Guess What?!

Santa Writes Back!

Noelleisim: When she gets up in the morning she usually pulls all her blankets off of her bed (including the top sheet) and drags them into our room. Annoying! I hate having to totally remake the bed which always messes up the bed skirt, etc.

The other day I was fixing her bed and she was helping me. Now, several times I have heard her use the word 'lamb' when making the bed but thought she was just talking about who knows what.

Noelle: "Mommy, get the lamb"

Mommy: "The lamb? What lamb? We're making your bed."

Noelle: (holding up the sheet) "You know...the sheep."

World's Best Babysitters!

Saturday night Aaron's boss had everyone over for a Christmas party. And you know what? Corona is really far away. We had to drive through pouring rain and saw 7 accidents on the way there but we finally made it and had a really nice time. The girls got to stay with their grandparents, Auntie and Unc. The world's best babysitters. Of course they had the best time ever. My favorite part? Whenever I pick them up, it always takes at least a half an hour because they have to tell me all the cute, funny, and amazing things the girls did all night.

They are very modern girls.

While watching Ice Age they played with their devices.

Noelle Unc's old cell phone and Madeleine the old remote.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Finally...this darling baby is into any & everything! My goodness. It was exactly 4 Saturday mornings ago we woke up and came downstairs. She wiggled out of my arms and was off to explore. Has hardly looked back ever since.

She found a yogurt container that Noelle had left on the table. She made mess but had such a good time, I did not have the heart to take it away. I love seeing her explore, squishing things between her fingers and feelings different textures.

You can almost see her brain working and absorbing information.

Christmastime #2

Noelle has had her Christmas list for Santa memorized for weeks and we often talk about it. Today at school they wrote letters to Santa. I guess she changed her mind last minute:

Yesterday Madeleine and I went on a frosty morning run. She looked like Rudolph pulling the sleigh (jogging stroller.)

Christmastime

Tonight we went to our Church's annual Creche display. It huge and it's beautiful! Hundreds and hundreds of different Nativity scenes of all different shapes, colors and sizes. There was even a teeny-tiny one squeezed into half of a pistachio shell. This event is put on by our church but it is totally non-denominational. Each night they have music by different choirs and musicians. Tonight is the last night and the parking lot was packed.

This year I feel like I have been doing nothing but running in circles. I'm so busy, I'm hardly enjoying myself. But I sure am trying to make it special for my darling Noelle and she is loving it. She really is 'getting' it more this year and there are no words to explain seeing the joy of Christmas through your child's eyes.

As we were getting ready to head over to the church tonight I was talking to Noelle about how we celebrate Christmas becuse it's Jesus' birthday. I know she's heard it before but this time her little face lit up, she caught her breath, broke into a huge smile and said, "Jesus and I both have birthday's in December!" Then as we were looking at all the nativity scenes, in the corner there was a Swedish puppet show (sounds weird but was neat) she saw baby Jesus in the manger and said, "Look Jesus is a baby like my sister and I was a baby, too." She was so excited by these little epiphanies.

And when she came downstairs this morning and saw all the lights and garland hung around the house she let out a big gasp and told me that the house looked, "Beautiful!"

I love her so much and I'm so glad she's mine.

Good Time Girls

Poor little Madeleine-Girl.

It takes forever for the water to heat up in the shower

so I always turn it on and then get our clothes ready.

This unsuspecting girl crawled right in.

Luckily it was mostly warm.

Last night before bed Noelle started pushing Madeleine

around on her new toy that we got her for her birthday.

They had the best time!

Noelle got going way too fast for my taste

but the night ended with no injuries or crying so I can't complain.

Our One Year Old

Our darling baby girl is no longer considered an infant.

It is so very, very bittersweet.

I was up the night before until 2:00 am getting things ready. By 7:00am I was in the kitchen, back at it again. We got over to Auntie's by 2:00 and the power had just gone out. We finally got the generator going (yea for camping!) and the cooking back on track. We finally ate and I must say it was the BEST thanksgiving meal I have ever had. It was a great meal to share with our dear family that we love so much. It was a fantastic day!

Next was onto the birthday party! My poor girl was so tired and would not take a nap so we just went fast so we could get her to bed. I was so excited for her cake and although it did turn out cute, it was nothing like I had envisioned.

I just had too much to do given her birthday and the holiday.

I don't think she knew what to do when we put this huge thing in front of her. She just kept licking it. After we cut it and she got a piece she loved squishing it in between her fingers. Such a wonderful mess!

Lastly, it was presents. We got a couple of fun toys, an outfit and couple of stuffed animals. One of which sings Happy Birthday in Grandma Honey's voice. So cute.

All in all, it was such a great day! The power outage threw things off and sort of messed a few things up. I didn't get to put up all the cute birthday decorations I got and we were so rushed but there is so, so, so much to be Thankful for and we are blessed beyond words! By 6:30 I was literally dead on my feet. We went home and went to bed

Here are some facts about our precious girl:

• She smiles and waves at everyone.
• Gives kisses on command (albeit sometimes they are open mouthed & WET!)
• She is a lover of ALL things food! Fruit, crackers, meat, bread, yogurt, cereal, vegetables.
• Her favorite toys are those that open and close. So intriguing.
• She has the best laugh.
• Has a great set of chompers and bites her Mama. I've got little bruises everywhere.
• She loves her family. Anytime Mommy, Daddy or Sister walk in the room she lights up.
• She loves to climb the stairs, it makes her Mommy panic.
• Very early riser. Ugh.
• Has quite a temper and an angry squeal.
• Is a snuggle bear.
• Is a pianist. Crawls over the the piano and reaches up to tap the keys.
• No walking yet but she's taken her time doing everything else, too.
• Says: Mama, Dada, Nana, and Uh-Oh
• I could go on for days....
  

There are no words to tell you, Madeleine, how much we love you!

You've brought so much joy to us and made us a family unit. We're excited to watch you grow and develop. There is no greater blessing than being your parents. You are an absolute dream come true.

Thank you for picking me to be your Mommy, Madeleine Gracie-Girl!

Oh, what a difference a year makes!

STATS:

Height: 29 1/4 inches - 53%

Weight: 21 lbs 12 oz - 62%