Holidays are Here

We had a nice Thanksgiving at Mom's this year with plenty to eat and good times shared by all. The kids did very well, too. Hope that you all had a nice day as well. Now that the holiday season has arrived, it is time to decorate. We knew this year was going to be fun when Julia started getting very excited seeing lights on other homes. We started our decorating and she was so excited to see the deer in the front yard that she cried when she had to come in. I can't wait to see her reaction to the Christmas tree! Keira has made some big leaps in the past few weeks. She is now sitting on her own for longer stretches of time each day. She is also starting to understand the concept of eating solids. She opens her mouth now when the spoon approaches and even swallows whole mouthfuls at a time. Much improved from the clamped shut mouth and spitting! She is even starting to fall into her own routine...if only we could move up her bedtime! It's hard when the kids share a room to let one cry and risk waking the other up. Oh well, it will come in time.

If you look VERY closely, you can see some of the first snowflakes of the year.


Julia outside playing in the "snow".

Keira and Grammy playing.


Julia helped Daddy decorate!

These are bases to the small light up trees, but all I can think of .... Julia Scissorhands

Getting ready to come inside from the cold.

After a long day of being cranky, she finally gave in and fell asleep.

Two is Terrible!

Ok, so we are now a mere month from Julia's second birthday. And let me tell you ,the "Terrible Twos" have arrived! My sweet little girl has been replaced by a bratty, 'tudey little snot in her times of rage. It seems the simple instructions or slightest reprimand send her into a frenzy of hitting, kicking, throwing, screaming and crying. But then two minutes later she is back to normal. I'm exhausted by her moods alone. All in all, Julia is still a very good kid, but good grief I hope this stage doesn't last an entire year...and man am I scared of when she becomes a teenager.

As for Keira, she is such a happy little thing. She does not like to eat, however. We are working on feeding her solids now, but she is not so interested. The funniest part is when she starts sticking her thumb in her mouth so you can't get the spoon in. She is also rolling over very well now and we often find her on her belly in her crib in the morning. And mostly, Keira simply adores her sister. She watches her like a hawk, and if Julia so much as looks in her direction...huge smiles! It's so cute.

Angry that the camera was out.



Eating prunes...and none too happy about it.


Not eating anything except her thumb.

More tantrums.

Two minutes later...happily playing drums with the Christmas boxes.

False teething...note the drool spot on Jason's shoulder.

Sitting up (while supported)


Attempting to take pictures for the Christmas card


We'll try one more time, but you might see this one on the card.

Keira's Baptism

On Sunday, Keira was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith. The ceremony includes baptism with water and anointing with oils. Her Aunt Tabitha and my good friend Angie are her godmothers. She is a very loved and blessed little girl, and we are all blessed to have her with us.

Here is the priest making the sign of the cross on her head.

The water was cold and she didn't even cry.

Draped in her baptismal "gown"

The light of the candle symbolizes life.

Keira with her Godmothers

Uncle Tim, Aunt Tab, Keira, Angie (and baby Marshall) and Marshall

Parents and Godparents

Keira with her Godmothers and Great-Grandparents

The Family

A Visit from Uncle Tim and Aunt Tab

My brother and sister-in-law came up this weekend for Halloween and Keira's baptism. Julia has had a difficult time accepting these people into her home. She is "scared". And I guess we can understand since it's been almost a year since she'd seen them. But we are doing our best to get over the fear and enjoy our time together. Keira on the other hand, has finally figured out that someone other than mommy or daddy can hold her and she will be fine.

playing with the baby

Julia avoiding her aunt and uncle

Uncle Tim playing with Keira

Uncle Tim holds the baby while Aunt Tab builds block towers for Julia to knock down.

Shiny, happy people holding hands!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Here are a few shots from our night of tricks and treats! Julia dressed as Dora (of course) and Keira was a chicken/duck (chuck?). You decide.

Dora - back view

Dora - front view

Keira as chuck.



Aunt Tab with the girls


Dora exploring the front steps



Dora giving out candy to the trick-or-treaters


Me, Jules and Mom