Our First Christmas

Well, our first Christmas as a family has come and gone. Whew! I am tired, but it was wonderful. The girls got in Christmas eve, and Jack must have known because he waited to go to sleep until after he got to meet his sisters. Continuing my childhood traditions, everyone got to open one present on Christmas eve, pajamas! Here is Jack with his first ever Christmas present. He looks very unimpressed. I think next year will be better.

The girls were a bit nervous around their brother at first as they haven't really had much exposure to babies, but they soon got the hang of it. They both did a great job of playing with him and keeping him happy.

Jack got a bit spoiled by everyone. Remember people, he doesn't even understand any of this yet! Ok, maybe Stuart and I got carried away a little too. Here is a pic of his Dr. Seuss tree in his room.

As usual, nothing was perfect this Christmas, but everything was still wonderful. Just another reminder of our reason for celebrating.

We feel truly blessed this year.

What's really important...

It's Christmas eve morning. Stuart is at work and the girls arrive this evening. For now it is just me and Jack. Currently, I'm not worried about presents. I'm unconcerned with the house cleaning I need to do. I'm not focused on the cooking that needs done. I'm happy for the true gifts of Christmas.

4 months old!

OK Laura, here is a new post. Just a couple of random pictures of my big kid. He turned 4 months old yesterday. Of course that meant more shots for him, and more tears for both of us. He is now 19 lbs 11 oz and 27 inches long. It is amazing to see how much he has changed in such a short period of time. He finally got to meet his uncle Kevin and uncle Jon! That still leaves a couple of aunts and uncles who haven't seen him. So, Patrick, when are you going to make it back to AZ? Don't make him wait until we come up to Utah in April!

I had to post that second picture, because it is the first time I have every thought he looked like me (or at least like baby pics of me!) The ultrasound pics looked like Charlotte. Then, when he was first born, everyone thought he looked like Stuart. As he got older, he totally looked like his cousin Ryan. Lately, he has started to resemble Kevin. But no one ever thought he looked like his mom!

White Trash Christmas - 2003

Recently, Charlotte posted some pics of Christmas past. I thought I would do the same, although mine are a bit unconventional. A few years ago, some friends of mine threw a "White Trash Christmas" party. Everyone dressed in costume; it was hysterical! It was one of the first few times Stuart and I had gone out together. I am still surprised he wanted to keep dating after seeing me at my absolute ugliest!

Don't we make a cute couple? I considered using this pic for our wedding announcements. It would have been approrpriate. Hee hee.

Charlotte and Wendy will not be thrilled that I posted this picture of all of us at the party. Oh well, they should remember that I have more embarassing pics of them from the party, so it could have been worse.

Gingerbread Party

Yesterday I held my 6th annual gingerbread making party for the family. (Maybe it's the fifth, I forget, all I know is it was 2 houses ago for me, so it's been going on for awhile.) The first year, I was crazy enough to make the houses for everyone to decorate. I've long since given up on that idea. Now, everyone brings their own (either homemade or those great pre-made kits!) Here are a few highlights:

1. It seemed louder this year than normal (the new tile in the house created some echos and made the 3 wild boys sound more like 10)
2. Caitlin was insistent that I judge them and create a blue ribbon for the winner (with smaller prizes for everyone else.
3. All of the kids houses had to be completed by the parents when they lost interest
4. Lexi is so cute!
5. Charlotte, Wendy, and my mom ate all the appetizers before my dad, Laura, Marcy, and Jamie arrived so we had to make more.
6. Caitlin ran into the screen door and it popped right off the door frame. She was so worried we would be mad at her. (How could we, she is just so cute.)
7. It's more fun with Kevin, Jon, and Patrick because they really get into it!
8. Caitlin reading to the crazy boys to help calm them down.

We even managed to get a picture of all the kids together!

Lazy Days

Just wanted you to see my little chubba bubba baby.

Kailee always said she preferred chubby babies, so we aim to please!

At home watching Jack

Well, I took today off of work with the intention of completing all of my Christmas shopping. Jack and I went to Target and he was just great (he usually likes the car ride.) I planned on doing some outdoor shopping, but it was raining so I thought I would go home first. In the 2 mile drive home, Jack started crying, no screaming is more accurate. He turned bright red and I thought for sure he was going to pass out. I couldn't calm him and couldn't get around all of the crazy drivers to pull over. I was crying and he was screaming. As soon as I got home, he went to sleep. So much for getting everything done today. I guess I will be one of the last minute shoppers fighting the crowds just before Christmas.

I'm at home and frustrated because I want to be out, but don't want to wake my peaceful baby (he is so cute that I can't be upset with him!) So, I will follow Marcy's lead and do some rambling. Jack loves music. He apparently is tone deaf because he loves when I sing to him and I am just awful. We found that he really loves 2 songs in particular: On Top of Spaghetti and Jingle Bells. He laughs out loud and does his own attempt to sing along. I'm glad about the Jingle Bells because I was getting tired of singing the other one.

What else is going on? We've tried to start some of our own family Christmas traditions. One is that we read Jack a Christmas story each night and then take a candy from our advent calendar. I found some great children's books that tell the story of Christmas. He really likes the stories and I really like the chocolate.

We went to the doctor Friday because his eye was red and watering. When I called the nurse, he thought it was pink eye and wanted me to bring him in to the office. Turns out it is just a clogged tear duct. We did find out that he now weights 18 lbs 6 oz... and he isn't even 4 months yet! No wonder my back is killing me.

I only work 4 more days this week: 2 from home and 2 in the office, then I am off for the rest of the year! Yea! I really am excited to do some holiday baking again this year. Well, it looks like Jack is waking up, so I will just post this cute picture of him. (We took it while singing with him.)