Chirstmas 2001 (2nd child born)

December 2001

Dear Family & Friends,

Here we are again at the end of a calendar year and the beginning of another. It feels like only 365 days ago that I was sitting down at my computer with the mission of composing last year’s Templeton Holiday Letter. As I’m sitting down this year in a brief moment of peace and quiet, I’ll attempt to recall the highlights of 2001 for the Little Rock Templetons, in no particular order.
Of course the greatest event of 2001 was the birth of our daughter, Georgia Elizabeth. She arrived on July 7th which was a few days earlier than “planned”. Beth awoke in the middle of the night feeling like something was unusual. I’d say that was an understatement. After she finally convinced me to get out of bed, we cruised to the hospital for the professionals to do their job. The nurses decided it was about “showtime” and called in the doctor. Luckily, things slowed down a little bit and progressed nicely. Georgia was glad to be here but certainly not as glad has her mother and I. Lawson came up later to meet his new little sister and seemed pleased with what he found. A big thanks goes out the our neighbors, friends, and family who stepped in to help with Lawson and all of the other logistics of having the second baby.
We made our pseudo-annual homage to the SEC basketball tournament in the Spring. We had a good time in Nashville although those ferocious Razorbacks decided to leave before the Finals. We were hoping for a repeat SEC Championship but they don’t seem to perform when we are in attendance. Several of our friends who also go to the Tournament are considering barring us from future events. But as always, we had great time visiting with our friends from all over the country who try to make it to this annual event. A new participant this year was Beth’s dad. I believe he may be hooked at this point and we expect to see him at future games.
Our very Brady house is not very Brady anymore (meaning: not too much 70s decorating remaining). We completed a rather major home remodeling project this year. Lots of paint, a renovated bathroom or two, and hardwood floors downstairs made up the majority of the effort. Only some landscaping and a new front door remain (according to me). I believe we will be living in this house for a long time. We don’t really have a choice at this point!
The work was supposed to be completed before Georgia was born, but instead Beth was able to supervise much of the work during her maternity-leave. All of the workmen seemed to like new baby Georgia. The general contractor even brought her a nice baby gift. I realized at that moment that he had probably over-bid the job.
Although I rarely travel with my new job, it sent me to Budapest Hungary when Georgia was only about a month old. The rest of the family moved out for a week and spent time with the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in Russellville, Fort Smith, and Fayetteville. When I made it back to Little Rock, we all spent one more night out of the house while the final coat of finish dried on the new floors.
My mother has continued her global travels this year. She had cleared her calendar for the week Georgia was supposed to be born, but Georgia’s early arrival found Mom in Dallas TX (which is, as they say, a whole ‘nother country). Not to be left out of the excitement, she packed her car and headed up here to Little Rock as soon as she got word and arrived in plenty of time to help with diapers for two and night-feedings for the younger one.
Speaking of Georgia…again: she’s really been a good baby. She’s eating good and sleeping good while being properly entertained by her big brother. She and Lawson seem to enjoy each other’s company. We’ve been trying to get video of their fun-time so we can show it to them in a few years and remind them how much they used to get along.
Lawson is really enjoying this new role as big brother. He considers it his personal mission to entertain Georgia. He’s growing up and learning new words everyday. It’s great to see his little mind develop reasoning skills and logic. All of that wrapped up in a super nova of energy.
Lawson had a bit of bad luck recently. While helping me work on the Christmas lights in the front yard, he apparently fell and broke his right arm. Now before your mind runs wild, let me assure you he was nowhere near a ladder, was not playing with electricity, did not ever get on the roof, and I did not touch him in the moments before he fell. We didn’t even know he had an injury until later in the day. The x-rays confirmed a minor fracture. He was not pleased with the diagnosis nor the treatment, but he doesn’t seem to mind the cast.
I do not believe that any letter reflecting on the year’s events could possibly be complete without a comment to the tragic date of September 11. Although I do not believe anyone I know was directly, physically impacted by the horrific events, I believe we were all deeply touched by that day. I find myself hugging the kids a little longer and a little tighter. I find myself saying “I Love You” a little more. And yes, I also find myself being a little more emotional…as if being a father didn’t generate enough emotions in the first place. I know this has impacted us all in different, unique, and personal ways. I hope that each of us can do our part in our circle of influence to improve the world around us and our relationships with family and friends. We never know when our lives will be abruptly changed.
I hope you had a great Christmas and Holiday Season. Please keep in touch.