Happy Birthday Jesus

Christmas is always a wonderful time of the year. It is so important to remember why we celebrate, which is because our Savior was born! This year it was especially fun to celebrate with an almost 2.5 year old and an almost 1 year old! Watching their excitement and joy was better than any material gift N and I could have received!

We had decided to stay home for the holidays this year and I am so glad we did. Everyone in our little family has been sick over the past week. Traveling and being away from home would have made it terribly miserable. We are grateful that we were able to be home and the kids in their own beds and on their schedule. All such a big help when not feeling well. 

I grew up celebrating Christmas with family on Christmas Eve. N and I have started this tradition as well. This year we got to spend it with precious friends G & M. We went to Christmas Eve church, which was special even though B and I enjoyed most of it from the church foyer! After church we headed home and enjoyed a wonderful seafood cheese spread and crackers and wine. We let the kiddos open their presents since their clock was ticking! It was fun seeing their excitement. After each gift J said "Oh Wow, Thank you Mommy, Thank you Daddy." It was so sweet!!! After the kids enjoyed their presents and dinner they went to bed and we enjoyed a dinner of rib-eye, spinach cakes and gouda twice baked potatoes. It was wonderful!!!!!!!!! We topped the evening off with presents, coffee and mint chocolate chip ice-cream pie... perfect!!

J with one of his favorite gifts!

My Love and sweet Cupcake!

Sweetie enjoying mommy's wallet

so many presents, which one should I open?

Big brother will help

Sissy's first barbie doll

She loved the paper

Finally pink toys!

She is getting so big! Where did our baby go??

My favorite little peeps

J LOVED LOVED his presents

Babies first Christmas!

Not quite a smile

Love this little face 

T is for...

Toddler, tantrums and Tightness! J and B are in such a fun and at times exhausting stage! J is learning new freedoms and testing the boundaries. B likes to express every feeling she has which results in happy cheers and sometimes big tears! The best part though is how much they love each other. They play so well together and really love to be together. At only 16 months apart they seem like twins in how close they are. They love to chase each other through the tunnel and hide in the tent together. J enjoys bossing B around and frequently says "no touch sissy," when she gets to close to the Christmas tree.  He also loves to repeat everything N and I say and often says, "Sissy I'll be right back" or "Sissy, how yah doing?" When B is down for her nap J gets board and can't wait for her to get up. These 2 really light up my life!!

J was in timeout and when I went to check on him he had gotten the Bible off the table. I thought it was so funny seeing him in timeout "reading" the Bible!!

This little guy is growing up far to fast. Slow down sweet boy!

Fun with Grandma & Grandpa

In November N and I got to go away for 2 whole nights, with our best friends in the world, to an amazing mountain home. It was the first time in 2.5 years we have been away together! We had a great time and it was all because Grandma & Grandpa E were able to come and stay with the kiddos. They of course did a ton of fun stuff the entire time we were gone including a trip to McDonalds and J's first Happy Meal, art projects, walks, getting to watch the Toddler Song DVD multiple times and lots of reading and snuggles. The pictures are testament that the kids were in good hands and had a great time! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa E!!!

My Big Bellimisso Girl

 Our Sweet B turned 10 months yesterday. I don't know where 2011 has gone and how in the world she can 10 months! B brings us joy beyond description and so much life to our house! She had a well visit today and her official 10 month stats are:

27.5 inches: 31%

18.10oz: 34%

45cm: 70%

Some recent milestones/updates include:

• standing up by herself and than standing for a few seconds at a time totally unaided
• Eating more real food like yo-baby, cottage cheese, avocado etc
• following her big brother around everywhere and laughing at everything he does
• "playing" with her brother which includes going through the tunnel, playing with the toy kitchen, legos etc
• shouting and laughing and smiling
• sleeping through the night 12+ hours
• saying "hi" "dada" "mama" and lots of other sounds
• staying in nursery at church
• Watching her favorite 2 shows, Toddler Song Book movie and Diego (opps, J didn't watch TV until 2 years old! I guess that's what happens when you have a big brother)
• Dancing! She loves to shake it and has a great sense of rhythm already
• "Swimming" in the tub. She loves the water and enjoys baths with her brother
• Getting her first ponytail!! Ok well it is a very small one but enough to put a baby rubberband in it and rock a big Southern bow!
• cutting her 2 top teeth making the total to 4 teeth!
• Her hair is growing like a weed. It his her Daddy's exact color and texture! straight as a board! We both pray she ends up having more than he does!

 Getting so close to taking her first steps!

BLE we love you more than words can express!

Fernie Rose

On Sunday Dec 4th at 8:37pm our sweet (and very FIRST) niece Fernanda Rose was born! She was 6lbs 13oz and 19.75 inches long. Once her mommy got to the hospital she popped right out! All though I am sure her Mommy didn't quite feel that way. When my Dad called and told me she was born I thought he was joking cause they had arrived at the hospital less than 2 hours before!! We are so exited about her arrival and thanking the Lord she is healthy and strong. Welcome to the family Fernie Rose! 

Snuggle Time!

Welcome to the world Fernanda!

Such a pretty baby!!

Bad Mommy!

Oppps!! Have no idea what happened to the last month! We have had so many fun events in the last 30 days there is no way to document them all so will have to settle for cliffnotes. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving with Grandma & Grandpa E and Uncle C and Uncle J. We had a great time reconnecting as it has been 2.5 since we all have been together. We decided to get some family pictures taken to commemorate the special occasion. I am so excited how they turned out!

Papa & Nana J came and visited for 3 weeks and we had a wonderful time together enjoying the beautiful fall weather! J followed Papa around like a lost puppy. Where Papa went, J went. It was so precious!  We also celebrated N's 31st birthday. How time flies!

Two weekends ago N and I went away on a mountain trip with our 3 closest friend couples. It was the first time away since in 2.5 years! We had an awesome time. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa E for watching the kiddos!!


We just decorated for Christmas so more pictures to come! We are enjoying the season and have so many fun things to look forward to in December!