Christmas...

...a multi-part post.

Christmas time is a month-long (or more) season of fun, so why shouldn't my blogging about it be the same? So starts the beginning of my multi-part Christmas blog (or Christmas mini-series).

Breakfast with Santa at the local Dairy Queen. This has become an annual tradition, however this year Keagan was less than thrilled about sitting on Santa's lap. In fact, he wouldn't. The best we could do was chit-chat with Santa with Mommy as the middle man. Oh well. I wasn't too thrilled with Santa either (he seemed a bit put-off to have to be hangin' with the locals at DQ from 8-11. Tough job.). Finn, on the other hand, could care less that he was in a strange, nylon-bearded man's lap. Good thing, because I was armed with my camera!

Next up: Christmas with the Malone Family. Another annual tradition has been to get together with our dear friends Stacey and Jarrett. This started before kids, and we've always exchanged an ornament, had a few beverages, and just enjoyed each others company. There have occasionally been others involved in this exchange, but since kids have been involved we have really stepped up the fun! This year we did Mexican food and margaritas and then came back to our house to open presents (because yours truly left them at home in her infinite wisdom...typical). But it worked out perfect because the kids could play and run and burn some energy!

 

 

Lastly, at least where this post is concerned, we drove to Texas for the actual celebration of Christmas. Yes, you heard right. We hauled our boys (aged 2.5 years and 5 months...just for your reminder) and our dog and all of the presents 12 hours down to Texas. We always thought we had a roomy vehicle, but seriously, not roomy enough for this load! Surprisingly, the drive down went swimmingly smooth! The boys were great, the dog only smelled a little, and we actually made the typically-11-hour trip in 12 hours. (the drive home -notsomuch) In fact, Keagan even told us twice on the way down that he had to go potty, so we stopped and he was dry (!) and he pee-pee'd in a gas-station toilet! TWICE! Potty training went to the wayside while we were down there, just for the sake of our convenience. We are back at it though. A post to follow SOON.

It was a lovely Christmas holiday in Texas, and we got to spend time with my grandparents, too. My dad and siblings, and Grandma and Grandpa, all met Finley for the first time. He was a super-good baby while down there (Keagan, well, he was two.) and got lots of snuggle time with everyone. Keagan enjoyed hanging with his Grandpa and Uncle Wesley and watching train videos.

  

Mommy!! Look at all these presents!!!!

 

Multiple attempts to get one good Christmas pic of my boys. It didn't happen. BUT I got lots of cute out-takes...

 

My brother's thing this year was to wrap his Christmas presents in disguise...mine was wrapped to look like a kite!!!

 

Finn gave his Great Grandma some good snuggles!

 

Helicopter baby with Grandpa!

 

Setting up Keagan's new big-boy train track...

 

Model airplane fun with uncle Wesley

5 Months and WAY behind!

I am way way way behind in my blog. Ever so sorry! In picking up where I left off, Keagan finally got better from the stomach bug...only to give it to me. I learned that I am not nearly as resilient as my child, and had the stomach bug (read: nausea AND vomiting) for two days...skip a day...then again. And wasn't completely back to myself for a week. Luckily no one else in the house got it. Just as soon as I felt "better" it was time to load up the car and skidaddle to Texas for Christmas. A 12 hour drive. Mhmm.. I know you feel sorry for me and Josh. I felt sorry for us. Oh wait, I am still not over this. Seriously, as much as we enjoyed ourselves with both sets of family (on Friday after Christmas we drove from Texas back to Owensboro to visit with Josh's parents...a mere 15 hours in the car that time) we have decided that Christmas will take place at our house from now on. We still haven't given Keagan his "big" present and there are still gifts under the tree for the kids! We haven't had time. And I remember how wonderful it was to wake up and open presents and then play with them all. Not pack them away in the car, only to be forgotten. So, anyways...new traditions for our family for this new year. I suppose it is time, we are a family now and we aren't a small family...and we don't travel light.

 

While we were gone Finley turned 5 months old. I don't like this. He will be HALF A YEAR soon. And I don't like that. However, 5 months is a fun, fun age and he is a very fun baby!

 

Finn is huge. He is in 9-12 month size clothes. He can still fit into some of his smaller duds, but they require a stretch from mommy. Stretching in width and length.

He loves to sit up and view the world, and sometimes gets an inkling to stand and will not flex his hips to sit. (all of this is with help, of course) Funny thing is he still will not roll. I say "will not" because I think he can, he is just lazy. And he screams when placed on his belly so we promptly roll him ourselves.

He is still quite passionate. I.e. if he doesn't want something he lets you know. With screams.

Finley chews on his bottom lip...sucks it up into his mouth and looks like a little old man. (teething?)

He is still waking during the night, and is incredibly inconsistent with how often (sometimes once, sometimes FOUR times). I often ask myself if I will ever sleep through the night again. It is painful.

He takes a great nap right in the middle of the day. He needs to nap a small bit in the afternoon and morning, but he fights it like there is no tomorrow and then is a cranky bear.

We lovingly call him Fat Baby. Bald Baby. Fussy Baby. Others have said he looks like Uncle Fester or Charlie Brown. Also, Sir Topham Hatt from Thomas the Train shows.

He is a very talkative baby, and his coos and conversations are sweet sweet sweet!

He is not an exceptionally smiley baby, he definitely makes you work for his smiles. I don't think this has anything to do with his happiness, I just think he saves them for certain people (mommy).

He is quite flirty with the ladies. Slow blinks, sweet smiles, resting his head on their cheeks, coos...

Finley is now in his own bed...he actually outgrew his bassinet. This is about the biggest milestone we've had in the last month.

He loves to pull hair. I think it is because he has little to none of his own.

He is very inquisitive and likes to reach out for anything and everything. He realized the "month" sticker was on his chest and within 2 minutes pulled it off. So much for those!

He absolutely adores his big brother. And thankfully the feeling is mutual.

Finn loves a good bath, and drenches everything within a 2 foot radius of him.

He FINALLY started taking bottles at daycare. It only took him being there 7 weeks (HA!). But he is a champ with them now and you'd honestly never know that his name was "Finicky Finley."

 

Here are some quick pictures I took the other night (just had to get it documented...)

 

Where'd your bottom lip go, Finn? 

 No bottom lip + smile = Happy Old Man look

Practicing for his first night in his own room and bed! These were taken in Early December

There are so many other blogs that need to happen...hopefully our family will remain healthy and life will get back on track quickly so I can get them on here. Stay tuned for blogs on Keagan's Potty Training...Christmas...Keagan's Ringers and Singers at church...Christmas...the boys' daycare Christmas pictures...oh my!

Until then, Merry (late) Christmas and Happy New Year! Here's to good health and happiness to you and yours from our family!