A good day

 
 
 
 
We don't celebrate Christmas like some families do, but we had a great day anyway. We were totally lazy and just relaxed until 3 or so, and then we went to our neighbor's house. We all had a great time there. Grandma Sandi and Papa Bob are coming today. We also get to see Uncle Peter and Aunt Mary, a treat since they are moving to Colorado.

Blogger wouldn't let me blog 5 images, so...

Playdates

 
 
 
 

The girls have been having fun with their friends. They made gingerbread cookies (we were lazy and didn't put the house together. Really? 3-4 hours??? Have these people ever spent time with 3-5 year olds, because they were not about to wait that long!)with Harrison and Gracie. Meagan and Nati loved having the kids here from Dallas.
Today Meagan's friend Alysa from Kindergarten came over and they have been having a great time with the dress up clothes.

2 months

Hanging with the neighbors

 
 
 
 

Natalie, as you can see, had a great time playing with Ms. Elizabeth on the stuffed pony (almost as big as the real deal, of course bought by Uncle Brian G.) The twins thought that Natalie was a blast, just like Natalie adored them. Meagan was the "big kid" and directed the games.
Matthew just hung out in his big guy clothes, or maybe just the shirt. His 0-3 jeans won't stay up yet. We are working on it though! Almost nine pounds...

8 weeks old today!

Matthew had his 2 month well baby checkup . He weighs 8 lbs, 14 oz, (5th percentile), and is 22.5 inches tall (50th percentile.) Looks like he may be tall and lean! He had his first couple of vaccines, someting he was not too crazy about. He was fine after a few minutes, though. I may have been more traumatized.

Holiday weekend

 
 
 

The girls have enjoyed the first few days of Channukah. I went to Meagan's school armed with Latkes and applesauce. The kids seemed to really like both of them. Last year we invented the "Channukah Fairy" and today they received Snuggies for kids. It was 72 and beautiful today, so not ideal Snuggie weather, but the girls liked them none the less. We also went to a holiday party down the street at our neighbors, which gave the kids a chance to get dressed up. Matthew wore his first "Little man" work shirt. So cute, and the girls looked very pretty in their velvet dresses and tights.

Sick Day

 
 


Both Natalie and Matthew had a bit of a cold today so we stayed around the house. The dogs got some "special time." I can't say if they really found it to be so special.

Experimenting

<b>imikimi</b> - sharing creativity

SMILING!!!!!!!

Matthew has been experimenting with smiling for a week or so, but in the 48 hours he has started to really smile, much to the delight of his sisters (and parents!)

I had book club last night, which I always love, but last night it was extra good since we did a cookie exchange. Is it bad that I ate brownies for breakfast? Hope not. The girls were so excited about these cute little mice that a girl made out of candy. They are adorable.

Lost tooth #2!

I went to eat lunch with Meagan at school today and tooth number two was just about to come out . She jumped off of the bus this afternoon yelling about her tooth coming out. We were very excited because a)she is happy about it and that is cute, and b) she is slated to get four teeth removed on 12/8 and now we only have to get two removed!

Natalie asked me to take a photo of Matthew with his sister, Jenny. As you can see, they look alike. :)

A Chilly (Austin-style) morning

Grandma Lois got Matthew a new Cow coat! He is one hip little boy. Natalie wanted to pose with him and the Infamous Jenny, plus of course, a stuffed cow.
And yes, it really is cold out. It is in the low 50s, but the bad part is it is drizzling and windy. Miserable weather.

Turkey for you and Turkey for me

(Who doesn't like an Adam Sandler reference?)
We had a great Thanksgiving. It was smaller this year, unfortunately because my cousin had to work and his family couldn't come (the girls missed their Uncle and cousin Bobo!), but still very nice. Of course, we had enough food for ninety people, and we will be enjoying it for many days (or weeks!??!) to come. Matthew was completely alert and awake for the entire dinner. He just stared at us and didn't fuss (didn't even need his pacifier.) We have noticed how much more aware he is of his enviornment. Lately he likes to stare at lights, fans, and televisions.
Meagan and Natalie were very stylish in their matching sweaters and scarves. Granted, it was not really scarf weather (I adore this weather, cold in the mornings, warm in the afternoons), but they looked hip regardless. On Wednesday Brian was nice enough to come over and hang out with the girls so I could get stuff done. Both girls insisted on putting on fancy dresses and party shoes. Apparently it was a big event!

So very thankful

A year has passed since our last Thanksgiving, and my life has changed so much. If you had told me last November that I would be sitting here with my sweet baby boy in my arms, I would have laughed. I am not working; teaching has been a big part of my life for ten years. My life is crazy. Andy and I are outnumbered and laundry piles up. Still, I am so happy. I am proud of what I have "survived" this year. I made it through a very rough pregnancy, watched my big girl go to kindergarten for the first time, endured a pain-medicine free 9 hour labor, and am successfully juggling all of my obligations...most of the time. I have realized over this year that I have much to be thankful for. My friends, family, and husband are wonderful. Really, really wonderful. No one told me to shut up and stop whining about my nausea, people volunteered to take my girls or cook us meals, and I do not take it for granted at all. I have learned a lot about quite a few things and as this year starts to wind down and we head into the holiday season, I am appreciating all that I have been given.

Now this is just too sweet!

Meagan picked Matthew up to cuddle and he fell right to sleep. So sweet....

Andy's first homework assignment

Meagan brought home a blank turkey that had to be decorated for school. The idea was for the turkey to no longer be a turkey so that it would be "safe" for Thanksgiving. The assignment was for the family to do the project, so for once parents were supposed to do the work, as opposed to what I routinely saw as a teacher (when the parents did the work for their kids on a normal basis, which you have to wonder why they would want to!)Andy went to town. He and Meagan created a "Barni" turkey in honor of Devil Dog Barni, our Basset Hound. It came out great!
Matthew got a new lovey from Andy's friend Mike yesterday. He seems to really like it, or at least the girls do!