Merry Christmas!

There's just something about matching Christmas jammies that I can't resist....

 

Ok, they don't match perfectly.... I tried but shopped too late to get a pair of Makenna's "Best gift ever" jammies (with snowflakes on them, too!) for Alex - they only had a 3T so I got her the green ones thinking he can get these hand me downs in a few years.  I do love the matchy stripey jammies though!

 

I'll admit I had to tell her to give him a kiss, but hey - it makes for a cute picture!

 

This she actually did all on her own - she looked down at him and said "Mama, broder is getting pretty big!" and then leaned in and gave him a big hug.  Love.  It. 

 

 

Christmas Eve we headed to our church for the Christmas service.  There is something about the Christmas Eve service that gets me every time.  It is my FAVORITE holiday and I just love all the Christmas songs, the decorations, the happiness all around.  This was our first time in our new church for the Christmas Eve service and I am glad to say it didn't disappoint.  The decorations were beautiful, the music was great and the message was spot on.  Jesus came for all of us.  Plus, Makenna sat through service with us and did great.  I swooped her up as soon as we got in to church and held her as we sang the Christmas songs with tears dripping down my cheeks.  I've dreamed of that very moment and it was so very sweet. 

 

After that it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a little celebration. 

 

 

Seriously, aren't these kiddos the cutest thing ever?

 

 

 

So precious!!

 

 

And, of course, a shot with Uncle Derek

 

Just for the record, I am generally anti- little boy collared shirts - I feel like they make them look too grown up so I shy away from them.  However, I tried this little number out on Alex and woah - haaaandsome!  I couldn't' resist.  Thanks for the hand me downs, Corie!!!

 

 

Someone had a little too much fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house and conked out on the way home.

 

Christmas morning Makenna woke up and then went to go wake up Alex with a kiss 

 

Time for daddy to read us all the Christmas story. 

I love how they are both listening so intently

 

Such a big boy!

 

 

Finally, we headed downstairs to check out the loot.  3 presents for each kiddo to symbolize the gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

Makenna was a little excited

 

 

 

For breakfast I even got creative and made a little Rudolph pancake for Makenna - she devoured it!

 

We had a nice, lazy morning watching a Christmas parade, playing with our toys and listening to Christmas music.  It was awesome!

I even got Alex all dressed up in this outfit that Great Grandma made for Daddy when he was a baby - isn't it sweet?

 

 

 

That afternoon we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house to get spoiled!!

 

 

 

Next, it was off to Great Uncle John and Great Auntie Sharon's house for more fun

 

 

My favorite part of the day was putting Makenna to bed.... I sang her a song and then she asked me to pray with her.  When we were done - she said Mama I want to pray and then said "Thank you Jesus for my clippity clop.  Thank you Jesus for my new piano.  Thank you Jesus for my Sophia Jammies.  Thank you Jesus for Alex's new blocks......" and the list went on and on thanking Jesus for every gift she had received today.  It was sooo very sweet and one of those moments as a parent where you thank God that yes, she really was listening when we talked to her about the real meaning of Christmas. 

 

Merry Christmas everyone!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snow Day!

Sunday we got bombed with snow so we stayed home all day!  Daddy was in need of a good nap so while he and Alex were sleeping Sunday morning, Makenna and I headed out into the snow.

She was SO excited!

We were hoping to go sledding, but the snow wasn't packy enough

 So we headed over to her friend's house to play outside in the snow with them.

 

I LOVE that she has little friends in our neighborhood to play with!

The snow was REALLY deep! 

 

But she was determined to make it to Hannah & Ryan's house to play with them!

Ha ha - this is her on the way back.  She was POOPED!  In her defense, it was hard for me to walk through the snow - not sure how she did it with her short little legs!

 

Sled to the rescue!  I pulled her the rest of the way home.

 

Nothing like a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up!

 

She look so grown up here.... just sitting around sipping her "tea" as she kept calling it and contemplating life!

 

 

After Makenna went down for nap, I bundled this little sweetie out to head out with me.  He LOVED the cold.... I mean, of course he did - he was frozen for 7 years!

So pretty outside!!

Such a happy little guy

 

Oh, and let's not forget the highlight of Makenna's day - SNOW ICE CREAM!!!  What a great day!!

 

 

 

 

My little helpers

Makenna, do you want to be the sprinkler?

 

No, Mama - I want to be the LICKER!

 

 

 

Mommy's happy shopping buddy

Correction...

Just looked up Makenna's stats at 2 months....11 lbs 4.5 oz. Alex is 11 lbs 10 oz. Ruh roh!

2 month checkup

 

Well, Alex your stats are in and you are surprisingly measuring a little smaller than your sister.  You are a whopping 11lbs 10oz!  Makenna was 12lbs 2oz at her 2 month appointment.  My back is happy you are not as chubby - :) 

 

Your 2 month appointment went well - you are very healthy, but as we suspected we didn't escape the colic with you.  I kept trying to convince myself that you weren't colicky, just a little extra fussy but the more we talked with the doctor, the more we realized that yes, you do cry ALOT!  It's gotten worse in the past few weeks but we are hoping it is peaking now and will get easier soon! 

 

Tonight you are actually already sleeping - swinging away in front of me.  You went to bed at 9:30 last night, too - so here is to hoping we're getting that bed time moved up!  You are still getting up every 3-4 hours, but if we can get you down earlier than midnight that means we get a little more sleep. 

 

Despite your grumpiness, you are still our perfect little boy.  We love you so much and even in our sleep deprived state, we wouldn't trade you for anything! 

 

 

Annual Tuesday morning men's bible study

This morning we packed up the fam bright and early and headed to Daddy's Tuesday morning men's bible study for their family Christmas breakfast. 

We barely made it on time but were sooo glad we went and were able to hear a great Christmas message from Dr Conner!

Love these annual traditions!

2 months!

Alex, you are 2 months old already, buddy! 

 

We'll get your official stats on Tuesday at your doctor's appointment, but my guess is you are a 12 pounder already.  You are starting to fill out pretty good and your newborn looks are going away fast.  You are out of your newborn clothes entirely and fit in your 3 month clothes perfectly.  You are running out of size 1 diapers and I think you are probably ready for size 2's. 

 

You are a lot of fun this month as you started smiling and cooing.  Your absolute favorite thing is still those silly blinds in your room next to your changing table.  Even in the middle of the night, half asleep you take one peek at the blinds and your eyes light up and you get a big old smile on your face. 

 

You are starting to sleep a little better - on last week we got a good 7 hour stretch from 10pm to 5am - it was WONDERFUL!  You, of course, haven't done it again since.  You will sometimes make a good 5 hour stretch, but normally you are still waking up every 3-4 hours to feed.  You still don't go down for the night until 11pm which we are working on moving up but you are still SO very fussy at night.  I'm hoping by 3 months that will be long gone....we'll see! 

 

This past week you have been a pretty fussy boy!  You are used to pooping (it's ok you are a boy it is ok for your mama to talk poop!) multiple times a day but you went 4 days without pooping and it made for a crabby boy.  You finally exploded today and instantly smiled.....you are ALL boy:) 

 

You officially started at Miss Katelyn's house last week when mommy goes to work.  She takes great care of you and we're very thankful to have found her!

 

Ok, on to the 2 month shots!!

 

 

My two faves

 

 

And the funny ones....

Love the deer in headlights look here..

and the Heisman pose...

I tried to take these ones a day early, but you knew you weren't quite 2 months yet..

The sad face - that bottom pouty lip gets me every time!

 

Makenna:  Your big sister still refers to you as my baby - as in "Mama, where's your baby?" most times.  She will call you Alex from time to time or brother, too.  Most times she doesn't really acknowledge your existence most of the time - you can be screaming at the top of your lungs in the car and it doesn't even phase her.  Lately she has craved more attention from us and this past week I think she is starting to realize that when you are fussy and needy we don't get to spend as much time with her which makes her sad.  Hopefully the fussiness is nearing its end!  We've been trying to spend more one on one time with her to make her feel special. 

 

Daddy:  Daddy mostly calls you "monkey boy" or "alligator".  While he loves snuggling you and watching TV I think he is anxious for you to get bigger and more interactive.  He is also very ready for the fussy period to be over.  He is such a good daddy and loves to talk to you and make you do funny actions with your arms and legs.  Most often he has you dancing - today it was to the Jungle Book song we listen to all the time.  You are not yet amused by his antics. 

 

Mommy:  Mommy calls you "my blue eyed boy", "my baby", "boo boo" or "buddy" when I'm not calling you Alex.  I had a hard time leaving you all day my first day back to work, but I soon realized just how fast I could type when I had both hands freed up to type!  Ha!  I miss you terribly during the day but I know how fortunate I am to be able to work part time and be able to spend days with you and your sister.  While I am feeling more and more sleep deprived each day, I know that soon I will miss seeing your baby blues at 2am so I am trying to cherish our special time together.  I love making your smile and coo and wish I could snuggle you all day long!  I love you so very much baby boy and I can't imagine our lives without you!

 

We love you Alexander Brooks!!

 

 

Someone is in the Christmas Spirit!

Starting to look different.....

First trip to Kopps!

Such a big boy!