 4:45 so we were waiting on daddy to get home and for Tyler to wake up. We finally went and woke up Tyler at 7:30. At first Tyler just sat on Philip's lap but then I asked Tyler if he thought Santa ate the cookies we left for him and that quickly got him going. He ran to the fireplace and when he saw the cookies were gone he got so excited. The simple things that make our kids happy.

Me and Kaleigh just hanging out in the bed waiting for Philip to come home. Aren't her PJ's the cutest??

Look at all the presents !!! Half of them weren't even for us but for the rest of our family.

Philip & Kaleigh still waiting for Tyler to wake up. We finally said 'forget it' and went and woke him up.

Now that Tyler is awake we had to slowly ease him into Christmas presents.

He's awake now. . . He was a crazy boy once he opened his train table.

The Night Before Christmas and not a creature was stirring not even a mouse . . .

YEAH RIGHT !!!!
My house was buzzing well into the AM hours...
This was an exciting Christmas b/c Tyler is actually old enough to understand the concept of Santa Claus so we really played it up for him. We tried very hard to make cookies for Santa but with a newborn and with all the holiday parties it was impossible. It was the one thing that I felt like 'I had to do' but it just didn't work out. We ended up leaving Santa pre-made cookies which Santa told me he enjoyed.


Me and the kiddos being silly.

Tyler was so excited. He loved their pajamas. He thought Kaleigh's were 'too' pretty.

Such a silly boy !!

Philip had to work nights during this Christmas holiday so I helped Santa Claus get all the kids gifts ready so it was a very long night. To make a long story short. Tyler had no intentions of going to be. We were lying on the couch and he was finally not bouncing off the walls and out of nowhere I jumped up and said that I heard jingle bells and that I thought Santa was near and if he wasn't in bed asleep Santa would skip our house and go to the next house. Before I could finish that statement Tyler was jumping off the couch and ran into his room and dove in his bed. It was so funny b/c he didn't even want me to give him a kiss goodnite b/c he was worried that he would miss Santa so I had to just settle for us blowing kisses goodnite. I'll have to remember that for next year.

I didn't get to bed until well after 1:30. Luckily Kaleigh allowed me to sleep until 4:45.

Part II

Dec. 24, 2008

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve with Philip's side of the family.

The kids along with Philip and Kenneth played a game of football outside. The toddlers, Tyler, Drew, Micah and Conner were the skins vs. the others.

After the football game a game of ATTACK PHILIP commensed. It was interesting to watch b/c one on end of the spectrum was Ethan, who would tackle Philip but with caution, don't want to take the boys out or hurt yourself. Then there was Beau, he would just tackle. Finally there was Sean whose goal was to take Philip out by any means, whether it was taking his face off or taking his boys out. Then there was Tyler who just wanted to play so Philip was overly concerned with Tyler and left himself defenseless.

Kaleigh & Ava. Ava is 6 or 7 months old.

Sonia & Kaleigh

A family shot

I believe we had 37 people in attendance this year.

Covington Christmas - Part One

December 23, 2008

Stuart and crew weren't able to be with us this year b/c Iris' grandchildren are sick with pneumonia and RSV plus Iris is sick so we all agreed it would be best to not sharing germs would be a nice thing. We do wish they would have all been well so we could have celebrated with them as a family but you can't help it when your sick.

Tyler got all crazy and sweaty so he went shirtless for a while. Tyler and Papa had a fierce play session and Philip was home base.

Phe loving on his baby girl.

Kaleigh wearing her tutu. She needs a couple of years before it will actually fit her but Nunu couldn't help herself and just HAD to buy it for her.

Christmas On The Road

December 19, 2008

Since we couldn't be 'on the road' this year for Christmas and since JJ & Suzanne don't go to that Christmas either CC has started a new little tradition, she host a smaller version of Christmas Eve at her house. I enjoy this version so much more b/c I get to visit with them on a more intimate level. We get to sit down and eat and talk and actually see what the kids gifts they are receiving. The invitees include mama, my family, JJ's crew, Deanne, Roy, Jenn and her crew, CC, Bobby and Scott and his crew. I didn't have my camera so Suzanne let me use theirs but she hasn't sent me those pictures yet so the ones posted today are from Jennifer. Both Deanne and CC got Kaleigh a Christmas dress so we split the night so both dresses could be shown off b/c I loved both of them.

Deanne and Kaleigh - She's wearing the dress that Deanne got her.

Our family shot - you like Tyler's face ?


Me and Kaleigh - this is the dress that CC got her, equally as pretty.

The kids showing off their gifts.

Opening more gifts.

Me, Deanne, Jennifer & CC getting the night started with a nice glass of wine.

Mama, Kaleigh, Deanne and Katelynne.

Jones Creek Christmas Parade

December 14, 2008

I lived in Baton Rouge until I was 11 years old. I still consider going out to 'the road' going home. I love it out there and we participate, along with JJ & crew, in the annual Jones Creek Christmas Parade. We started this tradition 2 years ago and we love it. This year Philip was off of work so he was able to ride in our float with us so that made it EXTRA special.

I don't have any pictures of us on the float during the parade b/c it's very hard to watch children, keep your balance and take pictures so no pictures of the actual parade. Once I get one of the float itself I'll add it.

Me and JJ before the parade began.

A White Christmas

No more 'Dreaming of a White Christmas', we finally had one. December 11, 2008 marked a very rare occasion for our area. It started snowing around 4:45 am and didn't stop snowing until sometime around 11-11:30. It truly was such a beautiful thing to watch and even more special for us when it came time to play in the snow and attempt to build a snowman. We were sad that Philip wasn't able to be home with us, he had to work days so he didn't get to see good snow until he was on his way home that evening.

This picture was taken a few minutes after we realized it was snowing.


Our beautiful home covered with snow. Isn't it gorgeous ??

A shot of our patio area.

We went to Sonia/Jimmy's house around 9:30 because our power went out and I really didn't feel comfortable having the kids in an house with no electricity when the temperature outside was barely 30 degrees. So, once at Sonia's we all went outside and had a big snowball fight. Jimmy, Sonia, Tyler and I were freezing our bums off it was so cold.

Tyler didn't have any gloves so Sonia made him some herself. Lovely huh ??

Kaleigh's 2 Week Check-Up

I need to post this before I forget about it.
Philip brought my little 'pumpkin pie' to her 2 week check up and of course everything is fine.
Weigh: 8 lbs. 7 oz. --- 75th percentile
Length: 21 in. --- 50th percentile

We are really excited with her weight because when we left the doctor's office Saturday she weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. so our little chunk gained 12 oz. in a matter of 9 days. Tyler hardly gained any weight for the first 2 months and we were always so worried about having the same issues with Kaleigh but so far it seems that she is getting enough milk from me, which is reassuring b/c we aren't even having to supplement her feedings.

My failed attempt for Christmas pictures

Self explanatory

Tyler & Kaleigh watching football.


Philip & Kaleigh taking a nap on the couch.

Kaleigh actually wearing an outfit instead of pj's.

CHRISTMAS BELLS A RINGING - - - - - FINALLY

The kids are doing great!! Tyler is still really sweet to his baby sister. He MUST hold her atleast once a day without any help from us. We surround him with my boppy pillow and craddle her in his lap. He is so proud of hisself everytime he holds her. He kisses her atleast a dozen times a day just because which I think is the SWEETEST thing EVER !!! Kaleigh is doing pretty good considering all she does is eat, sleep and make nice little diapers for us. I had a few difficult nights with her but last night she did really well. I am hoping for the best. Waking up every two hours during the night is not my idea of fun. I am already wishing for her to start sleeping throughout the night. I don't think she's anywhere ready for that though. I can wish though.

We finally got our house Christmas ready. The tree is decorated and the household decor is finished, now we just need presents under the tree. My problem is that if Tyler spots anything that resembles a present he thinks it's for him and that he must tear it open immediately. So, I guess we aren't going to have any presents under the tree until Christmas morning.

I'll download some new pictures tomorrow and try to post them ASAP.

KALEIGH RUTH COVINGTON

Tuesday, November 25th Philip & I welcomed Kaleigh Ruth Covington to our family. She was born @ 11:19 am topping the scales @ 8 lbs 3.5 oz. She was right at 21 inches long and she has pretty dark hair. She also has quite the set of lungs because you could hear her cry a good mile away. All Tyler could say to everyone was that Kaleigh had come out. He has been so excited and very attentive to her. He hasn't shown any signs of jealously so far. He has already helped feed her, change her diaper and give her the pacifier. He is such a great BIG BROTHER !!

We chose the name Kaleigh just because we both really liked it. My middle name is Leigh which is why we chose the spelling of her name. Ruth is my grandmothers name on my moms side. She has been the most important person in my life for such a long time and it meant so much to me to name my daughter after her. When we were rolling into recovery we were able to see our family for a minute and when I told mama her name I couldn't control my emotions. I didn't realize at the time how overcome with emotions I was but watching the video I looked like a blubbering idiot. Mama really was a proud great-grandmother at that moment. Kaleigh is sure to be a strong woman if she is anything like her grandmother.

Tyler was really tired by this point and had the deer in the headlights look.

Aunt Suzanne holding her neice. She now has one of each.


Uncle JJ holding Kaleigh. He was so sweet with how gentle and sweet he was with her.

My three favorite kiddo's !! Isn't Ashley growing up so fast. She is entering the phase where they begin to look like mini adults.

My grandmother on my dads side, nanny, with another great-grandchild to add to her long list. I think Kaleigh makes # 10.

Philip feeding Baby Ruth her first bottle.


Kaleigh's going home outfit. She looked like a little angel.

Uncle Ryan holding Kaleigh. He tried so hard to be a good sport but you could tell that his nerves were shot after holding her for those long TWO minutes.

Grandma getting some Kaleigh time.

PawPaw is so proud to have another little grand-daughter. He really loves her dark hair. He and I were both keeping our fingers crossed that she would have our dark hair.

Loading Kaleigh up in the carseat. Kaleigh's first road trip was an adventurous trip. Philip was THAT dad, he probably didn't even make it to 60 miles per hour on the interstate.



Me and my girl once we got settled onto the couch.

Tyler holding his little sis for the 1st time. I must admit he did wonderfully !! To continue with my bragging, he hasn't acted badly with her not once since we have made it home. He keeps asking Philip when will she be big enough to play with him and his cars/trains. He loves her the most he says.


This is the video from when we got home and Tyler held his little sister for the first time. I can't say it enough when I say that Tyler absolutely loves Kaleigh.