I think we are living a tiny Christmas miracle at my home. The baby is a changed child. At least sort of. Or I've just grown accustomed to his ways and have learned how to cope with and help him. Really though he has been such a happier baby this past week. He's getting a lot more interactive and a lot more content to sit in his swing and lay and kick and stretch. He's started cooing and smiling quite a bit and is spending a lot less time crying. He still spends some time in the Bjorn and sometimes can throw quite a fit in his carseat, but overall we are doing so much better and loving life that much more.
I think someone somewhere must have started praying for us or something because life has been a whole lot better around here. Now lets just hope that it sticks and is not just a passing phase.
The other kids really are holding up pretty well with the adjustment. Jake and I are trying hard to get the older ones to become more independent and to start doing more stuff to help out. It is actually pretty great. Cole has adjusted great and besides the fact that he's fighting his naps some, he's stepped into his role as big brother quite nicely. Jada was a little bored with no preschool last week and felt like all she did was watch TV and play puzzles. Sadly that is not far from the truth. I feel a little guilty sometimes that I haven't been the most fun mom lately. Taking care of a newborn requires a lot of time and energy, and we really haven't take him out much. With so much illness going around we are just being extra cautious (although he's been exposed to plenty thanks to my other kids). So we kind of just hang out at home. Sort of boring. Thank goodness for TV and our DVR with all kinds of Christmas shows and lots of Mickey. We've almost made it to Christmas, and then we will start to venture out a little more and have friends over again. Until then we all just have to deal and be okay with a little (okay a lot) of extra TV time.
Ignore the trail of spit up. He still can be a bit pukey...
Sweet baby boy. Thank you for not crying so much anymore. We all really appreciate it.
And now for the big brother...
He's really coming into his own and fulfilling his role as a "boy" (except for his preference for pink and purple sippy cups). He has taken up the habit of throwing things, lots of things, all over the house. He occasionally smacks people in the head with objects or his hand and has a fondness for my indoor sticks. For whatever reason (I think when he gets it wet) he likes to wear his shirt like Tarzan. And he pretends to shoot people. Such a boy in a house full of girls. Cute, funny, and a little troublesome at times. We are getting our first go around with an inhaler due to some congestion and wheezing. I have been to the pediatrician's office so many times since the baby it is ridiculous.
And for some Christmas festivities...
We had some friends over for some gingerbread fun...
I think we are living a tiny Christmas miracle at my home. The baby is a changed child. At least sort of. Or I've just grown accustomed to his ways and have learned how to cope with and help him. Really though he has been such a happier baby this past week. He's getting a lot more interactive and a lot more content to sit in his swing and lay and kick and stretch. He's started cooing and smiling quite a bit and is spending a lot less time crying. He still spends some time in the Bjorn and sometimes can throw quite a fit in his carseat, but overall we are doing so much better and loving life that much more.
I think someone somewhere must have started praying for us or something because life has been a whole lot better around here. Now lets just hope that it sticks and is not just a passing phase.
The other kids really are holding up pretty well with the adjustment. Jake and I are trying hard to get the older ones to become more independent and to start doing more stuff to help out. It is actually pretty great. Cole has adjusted great and besides the fact that he's fighting his naps some, he's stepped into his role as big brother quite nicely. Jada was a little bored with no preschool last week and felt like all she did was watch TV and play puzzles. Sadly that is not far from the truth. I feel a little guilty sometimes that I haven't been the most fun mom lately. Taking care of a newborn requires a lot of time and energy, and we really haven't take him out much. With so much illness going around we are just being extra cautious (although he's been exposed to plenty thanks to my other kids). So we kind of just hang out at home. Sort of boring. Thank goodness for TV and our DVR with all kinds of Christmas shows and lots of Mickey. We've almost made it to Christmas, and then we will start to venture out a little more and have friends over again. Until then we all just have to deal and be okay with a little (okay a lot) of extra TV time.
Ignore the trail of spit up. He still can be a bit pukey...
Sweet baby boy. Thank you for not crying so much anymore. We all really appreciate it.
And now for the big brother...
He's really coming into his own and fulfilling his role as a "boy" (except for his preference for pink and purple sippy cups). He has taken up the habit of throwing things, lots of things, all over the house. He occasionally smacks people in the head with objects or his hand and has a fondness for my indoor sticks. For whatever reason (I think when he gets it wet) he likes to wear his shirt like Tarzan. And he pretends to shoot people. Such a boy in a house full of girls. Cute, funny, and a little troublesome at times. We are getting our first go around with an inhaler due to some congestion and wheezing. I have been to the pediatrician's office so many times since the baby it is ridiculous.
And for some Christmas festivities...
We had some friends over for some gingerbread fun...
Jake added "Lotso" the cinnamon bear to the back of Jada's and Cole's house.
I love gingerbread houses and think it is such a fun tradition. For FHE, Mya taught our lesson and then had the kids put together Nativity pictures. 
We then did one of our other favorite Christmas traditions- the brown paper bag gift exchange. The kids love this and Cole really had fun giving and getting gifts.
All the kids love the "Elf on the Shelf" movie and Jada wanted to dress up like the Elf Snowflake. She tried to find a lot of "red" to wear, insisted on me getting out the Santa hat, and decorated her shirt with white paper like a collar. Funny girl. Also funny that she is now afraid of our little elf "Elfie". Guess she thinks he's a little scary when he's not up high. She didn't love him being on Eli's bassinet yesterday. Wonder what she'll think about him being in the fridge. He's from the North Pole so he's used to the cold, right?
And Jake and I got to go to a fun "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party" Friday night. My mom sent me a beautiful sweater and some fun Christmas jewelry. 
Happy to say that my sweater came in third place! We had a great time being with friends, playing games, and eating yummy food!
