Christmas Preparations

Getting ready for Christmas this year has been really fun for the kids (read: Noah).  I, on the other hand, actually considered not getting a tree this year because the thought of adding another thing to this chaotic mess of toys/baby things and constantly fighting with James to not touch/break the ornaments was just too overwhelming.... Of course I did come to my senses after taking Noah around the house and going through all of the toys and books to decide which ones he could part with.  He did a fantastic job and we were able to weed out two big bags full of stuff.  I was super excited and it made the house feel like it suddenly had more room.  The kids and I picked out a tree and Noah helped to put the lights on. He is so excited for Christmas this year, as well as all of the preparation things.  He actually put all of the ornaments on the tree himself, by the end he was even putting his own hooks on!  We have none of our "special" ornaments, or anything that we care about breaking.  In fact, it is one of the barest trees we have ever had, but this way when someone knocks it over we will just pick it back up and start again;)  Even still the kids think that it is the best tree ever, so that is all that counts.  James is so funny because he loves to look at the "Kissmas" (this is what he calls anything and everything associated with Christmas- lights, trees, decorations, etc.) but wants to have no part of helping.  I put N & J's pictures side by side as to what each one was doing... James was reading books and playing with his cars while Noah decorated the tree. 

This week we also put the big boy Benjamin into the exersaucer... N & J's went in at about this age, but needed some textbooks to stand on, and could only stay in for a few minutes because they had difficulty controlling their heads..... Not this guy!  No books, great head control, he even reaches to play with the toys and can start to turn himself around..... I am so happy because it gives me a place to sit him that he actually enjoys because he can be upright (and it gives my arms a break).  

Benjamin's Baptism Day

We had Benjamin's baptism last weekend in East Millinocket. I had purchased his baptism outfit when he was about 2 months old and was burning through clothes.  I thought that since he would be 3 months old the 6-9 month option would be fine.... he is in 12 month clothes now, who would have guessed he would be so big! I was able to get it on him with a little ripping of the seam and he didn't seem uncomfortable, so we made it work:) It is always so nice to make the trip home to visit with our families.  During this visit we even got to visit with our church family who we don't see often enough. Thanks Jacob for taking the pictures!

Thanksgiving Weekend 2011

For the first time ever Gabe and I both had Thanksgiving and the few days before and after off.  What a difference that makes for a fun and relaxing time!  We were very fortunate that everyone was willing to come to our house for Thanksgiving, and aside from a snow storm on Wednesday, the time we got to spend together was fantastic.  Everyone arrived on Thursday and we were able to play outside for a bit in the morning.  It was so warm that no one really needed snow suits, except keep their clothes from getting wet.  Trey did really enjoy himself, despite what the pictures may look like, but he seems to have an aversion to taking a group picture with his cousins:)  Dinner was pretty relaxed with good food and pie... Trey loved the fruit salad best... which was interesting since N & J refused to even try it.  Instead James opted to eat only the "candy" in the turkeys that Nanny made for the table. 

On Friday morning Amy, Gabe and I took a quick trip to Target for some surprisingly pleasant black Friday shopping (we decided we were too tired to stay up and go at midnight the night before).  The middle pictures are of James and Trey sitting on the couch watching Curious George's Christmas movie.  Trey is trying to play with James's hair, to which James wanted no part;)  Since we had some help watching the kids and it was so warm out Gabe and I took on decorating outside for Christmas.  I can't remember decorating in just a light fleece, but we did it and I am so glad that it is done.  I still refuse to turn the lights on though until December 1st.  Friday night we all trekked downtown for Portland's Christmas tree lighting and Rick Charette concert.  The kids got to meet and chat with Mr. Charette in the library before the concert... Noah was pretty excited!  

On Saturday morning it was still warm, so we packed up the kids and met Grammy, Grampy & Aunt Andrea for a hike at Wolf's Neck State Park.  There was no beach combing this time though because the tide was so high... not even a remnant of beach.  It was a very nice hike anyway and I am not sure the kids even realized we missed out on that part. On Sunday Uncle Jme and David stopped in for a visit on their way back north, it was so nice to see them (and get rid of the last of the cheesecake)!! We spent the rest of the day relaxing and getting chores done around the house.

Last Gardening Day 2011

Last weekend we took full advantage of this beautiful fall weather!  Our first stop was to our garden to dig up the last of our crop of carrots.  Both N & J were great helpers and I think that they will both really enjoy the garden next year.  The next day we loaded up Noah's bike and headed for the East End Beach trail.  He did so well!!  At first I thought that we wouldn't make it more than a few hundred feet b/c he kept stopping "for a rest" and was going so slow, but he eventually got his confidence up and rode the whole way to a bakery in the old port.  He did so well that on the way back Gabe and I had to run just to keep him in our sight.  After our run/walk/bike ride we "hiked up the mountain" (as James calls it) to the playground and the kids had a blast getting out for exercise in the  beautiful weather.  Noah was so wiped that he started asking to go to bed at 5:30 that night!

Here are the pictures of our finished golf tee turkeys.  Left to Right: Jen, Noah, Benjamin, James, Gabe (made by Noah).  No one wanted brown paint, so we embraced the creative process;)

Making Turkey

Yesterday we pulled out the paints. It has been a while since we have used paints because I didn't fully trust Noah and James to not make a huge mess.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Noah was so clean (I had to convince him many times that it was ok to get paint on his hands, that it would wash off easily) and James did such a great job listening and keeping the paint on the paper... or his face.  We are taking on  a project of making turkey's made from baking soda modeling clay and golf tees.  We got to the drying stage yesterday and will have to finish painting them today or tomorrow... more pictures of the finished project soon, I hope!

The top picture really shows just how big Benjamin is.  I thought that it was just me getting sucked into the "oh you have such a big baby" comments from strangers, but this morning we had his 2 month checkup... The comment of the morning from his pediatrician to the med student, "Wow, I wasn't expecting him to be so big".  He is 25.75 inches long and a whopping 16 lbs. 12 oz.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  For those of you needing a frame of reference here- N & J were around 12-13 lbs and 23 inches long, or, the goal is generally to double your birthweight by the time you hit 4-6 months..... he was 8lbs. at birth...  So, apparently I have super milk... He should be able to sleep through the night now right??

Lastly, The bottom picture is of Noah holding his latest piece of personal mail all the way from Uganda... He was pretty excited Hil!!  This beautiful drawing is now hanging above his bed:)