Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve we spent at Auntie's house. We had a very casual evening, everyone brought appetizers to share. It was a very small means Christmas for us, we did not even draw names for a gift exchange. It was actually nice in way because we just focused on being a family rather than gifts. We just snacked, drank, and had a good time enjoying each other.

Auntie hand painted a box full of different Christmas balls for us. I've already packed them away and did not take pictures. Dang me! A cute Mr. & Mrs. Snowman for Aaron and I, Strawberry Shortcake for Noelle, Flowers for Madeleine, and a couple of other beautiful ornaments. We love them!

Noelle got a very special gift from Auntie and Unc. A play kitchen! She really loves everything in my kitchen and is always sneaking my utensils out of the drawers and pretends she is cooking. It was definitely time to get her some of her own.

Grandma also came through in the kitchen department. A whole set of dishes, utensils, tea pots, etc. You know 50,000 different little pieces for me to pick up and put away 5 times a day.

Noelle LOVES to toaster and the mixer.

Madeleine just snoozed and enjoyed being held.

We're Up And Running!

YEA! Auntie helped me fix my computer, now I can download pictures. This is really picture heavy, but I am sure you guys are happy to look at these sweet girls, right? I have a lot of updating to do, stick with me over the next couple of days!

Madeleine has created her own schedule and generally wakes every three hours on the nose. She usually nurses at 6am and I try to get back to sleep ASAP because I know Noelle will be in by around 6:45-7. I pray that she will decide to sleep in and I will get a full hour but it never happens. Those few minutes of sleep go by so fast, I am just too tired and not ready to get up, so we usually hang out in bed for quite a while.

This is what our mornings look like.

Propped up in the corner of the couch under Daddy's favorite blanket.

When Daddy is home, he is either on his computer taking care of e-mails or on the couch with a baby asleep on his chest.

Just like her big sister LOVING bath time.

Noelle has become my sous chef. Here we are making my seriously yummy cinnamon rolls. I would love to eat one right now.

I hear a lot of rustling and noise and turn around to find Noelle had climbed in this bag. It provided a good hour of entertainment! The video is the best, I'll try to get that posted.

Really rough mornings we turn the TV on for her. For Christmas she got some 'Little Einstein' movies. I can actually tolerate listening to them over and over again, the classical music is doable. The best part is when she asks to watch them, "Mommy, can I watch Fittle Fine Fines?"


Here is Noelle's first slumber party, she invited all of her favorite stuffed toys. You have to sleep on the floor at a slumber party, right?

Happy New Year!

From the Jones Family!

We hope this year brings success, love, happiness and anything else your hearts desire. We are looking forward to what 2009 will bring our way. Whatever it may be, we are just grateful to have each other and being able to watch our sweet girls grow.

Aaron and I rung in the New Year from our couch with a bottle of Martinelli's last night. That is how is goes when you have a little one that can't be away from her Mommy. It was so exciting, it took every ounce I had to keep my sleep deprived eyes open.

This morning Madeleine is snoozing, Daddy and Noelle are playing outside while I have a German Pancake in the oven. I am also getting a turkey and all the fixings going for a special New Year's dinner. I could not ask for more, it's pure domestic bliss!

Happy, Happy Birthday To My Noelley-Belly

December 30, 2005 2:28am.....she came into the world and I became known as,"Mommy." I can hardly believe three years have gone by since that moment.

Noelle is such an amazing little girl. We all love her so very much. She has energy that goes on for days, is smart as a whip, and absolutely enjoys life to it's fullest. She runs, jumps, plays, screams and gets into all kinds of trouble. She has so many songs memorized and loves to sing them all day long. My personal favorite is "Dangerous" by Akon, she gets that from her Father.

Noelle has had the perfect little girl birthday. She got to eat M&M's & Cheetos for breakfast (thanks Aunt Amy!), and Auntie came over to bring her presents and a Mickey Mouse balloon. We then took a yummy lunch of Baked Ziti, Salad, Bread, Grapes and Cupcakes to the park to play and eat with her friends. After the park, we came home and she got to play with Jake and Norah some more. Everyone was so thoughtful and gave her such wonderful gifts. Clothes, coloring books, movies, and Strawberry Shortcake galore. She's already had so much fun playing with everything.

We had plans to go out with Daddy tonight but we were just all too tired. Noelle ate leftovers with Daddy and is already asleep. She went to bed with a dirty face and so many happy memories. What more could a little girl ask for?

I love you, sweet baby girl. Thank you for picking me!

No pictures......still having technical difficulties. Hopefully, we can fix it tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

To all of those we know and love!

Each and every single one of you bless our lives so much and we are so grateful. May we all remember His example as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for our family.

Sick House

Don't come near our house unless you are wearing some kind of protective gear!

Noelle has had the stomach flu. Madeleine has an infection in both eyes. Yesterday I woke up feeling like I had been run over by a semi...I only got out of bed to use the bathroom. Aaron woke up this morning feeling bad, but I am thinking maybe he wanted to stay home from church.

Hopefully, tomorrow we will all be healthy and we can celebrate the holidays!

What We've Been Up To...

I've been having technical issues and can't upload most pictures.

Things have been going really well. Madeleine is the best baby anyone could ask for. She's nursing great and growing like a weed.....gained 1o ozs and grew 3/4 inch in a week. Really only cries when she is hungry and is just plain perfect.

Noelle is still totally in loooooooooooove and is such a good big sister/helper. Daddy has found a new love of his life, too.

We've just been loving these days home spending time together as a new family of four. It was rough for me the first few days, I was scared but things have just been so smooth. Let's hope things don't blow up for us now that I've gone public!

We're Home

She is just a precious angel sent here from Heaven. Literally.

We're Off

I got a call yesterday afternoon that there would be a change in plans and I will be going in this morning instead of this evening. Kind of messed up my plans, but that's OK. She'll be here 12 hours earlier. So, I am up right now, the house is still quiet and dark. I will spend many nights/mornings like this over the next few weeks/months.

I had plans to make a nice dinner as our 'last night' together as a family of three but the change in plans changed that, too. Instead we dined with a $5 Little Cesaers Pizza and drank Crystal Light. I put Noelle to bed by myself, Daddy normally does it but I wanted to be with her. I laid there forever feeling her soft skin, smelling her smell, and listening to her breath. I could have stayed there all night. I cannot believe how big she is and how fiercely I love her. All I can hope is that she is this change is a positive one for her, that she loves having a baby around, and does not feel abandoned in any way.

Then Aaron and I got our blankets and got comfy on the couch, ate Oreos with milk while we watched a couple of shows in our DVR. Of course, I fell asleep, as always. Nothing special but typical of us, except the Oreos. That was a totally random purchase when I ran to the store for a couple of things. I wanted something random.

I just feel so blessed to have an opportunity to be in this situation. I really am blessed.

We will update as soon as we can!

We're Ready For You!

We've been like little busy bees today getting all of the last minute stuff ready. Washing car seat covers, putting together swings, all sorts of fun stuff! Aaron had a 'Honey-Do' list about a mile long and has been checking them all off like a champ.

It's like Old Mother Hubbard around here, we are about ready to leave and get our provisions for the next couple of weeks. I think I might even buy some frozen pizzas and burritos. *Gasp!*

As I am typing Noelle came by, hugged my leg and said, "I love Madeleine." Seriously? Precious.

Alright baby girl, let's go!