Videos

Here is another video to show the excitement..not. Again we were waiting for a huge reaction, sure didn't happen. Maybe next year.

we have an ice dancer in the making

cowgirl

                                           

hillbilly accent

Swimmer

Josie started swim lessons a few weeks ago. Unfortunately we didn't get her in the water last summer, and she definitely has a fear of water- hate that I passed down that trait. 

Soccer was Nicks thing, so we decided that swimming was mine. We found a class at an area Y that starts about 10:30 on Saturday morning, so it works out well with her schedule and Cate's. When Nick was signing her up, of course they asked her age and based on that suggested a different class. We knew that was going to be a bad idea, so we put her in the beginners class. I'm talking she is the oldest by about a year and a half. Whoopsie. 

That's OK though. Seeing the babies in the class actually helps her. They aren't crying, and enjoy splashing, kicking and being in the water. She had a major death grip on me the first class, and cried most of the time. The second week was much better- no crying, she sang the songs, kicked, splashed and even let me get her hair a little wet. Fast forward to week three and it apparently was a debacle. I went to Cincinnati to visit friends on Saturday, so Nick was in charge. Honestly, she didn't wake up in the best mood that day, but class was a complete disaster. Let's hope for a better time this week.

Only real negative to us going alone is, I don't have any pictures of us in the water. All the other families have both parents there, video camera and phones going the entire time. Maybe at the end of the session, we can all be there together and take a pic in the pool- for now we'll have to take what we can get. A picture in the house with all our clothes on with shit-breath.

4 Months

Cate finally had her 4 month appointment yesterday so hence the delay on her post. Holy moley has she grown this past month. I looked back through her monthly photos and she has changed so much since month 1. What a big, pudgy girl we have- I couldn't be more proud!

Josie was definitely a sweet baby, but Cate is something else. She never cries and is always so happy to see us. She is still unsure of my glasses when I pick her up in the evenings, but I get big smiles as soon as I take them off.

She is still spitting up like a geyser, most days I go through multiple outfits and burp cloths. I was hoping she'd outgrow it by now, but no luck so far. Biggest accomplishment is she started sleeping through the night mid December! She still wakes a few times in the middle of the night, and sometimes wants her paci, but other then that, no feeding.

Here are this months stats:

Height- 25 in (65%)

Weight- 14lb 6.5 oz (50%)

Clothes size- 3-6 mo

Diaper size- 2

love those chubby cheeks!

Of course I swore I wouldn't let her be the typical 2nd child with less photos and all hand-me-downs. I cant say I'm doing a great job at keeping my promise. With Josie I had professional pics taken every 3 months, this time I was lucky to take one at home at 3.5 months. Shit happens, life is busy. BUT it was totally worth the wait. Best.Photo.Ever. She is just too precious for words.

I'll take it.

one of my special helpers during the shoot

Christmas Day

Might as well start with the video from Christmas morning! Sorry its so long, but we were waiting for some type of reaction. I think this is how she's going to be. Like- "Oh, look..there are presents. Hmmm....alrighty then." Totally nonchalant even though she liked opening everything. Thankfully she was happy to see Cate when she came down- that's a plus!

                                       

Santa ate his cookies and Andes mints!

baby doll from Great Grandpa

This year was all about the quantity and not necessarily the quality. I knew she wouldn't care what she got, as long as she could open presents. So the dollar aisle at Target was my best friend. She got stickers, coloring books, colored pencils, a new sippy cup, play dough, Finding Nemo dvd, etc. She loved everything of course, but her big gift was the Kitchen. We have been putting off getting one for awhile now, because we don't really have the room. But this small one fit the bill and she loves it! She cooks everyday for us and tells us "Be careful, its hot-OK!?" And she likes to make pizza for us and puts cinnamon on it. Only drawback is she likes to dump her milk in the sink and wash dishes. Totally gets the concept, but damn- what a mess!

After Cate's morning nap it was time to head to Mansfield! Grandma and Grandpa went all out again- the kids are so spoiled, but we had a great time seeing the kids play and tear into the gifts. I have to say, Josie was ALL about the presents at this point. She practically opened all mine, hers and Nicks. She also helped Chloe since she had a hard time. 

next year will be wild with Cate running around

love her suitcase!

my favorite photo of the day! hahahahahahhah

Frankie played with this all day

grandma's yearly calendar

snack time

passed out on the way home

Christmas Eve

It's never too late for the Christmas post, even if it is 2 weeks late. We didn't buy too many things this year- we don't need anything and Josie has everything she could ever want and more. I knew she would be into opening presents, because she was used to that with all the special gifts she got when Cate was born.

Of course this year was special because we had Cate with us, but it was even more fun, because it was the first year that Nick and I stayed up late wrapping gifts, putting together the kitchen we bought for Josie, drinking, and watching "It's A Wonderful Life." I loved every minute of it, and can't wait for that tradition to happen for many years to come. Even after they stop believing.

Christmas Eve went really well. Nick cooked an amazing dinner yet again, Josie actually took a little nap and then proceeded to break the baby monitor. A little $250 fix/run to buy buy baby and we were back in business.

First things first though, we had to go see Santa! I had been meaning to get to the mall during the week, because going on the weekend was simply out of the question. Too freaking busy. So we raced up there around 10:30 and walked right up! No line at all, and the best part was, Josie's bff was in front of us in line!

doesn't look like it, but they were excited 

to see one another

Thankfully, Londyn went first so Josie saw it wasn't too scary. Had she not been there, this picture would have been a lot worse! Classic.

channeling David Fisher! 

way to go Grandma

cannoli cream and choco chips in her cup. 

Lucky girl!

eating the cannoli cream we made the night before

magic dust in hand!

This year we really tried to bring back the traditions we grew up with as kids. I know how excited Nick was to get the "magic dust" for Josie to sprinkle on the driveway for Santa, and I baked up a storm to have all the special cookies and fudge we always had at my Grandma Ginnys. It really did make it feel a little more like home.

putting out cookies for Santa

Santa came!