Merry Christmas-time

Here are some more recent photos... our little tree has since received more decorations, but this opportunity presented itself when the kiddos were all dressed up.  There's a good chance we may not send photos out with our cards this year, so... here you go!

Bear is 5 years and 2 months, Buddy is 2 years and 4 months, minus a couple of weeks each.  She's enjoying her Pre-K class 3 days a week, he enjoys tackling Mommy and basically being a stereotypical little mess making boy.  They love each other, and are wonderful blessings.

We spent Thanksgiving with GranWendy and Grandaddy in FL (along with Uncle Adam, Aunt Amy, and cousin Benjamin), and look forward to invading Uncle Nate, Aunt Cheryl, Emily and Madison's home along with the rest of  Daddy's side of the family in about a week or so.

Halloween Trip home 2009

The kids and I went home to Tennessee for the weekend, and we had a wonderful visit. My parents' house is on the market, and they are praying it sells so they can move further south this winter, so this may be our list visit to the place they've been since I was almost 17.

The kiddos enjoyed having more space to run around (inside and out), and for Halloween we visited our old neighborhood, where we spent time with some of our best friends in the subdivision and went trick or treating together. This was my first year trick-or-treating as a Mom, and I was tired out, but glad we did it. Last year, Daddy took Bear around the 'hood while Buddy and I greeted the trick or treaters. The year before, we went to a church event in Memphis at Gramma Debbie's church, and the year before, well, Bear was only a week old so a select few got to peek at her before they took their treats from my Mom.

Bear dressed up as a fairy princess, and Buddy was disguised as a penguin, which suited him perfectly with his current gait as he learns to walk.

Some parents avoid Halloween altogether and some substitute it with a church based activity, but we've taken to participate in the fun aspects and not focus on the scary in the tradition I grew up... trick or treating in our "safe" neighborhood, with parents and friends. This year's weather in Middle TN was perfect... crisp, cool fall air, the sound of leaves crunching under our feet, and the scent of someone burning a fire in their fireplace. Hannah was so excited about being home that when we encountered a scary costume or decoration, it did not phase her. In fact, after she got over being startled by a pirate ghost at one home, she kept tapping it with her wand and laughing, and then Brandon laughed too. The man who was giving out candy just stood there waiting to finish playing with his "scary" decoration, with an understanding smile.

The funniest encounter of the evening was when I took Brandon out of his costume. He had stuffed a plate from our friends' plastic tea set inside his puffy penguin suit, and apparently it stayed there during our adventure trick-or-treating.

12 weeks

11/12/2008

12 weeks- 11/18:

chillin' with sis

Our little Buddy's growing up on us. Fortunately, this means he sleeps a 6, 7 or sometimes even 8-hour stretch most nights. He's spitting up less, which is also a welcome change. Big Sis has figured out how to pick him up by herself, which is semi-frightening. I'm glad she loves her brother, but she doesn't quite understand just how careful she needs to be. Perhaps she's grooming him to be a wrestler some day (in school, not "pro"). She'd better watch out, some day he'll be bigger than she. He smiles a lot, but catching one on camera is not always easy. Oh, and he's beginning to outgrow his Newborn and some of his 0-3 month sized clothes, so today I put him in a 3-6 month sleep n' play outfit just to see. It's a bit big, but no worse than the 0-3 month ones were when he came home from the hospital! He also intentionally reaches for some of his toys (especially on the activity mat), and grabs onto them. Some things, like his snugglies, make it to his mouth. (He also pulls Sissy's hair when she invades his personal space).

Sometimes he doesn't mind to be loved on with Bear hugs... at least, at first....

10 weeks

Happy Halloween aka "Trick-or-Treat Training"

Daddy took Bear trick-or-treating tonight, while Buddy and Mommy stayed home and greeted the trick-or-treaters. They were gone an hour and a half. Daddy says he kept asking Bear if she wanted to go home, but she was not ready until the very end. If Mommy had known the first-timer would last that long, she would have been more generous while passing out candy.

Can't wait!

Daddy needs a costume next year.
He wasn't keen on mommy's suggestion to go around the 'hood in his new suit.

(I was so bummed when I realized I had the camera on the wrong setting when I took these first few..)

(Pay no attention to the bib, he really wanted his bottle)

After the bottle (which he ate in between several trick-or-treaters).

hannah's goody bag "after"

Okay, seriously... an hour and a half trick or treating for a 3 year old?
Looks like it was for Daddy, doesn't it?

Being cute is hard work, too.

Well Child Check-ups

Bear's 3-year stats:
33 lbs.
38 inches tall

Buddy's 2 month stats:
11 lbs.
22 inches long
39 cm head

Hannah actually seemed to enjoy today's doctor visit. She got to wear a gown with looney toons characters on it, and everyone told her how cute she was. J was able to take off work and go with us, which made everything sooo much easier.

Both kiddos are healthy and happy!

comparison

Bear @ 6 weeks 12/6/05

Buddy @6 weeks 10/7/08

Brandon's 1 month checkup

9 lb 5 oz
22 inches long

I'll have to admit, I am glad he's not a 10-pounder just yet. He has so many cute 0-3 month clothes that we've been given!

Big sis had a harder time waiting patiently for the doc to see her brother than anyone else. I think the 3's are going to be harder than the 2's.

Bear's lil' Buddy is 4 weeks old!

Big sis, before the shower last saturday:

This morning, holding baby brother:
This afternoon:



Doing the unofficial, stand on scale with and without baby weigh-in, I'm guessing he's around 10 lbs. His 1 month check up is later this week. He's healthy, seems to be adjusting to formula ok overall, and has more "awake" time during the day. He is still my cuddly boy, I hope that doesn't change for a long time. We have started calling Bear "Sissy" around the house, and she in turn calls Brandon "Sissy", and then laughs. We call him "Buddy" or "Little Man". Of course, we use their names. Lately, the almost 3 year old has been hearing her first name and middle name together more frequently; and sometimes the last name is added on when she is ignoring us. (It doesn't usually seem to help, though.)

my buddy and me this week

big sis likes to be close to her little buddy

"word up, yo!"

sharing brother with Catey (someone's learned how to do fake smiles, as you can tell)

him: are you sure she's capable of doing this, mom?
her: sure, no problem

1st daytime stroll in our groovy joovy stroller. Hannah likes her big-kid bench seat.