Christmas Eve Pictures

 

Postpartum Musings

Sometimes I look down or catch a glimpse in the mirror of my had-my-third-child spare tire around my middle.  I stare at my postpartum baby bump that looks a little too much like an actual baby bump, and I start to think . . . what if I was actually four months pregnant and I just didn't know it!  What if that's the real reason why I look four months pregnant and the real reason I've only lost three pounds in the last three months . . . not just the copious amounts of holiday junk food!

Then I realize that would mean I would end up with two children like 14 months apart . . . and then I'm a little bit more OK with the baby weight that's stubbornly holding onto my midsection this time around.

I like to remind myself that it's important to see the bright side. 

And, for the love, it's time to put down the chocolate Santa!

You Better Be Good, I'm Telling You Why . . .

So, I may have dropped a couple 'gentle reminders' that Santa's watching and wants us to be nice and try new foods, but I haven't ever really invoked much Santa-wrath at our house.   Which made Ellie's earlier comment unexpected and even more hilarious . . .
So, it's Christmas Eve morning and Annie's been ON ONE all freaking day.  Teasing her sister, crying and whining, throwing fits.  It's been fun, let me tell you :-).  Anyway, after shoving her sister, I put her in time out.  She's screaming and freaking out, and I come back out of the room and comfort poor Ellie who'd just been knocked over.  Ellie looks up at me, sadly nods her head, and says, "I guess Annie's on the naughty list now."  HA!

Went to See the Big Guy

The girls stood in line, practically SHAKING with anticipation for their turn to sit on Santa's lap.  They danced and sang and jumped up and down and squealed.  (But that's not so unusual, they ALWAYS squeal).  Finally, it was our turn.  We let Isaac go first, so that we could get his first ever picture on Santa's lap before he started to freak out.  It went well, then Annie got a turn.  I should point out here, I was NOT paying for pictures, I was snapping them with my own camera, which apparently in the North Pole is a major dis and we were treated accordingly.  After we got Isaac off of Santa's lap, Santa picked up Annie without so much as looking at her, turned to the camera and smiled, then set her down and repeated it with Ellie.  I think he suddenly realized that both girls were shocked by his behavior (and virtual non-communication), so he finally suddenly turned to them and asked what they wanted for Christmas.  Both girls were silent in response -- whether from stage fright or from stunned from the brusque behavior.  All our planning had gone to waste.  (Earlier that day we'd done a little role playing.  "Ellie," I asked, "What are you going to tell Santa you want for Christmas?"  "GUM!" she shouted gleefully, then took off running.  Then, suddenly stopping, turning back around and running back to me, she quickly added, "Not cimmamum gum.  La no like cimmamum.")  When we were done Ellie was grumpy and Annie was near tears.  I was able to calm the down and then distract them with a very cool play land that I did not even know Valley Fair Mall had.  

I was OK with how it all turned out -- I got some cute pictures of them, and with some explaining of Santa's busy schedule and all the kids waiting in line, the girls were able to forgive the rush and just be happy they got to see the big guy at all.
And I got some chocolate mint candy at Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolates, so it was a Merry Christmas indeed.

Other tidbits from our day:

Isaac trying to make out with everyone while waiting in line to see Santa was pretty hilarious.  The kid has gotten into kisses.  He gives cute sweet ones to my Mom, and then proceeds to chew on my bottom lip or give me hickies on my chin.  All while grabbing both of my cheeks with his tiny sharp nails. 

Greg asked Ellie if he could take her blankie to work to keep him happy.  She said no, rolled her eyes and pointed to the writing on the blanket, "Dad . . . E-L-L-I-E.  Not D-A . . . " then trailed off when she realized she couldn't spell the rest of Dad.  She took the blanket away for safe keeping though, just so he didn't sneak off with it.

Ellie happily saw my red cup and exclaimed, "Mom!  Match!" holding out her own orange cup triumphantly.  Annie sighed and said, "Ellie, Mom's is red and yours is orange.  They don't match.  But I'll let you go ahead and say it anyway."  Thanks for your permission there, Annie.

I'm Not Saying He's the Cutest Kid in the World . . .

. . . I just don't know if they actually come any more adorable :-)

His sisters are pretty cute too!

Merry Christmas!

This our official Christmas e-card of whatever the lazy internet equivalent of actual Christmas cards are . . . sorry, three kids four and under, and there wasn't much of a chance of me getting actual cards out this year . . . but Annie's at preschool, Greg took Ellie to Cabella's and Isaac's down for a nap, so I could swing a quick email and a cute photo attachment :-)

We've had an exciting year, adding our baby boy to the family.  Isaac is loved and smothered by his two big sisters.  Annie and Ellie can't imagine life without a baby to spoil, and we're all loving his sweet, happy personality. 

At five months old now, Isaac is proficient in eating his toes, eating his fingers, eating my cell phone and eating in general.  And he's learning to sit up.  He's HUGE in comparison to our girls -- at his last appointment he was 95th percentile on the charts for height, and I don't know how long we'll be able to keep him 6-9 month clothes!  Being a Mommy to a little boy has been such an amazing and sweet experience, and I can't get over how much I love this kid.

Ellie, at two and a half, is talking up a storm.  We just don't understand half of it.  She has an opinion on everything though, and loves to share it with us.  She could sing and dance and jump and run and play all day.  She's a constant performer, and the child I worry about the most in terms of busted lips and bruised knees.  No broken bones yet, fortunately.  All that energy is wrapped up in a teeny tiny package that can't hide her enormous personality for long!  Isaac's quickly gaining on her, and we wonder how long it will be 'til he's bigger than his tiny big sister. 

Annie is loving being the oldest child.  She loves holding Isaac and putting Ellie in her place.  Poor Ellie with two Mom's telling her what to do all the time!  I think she forgets she's only four and a half, often assuming she's in charge of all things siblings.  Annie loves school, and is having fun in her second year of preschool.  (I still can't believe she'll be in Kindergarten this coming year!!)  She's the mellower of our two girls, and can sit and do puzzles and read books for hours, but never misses an opportunity to sing and dance for an audience.  We took a year off of dance classes, with the new baby and all, but we need to get her back in, since she's always looking for someone to perform for!   She's also quite the social butterfly, and would happily spend all day hanging out with friends and playing with the neighbors.  We couldn't have picked a better place for her to live -- our circle is constantly full of children and friends running up and down the street and riding bikes anytime the weather permits.  Annie loves looking out the front door and being able to find friends effortlessly, or walk just a few houses in a number of directions to get to a playmate's home. 

Greg and I are doing well too.  A little tired with a baby, a two year old who hates to sleep and a four year old who keeps waking up with nightmares now that she's been moved into a top bunk . . . but we're very, very happy.  We can't help but look around and feel so blessed -- we share a wonderful life together, with beautiful children and loving, supportive families who are a huge part of ours and our children's lives.  We're so grateful for the blessings that come from our Savior, at this wonderful Christmas time and all year long.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Love,
Gregory, Hilary, Annie, Ellie and Isaac

Five Months Old & Ellie's First Play Date

Look who is FIVE MONTHS OLD now!

At five months old his favorite things to do include: eating toys, eating his hands, eating his feet and eating.  That about sums it up.

Oh, and he loves watching cartoons with his sisters.  (Does that make me a bad Mom?)  :-)

Ellie's First Play Date

Annie and her best friend Sarajayne play together all the time, and often with their little sisters, Ellie and Kate, in tow.  But yesterday Kate came over to our house while Annie went to Sarajayne's house for the first one on one play date these two have had.

It went well . . .

 

December so far . . .

The girls almost single handedly decorated most of the tree (which is why 75% of the ornaments are on the bottom left hand side of the tree) . . .

 Isaac's still obsessed with his own toes . . .

He makes one fine looking Santa . . . 

With Aunt Andrea at the Festival of Trees

 Greg and the girls in front of a tree done in Greg's Grandma June's honor.

 The Festival is a big holiday tradition for us -- Annie's gone at least twice a year every year since birth.

(Actually, all of these pictures were taken on December 1st -- we get started on the holidays as soon as humanely possible!  Full Santa suit on the baby the first day of the month -- it's just how we roll around here!) :-)

Milestone

Look what I can do!

 At least for a little while.

His reward for work well done -- this is why I bought the 'indestructable' phone . . .