December Highlights

December is always a crazy month with Christmas and everything that goes with it as well as birthdays.  Here is some of the everyday mixed with some of the craziness of the season!

Apparently, she needs a nap to keep up...

Raegan took it upon herself to manage the baby powder.  She was a mess and so was the carpet.  It is better then lotion though!

 Bode trying out the jump up.  She likes to be up at least for a little while.

 And Raegan needed a turn.  The jump up also makes a great swing.

 Harrison loves teaching Raegan about the computer and showing her all his tricks.  It is cute to watch them together.

 We got a real tree again this year.  I realized I took this picture setting it up, but none since it was set up, so I'll be sure to put that in with our Christmas post.

 Harrison had a good friend move away this month.  We had him over to play a few times and the boys enjoyed some fun playtime before his family moved to Idaho.

 Just love this face!

 And these faces.  Oh, the reactions that sitting on Santa's lap brings to my children.

 Joy, fear and boredom.

 Boredom is better then crying though right?

 And after seeing Santa, we went on a little train ride.  It was cold (for Houston) but fun.

 And then I finally got the girls in their matching dresses from Grandma Ward.  I love these dresses and love matching my girls.  I promise to stop while they are still young, but will love it now!  Next time I need to work on getting a better picture!

Now on to the main events of the month.  Raegan turns 2 and Christmas.  I love this time of year and all the reflection and happiness that surrounds us right now.

3 months

 Time is flying. I can't believe this girl is already 3 months old!!  She is an awesome baby (I think I am starting to sound like a broken record)!  She sleeps like a dream.  Honestly, most nights 10-12 hours.  Maybe once every 2 weeks I am up with her and usually it is hard getting her down at night, but she almost always sleeps in past 7.  I want her to go to bed earlier around 8 but it is usually between 9-10.  But other then that no complaints about sleep.  Her napping isn't great, but I think that is more my fault with our busy schedule during the day, she doesn't really have much consistency.  

She is also a great eater (in case you can't tell!)  She is a big girl!  She will only take a bottle if she is starving and it is warm and won't do it much for me.  We are working on that though so we will see how it goes.
She is very interactive and loves to see what is going on around her and make eye contact with people. If you can get her to look you in the eyes, she will almost always smile.  She will laugh a lot for you too.  Harrison loves getting her to laugh and it always is followed up by hiccups.  She loves to watch what is going on around her and all the chaos in our home.  She doesn't interact much with toys yet, but we try.  She will put anything that comes near her hands into her mouth and loves to suck on my hand.
She is happy being held or put down where she can see what is going on (she is not a fan of tummy time).
Overall, she is a happy, healthy and perfect 3rd child.  I can't imagine not having our Bode Baby here everyday.  Her siblings love her and she puts up with a lot from them so she must love them too.

Happy 3 months Bode Babe!

Blessing and Birthday

On November 24th, we had Bode blessed in church.  She is so lucky to have some wonderful family who came to witness this great occasion.  Both sets of Grandparents and 2 aunts were here.  And a wonderful Dad who did the blessing and shared his 30th birthday with her.

Such a sweet baby.  And a sweet blessing.

 And that's right...you heard me say 30.  I can't believe I'm married to a man in his 30s!  I have to enjoy being the younger woman for a month and get in all the jokes I can now...I'm not too far behind him.

Jeff is an amazing husband, father and friend.  I love him so much and I remember spending his 19th birthday with him.  Time has flown and what a fun ride it has been.  Here's to the next 30 years!  Love you Jeff!

November...a month of visits Pt. 2

My parents and little sister came for a visit too.  Everyone overlapped for Bode's blessing (more on that in another post) and my family stayed for Thanksgiving.  Again we had another really fun week and the kids loved all the attention.  From one Grandma to another, we all had a big shock when everyone was gone.  But while they were here we played!

Della loved on Bode!

 Like I said, the kids love their Grandparents.

 We spent a morning out at the park.  It was cold, but we had fun.

 Bode loved making faces for Grandpa.

 Bode also got her first hairdo (compliments of Grandma)

 And we enjoyed Thanksgiving together.  Bode watched some football.

 Grandpa and the kids put on a concert in the new fort/loft bed we have for Harrison.  Which he loves by the way.

 And dinner was a hit!

And the kids loved hanging out with Grandpa.

 And playing some games.

It was a great time and we loved having family come visit.  Anytime people want to come, let us know.  We provide some great entertainment :-)

November...a month of visits Pt. 1

Mid-November ended Harrison's soccer season. He had a good time and Jeff enjoyed coaching too. I think we will be doing it again next year.

Bode had her first playdate.  It was a hit (and the mom's had fun too).  Her little friend, Erik, is about 6 weeks younger then her.

 Grandma Ward came to visit for a week and we had a great time.  When she wasn't helping me with projects (I got my storage closet cleaned out, the outside windows watched and some much needed support while shopping), she had a great time hanging out with the kids.  The just love Grandma!

 And Grandma knows how to braid...

 Sporting the braid look.

 Bode relaxing with Daddy.

 Raegan getting into trouble as usual!

 We are trying to do more tummy time and Grandma was great at helping with that.  This is the modification to help her last a little longer.

 When we let her lay back on her back again, she is a happy camper.

 And I even took Raegan in for her first hair cut.  I took her with me while I got my hair cut and I was really nervous.  My stylist was great though and instead of cutting off the baby curls that I love, she just layered the hair to blend better.  So, she looks good and still has her baby curls.  We just have to keep the bangs back so they can grow out.