oh what fun

Christmas morning came and Santa's gifts awaited...

Our little sleepy head woke up at 9:00. I'm guessing that won't happen again until she's a teenager. She was pretty excited about her kitchen but also wanted to play with Joseph's wagon. He was willing to share. Joseph wanted Hannah's flashing ring. She was not willing to share... But he was pretty excited about Sophie the Giraffe.

Gamma and Uncle Will Will came to town and brought a grocery cart for Hannah {among many other things}. While she was napping, Joseph played in it. We probably don't want Hannah to see this and get any ideas.

Baby's first Christmas was the typical baby's first Christmas. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but I think he had fun...as long as he had something to chew on.

Hannah upgraded to a bigger chair and Joseph got her old one.

It took about ten tries to get a family picture.

On Monday, Joe's parents (Gran Gran and Poppy) came to town and brought Hannah a tricycle. I love this fashion statement. As usual, all her.

corralling chaos

I recently read that term somewhere and it just struck a cord. It's what I feel like I do at times. Right now we are in post-Christmas mode, with the house in disarray and presents everywhere. {The wrapping paper, boxes, and bags have all been taken out of the house, at least.} Contrary to what I see around this town, I plan on leaving my decorations up for a little longer. Christmas goes until Epiphany, after all. And we are a liturgical family. I admit I get the itch to take down the tree and put the decorations up around New Year's though. {That's a nod to my OCD when it comes to a neat house. As if that can be accomplished for longer than five minutes anyway.}

I will do a Christmas post soon, but how about our kitchen counter?

Little packages were delivered to our house throughout last week by friends and church members. It's tough having all those homemade goodies. No really, it is. I have to exercise a little self control and decide what I want...

merry birthday

We were in Savannah for a couple of days this week to celebrate my birthday with family. Joe and I went out to dinner while my mom babysat and really enjoyed being able to get out just the two of us and talk! Thursday, I had the best day. My mom scheduled me for a facial first thing and a mani/pedi in the afternoon. It was wonderful being pampered. Joe surprised me with a smart phone. {Yes, up until now, I've had just a normal phone. No checking email or uploading pictures to Facebook. I am excited about having such a fancy phone and a bit intimidated with the technology.} And my mom surprised me by giving me my blog - in book form. I was overwhelmed. I usually say that it is hard to surprise me, but surprised I was. Twice.

Thursday night, we went to dinner with family and friends to one of those Japanese restaurants where they cook on the table in front of you. I figured Hannah would love it and she definitely did. Believe it or not, I forgot my camera, but if you could have seen the look on her face...

After dinner we changed Hannah into her elf pajamas and went to see "tacky lights". There is this one we go to every year. It's an older couple who's been doing it for years. They raise money for the Salvation Army and let the kids ring the bell when they drop money into the bucket. I'm not sure I've ever seen Hannah so excited. She was running around the yard, shrieking with delight. So fun to watch. She stood still a couple times...

Friday, before we left town, we went to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to see the huge nativity scene they do every year. It is amazing the amount of work that goes into it. You may remember when we took Hannah last year. It's kind of a family tradition.

Joseph woke up in time to get a good view from Daddy's shoulders.

A merry birthday it was. I am thankful to my family, who made it so special, and for all those I heard from throughout the day. I am truly blessed.

eight months

We've been in our new home for half a year already. Joseph is now 8 months old. He's been sleeping in his room for about a month and a half and giving us about 10-11 hours a night of sleep. He's taking two (sometimes three) naps/day and when he's not sleeping he's getting ready to crawl or jumping in his bouncey thing. Or he's being held. He really likes to cuddle. I like it, too. Still breastfeeding...He's a champion nurser and I thank God for that everyday. He nurses about 4-5 times/day and I've not had to supplement at all with him. He's eating solid foods twice/day and doing well with that. He has two bottom teeth and working hard on those top two. We expect to see them any day now. {The teething is not fun...}

{Sister wanted to be in the pictures too.}

Things are going well and we are enjoying our baby boy's first Christmas!

candyland

We had the best time Monday afternoon decorating candy houses at a friend's Christmas party. It was a mom-and-daughter get together, but Joseph was invited too. He was delightfully passed around the room. Ladies man, he is.

Hannah (unlike her mom) was perfectly ok with "over-decorating" and considered the more, the merrier when she got a hold of the gumdrops.

Pretty cute though, if you ask me. And more to snack on...