Christmas Eve - 2011

I'm finally coming out of the post-Christmas fog to post some pictures. I usually feel like it takes me a month to recover from holiday festivities...

Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year, we decided to back everything up a day to make things easier. We did that a few years ago when Alana was little and it worked well. Trying to do presents, Christmas dinner and church all in one day (with 3 kids) is too hard so we had our Christmas Eve on Friday night.

For Christmas Eve, we always have spaghetti for dinner and we make a red velvet cake as a birthday cake for Jesus. We sing "Happy Birthday" to Him and the kids blow out His candles. After dinner, the kids get to open one present - which is always their Christmas pajamas.

Here are my sweet loved ones pre-pajamas present. I must confess that I didn't take good pictures this year. I was too busy enjoying my family.

After the kids were in bed, Tom and I wrapped their presents and filled their stockings. We always get them three presents each (other than stocking treats). We have found that works really well to remind them of the real reason for Christmas - since Jesus received three presents on His birthday. Also, it helps to keep Christmas gifts to a reasonable level. This year, we stacked their gifts under their stockings because the space under the Christmas tree was packed full.

A close-up view.... I always want a good picture because I feel like Tom and I work so hard to get it ready and all set up and it lasts for maybe five minutes on Christmas morning:)

Here's our tree.

It may take me awhile, but little by little, I'll get more Christmas pictures up. In the meantime, Happy New Year!

Peter's Birthday - Part 2

The night of Peter's birthday we just had a quiet, family dinner with cupcakes and presents.

As you can see, I went all out:) Peter didn't care though. He loved his "snowball" cupcakes!

He was very excited to blow out the candle. He talked about it all day.

On Saturday night, my parents came over for another birthday dinner for Peter.

I love this picture of Peter looking at one of his cards. He looks like he is reading it.

This was Peter's favorite gift - hands down. A remote control "Tow-Mater." He was thrilled!

I can't believe my little miracle is 3!

Peter's Birthday - Part 1

This was the first birthday of Peter's that he wasn't sick and I was so glad! We decided to keep it simple this year.

This is the morning of Peter's birthday. He loves to wear the Mr. Potato Head glasses. He calls them his goggles.

My mom came over and brought us lunch and she brought this little doggie-cake for Peter.

More to come......

A Baby Changes Everything

For us, this baby, changed everything.He took us to the depths of sorrow..... And the glories of a miracle.
What we went through with this precious child brought us to an intimacy with our Savior and Lord like we've never known before - the kind of sweet intimacy that can only be achieved through suffering.

Because, that Baby, changed EVERYTHING!

Happy birthday Peter! You are a living reminder that God does have the whole world in His hands. We love you so much.

You shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Almighty God. - Psalm 118:17

Isaac - 6 Months

Our sweet Mr. Sunshine turned six months last weeks (Dec. 7th) - and I'm just now getting a chance to post about it! (Such is life with a six-month old - not to mention an almost 3 year old and a 10 year old.)

Isaac is still the happiest baby ever. He LOVES his Johnny-Jump. He will jump and swing and swirl and babble the whole time. We put it between the kitchen and office/playroom so we are always around him when he jumps and he is thoroughly entertained.

The day after Thanksgiving, we put Isaac in the high chair for the first time. He's done great. He's had a large variety of baby foods and we haven't found one yet that he doesn't like. He also still takes four 8-oz bottles a day. He is obviously still a good eater.

We're working on a sippy cup some. I'm not really pushing it, but every now and then I let him have it to play with and chew on and learn to use.

Isaac still takes two good naps a day and he is working on dropping the evening cat-nap. He and Peter nap together in their room now. About one day a week, they'll not do well, but for the most part, they sleep. One day I heard Isaac in there talking and I peeked in and saw Isaac looking over the bumper pad in his crib, babbling his head off at Peter. Peter just laid in his bed and tried his best to ignore Isaac. It was so cute!

I can tell Isaac is changing from little baby to older baby. He is still a total joy!