She loved her Uncle Randy
Paxton's Favorite..He was amazed at how large the were

Kar-Kar teaching him how to get water everywhere...aren't their tiny bottoms cute.

Paxton "The aggresor"...at least their related. Drew is obviously not that into it.

We successfully have tubes in our ears and we are now speaking a mile a minute. This week was very eventful. From Wed. to Fri. we had the Hagens come to visit and Paxton just loves him some "Kar-Kar" that is his name for Karleigh. We went to the Dallas Zoo and mostly watched some Aggie Basketball...Now in the Sweet 16! Katrina and I we even able to speed away and do the 4 wheel trails out by our house...while the guys watched the children. Cousin Drew, Uncle Randy and Aunt Tonya ventured up here Fri through Sunday. We had a lot of fun just hanging out with them and playing. We recently borrowed the neighbors play scape and Paxton was so funny when he got down there he said" WOW". He had such a cute smile...he has learned to go down the big boy slide head first and backward on his back. He is such a dare devil. Mackey is full of smiles now, I think she is going to take after her brother and flirt with everyone. Hopefully this week we will officially have grass in our backyard...praise the Lord. I am so tired of dirt being tracked in. That is extremely stressful for a clean freak like myself...thanks Whitey. We have been LOVING the weather!!When Rusty gets home we have been staying out till dark playing outside.

At the Park playing with Scooter.
Isn't she sweet?
Right before attack of the Ear
Poor Envoy...how many can I pile in??? Annie looks worried
I could not resist

Breathing Treatments are back.
Mackey and Anabelle

After 5 trips the pediatrician, one trip to the ER(for Paxton), and LOTS of Tylenol...we will officially have tubes placed in Paxton's ears on Thursday. We have had quite the eventful time at our house: I will break it down for you numerically.

1) Kate and precious Anabelle come to visit for a couple days. Mackey and Paxton are both feeling crummy...with drugs Paxton is able to make the trip to the mall playgroup.

2) Paxton is on breathing treatments and is semi OK with them.

3) Trip to the ER at 0400 and then we stay at the hospital for our scheduled 0830 appt with the ENT. Paxton is now on Tylenol with Codeine...but still not asleep...will have tubes on Thursday (keep us in your prayers)

4) We get our $850.00 electricity bill...looks like I am going back to work full time to pay for A/C.

5) Mackey has more junk in her nose than a grown up...I think it is a cold but figured I better go to the Dr.

6) Mackey has an ear infection in both ears..smallest child the pediatrician has ever seen with ear infection.

7) Did I mention that both children now on Augmentin and having LOTS of diarrhea...we spent $45 in diapers this week at the store.

8) Rusty calls from work he is throwing up and thinks he is coming down with something...Like a great wife I tell him not to come home, maybe you can sleep somewhere else...Can you tell weary mom whose sympathy is being beat down. (He came home to dinner and a television night, he did sleep upstairs though)

9) Builder comes out and they find a 3inch screw in the coil to the A/C unit...tells me things I don't understand and then leaves saying he will bring a new unit out tomorrow. No heat or A/C tonight...I don't have to go back to work now.

10) Rusty and I are going to the Maverick Basketball Game tonight...I have never been so I am excited. However we will miss SueSue playing basketball on a DONKEY...I hope this on tape!! It is really true, a donkey.

TAG...I'm IT! So... I got tagged by my friend April McCarty Nelson:) Here are the rules to the game...

1. Grab the book closest to you.

2. Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence

3. Post the text of the following three sentences

.4. Name the author and book title.

5. Tag three other people to do the same

"We know that everything turned out all right. But what did Mary and Martha think at the time? What did the disciples think? What do we do when God doesn't act or move the way we think he should?

Ironically this book has been one of my favorite books ( I don't read very often though) and it has taken me forever to finish. It is called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha world" by Joanna Weaver. It is the perfect book for encouragement the back title reads: An invitation for every woman who's ever felt she isn't godly enough, isn't loving enough, isn't doing enough. Sounds typical of a mom, young or old, right???

I now tag: Kat (who reads a lot so it shoud be interesting), KatieKate (who is so creative- who knows what she is reading), and Kelly Harrell (who is very wise there is no telling what we will learn)

Sweet Girl

Mary Elizabeth and Mackey Elizabeth
Today we officially smiled for the camera..melted my heart. She went for her first play date to Mary Elizabeth Master's house. Mary is just 6 weeks younger. It is so nice that now she officially weighs 9lbs and can wear one more different outfit. Here she is cheesing it up before we headed to church for "Mom Matters".

Bad Hair Day

This is Paxton every morning...he always has crazy hair. I guess it goes along with his crazy fun loving personality. I am thinking that we may have to start hair spraying no matter how hard we try those pieces refuse to be settled.

Need I say More...

Need I say more...could my camera have caught any more than this...

What two best friends do when no one is looking...or at least they think no one.

Lazy Days

Paxton getting a hair-do from Jackson...Brant is supervising!! SCARY
Poor Lainey!! Lots of trouble on the couch..

What was going to be a lazy afternoon turned into a party a Brookhollow circle...7 moms and 8 children!! It was chaotic but also very fun to hang out with such great friends. Here are some snapshots...

Mama Emilia's

Valentine's Night a group of 20 of us from Sunday school went to a really nice restaurant in downtown McKinney. We were all dressed nice and had a great evening! I am not sure that SueSue and GrandPat will ever volunteer to keep Mackey again...lets just say she cried the whole time.

Paxton's Valentine

Notice the hand holding!!! I am sure this will end around jr. high

Rusty and I have been so blessed. We are looking forward to tonight. We are getting all dressed up and going with some friends to dowtown McKinney to eat (no kids). We LOVE our Valentines!!!: Paxton and Mackey!!!! We went to two V-day parties and are worn out.

This one is for you Erika and Jessica!

(Ashley, Jessica, Me, Erika, and Tessa)
(Jason, J.T., Danny, Rusty, and Tab)
Rusty and I are so blessed! We have found a group of friends that is fun to hang out with but also encouraging in our walks with Christ. We started a small group bible study in Octish and have held each other accountable every Sunday night. From Canton trips (where money was spent decorating each others houses), to X Box games, and good food every week together as we fellowship. God has placed these 4 other couples in our lives to build life long friendships. We were all talking the other day and were saying "you know how your parents all had a group of friends they were close too"...the conclusion is that we are making those friendships now. We know that we are blessed also I know that all you girls are checking this and I want you to know that I feel so lucky to have you as friends.

The title is because Jessica and Erika have wanted to make the blog for weeks! You are there girls: you have MADE the blog...

Mackey at 2 months! Yesterday was my first day back to work and her first day to go to Mrs. Shelley's (the day care). She did really well and did not get kicked out from crying so much...and that is exciting. She actually has started to figure things out and is much more relaxed. Here is the latest close up.

Texas Weather

Last week WINTER came to town. Rusty was out of town all week and Thursday evening we had plans to leave the house a head over to our friends the Rackers House....this all changed at 4:30 when it started snowing and did not let up until 7:30. It was so beautiful! Everyone in our neighborhood except for us had beautiful white yards. Ours was brown dirt, yes that's right we still have no GRASS...hopefully this weekend!!

Yes, Fred Savage. I invite you all to take the challenge...strange yes. I will take Jackie O!!

"The Swaddle and the Pacifier= Happiness"
The art of Swaddling: Precious Mackey needs to be swaddled in order to maintain "happiness" as she knows it. Every child in the beggining has the thing you cannot leave home without...Mackey has to have the swaddle tool. With Paxton we just used blankets to swaddle...but baby stuff has improved in 19 months and there is now this blanket especially for swaddling with Velcro and all...the child cannot bust lose and it comes in small, medium, and large. So when swaddled she only cries 70% of the day instead of 100%. If she is crying she is either: hungry, without pacifier, or not swaddled. She still is precious.

Update on Life and having 2 children under 19 months:

*Paxton's eye healed and tonight we fell and hit the exact same spot causing yet another cut in the same general location.

*Rusty was out of town Mon.-Wed. as a warm up and next week will be gone Mon.-Fri....we will be having SueSue as our overnight guest several nights:)

*My hooter hider (yes, another new invention...no pictures to follow) has arrived and Mackey is going through a growth spurt. She is now 7 lbs. 8 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. She already has gorgeous blue eyes and is an awesome snuggle bug...just want her momma wanted.

*Paxton now takes a pacifier and EVERYTHING with wheels is a "CAAAR" and we say "DAAWG" with a huge Texas draw.

*Boone is not adapting well to the Invisible Fence and has left for boarding school. Ellie however is scared to death and refuses to leave the garage...she cannot even walk 5 feet to poop outside the garage.

*Life is full of playgroups, bible studies, and NAPS:)

Happy 28th Birthday. Top ten Reasons why we love our Daddy/Husband:

1) Who would bundle us up and take us outside to walk the dogs in the mudd. Did I mention the dogs are in-training with the electric fence.

2) Who would do little complaining about all the honey-do list. If you know his wife you know that the projects never end.

3) Who can fix just about anything.

4) Who would sleep with us in our big boy bed just to show us how cool it is.

5) Who is very sympathetic to every bump, bruise, or cough. It is a good thing we have mommy though or he would take us to the ER/Dr. all the time.

6) Who gave mommy a generous sum of money to buy new clothes after Mackey was born. Even though she is back to pre-prego weight something very strange occurs in to the body.

7) Who wakes up before each night-time feeding and changes our diaper.

8) Who has bugeted well and allows our mommy to stay home (in a beautiful house) all day and play.

9)Who very patiently excuses us from the dinner table to "talk" when our behavior is not so pleasant.

10) Who loves us like no other daddy/husband could!!!

2 Bonus:

Who would get us off/on the hobby horse a million times before getting frustrated.

Who trys to get us to say "Gig em" and "Football" all the time.

Big Man! Lately my little Paxton is becoming a toddler. It seems that I woke up over night and now he is a typical guy. Sitting on the bed with food and drink in hand. Notice the crossed legs...gotta love the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

So I decided to post a picture of the house despite the fact that we will never get grass. Everyday that the grass was to be delivered in the last few weeks it has been raining/sleeting/snowing. Gotta love Texas weather. There will be another post after the landscaping/grass is put in.

Well, I know that all you folks up North think that we DFWers are NUTS... the news is ridiculous!!! Rusty's work was called off and this afternoon we all bundled up and headed to McDonald's to play. Mackey was dressed in her cold gear and was so warm she was sweating upon arrival. Paxton was thinking he was such a big boy until he fell and hit is eye on a chair in the play area. Play time was over:( We hope that it clears up fast. Rusty was so worried we should go to the ER to prevent scarring and was frustrated that I was an RN and was unable to determine whether a trip to the ER was worth it. I continue to tell him that ICU RN do not know bruises and stitch stuff, we only know how to keep you alive!

Hope everyone is bundled up and enjoying all the sleet/snow.

Paxton and his good buddy Brant. These two love each other...Paxton was showing Brant how to chase the outlaws on his horse. Hold on Brant!!

The pediatrician said prior to Mackey that God would give me a laid back child because Paxton is so exciting. Well 4 weeks later at the 1 month appt. I let her know that she is mistaken. God must think that Rusty and I can handle anything. Our HOME-GIRL Mackey is high maintenance. She literally cries all day long unless she is being held. If anyone just really wants to hold a baby...I have one that you can borrow not have. I am still thankful everyday that God blessed me with healthy, cute children...but for crying out loud must they cry/whine all the time. Paxton is in a frustrating stage where he knows what he wants but cannot say the word...we are working on this though. He is doing very well with adjustment...there is only so much holding/crying of Mackey that he can take. I know that I should feel honored that Mackey wants to be with me all day:) Here is a picture were I tricked her, she will tolerate me carrying her in the sling (she hates the swing and vibrator chair) and I carried her and then put her down when she was asleep...it worked awhile until she realized I was not attached. I will brag on Mackey and say that she has excellent head control and sleeps very Well...I won't tell you were she is sleeping because I am embarrassed. I only documented this to remind myself of her high maintenance stage because I am sure this is the only one she will ever have:)

We enjoyed a Liberty City class of 1997 Reunion last weekend. The new house was semi-ready and it was exciting to show everyone. The house loved:) being broken in by 6 kids under the age of 2. Toys Galore!! We are so blessed to have such great life long friendships.

Moving In

Mackey in front of the portable heater.

Ok...so Dec 31st is the official last day that we live in 9208 Water Tree. We officially live with SueSue and Grandpat. All of us: Rusty, Paxton, Mackey, me, Boone, and Ellie... we are hoping that Boone and Ellie do not tear up the yard/garage before we are able to move. The boxes are slowly being unpacked and we are making home at 22 Brookhollow Circle. I am so excited and ready to be settled, it will be so nice to sit on the couch and hold baby Mackey. We had the whole gang here to help move... the Melissa and Liberty City parents. Also, thanks to Jenn Russ's instructions we were able to get better organized through her direction...thanks Will for carrying boxes to all the rooms for us...I will be over to paint the twins room soon:) We hopefully can reside at the new house Tuesday/Wednesday when TXU installs the permanent meter. I/Everyone has been unloading boxes in an extremely cold house. I have had my ski coat on. I thought an appropriate picture to document Mackey's 3rd week of life is her sitting in front of the portable heater. Paxton has been such a trouper...helping unpack, disorganize, and reorganize:)!!

We hope that everyone will come visit us and enjoy the little piece of serenity that Rusty and I have found together at 22 Brookhollow Circle.

Cox Christmas

We were blessed to have Christmas with both sides of the family this year. The Saturday after Mackey was born Grandma, Big Daddy, Grandma Kal, Cheryl, Cori, Randy, Tonya, and Drew came to McKinney to have Christmas with us. It was such a blast to watch Paxton and Drew open presents. After the first dump truck was opened Paxton was content. Randy and Tonya gave Paxton a 9 ft tunnel to climb through and that entertained Paxton and Drew for the afternoon. We loved getting to watch Grandma Kal hold precious baby Mackey too!!!

P.S. Where is Rusty looking??? And yes, I do have a tank top under the sweater and I do not have a see through sweater on.:) Thank you Randy for pointing that out!!

Hanging with the BIG boy 4 Generations of Elizabeths

Grandma Pigg (a.k.a. Piggly Wiggly) came to visit to see Mackey. It was great to see the Center group. The Center Piggs- Mary, Analeise, and Neil came up too!! I had so much fun, I actually got to go to the mall since Mary was there to help me with two children. It is really hard to figure out where to feed Mackey and keep tabs on Paxton all at the same time. I thought about doing it in the bathroom and then remembered Paxton's joy in playing with/in commodes and decided against it. Luckily with Mary and Neil's help they keep control of Paxton. I was so happy to finally get a picture of Grandma, SueSue, Mackey, and me. There are four generations of Elizabeths in this picture...I will treasure this picture forever.

Christmas 2006

Paxton loved his vet kit...it came with stethoscope, dog scale, and brushes for pets. He loved it. He wore the stethoscope every where Christmas day.

Her mom is having way too much fun with "BOWS" The kid table-Sydney, Brinley, and Paxton The beautiful Hobby Horse

Due to being in boxes/homeless we stayed the night at the Melissa grandparents house. It was so relaxing... there is no place more comfortable and Christmas spirited than SueSue and Grandpat's house. Santa came around 9:00 a.m. and brought Paxton a hobby horse...we are not sure if he enjoyed climbing up the horse or rocking better. The hobby horse is beautiful just like the one that Rusty and I had growing up. Paxton did very well this Christmas...he got lots of trucks, an art easel, a giant bean bag, and lots of little gadgets. Mackey got pretty pink coat hangers!! Christmas afternoon our neighbors from McKinney and our friends the Russes came over to my parents house and we all celebrated with a Christmas dinner together. Paxton, Brinley, and Sydney all enjoyed sharing their new toys and playing outside. Christmas was great and cannot believe how much God has blessed us this year. Happy New Year!!!

2 week B-Day

Mackey at 2 weeks...she likes to swing but is still not sure about the vibrator chair.

Is she smiling or is it gas???

Life has been crazy around here! I think that just a couple hours spent with me makes people stressed. Paxton is doing good and adjusting as expected. He loves Mackey, but hates Mackey and mom together. We are working on soft touches and sweet kisses. Today was my first 3 hours alone and it was manageable. You don't get to spend as much time with a new baby when you have a high maintence 18 month old. She is doing well. Her jaundice has gotten better, she has gained back 3 ounces, and she would probably sleep through the night if I would allow her too. Everything seems to be going good. Feeding is difficult for me but she seems to have the hang of it down. Someone should write a book about all the things you need to know after labor. There are all these fantastic books about the 9 months till the baby, but nothing about all the things the mom goes through after:)...and this is my second time!! We are hoping to get into the house before Dec 28th so Rusty can watch the A&M game on his brand new plasma t.v. (it is not looking very promising). I am beginning to have anxiety with all the boxes (packed and not packed), the curtains that are not done, the make shift room Mackey has in our bed room, and the fact that Santa may have to go to SueSue and Grandpats home instead of Brookhollow Circle. We are managing however and I am reminded to be thankful for 2 healthy children and to stop and make sure and enjoy the reason for the season. It is not about all the above anxiety, but about Jesus.

Mackey Elizabeth

One proud little brother... Our precious Christmas gift After delivery...looking a little tired Going home... My bow woman... I have waited a long time to put bows on my girl.

Special Delivery

WELCOME

MACKEY ELIZABETH COX

December 11,2006 at 10:12 p.m.,

6 lbs. 0 oz., 19 1/2 "

Breakdown of events:

Sunday after church Rusty begins to finish installation of irrigation system at Brookhollow Circle and I continue to paint Mackey's new room. The pattern appears to be easy and cute but turns into 3 weekends and lots of favors from friends. Sunday night Paxton has a 103.4 fever and he and I lay on the couch and watch Polar Express while Rusty is at church, I begin to feel uncomfortable cramps...nothing hospital worthy, so I ignore and they go away. 9:00 p.m. Rusty and I cleaned entire house, I went to the grocery store, and washed all the clothes. On Monday morning Paxton and I head to the pediatrician were they test him for Flu and RSV still Paxton is with 102.0 fever. The test luckily both come back negative. That afternoon at 2:00 Rusty meets me at the OB for my 37 week appt...we're officially full term and never expected to make it this far!!! Dr. Riegel checks me and I am 4 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Yeah!! He then tells me that due to my weirdness and that I have really yet to feel contractions that I should go the hospital and be monitored and that I could not go home to get anything just in case. I call our great friends Danny and Jessica White and ask them to come get Paxton and take him until we figure out if this is arrival day, and since he has 102.0 temp he cannot be around the new baby until he is 24 hours fever free. Upon arrival to the hospital which is across the street from the OB office. I am 6cm and having contractions every one minute...still feeling nothing. At 7cm I am "forced" to take the epidural despite not feeling anything because Rusty and my mom said that I would regret this decision at 9cm...which I am thankful for loved ones who look out for me. At 10:12p.m. Mackey entered the world. It is so amazing when you do pregnancy/birth right. Rusty and I were so blessed by God to have two precious babies. Rusty's parents were able to make it in time and Mackey and Big Daddy share the same birthday...Happy birthday to you...she was the best birthday present he has ever received, I bet!! Paxton came up on Wed. morning as they were throwing us out the door and he has been in love ever since. He has made the transition very well and thinks she is so much fun. They must have talked because the both absolutely hate to have their diapers changed. We are loving life these last two days... we have already ventured to Target, Fudruckers, San Marcos grill, and the construction site. The second child has proven to be much easier due to less stress about worrying if your baby is functioning. Thank you so much to all who came to see us, those who called, the meals you will make, and the prayers we have received.

THE CRIER

Ok...so we have been a little busy!! I have a funny story that I feel is blog worthy so I am back tracking a bit. Last Sunday we went to Sunday school to drop Pac-Man off at the nursery. Many of you know that he cries a lot and has nightmares about the church nursery. I like to compliment myself and say it is because he loves me so much a cannot bear to be away from me..we all know this behavior is not healthy. Well, this cute little lady comes up to another cute lady (all the while Rusty and I are standing within ear shot) and says "Is this that crier you were talking about?" and the cute lady replies "yes." Well, I am tough and so is Rusty but nobody wants the crier to be their child. So we are working on seperation anxiety and I bringing the Sunday school teachers Christmas presents to help them relax. I just wanted to document this so that someday when Paxton wants nothing to do with us I can remind him he WAS the crier.