Merry Christmas

Dearest Family and Friends,

Hope this holiday season is filling you with as much joy as it is our family! We’ve found holidays with a little one are oh-so-fun and really bring back the magic and excitement of the season! I can’t believe I’m writing a Christmas letter this year – and truly feeling that we must officially be grownups…ironic timing as Quinn and I cherish these last months in our 20s! I guess as proud new parents we have more to share and since I love getting updates on all of you, feel it’s only fair to do the same. Obviously those of you who visited our blog in the past can calculate that I haven’t updated it in over a year! Yep, that’s right, my last post was before Annie was born…so I thought a revamped blog layout (special thanks to my super talented sister, Lauren, who designed and helped me set it up) was in order! I love reading all my friends’ blog updates, and my New Year’s resolution is to update this once a week…wish me luck!!

Quinn and I have been blessed with an amazing, yet super busy year! Annie just turned a year old this past October and what a whirlwind it’s been. It’s crazy how fast one year can fly by, and yet we can hardly remember life without her…she’s truly the love of our lives! I am a little sad how quickly my baby is fading away, as I see more and more little girl and less baby in her every day. Luckily each new stage is so much fun so it’s hard to stay sad for long! Annie had a wonderful 1st birthday surrounded by everyone she loves and my parents and sister were able to fly in to be here for her special day and party! With both sets of grandparents and both her aunts and uncle to celebrate with – she was lavished with love and attention! She started really walking the day before her birthday and loves her new freedom and independence!

Annie 1 year update:
Height: 29.3 inches (70th percentile)
Weight: 20 lbs (45th percentile)
1st Word: Da Da (she adores her daddy and gets SO excited when he comes thru the door after work)
Loves: Giving kisses, sorting and organizing her toys, taking care of her baby dolls, reading books and turning the pages herself, her paci and blankie, and being rocked to sleep, and her night time bottle “ba ba”
Dislikes: Veggies, having her diaper changed, doing anything she doesn’t want to do, ha ha!
Personality: Annie is quite the entertainer and is full of personality! She loves to put on what we call the “Annie Show” to get attention and make others smile!

We’ve had a crazy year in more ways than one in the Laws household! Quinn started an MBA program through the University of Texas last August, just months before Annie was born. Somehow he manages to handle a full time job in finance at Hunt Oil, crazy travel schedule, and long weekends of school with such grace and still comes home to Annie and me with a smile and helping hand – I think he just might be super dad! With daddy away, Annie and I get to have lots of girl time, and I cherish this special time when it’s just the two of us.

After four fun years of uptown living, we quickly realized that life with a baby and a 3rd floor condo didn’t mix! We spent the winter and spring trying to keep up with the daunting tasks of new parenthood and having our place on the market! When we didn’t have much luck listing it for sale, we leased our condo and moved in with Quinn’s parents for a month while we waited to close on our new place...a house in North Dallas. We LOVE having more space, a backyard for Annie, and the perfect tree out front for a baby swing! We have a guest room ready and waiting, so if you’re ever in Dallas, we’d love your company!

Right before Annie was born, I was blessed with the perfect job for me at The Lamplighter School, an amazing private school right down the street from our new house and Annie’s daycare. I work in the business office and with some amazing ladies, who are more like family than coworkers. They help me balance working and motherhood, are always willing to listen to my Annie updates and stories, and love her almost as much as I do! I’m lucky to be able to visit Annie over lunch most days and hope in a few years Annie will join me there for Pre-K!

Wishing all of you the Merriest Christmas and a New Year filled with health and happiness! Check back with us often, I do promise to post updates and pictures frequently!

Love from the Laws,
Quinn, Kristen & Annie

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