Lots of Christmas Pictures

All out of order...

Eve (note: her first bow and first Mary Janes)

That tongue is ALWAYS out...hilarious
Somebody REALLY enjoyed decorating

After Christmas...HULK SMASH!

KO...Daddy has no mercy

Their first ride in the new wagon...they love it!

If you zoom in a bit you can see Eve has glitter all over her face (it was in her mouth, too). Who knew there was glitter in shiny paper. I didn't notice the sparkle on the other end.

Somewhere amongst all those (way too many) presents is a little boy rubbing his head...wondering where to begin.

Snuck a taste of Santa's cookies...Shhhh!

Leaving Santa cookies

John was very protective of Santa's cookies...not happy that Eve was reaching in.

John baked the cookies for Santa earlier in the day. Right of the cookie sheet...not bad!

Christmas Eve

What a sweet kiss :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

Wishful Thinking

No such luck. We tried carrots, and even after I mixed them with applesauce she still spit it all out. Back to the drawing board.

A Day of Firsts

Finally! Eve ate some food! She still made yucky faces, but kept coming back for more and ate a tablespoon or two. I'm guessing she just needs practice...which she hasn't been getting. Slack Mom, but she hasn't been eating it anyway, and there's certainly never a "convenient" time, so I haven't been pushing it. We'll see how she does today.

I'd also say that yesterday was her official crawl day. She's been moving around really well and getting wherever she wants, but yesterday she did the crawl motion a few times over. Who knows if she'll remember it today (I almost hope not!). She's really building up speed and distance, though. Last night was a big step. I was trying to get John to go on the potty before I put them in the tub, only the third time I've tried both of them together in the tub. Quick sidenote, John has been going on the potty a few times a day, but certainly goes more in his diaper...a good start, though. Anyway, while I was working with him, Eve was on the floor in the hall. She made her way into the bathroom, got both hands up on the bathroom stool (maybe 8 inches high?) and pulled her way up...standing with her hands on the stool! She's never been close to that before...never even pulled up into my lap or onto my hands before! Of course, John was never close to standing and one day I went into his room to find him standing in the crib...out of the blue. What's with my kids? So anyway, she's really getting to be a big girl. 7 months old...already?

As far as Christmas gifts, John has been LOVING having a play room upstairs, and the train table, and the floor mat with streets and buildings and stuff on it. We have all (minus Eve) enjoyed the hulk smash gloves! Lots of other fun things. John is still pretty much running from one to the other (including Eve's toys), but the hulk smash gloves are fun for all!

Christmas!

It has been such a fun Christmas! John has been so excited about so many things this season, and it's the first year he's started to get any of it. I guess you can argue that it's the first season he's started to get the wrong idea about Christmas, but it's still so fun to see the excitement. We went to an early kid-friendly service yesterday (Christmas Eve). Eve babbled loudly and squealed with glee the entire time, and John spent half the service in the nursery. It was worth a try. We got to talk to Grandma and Grandpa Bucky, Aunt Michelle, Uncle Greg and Uncle Christopher via web cam for the first time, which John enjoyed. We were experiencing some technical difficulties, so John just kept getting really close to the camera and screaming MERRY CHRISTMAS! It was cute. He was a little overloaded with excitement and way off schedule with his naps, so we got ready for bed early. He had baked cookies for Santa (one of his new favorite activities) earlier in the day, so we put them on a plate and he put them under the tree. He dropped them on the floor a few times, but I'm sure Santa didn't mind a little bit of grit. He was very protective when Eve came near, but ended up taking a few bites for himself.

This morning was so exciting. Eve was up early, ate and went back to sleep, so I was up and around way earlier than the rest. By 7:30 I was pacing the floor just waiting for John to get up. Mom had come over last night after John was in bed, and came back at 7 this morning. John finally got up around 7:45 or so and came down the stairs saying MERRY CHRISTMAS! It was so cute. It took him a few minutes to understand that the stuff in the stockings was our new stuff to play with, but he started to catch on pretty quickly. He started off slowly, playing with everything, but quickly learned to open something and move on to the next. We reminded him that we needed to look at the tag so see who it was for, and he started passing gifts around and wishing a Merry Christmas. One of the sweetest things was when we reminded him to thank Grandma, and he put everything down, went over to hug her, and said Thank you. A lot of times it's pretty clear the manners aren't sincere, but this time it was clear that he was very sincere...very sweet. As we continued, I think all the excitement was a little too overwhelming, and he really got kind of crabby. I think he was hungry and tired. We ate, opened a few more, then put him up in his room for a "nap". He didn't sleep, but the down time was good. Unfortunately when I went to get him, I found him with his diaper off. I asked him if he went peepee or poopoo. He said yes and pointed in the corner. He had peed on the wall and floor. Good think Santa already came...Mama wasn't happy! We played some more. He particularly liked a floor mat that looks like a town (used for playing cars and trains, etc.), and his new crane that goes with the Thomas set. We went over to see Amy, Ryan, Bella and Marco. John and Bella really had a blast. They have so much fun playing together, and he gets the funniest expressions from her. Tonight he started saying "I have an idea", and I'm certain that must've come from Bella. I don't think he knows what it means. Anyway, he played and played with Bella and was so upset when we left. Tonight we had a fun family time with his new star projector and a Discovery Channel film projector. We left the stars in his room...not sure if he'll ever go to sleep playing with that!

Eve got lots of cute things, but obviously had no idea that today was any different from any other. She did really enjoy her new toys, though.

We'll see how tomorrow goes when nothing is wrapped.

The Gospel According to John

Today in the car I heard the Gospel according to John...the two-year-old. I'm so impressed, and often amused, at what he remembers from church. Last night our friends told us they handed out jingle bells in the big group time and John just stood there with his hands over his ears. It's funny how different he is with us than he is in a crowd. Anyway, today on the way home from church I asked him what he did. First he said that he played snack and that was all. I asked him if he sang and danced. He said "Yes". What song? Head shoulders knees and toes. I'm not sure if they've ever done that song, but that's his answer every week. Then I asked him if he heard a story. Our conversation went kind of like this...

"Who was the story about?"
"Jesus"
"What did Jesus do in the story"

"He wrap in towel"

"Where there angels in the story?
"Yes"

"What did they do"

"Angels say about Jesus"
"Were there shepherds?"

"Yes"

"What did they do?"
"Sheep"

"Who was Jesus' mama?"

"Mary and Joseph"

"Where did Jesus sleep?"

"A bed"

Aside from Jesus sleeping in a bed, I was really impressed with his facts. I'm also impressed that he can kind of sing along with Silent Night. I sing that to him before he goes to bed, but didn't know until today that he's learned a lot of the words. He has started singing a lot more and also talking while he plays. It's fun to listen and try to figure out what he's saying or singing. He even does a pretty good job with Frosty's "corn cob pipe and a button nose". He hasn't been big on singing until recently. He loves to hear other people sing, but hasn't wanted to sing along or by himself.

I think I forgot to write about his first joke. He likes to say boo. This goes back and forth a lot and gets boring, so I spiced it up a bit saying boo you, to which he responded "No, not boo you, just boo". I thought that was funny, so I tried boogety boo. It was funny to hear him try that one back. Then we started with Boo John, boo baby Eve, boo Mama. He went on to boo Daddy (I think by mistake the first time) and I said, what? Daddy's not here, where's Daddy? At work! For some reason he thought it was hilarious. He still says boo Daddy, boo Grandma, boo Papa, you name it, and we have to say they're not here, where are they? He answers and laughs and laughs. His own first joke. It really was funny the first time.

Eve is moving around more and more, and sitting up quite well. That second tooth still hasn't come, but I really think it's close.

Officially In Trouble

It's official. She doesn't have the crawling motion down, but she's moving forward. Yep, Eve can now move in all directions. Things are about to get even crazier! She's also babbling like crazy and making lots of new noises. What fun!

We went to snow day at the local ice skating rink today. It was so fun! John enjoyed the ice and throwing snowballs, but wasn't quite ready for the cold (nor was I). He also loved the bouncy houses and was much braver on the climbing parts and super fast slides this time. Officially in trouble for more reason than one!

Last Weekend Christmas Stuff

Well, not much to update on Eve except that she just gets lugged around everywhere and is so great. She's so close to crawling, but I remember John was so close to crawling for a very long time...so I'm hoping for the same!!

John is really getting into Christmas, but still doesn't quite know what's coming, I don't think. Anyway, last Friday I went out with the girls, so John and Buck had a fun Man's night (Eve slept the whole time). Buck called me in a panic shortly after I left because he had promised John they'd watch "Cars" and the DVD was in my car. Oops! He appeased him with Thomas, then put him to bed. Just after he put John in bed, Buck realized that Frosty the Snowman was on. John didn't even know who Frosty was, but for some reason has been obsessed with him. So, Buck went and got him out of bed and they watched Frosty. It's funny now because we ask John what does Frosty say and he knows it's "Happy Birthday!".

Sunday night we went to Ft. Inn. They have carriage rides through downtown. John really enjoyed it for 5 or 10 minutes, and enjoyed looking at the lights, but by the end of the ride he was flipping over the benches and a little stir crazy. We also got to see Santa and get their picture with him. We had been talking it up all day with John. He was excited he was going to see Santa and knew he was going to sit on his lap. Santa was sitting outside in a sleigh. Eve was happy as could be and grinning like crazy. I think John was getting sleepy, and he wasn't crazy about it when the time came to sit with him. I told him Santa would give him a candy cane...'nough said. John hopped right up next to him. Funny what he'll do for candy. He stood near Santa, but we couldn't really get him to lean in close or look at the camera. Oh well, at least he wasn't screaming like last year. After that we went to Simpsonville Methodist for Journey to the Manger. They setup a drive-through presentation of the Christmas story. They have verses and people representing the prophesy in Isaiah, Gabriel, Elizabeth, the Angels and Shepherds, and the journey to Bethlehem. Around the corner, you drive through the Bethlehem city gates and see all sorts of things in the town-Roman guards on horses, the Temple, people selling things, the innkeeper yelling "there's no room in the inn", and at the end is the manger. We actually participated when John was a baby. I'll have to post a few of the pictures. It's a really neat thing, and they have the cross and empty tomb at the end. So, we drove through and told John the story as we went. I think he actually enjoyed it and maybe picked up on some of it; although, he's definitely more excited about presents and Santa.

Yesterday we got a package with gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Bucky. John watched me open the package and was so excited to see presents inside. I kept coaching him..."We're not going to open them until Christmas. We're not opening them today. When are we opening them?" "Right now!" "No. We're not opening them today. We're opening them on Christmas. Are we opening them today?" "YES!" "No"...you get the idea. I hid them upstairs.

More Pictures

Eve at 2 days...remember that???

Eve at 6 months (plus a few days or a week). You've come a long way, baby!

John has quite a throwing stance that he carefully sets each time he trows. You can't tell me that he's not going to get some sort of sports scholarship!Bella was singing, and by golly, John was going to stand there with her. They were very cute. What a bunch of turkeys!

John decorated his own tree...even stood on the stool to reach the top.

YAY CHRISTMAS!!! He kept saying that and clapping all night. Think he's excited?

Crocodiles and other things

We've got lots to catch up on!

1. We have teeth growing all over the place! John's two bottom two-year molars are peeping through...FINALLY! His teeth take forever to come in, and I often blame his tantrums on that. I don't know what I'll do when he runs out of teeth. I noticed the molars last Thursday, the 4th. Eve has her first tooth! The bottom right. It's still just barely peeping, hard to see, but it's there. Mom found it Sunday, the 7th. She's really done well with it. The two mornings before she woke up early, ate, and went back to sleep (not typical), but I don't know if that was the tooth, or just a fluke. Either way, she's done great. She's always done really funny things with her tongue. We noticed it the day she was born. It comes and goes, but a lot of times she sticks it out a lot and just makes funny faces and movements with it. It's been really funny since her tooth came in.

2. John and Eve stayed with Grandma Saturday through Sunday of last weekend while we went to a wedding. They had a blast, of course. I fed Eve right before we left (around 10am Sat.). She didn't eat again until Sunday morning. She quickly drank a huge bottle, then didn't eat again until we picked them up around 12:30! That little booger just doesn't want to take a bottle, or eat anything solid for that matter. I'm a little nervous. Either I've got a totally complacent and patient child, or I've got one that's just as strong willed and stubborn and John and I are. I couldn't believe it when Mom told me that.

3. John is LOVING Christmas. I feel sorry for everyone we pass in a store or on the street because he wants me to sing Christmas songs all the time. He really only wants Frosty the Snowman and any song about Santa Claus. If I start a different Christmas song, he says "NO! A Christmas song!". I try to explain that Jingle Bells and the others are Christmas songs, but, well, I'm just wrong. He's also started dancing to them, which is fun. He basically just spins around and shakes his head until he's so dizzy he falls over and runs into things.

4. Eve is rocking on her knees and sitting like a champ. She still falls down sometimes, but is steady enough to leave her after I'm sure she's steady. I'm not ready for her to start crawling! She moves backwards pretty well, then gets very frustrated that she can't reach any of her toys anymore.

5. John is starting to come up with great sentences and questions that we haven't heard before. Last night he asked "What's that sound is?". I was impressed. He's really putting the language together and has a remarkable memory. Whenever his hair is crazy, I say "John, your hair is awesome". I'm certain he doesn't have a concept of awesome, but he did tell Eve that her hair was awesome the other day. It was very funny. He has finally started saying "yes", but I'm not certain he understands that concept either. If I say guess what...or guess who..., the answer is most often yes. He does say it emphatically, and nods his head, so it's pretty funny.

6. John's sports are all messed up. At one point he was throwing a small plastic basketball with his baseball glove (we've almost convinced him that catching it in the glove and throwing it just with his hand instead of the glove is easier...not completely there yet), and ran to the couch and yelled "FIRST DOWN"! He also likes to swing a plush flower like a baseball bat. Every now and then he actually hits the ball, but footballs are really tough. I'd say playing ball in one form or fashion is probably his favorite right now. That, and Christmas.

Deck the Halls

Well, late is better than never. John had an absolute blast tonight. Last night we bought the Christmas tree and brought it inside. Today we had pizza and put lights on the tree. He kept jumping up and down and saying "Yay Christmas" and clapping. He was so so cute. Last year was fun, but this year has been so much more fun already. The only bad part, I'm not sure if it's just something they inherently know, but he automatically associates Christmas with Santa and presents...no matter how much I mention Jesus in the same excited voice. He's so cute, though. When he sees lights, or presents, or trees, or anything, he says "I see Christmas!". I'm trying to write about tonight, but quickly realizing it's one of those things just can't be written about...only enjoyed. Unfortunately Eve went to bed before we started putting the lights up, but she'll enjoy them later.