Friday, December 31, 2010

Snow much fun!

So of course I took way too many pictures. Here are some more of my favorites...

Kate thoroughly enjoyed a few massages from Grandma...
We're in trouble... she's already loving living a life of luxury ;)

And that's not the only way she was spoiled. She was hardly ever put down. Auntie Laura and her became great snuggle buddies!
... We are slowly adjusting to not being able to be held all the time now. Wish everyday was Christmas vacation so I could just sit and hold my baby... but I can't ;{

Kids exercising with Grandma...

We spent lots of time just hanging out!...
And Brandon amazed us all with his kitchen time - he even made homemade caramel!
Why does it have to end?!? We want the family back. We want the Christmas Spirit to stay. We don't want to stop eating all the food and treats. We want to stay all warm and cozy inside. Want, want, want. But I guess we filled our needs plus some, and for that we are truly thankful.

Christmas Eve & Day

Laura had one wish for her trip to our house - and that was to go to Chevy's. Totally understood. So we went to lunch on Christmas Eve. It was yummy and oh so fun to eat by their fire while it snowed outside. That was followed up by making our gingerbread and then resting and lounging and relaxing. But then we had to get certain preparations taken care of - like getting Santa's cookies made...

And reading the Christmas story while acting it out with our Little People Nativity set...
And after the kids were nestled all snug in their beds...

Us adults enjoyed a scrumptious fondue dinner...

After eating we spent a lot of long hours doing what adult/parents do the rest of Christmas Eve. And it was acutally very fun as we worked together.
And Christmas morning was... well it was everything it could have been.


And after opening our presents we had cinnamon rolls and eggs benedict (Laura family tradition) for breakfast and tackled all the toys one by one :)

Thursday, December 30, 2010

"You are the WORST mother in the WHOLE world!!!"

I share this experience, and record it, with the complete knowledge that I will be judged, hated, maybe even persecuted for my actions. But I will have you know, that while over the years I have talked the talk, when it came down to it, it was very hard to actually walk the walk. I did waiver, consider my options, even balk a little. But in the end I did what I always wanted to... I pierced my infant daughters ears. And I happen to think she is stinking cute. So please proceed with great caution... there are a few sad pictures ahead...
Not really sure what's up yet. Yes, this is probably where I was pausing to reconsider...

Sadly, she was trying to make friends with the mean lady that actually did it to her (no not me)...

We're still good...

Getting into position...

OK, so I'm not even sure that why I'm putting up this picture (probably trying to make up for having absolutely no pictures of Brynn's experience - only that was completely different since she sat there and didn't move, let alone flinch)...

Pretty sure this is when Brandon pointed out the real live tear and said those awful 9 words (which by the way, on the car ride home I made him say 3 nice things about me and my mothering and he could actually do it)...

But not to worry. The crying lasted a matter of seconds and the pacifier makes everything better. See her new bling...

Our support system...

(Uncle Brandon & Auntie Laura)

Having a hand to hold made all the difference...

I will admit the split second after I did it I wondered what in the world I had just done. I think the emotions and the tear and the screaming which made everyone in the store look at me with evil looks, made me doubt my actions. And I could list all my justifications - like how I go thru this every few months anyways when she gets shots, or how shes going to ultimately decide to pierce her ears so why not do it now when I can take care of her and Brynn at the same time, etc etc. But in reality, while many don't agree with me, I am glad I did it. My girls look darling!