Merry Christmas

What a magical Christmas we had! From the pitter patter of tiny feet running across the hardwood floor early in the morning, to whispers of, "He did it! He really got us a Paw Patrol jeep, Ry!" To giggles and squeals as you played with new toys and humming of carols all day long. Every thing you did was full of joy and magic, and my Christmas loving heart was in heaven watching the joy in your eyes!

The love you three have for each other never ceases to amaze me. In the middle of opening your own gifts, you would both stop to check in on each other and Char. You would show her how to open something or how to play with one of her new toys. I truly pray that the love and friendship you three have for each other lasts your entire lifetime and just continues to grow.

After a morning spent playing outside with new toys and having countless nerf wars (with a casualty straight to my eye, thanks to Daddy!), we were able to enjoy some time with Nenny, Papa Donnie, and Boo. You were excited to show off your new toys for them before taking a quick nap.

Paka, Zsu Zsu, Tse Tse, Uncle Aaron, Uncle Kye, and Yaya all came over for dinner and presents later that day. Towards the end of the night Ry, you were in tears over stomach pain. You didn't want to open any presents and were hunkered over, groaning with pain. We stopped to have you anointed. Immediately, after amen, you were completely back to normal! It was such a wonderful Christmas healing! Energy back, giggles back, and riding your new bike around the basement. It was amazing to witness the complete 180 you did in a matter of seconds! Thank you, Lord.

Every year, I'm amazed at how quickly Christmas comes and goes. This year was no exception. But what a blessed year it was as our first Christmas as a family of five. I wish I could bottle these moments up forever. I pray that we hold on to and treasure these memories. Merry Christmas, my little loves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

Unfortunately, we couldn't all make it to church on Christmas Eve. Saturday had been go-go-go and you felt the effects Char. So, you and I stayed home so you could get a really good nap and take it easy in the morning, while the boys headed to church.

Once home, we decorated Santa's Christmas cookies, before heading off to Paka and Zsu Zsu's house for dinner.

The highlight of my day, was sitting on the couch in the dark, below your bedroom, listening to your conversations as you drifted off to sleep.

"Ry, can you see the milk and cookies?? Has Santa drank his milk yet? Hey Ry, can I 'sweep' wit you so I can see Santa too?"
"No, you can 'sweep,' in you bed, Wy."
"Ok. Will you tell me when you see Santa, Ry? Then I can run on you bed and see him too?"
"Sure! If I stay awake, I tell you when I see him."

Oh the magic of believing! As a 30-some year old believer, I hope you never lose the magic little ones. I hope you never lose this joy and the sparkle in your eyes.

Christmas Eve Eve

Christmas Eve eve was spent surrounded by family! All week, we've each been sick. Boys, you were hit with a stomach bug on Monday, but bounced back pretty quickly. Daddy, Char, and I got hit with a nasty cold. Char you were so sick, we decided to keep you home from brunch at Grandpa's house. Close quarters with too many other little ones -- we didn't want to pass our germs on to anyone else. Thankfully, Paka and Zsu Zsu kept you at their house, so that I could go celebrate with Daddy, the boys, and everyone else.

After a wonderful morning with your cousins, we picked up your sister and headed to Nenny's house for Christmas celebrations spent with more family and cousins. It was such a nice day playing with your cousins, who you all adore, and spending time together. Considering how sick you've been Char, you were such a trooper! You'd really never know you were sick, besides a runny nose. 

It was a busy, beautiful day kicking off Christmas weekend.

 

 

Christmas Festivities

I cannot believe we are on the eve of Christmas weekend! December has just flown by and we have enjoyed soaking up the days and making lots of memories.

We kicked the month off, before December even began, by putting up the tree and going to visit ole Saint Nick on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was a lovely day spent singing carols and enjoying the five of us being together.

 

 

 

 

Throughout December we have enjoyed lots of snuggles by the tree, watching some of our favorite Christmas movies, and plenty of hot chocolate!

 

One of my personal favorite traditions, is one spent with Zsu Zsu and Tse Tse. We find a day in December to visit your Great Grandma's favorite store in Kentucky, The Cherry House. She would go and admire the furniture and decorations every year she came down for Christmas. We keep her memory alive by continuing the tradition every year. This year was extra magical with a surprise and beautiful snow shower (and fudge Zsu Zsu snuck in in her pocket!!).

 

We began a new tradition this year, but it was an instant hit and one I'm sure we'll continue. We all piled into the car one evening to go on a Christmas light scavenger hunt! Dinner, fudge, carols, and lights all in the car! Wiley, you were especially focused, trying to find everything on your list (we never did find that gingerbread man or a stocking!). Char, it was fun while it lasted for you, but you decided to catch a little snooze too.

We kicked off Christmas break with your preschool performance! You were so excited to be upgraded to camels this year and sang your little hearts out. Prior to the performance, you let us know you couldn't stand next to each other because you talk to each other too much! As soon as they called the three-year old classes to the front to bow and be recognized, you gravitated right to each other, talking like you had been separated for days! You two sure do love each other.

 

 

And last, but not least, we started another tradition: Cousins' Polar Express Christmas! We all got together in our jammies for some presents, dinner, hot chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, and of course the Polar Express movie! Watching you stand in line, patiently waiting for Uncle Keal / Daddy, to punch your tickets was adorable. And then watching you each hold on tight to that ticket so no one got the wrong one (just like in the movie) was precious too.

The magic of Christmas through your all's eyes is just fabulous. This has always been my most favorite time of the year, and I didn't think it could be anymore magical, but you three have done just that! You have brought Christmas even more alive for us. You have such loving, pure hearts. All month long we have focused on doing good for others and sharing the Christmas spirit. I have loved watching you get excited to bring joy to others' lives - even as simple as you all wishing people Merry Christmas as we grocery shop. It has been a wonderful season and I am so looking forward to celebrating over the next few days with you and family!

 

 

9 Months

I think the months are getting shorter on us! How are we this close to a year already?! Your ninth month included your first Thanksgiving, your brothers' birthday, and the start of many Christmas festivities.

• You weigh 20 lbs even, 79th percentile and are 28 inches tall, 63rd percentile. You are still in size 3 diapers, squeezing into some 6 month sized clothing, but more appropriately wearing 9 and 12 month sizes now. 
• You were a dream sleeper as an infant, but not so much now. We are lucky to get six hours in a row at night. But, we can't complain too much because you wake to nurse for about ten minutes and then it's right back down. The doctor keeps suggesting we let you "cry it out." While we did that for your brothers, it just seems faster and easier to nurse you and get back to sleep, then to be awake listening to you cry for ten minutes and then having to be awake to feed you. You are also still sleeping downstairs in our room. So when you wake to see Mommy right next to you, it makes it hard for you to fall back asleep. Plus, I may have the mentality that you're our baby and this is our last time for each stage. You won't be waking to nurse at five years old, so what's a few more months of these quiet moments together in the middle of the night. You also aren't the greatest napper either, but we don't blame that on you though. You usually get one decent nap a day (lasting anywhere from one to three hours). A second nap is an occasional occurrence. Your schedule revolves around everyone else's schedule, so you have to be more flexible. The plus side is you never fuss. So even when you go without a nap or just a few catnaps, you'd never know from your mood. You are always so chill, a go with the flow kinda gal. You are able to put yourself to sleep both for naps and bedtime, but bedtime is your Daddy's favorite time with you. He loves to let you fall asleep on his chest and hold you for a few quiet hours before we go to bed too. I love how smitten he is with you.
• You are about over the baby food and are very determined to feed yourself. We've thrown a few more table foods at you this month. You love to feed yourself small banana pieces, cooked carrots, and green beans now. You still nurse every 3 hours or so as well. We are at the "fun" stage of nursing filled with constant distractions and looking around, while trying to keep you focused long enough to nurse for at least ten minutes. This is even more difficult with two big brothers running around. 
• You sign "more" and "all done." We have introduced you to "please" and "thank you," this month, but still working on you using those signs. You try to say "more" when signing too. You also say and call us "mama" and "dada." 
• You love basketball and have been to a couple of Uncle Kye's games now. You watch the entire game, following the ball and clapping with the crowd. Daddy was watching basketball on TV the other night and when you noticed, you started clapping, almost like you know, this is what we do when we watch basketball! Do we already have another sports fanatic in the family?
• You are no longer our toothless wonder. You have your bottom two center teeth and are just adorable!
• Your transportation of choice now is....WALKING!!! How?! How is this possibly that before even turning 9 months old, you preferred walking over crawling?! And even more impressive is that you are actually a really solid walker already too. You know when you're about to fall and stop to steady yourself. We haven't really ever seen you wipe out either; if you can't steady yourself, you just slowly plop to your bottom and try again.
• You can stand up now without pulling yourself up on anything either. So when toddling around, if you fall, you can pop right back up no matter where you are. 
• You are still just as sweet and pleasant as ever. We say all the time, has there ever been a happier, easier baby?! You are just a doll, Char, and we adore you more than you'll ever know.