Nummy Cereal!!

Les got his first go at cereal this week. I can't believe he's growing up so fast.:(:( 

Not too sure at first... 

I'm liking this, Mom... more!!

(I had to put a rattle in his hand so he would stop grabbing the spoon!!)

All gone??? Now I'll just eat my bib.

Merry Merry Christmas!!

Christmas this year was too fun. Cecilia had a blast!! We opened gifts with my Dad and Stepmom the weekend before Christmas and had planned to celebrate my little brother's birthday with my Mom, Stepdad and brothers in Gulfport... but the birthday boy (Jules --- Christmas Eve birthday) got the stomach bug. I must have given it to him through the phone since our entire house was sick a couple weeks before. Yuck!

Last night Jonathan and I ate with three other couples (between the couples, we have 13 kids... ummm. much needed night out for everyone!!). We are great friends with them and also do a bible study together. What a nice time! We planned to eat with the Hartels tonight, but Cecilia developed a fever. Sick again...:( 

Jonathan and I actually decided to lead a bible study beginning in January. We will stay in our current growth group and add this one to our Sunday mornings. One of my doctors mentioned this study, so I inquired with our church and decided to teach it... Growing Kids God's Way. Of course, the participants will probably know more than the teacher, so I plan to do a lot of listening.:) I need all the help I can get!!

Back to Christmas... Jonathan and I are beyond blessed having these two perfect lovies in our lives. Feeling fulfilled takes on an entire new meaning once children enter your life. Purpose and unconditional love. Ahhh... to be "Mommy" is really, really fun (most of the time:)). 

Ceci's wild hair after naptime on Christmas Eve

Picture attempt... Fail

Cecilia wanted nothing to do with little brother for this pic. She's gotten SO much better with him (gives him kisses, her toys, tries to feed him.... Cheetos:), etc). I guess she wasn't in the mood! 

Christmas Morning!!

Stinker!!

Having fun on her new slide...

Les checking things out...

Helping pass out gifts at Mam-ma and Papa's. She was such the good little helper.

Josh & Leah

A rollercoaster from Papa!! No way! She lovvved it.

AND a tricycle!!

Family pic attempts are so fun... Not!

So, I ordered these outfits two months before Christmas and didn't realize Les would be in 9 mo clothes at 4 mo. Great! Hit outfit was 6 mo and I couldn't even button the bottom. Poor thing's diaper poked out all day. And I had to put Ceci's cute tights on from Mam-ma! We ran out of time to wear them!! Christmas flew by this year.:(:(

The Girls plus Les:)

Mam-ma had to take the pic:(

Ceci & Her Mam-ma!!

Sarah & Leah

C's First Program:)

Cecilia had her first "school program." This was at her Mother's Day Out class.:) What can you do with 2-3 year olds??? Hmmm... have pajama day, eat McDonald's, sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus!!," shake it to Jingle Bells and have a book exchange. It turned out very cute.:) Ceci and her best friend Ella wore matching monogrammed pajamas (thanks to our friend Jordan Elkins!! If you ever need a cute, fun outfit for your baby - call her!!) 

Ceci did great until they sang "Happy Birthday"... One look at the cake, and she LOST it!! She screamed and cried "cake, cake, cake, caaaaake, cake, cake..." until she finally got a piece. Oh my goodness!

The book exchange... I won't even divulge the most hilarious story ever. I'll just keep that among Maurie, Forrest, Jonathan and me. Hilarious.

 "Nummy licious" hot chocolate

Les checking out the action with Papa...

Mmmmm. Happy Meals make me happy!

 Les wants some fries!! All he does at home is eyeball my food!

Before cake...

(I guess the happy meal didn't make her so "happy" after all. She's a sweets lover.)

After cake... 

The Daddys even took off work a few hours for the party.:)

The Mommys

Jingle Bells!!

 She decided to show off some of her dance moves...

THE sweetest gift ever!! 

And so the hand-made gifts begin. Bring it on!! Melts my heart!!!

Les - 4 month check-up!!

We had Les' four month check-up today. LOVE this little man to pieces. I had to bribe big sister to be good with like 3 lbs of sugar... plus the sucker our pediatrician gave her. Oh my (bad Mom)! Sweet baby didn't like his shots but got over it very quickly, as he did last time. Tough man!!;)  My how time flies!! It is so sad!! Cecilia won't even let me rock her anymore. Why do all our babies grow up!!??:(:(

The check-up went great. He is still on breastmilk only and gaining weight well. He has also shot up to the 90th percentile in height. He will be tall like Cecilia. I guess we still start some cereal soon. Nooooo... that means he's getting older!! Can we please STOP time...!

A few pictures from this week. He is the sweetest baby. He only gets fussy (and a little bit fussy at that) right before nap time and bed time. He's sleeping through the night (wakes up in THE best mood), rolling over, laughs all the time (I can't get enough), lovvvves to be held (no thanks to Mam-ma and Jo Jo!! haha), etc. He is always cooing, and it is so precious... Cecilia points over to him and says "Les talking! Les talking!" She also tells him -- "stop crying, Les" when he gets fussy. These kiddos make me laugh all day.

This little guy has stolen our hearts!!

Cecilia's Winter Wonderland!! I'm TWO!

Cecilia's birthday party was Saturday, Dec. 8th at our house. It was wonderful!! Cecilia had a blast!! I can't believe how quickly time flies. Everyone tells you it does... and it is true!:( This sweet girl is so amazing, and she brings us such joy and happiness. She makes me laugh every day with her new dances and songs... and sayings. Her latest when she eats... everything is "nummy licious!! (yummy delicious)." I think she learned this one from her friend Ella.:) We are beyond blessed to have this little miracle in our lives. 

The party theme was Winter Wonderland, and Maurie Hartel decorated. Can we say amazing!? She is talented, talented, talented!! She definitely needs to do this on the side!!! A HUGE thanks to her!!