Baby’s first Christmas. December 31, 2008

I can’t believe Christmas has already come and gone. We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas this year.  It’s hard to believe that this time last year Miles was not even born yet! I was very (uncomfortably) pregnant and there was a huge cloud of uncertainty over his upcoming birth. As you can see, things have turned out better than anyone could have imagined. I’m so glad that God is the author of life and is in control of all things. Miles wasn’t really sure of what to think of all of the presents and people, but he was a great sport and was such a good little boy despite our carting him around and being away from home for so long.

This was the first year that Greta really understood that Christmas is Jesus’ Birthday.  She kept saying she wanted to have some of Jesus’ Birthday cake and that she wanted to see God. With all of the busyness of the season, we have yet to make our Birthday cake for Jesus. We will actually probably do this tomorrow night. I just really think it is a great, memorable way for kids to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday.

Opening presents with Greta was, well entertaining-she insisted that every present was both to her and from her.

The kids received sooooo many toys and books!  I think I’ll do what I did last year and set some of them aside to open a couple months from now. With both kids birthdays right around Christmas we receive a lot of gifts all at once.

Christmas eve we spent with my family- my parents, my brother Greg- who flew in from L.A., my sister Jill and her boyfriend Christian- who flew in from Switzerland and my little brother Eric.  It was an enormous blessing to see my siblings that I rarely see. My brother Chris was unable to come, but 4 out of 5 is not too bad! That evening we enjoyed our traditional clam chowder soup and lots of other goodies.

Christmas day we woke up and opened presents with my family then headed to Joe’s Mothers house for a late lunch, more presents and the best cheesecake ever!

I didn’t get nearly as many photos taken as I would have liked, but here are some of the highlights…

a fancy affair. December 31, 2008

Greta had her Fancy Nancy Birthday party on December 18th.  I decorated the house in true Fancy Nancy style and made loads of food…then the ice storm hit. We had less than half of the original number of guests expected, but it was still a wonderful time and Greta had a ball! Here are some photos of the soiree- as you can see, everyone is very fancy

Happy Birthday!! December 17, 2008

Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby girl! I can’t believe you are 3 years old already.

not too shabby. December 13, 2008

Greta has been recovering well. Ok, that might be an understatement. The day after she broke her arm, she was back to her silly self- jumping on the couch singing “God is bigger than the boogey-man” (of course, I told her to STOP jumping before she broke her other arm). She has not yet complained of pain, so I’m thinking she’s doing just fine!

The night after Greta broke her arm, Aunt Jessica surprised her with a get-well-soon balloon and all the trimmings for a gingerbread house. Greta had so much fun making her house. What a wonderful memory she will have of her lovely Aunt Jessica. Greta absolutely adores Jessica! Here are some photos of the girls making the house (it looks more like an igloo).

Today Greta had more visitors. Kevin, Dorene and Audrey came by to give their “get well”  wishes. They brought Greta some adorable presents that she can use at her Fancy Nancy Birthday party next week! She loved her new fan and fancy purse so much she didn’t set them down all day.

Great Grandma Lee. December 9, 2008

…and boy is she great! Joe’s Grandmother is quite the lady. First of all, I think she knows more about computers than even myself. Secondly, she can keep up with little ones just as well as anyone.  Last but not least, she is a quiliting machine! We went for lunch and a visit about a month ago, and she surprised us with 3 new quilts. One for Joe, one for myself and a very special veggietales quilt for Greta.  Below is a photo of Great-Grandma Lee rocking Miles to sleep and her absolutely beautiful quilts!

broken wing. December 8, 2008

Our sweet little bird talking about her broken wing…

ouch! December 8, 2008

Well, we are back from the emergency room. Greta was climbing the chair in our living room and fell off.  I  could tell immediately by the way she was crying that her arm was broken.  Once I took a look at her arm, I knew for sure.

We only live 3 minutes from the hospital , so I loaded up the kids and headed over. A couple of x-rays later it was official…broken arm.  I just can’t get over how tough she is! I knew Miles was tough, but had no idea that Greta was too. She broke her arm at 5:30pm and by 7:30 she was making jokes with the nurses. She was even in good enough spirits to make a few phone calls. On her phone call to my mother she said, “I broke my arm today.”  It was too cute.

Daddy and Mommy spoiled her with a “pretend Birthday party” when we got home. She is completely fascinated with Birthday parties right now, so we used this to our advantage. We kept her calm during the x-rays by reminding her if she was a good girl- we could have cake and ice cream at home.

She has a splint and a sling right now and in a couple days once the swelling goes down, they will do a cast. I hope they have aqua blue I’ll have to post some photos of her tomorrow.  I’ve never seen such a teeny, tiny sling. It is the cutest thing ever. We are praying that she gets lots of sleep tonight! It’s been a long day.

pretty interesting. December 7, 2008

pretty interesting.

santa who? December 7, 2008

We do not do Santa at our house.  Yes, we are weirdos.  Growing up, Joe and I both believed in Santa. For me, Santa and the idea of lots and lots of presents definitely overshadowed the real Christmas story;  which of course is the story of Jesus coming to this earth as a baby to redeem our souls. We decided that for our family, we did not want the focus of our Christmas to be anything other than the anticipation and celebration of Christ’s birth.

Anyway, the way that Greta reacts to Santa is has become quite funny. Last year, she saw Santa on some wrapping paper and called him a pirate! To her defense, he did have black boots and a big belt on- I can kind of understand what she was talking about.  A couple of days a week, the kids come with me to work at the flower shop. They have a life sized  Santa that talks and dances if you press the button. Greta is TERRIFIED of him! She literally runs away screaming and crying. At the bank today she told me, “Mommy, I’m scared of the Christmas guy. I don’t like to press the button.”

It’s cute and funny now, but I am really looking forward to explaining to her why we do not use Santa to celebrate Christmas when she is a little older.  To me, Christmas is so much more than simplistic reindeer and elves. In celebration of the birth of Jesus, I have made some ornaments for our tree. My dear friend, Dorene, had the idea of making ornaments with the some of the different names of Jesus. I promptly STOLE that idea Hers turned out so beautiful and classy. Black and silver…so crisp and classic. Mine are—well, “me”.  Sloppy and colorful. We had fun making our ornaments and I love what they add to our tree.  Now when I pass by our tree and see one of the names-  I am reminded of songs and Bible verses. How cool is that?!?!

playtime. December 2, 2008

Steps to endless baby fun-

1. Fill doll cradle with random toys.

2. Place cutie in front of cradle.

3. Allow baby to remove each toy….one by one.

4. Marvel at the cuteness.