Mirabel - 6 Months

Didn't I just write about how Mirabel was 5 months? What is happening? Bah! Well, what can I say. Mirabel, you continue to be a terrible sleeper. Trust me, we will be working on that over the next few weeks...
But we just can't get enough of you! You have the biggest smile (with two little teeth showing now)! You can really carry on a conversation if you are in the mood. You really could care less about "real" food. We've tried several different foods and you really aren't into any of them. Carrots are probably your favorite, but even then, I think you'd rather just have your mama's milk. You are sitting up really well, I still keep pillows around you but for the most part you do a good job. Your poor cheeks are always chapped for as much as you drool. You love tugging on your daddy's beard. You love talking with Eloise and you just love it when she is around. It's not a lot, but you still have more hair than Eloise when she turned one, so I'm crossing my fingers we should be able to get a barrette in there for your first birthday. We love you, Baby Doll.

Christmastime

Our family of four has had a wonderful Christmas season, being able to celebrate with most of our families. A belated celebration will happen in a few weeks when we head to Atlanta to see my sister and her family, including their newest addition, Miss Charlotte Diana. Can't wait to squeeze her any her big brother and sister.

Christmas just gets more fun every year now that we have little ones to celebrate with. Creating traditions of our own has brought the most joy and excitement for years to come. I remember Christmas morning, looking at Justin sitting under the tree with the girls as they played with their new toys thinking, 

This is us. Our family, complete. God-willing, it will be the four of us celebrating together for many years to come. 

And it made me smile. 

First, we got to celebrate with Grandma, Papa and Uncle Mitch. It was nice having them all here to celebrate our first Christmas in our new home. 

Eloise got her first Barbie doll from Uncle Mitch.
And she just had to change into her new cupcake pajamas from Grandma. 

Smooches from Grandma. Mirabel doesn't mind a bit. 

There's just something so sweet about your little (but big), burley brother sharing snuggles with his nieces.

There is just something about this progression of photos of the girls, that I think their expressions look so similar. Love them to pieces. 

One of our final advent activities was to decorate gingerbread cookies and deliver them to our neighbors. On the way back from delivering, Eloise just had to make a snow angel in the driveway with the dusting of snow that we got that day. 

Christmas Eve dinner at Gran and Papas. 

The first of two princess dresses that Eloise got this year. Without my prodding, this girl loves to play dress up. She'd wear a "twirly dress" every day if she could. 

And finally, Christmas morning! I think Eloise had forgotten what we told her the night before, that when she woke up the next morning, it would be Christmas Day! Jesus' birthday! She had gotten a new Percy train engine at the gift exchange the night before and he we sitting at the end of her bed. She remembered he was there and the first thing she wanted to do was to "put baby Jesus in the manger!" She'd been asking pretty much every day in December to put baby Jesus in the manger and we'd have to explain that it wasn't Christmas day yet. So we got baby Jesus out and sang "Happy Birthday" and "Angels We Have Heard On High", or as Eloise would call it, the "Glo-o-o-o-o-ry song". We then had to remind her that she had some new presents under the tree! (I think Justin and I were more excited than she was.)

What a wonderful season we had! We are so very thankful for 2013. Being in our home as a new family of four has brought us so much joy. Our lives are hectic and messy. And we are thankful. Blessed beyond words. Thank you, God, for your Son. Our Savior. Our Prince of Peace. 

Advent 2013 - Dec. 1-16

Justin and I came up with an advent calendar this year for the first time and I hope it continues as a tradition each December. We came up with a different "advent activity" for each day in December and Eloise picks a new one each day along with a piece of the nativity scene. She seems to have enjoyed many of the activities we've done but as she gets a little older I think she will enjoy the anticipation and preparation for Jesus' birth even more.

Our first activity of the month was to decorate the Christmas tree. That same evening I was starting to wrap gifts and Justin was getting ready to put Eloise to bed. Though it may have been another one of her stall tactics, she said, "Mama, I want to stay and make Christmas with you." It was pretty adorable. Another day's activity was to hang mistletoe. And again this evening as I was saying goodnight, she said, "We better go under the mistletoe!" I think she's starting to catch on. The baby Jesus is the final figure to our calendar who of course comes on the 25th. She asks for him every day so she's patiently waiting to be able to get him out on Christmas day. What fun this season has been this year as I start to see it again through the eyes of a child.

Decorating her part of the tree.

Setting up the nativity.

Making a Countdown to Christmas chain.

Santa shakes!

Making snowflakes and drinking hot cocoa. 

Early Christmas.

Decorating cookies with friends!

Mirabel - 5 months

So, we have this nanny for the girls. She is amazing. My life would be so much more stressful without her. She loves my girls and the second I walk out my front door to catch the bus, my mind is at ease. Knowing she is caring for our girls brings me so much peace. (And quiet!) God bless you, Miss Leah. Oh, and she finds time somewhere between juggling my two girls as well as her own curious boy to take some fantastic photos of Mirabel at 5 months. 

Warming up to the camera.

"Wait a minute, what is going on here?"

(Probably being distracted by Eloise.)

There's my girl!

Just can't get enough of this crinkled nose, big mouthed grin!

Sweet, sweet girl.