Go ahead and play with my new toys. Just remember, I won't always be this small and stuck in this chair.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A Wonderful Christmas
Once again we were blessed with a wonderful Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with my family where it was a packed house - 30 people for a delicious dinner of turkey and all the fixings. Thanks Mom, I don't know how you manage to do that every year.
After dinner, we exchanged presents and the night was capped off with Papa reading "The Night Before Christmas." This has been a long tradition in our family. I think this part of the evening was what I looked forward to the most this Christmas. After many years of seeing my nieces and nephews with my Dad, I am overjoyed that Brian and I have little ones that can share this special moment with their Papa.
The snowy weather held off, so the drive there wasn't too bad, however the ride back home started off a little rough. Temperatures had dropped so the roads were very icy and slippery. There were several slide-offs and we only went around 30 mph. Luckily once we got more into our trip, the roads started to clear up and we made it home safe and sound.
After dinner, we exchanged presents and the night was capped off with Papa reading "The Night Before Christmas." This has been a long tradition in our family. I think this part of the evening was what I looked forward to the most this Christmas. After many years of seeing my nieces and nephews with my Dad, I am overjoyed that Brian and I have little ones that can share this special moment with their Papa.
The snowy weather held off, so the drive there wasn't too bad, however the ride back home started off a little rough. Temperatures had dropped so the roads were very icy and slippery. There were several slide-offs and we only went around 30 mph. Luckily once we got more into our trip, the roads started to clear up and we made it home safe and sound.
On Christmas morning, Allison and Amelia woke to find that Santa came to visit and left them some special presents. They received a table and chair set that should serve them well over the next several years for tea parties, arts and crafts, and board games.
Allison had fun opening presents so much that she helped Amelia open hers. All the excitement proved to be too much for Amelia so she took a cat nap while we finished opening the presents.
After some much needed naps (both for the girls and myself), we went to my in-laws for dinner and gift exchange. Allison and Amelia received many more fun and exciting presents.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas Eve
It has been a busy day at the G. household. We took Allison out to play before the rain/sleet/snow came. We frosted Christmas cookies, the girls took a bath, had lunch, and now it is nap time (at least for the kids). The car is packed and ready to go to Nana and Papa's house for festivities. I'm so excited that we get to spend Christmas Eve with them this year. I can't wait.
Merry Christmas and safe travels.
For my non-Michigan readers, this gives you an idea of how much snow we have received so far.
Allison loved being pulled in the sled.
Allison would much rather sit than try to walk in her boots. Notice the baby monitor behind her. We didn't bring Mia out in this. Luckily she slept in this morning so we both could go outside with Allison.
Allison taste-testing the cookies.
When you are all done with your cookie, where do you put it? Why, your head of course! Don't you do that?
Merry Christmas and safe travels.
For my non-Michigan readers, this gives you an idea of how much snow we have received so far.
Allison loved being pulled in the sled.
Allison would much rather sit than try to walk in her boots. Notice the baby monitor behind her. We didn't bring Mia out in this. Luckily she slept in this morning so we both could go outside with Allison.
Allison taste-testing the cookies.
When you are all done with your cookie, where do you put it? Why, your head of course! Don't you do that? Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Weight Check
Last week Amelia had her 2-month doctor's appointment. She weighed in at 11 lbs and 6 ounces and 22 inches long. I thought she felt a little heavier than I remember Allison did at that age. I checked back in the blog and Allison weighed 10 lbs and 2 ounces at that point. I guess that explains it. Amelia is a good eater. We just bumped her up to 5 ounces per feeding.
Amelia did great at the appointment. She cried like crazy when she got her shots. I felt bad for her, but she was fine for the rest of the day.
As you can see in the picture, she is starting to smile a lot. We finally were able to catch it on camera.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Giving is Better Than Receiving
For those of you that know me, it's no secret that volunteering and giving to charity is very important to me. I hope that Brian and I are able to pass that value on to our girls and that they grow up knowing that giving is better than receiving.
This past week we took Allison to "Build A Bear" so she could make a teddy bear to donate to Toys for Tots. I have volunteered with Toys for Tots at least once a season for the last ten years. I have helped parents "shop" for their children and have seen the look of appreciation in their eyes. I know what this charity can do. Most of the recipients are good parents trying to do their best. With the economy the way it is this year, I can only imagine that there will be even more parents hoping to be able to provide at least one gift for their child.
I realize that Allison didn't leave "Build A Bear" with warm fuzzies. By the time we reached the center of the mall she forgot all about the bear. However, I figured it is important for Brian and I to start doing this while the girls are so young. Otherwise, I think it would have been too easy to say "Next year we will start" or "We had a lot of extra expenses these past few weeks, maybe we will do something next year."
I think it is safe to say that we have found a new holiday tradition for our family.
Allison made a new buddy that night. She waltzed right up to the employee and put her hands on the girl's lap. She was very curious about what was going on.
Dad and Allison fluff up the teddy bear.
As a reward for her generosity, we took Allison on her first carousel ride. She has been eyeing this ride for months. When I used to volunteer every other week, Brian would take Allison to the mall for something to do and she was always attracted to the lights and motion. As soon as Brian put Allison on the horse, she got a big grin on her face and put her hands on the pole. She was ready for a ride. Brian said that when the horse started moving up and down, her eyes got real big. She wasn't sure about it at first, but she quickly got used to it. After a few "laps" she discovered that she could wave to me as they rode by. Every time she came around to where I was standing, she got a big grin on her face and gave me a wave.
This past week we took Allison to "Build A Bear" so she could make a teddy bear to donate to Toys for Tots. I have volunteered with Toys for Tots at least once a season for the last ten years. I have helped parents "shop" for their children and have seen the look of appreciation in their eyes. I know what this charity can do. Most of the recipients are good parents trying to do their best. With the economy the way it is this year, I can only imagine that there will be even more parents hoping to be able to provide at least one gift for their child.
I realize that Allison didn't leave "Build A Bear" with warm fuzzies. By the time we reached the center of the mall she forgot all about the bear. However, I figured it is important for Brian and I to start doing this while the girls are so young. Otherwise, I think it would have been too easy to say "Next year we will start" or "We had a lot of extra expenses these past few weeks, maybe we will do something next year."
I think it is safe to say that we have found a new holiday tradition for our family.
Allison made a new buddy that night. She waltzed right up to the employee and put her hands on the girl's lap. She was very curious about what was going on.
Dad and Allison fluff up the teddy bear.
As a reward for her generosity, we took Allison on her first carousel ride. She has been eyeing this ride for months. When I used to volunteer every other week, Brian would take Allison to the mall for something to do and she was always attracted to the lights and motion. As soon as Brian put Allison on the horse, she got a big grin on her face and put her hands on the pole. She was ready for a ride. Brian said that when the horse started moving up and down, her eyes got real big. She wasn't sure about it at first, but she quickly got used to it. After a few "laps" she discovered that she could wave to me as they rode by. Every time she came around to where I was standing, she got a big grin on her face and gave me a wave.
Who would have guessed that a trip to the mall could have warmed my heart so much. Thanks for the memories Allison.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Nana's Cookie Factory
On Sunday, Allison and I drove to my parents' house to participate in the Annual Cookie Day. Amelia has had a few not-so-good car rides this past week, so we decided for the sanity of all four of us to leave her at home with Dad.
Cookie Day is a special day that Nana plans when all the grandkids get to frost sugar cookies for Christmas. This was something we did as children, so it is wonderful that our children are able to continue this tradition and share this special moment with their Nana.
Nana's house turned into a cookie factory over the weekend as she made a dozen cookies for each of the 10 grandkids, plus plenty of extras to have over the holiday season. I don't know where she gets all the energy from.
Not only did Allison have fun frosting cookies, but she also enjoyed playing with her cousins.
Who needs frosting when you can just eat a cookie.
Allison didn't trust me enough when I tried to get her to lick frosting off my finger. I finally put some on her lip and let her lick it off on her own.
Once she figured out that frosting tastes good, there was no stopping her.
The assembly table where the kids were hard at work.
The kids showing off their hard work. I love how short Allison looks compared to her cousins.
Cookie Day is a special day that Nana plans when all the grandkids get to frost sugar cookies for Christmas. This was something we did as children, so it is wonderful that our children are able to continue this tradition and share this special moment with their Nana.
Nana's house turned into a cookie factory over the weekend as she made a dozen cookies for each of the 10 grandkids, plus plenty of extras to have over the holiday season. I don't know where she gets all the energy from.
Not only did Allison have fun frosting cookies, but she also enjoyed playing with her cousins.
Who needs frosting when you can just eat a cookie.
Allison didn't trust me enough when I tried to get her to lick frosting off my finger. I finally put some on her lip and let her lick it off on her own.
Once she figured out that frosting tastes good, there was no stopping her.
The assembly table where the kids were hard at work.
The kids showing off their hard work. I love how short Allison looks compared to her cousins.Sunday, December 14, 2008
A Holiday Gathering
On Saturday, we attended the annual Christmas party for Brian's extended family. It was great seeing everyone. It was the first time that many of them had seen Amelia. At first Allison was a little apprehensive of the big crowd but she quickly warmed up. She had fun walking around, checking everything out. Amelia did great as well; she didn't fuss one bit. I barely saw her most of the night. She was either with grandma, the aunts, or on occasion with Brian.
I had the bright idea of getting all the cousins together for the picture. What wasn't a bright idea on my part was putting Allison on the couch before all the other kids were ready. By the time we gathered everyone, Allison had had it and started to cry. She wasn't going to have anything to do with a group picture.
Carly was so excited all day to see Allison and Amelia. She couldn't wait to hold them.
Amelia with the 2nd youngest cousin in the family, Trystan. What blows my mind is that Trystan is five months old, the same age that Allison was at the last Christmas party, and here we have Amelia.
The location of the party worked out great. Brian's Aunt Sue rented out the youth building of her church. Allison enjoyed watching the kids play with the the basketball game. She even had more fun bringing Grandpa the basketballs one-by-one.
I had the bright idea of getting all the cousins together for the picture. What wasn't a bright idea on my part was putting Allison on the couch before all the other kids were ready. By the time we gathered everyone, Allison had had it and started to cry. She wasn't going to have anything to do with a group picture.
Carly was so excited all day to see Allison and Amelia. She couldn't wait to hold them.
Amelia with the 2nd youngest cousin in the family, Trystan. What blows my mind is that Trystan is five months old, the same age that Allison was at the last Christmas party, and here we have Amelia.
The location of the party worked out great. Brian's Aunt Sue rented out the youth building of her church. Allison enjoyed watching the kids play with the the basketball game. She even had more fun bringing Grandpa the basketballs one-by-one.
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