Best of 2011

Our Christmas was overall cozy and low-key. We had some sick family members on board, which made Christmas morning a little more laid back than I'd hoped for, but Van still rallied to enjoy his new toys.  I am currently amazed by the Kindle Fire (I never thought I'd say that!) but this mechanism manages to entertain all memebers of our family:



(Due to his microwave's failure to actually "beep" ...  Van looked at us and said "Mom!! Its broken!!")



I know the first year of a child's life is filled with so many exciting milestones and adjustments, but year two has been more of a fun experience than I could have possibly imagined. I am split right down the middle between anxiously awaiting baby girl's arrival and savoring these last few weeks with our family of 3.

In some ways, I cannot imagine feeling complete without this little girl, and in others, Van fills me up with too much happiness for one human being. I cannot wait to see where the next year of life takes us!

Keeping with last year's tradition, here are my favorite shots from 2011:

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#1


Hope you had a happy 2011!!


 

The Elf's New Accomplice

Luckily Baby Jeans will not be competing with Van's elf next Christmas! Did you know there is a "My Secret Angel" counterpart? We have been doing some early Christmas present exchanging here and there, and this is one of her first gifts!

Speaking of a new accomplice, Van has grown rather attached to cousin Frasier this past week.We enjoyed such a special visit with our northern fam. Words cannot describe the happiness I feel watching Van and Frasier play together and I wish circumstances provided for this entertainment more frequently!

Aunts and Uncles got some fun time in too!

Fray, Snags, and Zeph all graciously accepted their mostly home-made gifts from Auntie Em this year, (who over-nested just a tad in the sewing department)...but hopefully the gifts will still be fun and useful!

Van recieved an awesome guitar and spyglass--neither of which has been put down since opening!

Auntie Snags completd my "mom" chain!! Which is very special to me.

Who needs tickets to the Nutcracker ballet, when you have entertaining tots to perform arabesques:

with musical accompaniment?

No clean up crew necessary when there are extra hands to un-discard all of the wrapping paper...

A talented pair of cousins!

We had a nice Teenies Christmas gathering:

AND the night night fairy arrived this morning!!!

Looks like Santa is on his way!

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 

Baby Jeans

Exactly 10 weeks from today (unless she decides to surprise us sooner) Miss Jean-Margaret will be delivered into the world!! Here is a sneak peak at where she will reside:

Transformation from a boy's to a girl's nursery without repainting was a challenge.

Here is a before:

I love her window treatments (per G-Mommy and PBK)

Van inherited his mother's affinity for nicknames, and Jean-Margaret's name has so far morphed from "Baby Jeannie" to "Baby Jeans."

Luckily, this fella has it all figured out.

At church the other morning, his teacher was explaining her Fisher Price nativity scene while the tots colored pictures of baby Jesus.

She explains to the children that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of baby Jesus.

(Do you see where this is headed?)

She asks if any of them have heard about baby Jesus before.

Van, clearly elated, understands exactly who she is referring to--points to my belly, and shouts "BABY JEANS!!!"

Van is a joy to have in the home around Christmas time. Yesterday he helped me make the largest batch of Dee Dee's chocolate chip cookies I have ever made, and package them up for teacher gifts:

He helps us turn on the Christmas lights each evening, loves dancing to Christmas songs, and has enjoyed a few Christmas parties so far this season.

We are still taking moonlight walks, but due to the chilly weather they are much much shorter! Van identifies the moon and "staws" each evening.

(By the way, I recommend the "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" app!)

I believe part of him will be a little sad when Baby Jeans is not here for him to hold on Christmas morning.

We love you and hearing your precious insight, Van!



What's Round, Red, White, and Jolly?

A MOM... at nearly 29 weeks!

                            

Feeling his baby sister's kicks!