Christmas Cheer, the Second

I found something I really enjoyed on YouTube, and I'm not sure how to get it into my blog so you can see it. But its most amusing, and I'd really like to share, so if you're interested, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28GUU1YbP_E

Have a very joyous Christmas!

Christmas Cheer!

We are getting ready for the holiday mess! I only say mess because the scheduling and all the different family we spend time with can get pretty complicated and feel a bit like a chore. But its always worth it! In our new home last year, without Liam spending Christmas eve, and not doing any Christmas visiting or activities over here, we didn't even bother to put up a tree. This year, we are having family over, and now have two little ones, and its very important to me that they experience the majick of the season as much as possible (and as much as it stresses me out beyond reason)...
So,we put up the tree. As in the tradition of my youth, a child gets the honor of topping it (this usually happens after the lights and ornaments are added, but circumstances made that difficult).

With Josh's help, this year was Liam's turn (because Elliott really doesn't have the motor skills)

We got the best present EVER under the tree:

To date, this is the best shot we have of her smile:

(it so precious, I wish you all could come see it for yourselves!)

Liam still thinks his baby sister is a pretty nifty thing:

And here's Mommy and the babes! Josh tried to set the timer and get in the picture, too, but we couldn't get it positioned right, so we'll just have to have someone else take some pics of the four of us before the tree comes down:

Happy Christmas family and friends!

Promised Update

She had her first shower...
(don't I rock at the photography?)

And her first Thanksgiving...

Liam was thrilled we could bring her up to his class for their special performance

Complete with Handmade Costumes

But mostly, she finds the holiday hubbub just exhausting...

Can't you tell?

Sundry

Liam lost his second tooth on Wednesday evening, during dinner, and nearly swallowed it. His daddy had the honor of being Toothfairy for the first, and I was so glad he opted to leave his tooth over here last night, to put under his pillow tonight for the toothfairy. I found myself thrilled at being able to bring some magic into his life as I switched out the tooth for money, and gave him a kiss!
Elliott started REALLY smiling this week, though I am still too enamored of it to run for the camera yet. Her first was Tuesday, while Josh and I were at Liam's school for his "Kid of the Week" interview. Her smile made me cry, and his interview made me puff with pride. All of his classmates had wonderful compliments for him about how nice he is to everyone, that he shares with and includes everyone. His teachers all gushed about what a great student he is, how hard he works, and how much he loves to learn. I have a really amazing 6 year old!! He's been so helpful and involved with Ellie Bellie. He's even tried his hand at diaper duty.
Both last night and tonight, he got to give Elliott her "dinner," carefully supporting her head, and with a little coaching, even holding the bottle properly so she wouldn't swallow a bunch of air. His first couple of times helping to feed her, he was only allowed to feed until her first burping. But he has proven himself so well in his care for her that I figured I could trust him to feed her the whole bottle. He did a wonderful job. He didn't get bored, or complain about his arm getting tired. He just fed her, cooed at her, kissed her and told her how pretty and special she is...

The Most Beautiful Thing

I'm not entirely sure how "real" they are yet, or if its still just...gas...but she has started to smile some during her waking hours, and my god, is she precious when she does! She wouldn't hold still for long enough to get a very clear shot, but I did manage to get one at least visible picture of her "smiling" yesterday.
I wish you could see it in person. I made the cutest baby ever!

Warhead

Today, Liam got to have some of his halloween candy after lunch (school's out for election day...?) I told him he could pick three pieces, and then came into the office to check my email. A few minutes later, he followed me in asking for assistance opening a candy. When I saw what it was, I got the camera ready. But the light in here doesn't make for good pictures, so I literally chased the child into the living room (now, complete with furniture), and hoped that the reaction to the candy would continue. I wish I had been able to snap a shot in the first seconds of his experience. It was priceless! When I finally had him well lit and still enough that you could see his face, I got a picture of my kid's first Sour Warhead! I really thought he might cry...


Also, Elliott would like to say to everyone, with the sincerest patriotism (note the red, white and blue outfit, with the rock n roll hair),

"Rock the Vote!!"

Hello, World!

I have created this blog to keep friends and family updated on (and post pictures of) my lovely and amazing family!
We are:
Myself, the matriarch, mother of two amazing little ones;
my six year old boy (from a previous relationship), Liam,
and his brand new baby sister, 4 week old Kari Elliott (some family call her Kari, some call her Elliott) and my amazing husband, Josh; step-dad to Liam, and Daddy to Ellie-bellie (or Kare Bear, or LadyBug...shall I continue?).
For the first time yesterday, all four of us managed to be in front of the same camera at the same time.

Happy Halloween!