Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our very own baby Santa Claus!

N loved helping to set up the nativity at Nanny and PopPop's house.

Auntie M and Auntie K on Christmas morning...lovely as always!



Baby M is eight weeks old now. He was admiring our Christmas tree this morning. I love the wonder in our baby's eyes.

We take a slow approach to the end of Christmas around here, so the tree is still up, and I'm still listening to Handel's Messiah. As Nanny says, Christmas is never really over!

Aunt K's visit

We have been incredibly blessed by my sister's company this week. Aunt K has been the best playmate for N, baby soother for M, and listening ear and assistant nurse for me as both boys have colds and ear infections. I am humbled by the many ways she has helped me. I won't ever be able to repay her. She said this morning that God has ordained this time together, and I couldn't agree more. What will I do without her, I wonder?

Christmas bears and cookies

Last Thursday, the boys and I drove uptown to meet Daddy for lunch in Founder's Hall, where the singing Christmas bears were to perform! After a brief battle with the double stroller during which I was beginning to think I'd be heading right back down Independence Blvd. instead of strolling the sidewalk, we made it to our destination. N marveled at the singing bears while baby M snoozed in the stroller.


On Saturday, our friend "Miss E" came to help us bake cookies. We made G's favorite fruit-filled pies and a batch of gingerbread cookies. N got to decorate the gingerbread and taste the cookie dough. We ended up with several one-eyed gingerbread men because he kept tasting the cranberry eyes.



M slept sweetly through the entire baking event.


When he woke up, he gave me the best gift yet - his first smile! Here's kind of a half-smile, but it gives you an idea of what he's capable of.

Merry Christmas, Baby M!

We spent the cold and rainy weekend decorating the house for Christmas. I love the beginning of this wonderful season...the music, the lights, the food, the warmth...all of it!

And baby M is one month old now! He has turned into a rather sleepy baby over the past few days, which has made the pace of things in our house feel a lot more easy-going. This is a special blessing as G returned to his "real job" full time this week. Hope you enjoy listening to M's coos as much as I do.