Christmas is almost here!

It’s been a while since I posted…the holiday season has got us pretty busy as I’m sure you all are as well. We’ve been sickness free thank-goodness, except for Eric’s ankle which continues to bother him. This last weekend was pretty fun, we attended a birthday party and a neighborhood holiday party. Both were adventures with the kids. Levi was crying all during one of the parties and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. So that was a challenge, I just cut my losses and left. The other party he was a dream at, letting everyone hold him. The neighbors were all super excited to meet our newest family member. It was fun to see such genuine excitement over our new baby despite the fact we rarely see our neighbors in MN winters. We got good offers for babysitters that we may just put to good use. Kaylee ran around at both parties, glad to be part of the action. She decorated holiday cookies. She was adored by older children, being called “princess Kaylee” at one point and a 5 year old was attempting to haul her about like she was a little baby (which I had to gently put a stop to). She sort of forgot to eat dinner and then woke up ravenous and ate two bowls of cereal.

Kaylee’s been having a fun time at daycare. They went to chuck e cheese’s and they made holiday cookies. Levi’s integrated into the group no problem. And seems to have no anxiety yet over leaving us. He is very happy to nurse when he sees me, and has added a nursing in the middle of the night which makes me slightly more sleep-deprived lately.

Kaylee has learned how to put her socks on. She can also zip up her own coat. She can do more but consistently needs help with other dressing.

We put up a big Christmas tree for the first time, and appreciated donated ornaments from both grandparents. The tree looks good, but is decorated for kids with no designer influence from me (who has the time?) Kaylee played with the ornaments but did not help me decorate. Levi loves to look at the lights on the Christmas tree and has had his sister singing/shouting the words to “Frosty the snowman” into his face over and often.

Kaylee’s excited for Christmas but is scared of Santa (and any other mascot dressed person like the infamous “pizza man” whom she rants on about during time-outs and plays that he’s chasing her in the house).

Kaylee loves her ‘winnie-the-pooh’ book and has it memorized. She specifies how it should be read wanting the pages turned a certain way and to skip certain pages. She also loves to watch “cat-in-the-hat” cartoons and “Kermit”. She plays monkey preschool games on the i-pad, and is surprisingly astute at maneuvering through the apps she wants to use.

Levi has been giggling more lately. He has a dimple somewhere under those chubby cheeks. His grasping is getting better. He also can roll over, but doesn’t roll his head over with the rest of him. He adores his sister’s attention, but is sometimes also scared of her when she is more energetic with him. She adores her “Lebi”, he has been a good remedy against terrible two/tantrum behavior.

We hope you are having a great holiday season and that it is relatively stress-free. Be safe and enjoy!