Ready for Christmas

We plan on staying home for Christmas this year, as we actually want to enjoy one holiday in our home before we end up moving again.  Our plan was to wait a little bit to put up a tree so that we wouldn't constantly have to discipline Mikey on Christmas tree rules.  Normally our tree would go up the day after Thanksgiving, but we waited until this past weekend (12/09) to buy a tree and decorate it.  At first we just decorated the top of the tree and made sure that all the ornaments were out of reach for a special someone, but our tree looked ridiculous!  So I found some ornaments that are non-breakable from over the years (it's a tradition that my mom buys at least one (sometimes many) Christmas tree ornament every year for me) to decorate the bottom of the tree to help balance it out a little bit. It's taken a few days for the awe of the Christmas Tree to wear off with Mikey but he's starting to slow down on redocorating the bottom of the tree. Here's some pics. of our tree and other decorations around the house.

Bringing the tree home.

You can see the ratio of ornaments top to bottom.  We still need to put on our Christmas Tree Topper.

I like how it's a little blurry.  Gives off great light at night.

Bailey's Ornament.

One of the many on our tree.

One of my favorites, a small nativity set with everyone gathered close to baby Jesus. 

Our mantle.  I'll try to get a nighttime pic when it looks much better.

The 3 reindeer my dad made for me for Christmas some years back.

Sophie the Giraffe

At Katie's baby shower one of the many gifts we received was the very popular "Sophie the Giraffe."  Sophie has been patiently waiting for Katie to get old enough to play in the top drawer of her dresser.  The top drawer of Katie's dresser also happens to be a very interesting place for Mikey.  He recently broke Sophie out of her box and has been playing with her and manipulating her ever since.  I think it's safe to say he stole Sophie from Katie and has claimed her as his own.  She watches Curious George with Mikey and reads stories with Mikey and even sleeps with him.  If Sophie isn't in his room at bed time we usually have to search the house for her before he will go to bed.  Here's some pics. of Mikey gnawing on Sophie and some interesting places I've seen her.

Mikey loves to chew on Sophie's feet and ears.

She's pretty lucky in this picture as sometimes her whole head ends up in his mouth.

This morning I found her in bed.

A few days ago she was driving the truck.  You'd be amazed at what I find shoved in here.

I knew sooner or later she would end up in our tree.

Growth Chart

Here's a quick recap of our kids and their growth stats:

Mikey-

Born - 10/29/09- 7 lbs. 7 oz, 19 1/2 inches long

Leaving Hospital - 10/31/09 - 6 lbs. 14 oz

2 week Checkup - 11/13/09- 7 lbs 7 oz, 20 inches long

2 month Checkup - 1/5/010 - 10 lbs. 10 oz (19%), 22 3/4 inches long (30%), 14.75 inches (head 5%)

4 month Checkup - 2/25/10 - 13 lbs. 7 oz (24%), 24 inches long (21%), 16 inches (head 7%)

6 month Checkup- 5/3/10 - 16 lbs. 5 oz (26%), 25 1/4 inches long (10%)

9 month Checkup - 8/4/10 - 18 lbs. 4 oz (14%), 28 inches long (39%), 17 inches (head)

1 year Checkup- 10/29/10 - 21 lbs. (24%), 29 1/2 inches long (41%)

15 month Checkup- 1/26/11 - 22 lbs (20%), 30 inches long (20%)

18 month Checkup - 5/3/11 - 24 lbs. 4 oz (20), 33 inches long (75%)

2 year Checkup -

Katie

Born - 8/5/11 - 6 lbs 15 oz - 19 1/2 inches long, 32 cm (head)

Leaving Hospital - 8/7/11 - 6 lbs. 9 oz

First Checkup - 8/9/11 - 6 lbs. 12 oz. (19%), 19 3/4 inches long (55%), 34 cm (head)

1 month Checkup - 9/6/11- 9 lbs 4 oz (50%),  21 1/2 inches long (65%), 36 cm (head 23%)

2 month Checkup - 10/5/11 - 11 lbs 6 oz (66%),  22 inches long (75%), 38 cm (head 30%)

4 month Checkup - 12/5/11 - 13 lbs. 12 oz (55%), 25 inches long (91%), 40 cm (head 25%)

Katie 4 months old

We can't believe our little Katie bug is 4 months old.  In the last 2 weeks or so, she has really grown and gets stronger every day.
Here are some pictures of her.  (I realize that I have fallen victim to second child syndrome as I don't have many pictures of Katie.  I made a mental note to take more.)
Her stats: 13 lbs. 12 oz (55%), 25 inches long (91%), 40cm head circ. (25%).

At 4 months Katie:
Is still waking up 4 to 5 times a night.  We spoke to the doctor and this has become a habit so we are currently letting her "cry it out" to break this cycle.
Is a thumb sucker.  She won't take a pacifier.
Can giggle and laugh and smile.
Has started to reach for things.
Can roll from front to back.
Has great head and neck control.
Still naps 4 times a day.  Her naps are 45 minutes long.
She loves to watch Mikey, who has recently shown more of an interest in her.  Mikey likes to hold her, all the while saying "Heavy".

What a beautiful smile she has.

Such a pretty girl with those blue eyes.

Here she is laughing and chewing on her fingers.

"Heavy"

The Big Bang

At night time we like to watch some TV to unwind after our day.  We are not a sitcom family, however one of the shows we really like to watch is "The Big Bang Theory."  It's hysterical and an Emmy winner.  Sheldon Cooper is our favorite character.  Anyway, Mikey loves the theme song to this sitcom.  Every time it is on this is what happens.....

Bailey's 5th Birthday

Today we celebrated Bailey's 5th birthday.
We sang Happy Birthday to her, took her for a long walk, let her lick the bowl that we made pulled pork in and also gave her, her nite time treat.
We love you Bailey.  You are the sweetest dog!

Happy 5th Birthday Bailey!

Patiently waiting for Mikey to drop food.

Pulled pork! Yum.

A favorite pic. of ours from New Hampshire.  April 2010.

Look at that face!  3 1/2 years old.

Tired from all the Christmas 2010 excitement.

Sleeping with Bryan's "Goldie" last Christmas.

She loves to be in the middle of all the action.

Book Club

When we first moved here, I joined a book club with some of the surrounding neighbors.  We usually meet once a month, and alternate whose house we go to to discuss the book and have a small bite to eat or drinks.  It's been nice to have adult conversations for a little bit.  I really enjoyed reading all of these books and wanted to share with all of you in case you are looking for some new reading material.  What I have enjoyed most of all about book club, is that it's given me the opportunity to read books that I wouldn't normally read.  I'm definately more adventurous with my book choices.  Now, if only I can find time to read them?!  (PS. - I haven't been able to make it to book club for 4 months.)

The top 3 were as follows:
1- The art of racing in the rain
2- Twenties Girl
3- Zeitoun

The other books that we read were:
The Coral Thief
Freedom
The Late Lamented Molly Marx
The Castaways
Water for Elephants
Wives of Henry Oads
Firefly Cloak
Eat Pray Love