Sawyer's first Christmas

This Christmas was great except that I had the worst cold. It lasted two weeks. I had fever, stuffy head, cough and I lost my voice. But besides that it was great. We spent a week with our families. Sawyer got to see all of his grandparents and great grandparents in one week-- basically in one weekend. We went to Fort Worth, Bowie, Quanah, and Amarillo. We got great pictures of four generations of Coffmans and Whitfields. I think it is amazing that Heath still has all of his grandparents. I only have one left. They were more excited about Christmas than Sawyer could have ever been. And let me tell you they spoil this kid. He got so many books, outfits, and toys. But I think his favorite thing was the Christmas tree and all the lights. Or this jumping Santa that my dad had. Sawyer would lean close to Santa and talk but then Santa would jump and scare him. It was funny to watch Sawyer leap back and then laugh.

He also got to spend time with his cousins Kage and Gabby. Gabby is so big now she is almost two. She got a talking Elmo for Christmas and she would dance with him. It was too funny! I can't wait for Sawyer to be that age and play with toys like that.

Goodbye Penny

For those of you who know me well you know my love/obsession with my 98 Honda Passport. For everyone else--you are about to find out. I got the car when I was 16 and we have been through everything together. High school, college, med school --I even brought Sawyer home in that car. It is full of so many memories. It is even a joke among my friends that I would drive that car to my high school reunion. I believed I would too. But I am sorry to say that this Christmas I had to let Penny go. Yes, I name my cars and she was named Penny Passport.

It started on the way home to Amarillo--we had a blowout. To be honest a very bad blowout. We were lucky that we didn't have a wreck. Luckily we were near Quanah so Heath's family was able to come out and save us. But we needed to put new tires on the car. And this started a conversation about what if more work had to be done to the car. All of our family has been telling me that I need a new car. The problem was I didn't want a new car. I was perfectly happy with Penny--she wasn't perfect but she was perfect for me. I wanted Penny to make it through residency and make it to 100,000 miles. But after a long talk and some crying, Heath and I came to the conclusion that if the car needed work it might cost more than the car is worth. So we decided to buy a new car especially because now is a great time to buy.


By chance we saw an add in the Wichita paper for Tahoe Hybrid for a great deal. So on the way home depsite me being sick as a dog, we stopped in Henrietta to look. At first we were not impressed the car had the word "HYBRID" written down the side. We both hated it. But then the dealer came out and we asked if you could paint over it. He said, "oh it is just a sticker it can come off". Well that changed everything. We looked inside and much to our surprise it was fully loaded-leather, navigation, dvd player, back up camera and anything else you could imagine. They were making such a great deal on it because it was an 08. So it was fate! And now I am proud to introduce Tori Tahoe--I hope we go at least 10 tears together.

Interview Trail

For the past month I have been traveling all over interviewing. I am tired of it. I dislike the whole interview process --I believe it is fake. You are on your best behavior and so are the interviewers. So who knows if you are a good match because no one is being real. Even my attire is fake--a black suit. I never dress so bland. In a few weeks I have to rank my choices and then I find out in March where I matched. It is the longest process--I started applying in September and don't know till March. Then I only have 8 weeks to find a place, move, find a job for Heath and graduate. Only a few interviews left--thank goodness.

Thanksgiving

Sawyer celebrated his first Thanksgiving with his cousin Kage. We went to Lake Possum Kingdom to spend the day with my Dad. The ladies spent the day cooking while the guys spent the day playing red neck golf. Which is harder than you think --just ask Heath.

Later that weekend we visited Heath's family. Unfortunately his grandparents couldn't make it. But Sawyer got to spend time with Uncle Bryan--who will be graduating from Tech in a week. Congrats Bryan! I can't wait for Christmas we will be going to Amarillo and Quanah--I hope there is snow. I miss snow so much. I want to sit around a fire with hot chocolate. It will be so special to have Kage and Sawyer together for their first Christmas!

Until then I will be traveling all over the US for residency interviews. I had to leave Sawyer with his grandparents last week. I was so sad--it was my first time without him. I managed but I was so glad to get back to him. He greeted me with a big laugh-too sweet for words. Wish me luck as I try to find a job.

My brother's handy work

I also got a tour of my brother's finished home. He built an outdoor living room/kitchen that is amazing! I can't believe he did all of the stone work and wood ceilings. He was not this handy growing up--I think Hollye taught him a few tricks.

First Trip to Amarillo

Sorry my blogs are behind. I blame AT&T --our internet has been out for weeks!

In November, Sawyer and I made our first trip to Amarillo. We were in need of Granbee time! Sawyer got to meet his Uncle Brent, Aunt Hollye and cousin Kage. He also met Gay and Travis and Rebecca. Kage is adorable--and looks just like Brent. He just laughs and laughs and talks to everyone. And he loves when Brent flies him through the air. The babies are about 7 weeks apart. I know they will have so much fun and probably be lots of trouble in the future. It was great to see them interact. On the last day, they finally noticed each other and started talking to one another.

All smiles

This week has been amazing! Sawyer is making great eye contact and smiling now. It is so cute! He is developing such a personality. He had his first Halloween --he was a little pumpkin (thanks grambee). We sat outside with our neighbors and met the other babies on the block--including Avec. He was so cute as a little cheetah.

On Sunday we got to meet Aunt Leslie and hang out with Uncles Greg, Eric and Pilgrim. It was good seeing all the guys. It was even better to see them with Sawyer--they were great with him.

In a few years though I see them getting into all sorts of trouble with him.

I also weighed him on Sunday and at 6 weeks he is 13 pounds. He is getting so chubby but everyone loves a chubby baby!