Merry, Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas. I've always loved this time of year, but this year I feel especially grateful and in awe of life and people. Just so much to say and so little time to write.

Some of the traditions that have come about for us are:
Decorating Christmas cookies (and of course set some out for Santa)
Getting together with good friends on Christmas Eve (hopefully this tradition will stick)
Looking at lights on Christmas Eve
Having panettone french toast on Christmas morning
Staying in our pajamas all day on Christmas

OK, that last one is not a tradition. Well, not officially. But, I'm working on getting it on the list. I managed to keep on my flannels until about 3pm this year. Not bad.

This year, we're so happy to have 'Baby Joss' with us. She took a little nap through the opening of most of the gifts, but when she woke up she was the only one with presents left to open. So she didn't have to feign excitement for others while they were opening their gifts. Sleepy, or totally smart? ;-) This year was also a lot of fun because Charlie is starting to understand the concept of Christmas and a fat man in a fluffy red suit who lands his reindeer on your roof and comes down your chimney and eats your cookies and brings you presents for no reason. I don't know why that's a hard concept for a toddler to grasp. But after he saw the shiny new train table he was a believer.

Here's a little video Brian took of Charlie coming downstairs and seeing his presents on Christmas morning.

Happy Birthday Joss - 4 Months Old Today!

Well, that was fast - Joss is already 4 months old!
And, Charlie has stopped hitting her! (for now ;-)
So many things to celebrate. ;-)

She just had her doctor's appointment and we got some good stats:
Weight: 16lbs, 12oz (97th percentile)
Height: 26 inches (96th percentile)

That's my girl!

As for her personality, she's very smiley and loves to laugh, especially when you tickle her tummy or make a silly face. She is totally enamoured with Charlie. She giggles and coos and does her best to get his attention. And he enjoys pretending not to notice because he's a big boy with lots of big boy things to do. ;-)

Charlie Choo Choo Turns Two!

So, Charlie turned 2!! I can't even believe it. We had a train-themed party, um, of course. The kid is obsessed with trains. I know lots of kids go through a train phase, but I swear he's taken it to another level. I think he's a lot like his dad....those of you who know Brian well know what I mean. ;-) I mean, he's REALLY into them. As a mom, I'm getting a little concerned and wondering if I should do a little research on train conductors, see how much they earn, etc. Can't hurt.
In the meantime, Charlie and his friends had a blast at his party. I'm just enjoying these years when it still takes so little to make them so happy. The cupcake choo choo train was a huge hit. Maybe too much of a hit. Charlie ate so much of it that he was up until 9pm (and normal bedtime is 7:30). Oh well, birthdays only happen once a year. Thank god. ;-) Happy Birthday Charlie Choo Choo! We love you!
See more pics from the mayhem, I mean party, on our shutterfly site (click green link on the right and look in the December photos.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

This year we decided to chop our own tree instead of going to Bob's Tree Barn or some crap place that sets up in the parking lot of the local grocery store and sells trees that can't even pretend they're fresh long enough to contain their needles until you get it loaded on your car. Well, we almost got there. We didn't cut our own tree down, but we did go to a place where they cut it down for you on the spot AND as a bonus Brian kept all his fingers and was able to take this photo.