Some random November and December pics

I had aspirations of doing monthly updates of the comings and goings of Brooke.  Then I remembered that I have three children and life is crazy. 

She had her 6 month check up about 2 weeks ago.  She weighed 12 lbs even (<5%) and was 26 inches long (50%).  She is a tiny little thing!  We are actually watching her weight, but I’m not too concerned.  She’s healthy and has a good general appearance.  She is learning new things and progressing as she should.  She can roll over and can sit unassisted for about 10-15 seconds.  She could probably do it longer if she would stop arching her little back!  She loves the Exersaucer and Jumperoo.  She has strong little legs.  She loves to stand up in my lap and bounce up and down.  She is a sweet, sweet girl.  She rarely cries…pretty much only when she is tired or hungry.  She loves to play peek-a-boo and we get the biggest belly laughs when she is tickled.  My only regret with her is that she is just growing up sooo fast.  I feel like this year is flying by and it just makes me sad to think about.  I am enjoying the ride, though, even if it is a little speedy.  

I hope you have enjoyed the photo spamming.  There were just too many good ones to not share. : )

Four generations

We met with my Grandaddy and Aunt the day after Christmas at Olive Garden for a little post-Christmas celebration.  I don’t get to seem them nearly as often as I would, so it was such a treat to see them.  This was also the first time they met Brooke.  We decided that a picture of the four generations together was a necessity.  I will always treasure this picture. 

Christmas Day

Well, I will go ahead and apologize that this post will be low on pictures.  My absent minded head left my camera at home, but I was able to steal borrow some from my sister-in-law’s Facebook album.

After the excitement of Christmas morning, we had breakfast and then got ready to go to Jeremy’s parents to celebrate Christmas day.  We had a lot of fun there!  Kathy prepared a wonderful meal.  We are so lucky to have so may wonderful cooks in our family.  After lunch, Mikayla did a little impromptu performance of the Christmas story and then we opened our presents.  The kids had a blast!

Gavin in all of his craziness and glory.

Mikayla during her Christmas story performance.

Ashley had some friends of her there to celebrate with us, so we were able to get a family picture.  That was a special treat!

Sadly, after all of the fun we had to go home so that I could go to work.  I shouldn’t complain, though.  Thanks to the ability to trade and maternity leaves, this is the first time in 10 years of being a nurse that I have ever had to work Christmas day.  Also, I didn’t have to start until 7pm, so I was still able to enjoy the bulk of the day with my family.   That was the best part!

Christmas morning

Christmas morning with children is just magical.  I just love the pure excitement that they have, wondering what Santa has left for them while they were sleeping.   I hope that magic stays in our home for a long, long time.

Santa’s load before the kids had a chance to rip into it. 

I think they were excited to get into everything.

The big kids showing of their Happy Nappers, the most requested present this year.  I also feel I mest explain why Gavin is all dressed on Christmas morning.  That child has a slight obsession with getting dressed down to his shoes as soon as he wakes up.   I was unable to convince him to stay in his jammies…at least he picked out a Christmas shirt. ; )

Here is Brooke playing with two of her presets from Santa.  She loves them both!

The Christmas morning aftermath.  It would probably make more sense to clean up as we go, but this is just much more fun.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at my parent’s house this year.  It was a full house this year!  The only ones that weren’t able to be there were my sister Emily and her family.  We missed them terribly, but know that they thouroughly enjoyed their White Christmas in Maine.

That is one full table!

The kids had the HARDEST time containing themselves from ripping open all of these presents.  They thought dinner should have been the last portion of the evening.

This was Brooke’s first Christmas which necessitated a super cute outfit and a mini photo shoot. ; ) I had the hardest time finding a first Christmas outfit that was feminine (not usually a problem). So, I found a cute onesie.  I paired it with some tights and a handmade tu-tu and voila…..super cute Christmas outfit!

This is my favorite picture of my three kids.  It just shows each of their little personalities so well.

Brooke hanging out with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa.  I feel so blessed that they have been able to know each of my children and interact with them often.

I had a hard time finding matching Christmas jammies for the kids.  I was able to find some for Gavin and Kayla, but none for Brooke.  So, I took matters into my own hands and made them matching jammie pants.  I was so pleased with how they turned out and I may have to make this a yearly tradition.  I may add in pants for Jeremy and I next year!

My big girl is 7!!

Seriously, how did this ……

(don’t mind her labor battle wound)

Turn in to this so dang fast!

My  big, sweet girl turned 7 this year.  I can still so vividly remember the day that she was born.  I can honestly say that is one of the absolute best days of my life.  She made my dream of being a mother come true.  I love her so much and am so grateful for her.

Her birthday fell on a school day, so, as you can see from her picture, we made sure that everyone at school new it was her special day.

I had lunch with at school and we shared some treats with her class.  I really think she just loved being the center of attention.

Later that night we got together with our friends the Kreugers, Their son Matthew is Mikayla’s best friend, and according to Mikayla, her future husband. : )  We took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese – that was quite the adventure.  Mikayla had a great time, and that is all that matters, right?

It was a fun night!

The next day, we got together for a little family party at my parent’s house.  Mikayla is such a lucky little girl to have so many people that love her!

I don’t have pictures right now from her family party (my little sis did all of the picture taking and I haven’t had a chance to get them from her yet).  I will update this post once I do, though!

Mikayla is growing up so fast and is really turning into a sweet and thoughtful young girl.  She is a WONDERFUL big sister!  I love just spending time with her and hearing all of the fun stuff that is on her very imaginative mind.   I love her so much!