Christmas 2015 comes early

My parents came to San Diego to celebrate Christmas this year. This is the first year I haven't went back to Nebraska since I moved 10 years ago. I have to admit it was really nice not having to travel for the holidays -plus having two kids in tow just really seemed like it would be a nightmare. But it does have me looking forward to next year that much more when we do go back!

Since they came out a week early we celebrated Christmas eve on Saturday night and on Sunday Christmas day. Santa even visited on Christmas eve. Caiden was pretty excited to give him milk and cookies and a carrot for the reindeer and when he heard the jingle bells at the front door he went running to open the door for Santa. But as he walked in he immediately looked around for the first person he could find to have them pick him up. He didn't voluntarily go up to him but he sat on his lap for a quick second and gave him a quick hug and high five when we told him to. Santa brought him one gift and a candy cane (or as Caiden says it, "tandy tane") and that was all he talked about when you asked what Santa brought him -not the sweet train set.

But first we had a Friday night dance partaaaayyyyy! We haven't done one of these since Grace was born because frankly we just don't have the energy to jump around like crazy people and try to make fools out of ourselves so Caiden will do the same. We had a full house and Caiden was having so much fun with everyone. He was hilarious, doing this arm pump toward the ground thing and stomping around -he was out of breath the entire time and still talking about it today!

 

On Saturday night when Santa came to visit we got Caiden all jazzed up that he was coming. We all made sure to give Santa hugs and welcome him in so Caiden was OK with him. His all time favorite thing about Santa was the candy cane he got. He did exactly what we told him to do (no more, no less) -sit on his lap, give him a hug and high five.

Remember now --This is Caiden's smile.

 

On Saturday night after everyone was in bed Santa came back to deliver presents.

 

On Sunday morning we acted like it was full on Christmas morning -including the usual breakfast casserole, orange Danish rolls, OJ and mimosas. Caiden had so much fun opening presents. I'm not sure he really understood the concept because he would open anyone's present that he got a hold of. He got so much Curious George stuff that we have weeks and weeks of activities available....sticker books, magnets, a wall mural, books, coloring books. I seriously hope he doesn't get sick of George anytime soon.

 

My parents bought him this toddler sized cot that we can take with us on the go and he loved it. Although I have no idea if he'll actually sleep in it when we go places.

 

 

 

Again...this is his "smile" on command.

 

 

This box that gifts were shipped in was the highlight of the weekend for everyone. We all had fun coloring on it and cutting holes out for windows and doors so Caiden could crawl inside. He's still playing with it to this day.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! We hope 2015 brings peace and joy to everyone! XOXO

2014 Holiday card photo shoot

Sara's friend B was in town in October so we went out to Del Mar and she graciously took some photos of us. I thought for sure Caiden was going to be the trouble maker but it was all Grace. She cried for the first 30 minutes we were out there and was hit or miss through the entire thing. Caiden was pretty good, besides wanting to run around like a crazy man we were able to get him to chill for a few minutes here and there to shoot. A huge thank you to B for patiently taking these beautiful photos for us with less than cooperative subjects!

Grace's 4-month check-up

She weighed 12 lbs. 15.5 oz. (19th percentile), 24.4 inches long (39th percentile) and her head is in the 56th percentile. She received two shot vaccines and one oral vaccine. We'll go back in a couple of weeks for the remaining two 4-month shots then again for her 6-month appointment in February.