Peas & IHOP

We had Brynn's 6 month well visit today. She is doing great and growing as she should. The Doctor gave us the okay to start fruits and veggies, so like her big sister, Brynn's first food besides cereal was peas. She really liked them a lot. She didn't even make too much of a mess because she liked them so much! Way to go Brynn!!

Namma and Pop Pop came over for hoagies too because they are leaving tomorrow. We've had so much fun with them. Kate spent the morning with them by going to IHOP and then to their house to play.

Movie Time!

We took Kate to her 1st movie today- we saw Tangled in 3D!

Here she is getting ready to get in line

Kate & Daddy all set to go up to the theater

Kate & Daddy in our seats- notice the 3D glasses and snow boots. We had popcorn, a drink and candy- the whole experience for her.

My baby girl and me getting ready for the movie to start

Our 3D glasses

We had such a fun time. The movie was so good. We had to explain it a little to Kate. An hour into it, she asked if we could leave. LOL. But she made it through. Can't wait for our next movie!

6 months old!

Our baby girl is 6 months old today! Brynn is sitting up, eating 2 tablespoons of cereal 2 times a day. She is a happy little girl, but doesn't sleep :) That's okay. She just wants to hang out with us more. We have her 6 month well visit tomorrow so we'll see how she's doing weight and height wise. She will also get her vaccinations tomorrow, which I hate. Happy 1/2 birthday baby girl! We love you!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone had a great one! I know we did!

We started out with a pedicure on Christmas Eve morning. Then, we got home and got all ready for church. Here are the girls all dressed up and ready to go.

After Church, we came home and had hoagies with my mom and dad and then opened presents with them. Growing up, that was something we always did on Christmas Eve so I'm glad we can have the same tradition for my girls.

Here are Brynn and Namma

Kate and Daddy putting together her Squinkies that she got from Namma and Pop Pop After presents, we put out some cookies and milk and carrots for Santa and the reindeer

Here I am with my 2 babies
My precious loves

Kate got reindeer food at school so she sprinkled it for the reindeer

Right before bed, I read "Twas the night before Christmas". I have read it to Kate every year on Christmas Eve and read it to Kate and Brynn this year. I write in the cover of the book the year that we read it.

Christmas morning was so much fun! I was up early, waiting for everyone, including Brynn, to wake up. Finally, I heard Kate stir. We got up and came downstairs and SANTA CAME!!! Kate was so excited. It was adorable! Both girls got so many presents from Santa, including, dresses and clothes for Brynn, a cell phone for Brynn and a chair with her name on it. Santa sent a navy blue cover when we really wanted a hot pink one, but we got that fixed. Darn Santa! Kate got a Barbie remote control corvette, mermaid barbies, a barbie guitar (one of her favorite things), light up boots (which she LOVES), Frog Game, and so many other things.

Here is Kate with her guitar and light up boots

Brynn's 1st Christmas. She did so great sitting and taking it all in. She LOVED the paper.

Here is Brynn opening one of her gifts

Kate playing with her Princess light up boots. She thought she had to stomp to get them to light up.

Brynn in her new chair that is the wrong color

Kate, Rich and Brynn opening stockings

We had breakfast after we opened presents. My mom and dad and my uncle Fred came for breakfast. My mom cooked everything and it was delicious. Then, we hung around, and went to our neighbors' house for a visit. We exchanged presents with them and hung out for a little bit. It's so great having such wonderful neighbors. We are so happy they moved in and we can celebrate Christmas with them and their adorable little son. After that, Mom and Dad, Jane & Michael came for dinner. I cooked a ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn and rolls. We had 2 different apple pies too.

What a great Christmas. It's so fun to see it through the eyes of a 3 1/2 year old and it was so wonderful to have Brynn here this year to share the day with also. I am so blessed.

Catching up on December

phew... we have been busy. i can't believe i have not updated my blog. I finally have a chance to do it, so here we go. i'll catch you up on what we've been doing since my last post.

Brynn is doing great. She's sitting up all by herself. She's eating all different kinds of cereals. Only 2 tablespoons at a time though and then she's full. I think her favorite is definitely mixed grain, followed up oatmeal. Looking forward to starting fruits and vegetables.

Kate is doing great as well. She is so much fun this year with Christmas. She totally understands it. Every morning, she comes downstairs to see where Hermie is and if he left her a treat, which he has. Her teacher told me that they were sitting in circle time and were asked what they wanted for Christmas. Kate told her "a pink car, a stroller, a dora thing and a baby bag. And, that is it. I only want 4 things so the other boys and girls can get presents. " This coming from a 3 1/2 year old. I couldn't have been more proud of her. We've really been trying to teach her the true meaning of Christmas and that it isn't just about presents. She's doing great in Spanish and Computer Tots too.

Her school had family chapel on December 15. So, my mom, dad and I all went to see it. Kate's class sang 3 Christmas songs. Here she is all dressed up.

On December 16, Brynn had her Christmas party at her daycare. Here she is with Delaney, one of Leslie's daughters. Brynn had a great time. She had her first polyanna. She picked Rowan and Jillian had Brynn.
I think the highlight of the week has been having Namma and Pop Pop home from Florida. We've been able to visit a lot with them, and it is fun for them to see the girls. The last time they saw Brynn, she couldn't hold her head up alone. Now she's sitting up alone!
On December 17, we went to Top of the Hill to see the lights. Kate sees this from 95 and says that is where Santa lives. Santa was out and the girls sat on his lap. Here is a great family photo. If I hadn't already done our Christmas card, I would have made this it. I love this picture of us.
Our happy girls with Santa! They both got a candy cane.
On December 18, Kate's dance school had open lessons where the parents could go in the last 15 minutes. We watched a little dance that they did and this time Kate did it! Her teacher pulled us aside and said that Kate is doing so great and is one of her top dancers- especially since she started out so shy.



The big news in the sports world was Cliff Lee signing back to the Phillies. Rich put his hat on Brynn to celebrate :)

Later that day, we made a gingerbread house. Rich bought a kit for us. Rich and Kate built the house and later, Kate, Brynn and I decorated it. I put the icing on and made the door, but Kate decorated the whole roof. Brynn watched us.



On December 19, we met our good friends Joanna and Bridget for brunch with Santa. Here are the girls waiting for Santa. As soon as he came out, he came right over to our table.
Here is Kate looking at Bridget when she saw Santa at breakfast!
Santa came right over to our table to see Kate, Bridget and Brynn.
Brynn was still not afraid of Santa. She just stared at him in amazement.
Here is Kate sitting on Santa's lap.
Here is Brynn sitting on his lap. I just love watching her stare at him, trying to figure out who he is.
And here are Brynn, Kate and Bridget.
Brunch was great- good company, good food, and good fun. They had a little craft table all set up. Bridget made Kate some crafts and Santa made both Kate and Brynn a gingerbread cookie. Rich made Bridget one.

Later that day, we came home and I was doing something around the house and I came into the TV room, and here is what I found. Kate and Brynn were playing together. It was really cute and I've been waiting, as well as Kate's been waiting, for them to be able to play together since Brynn was born.
And, here we are to today. Today was Kate's Christmas party at school. I made these cute little reindeer cookies for her class. I was so excited with the way they turned out.
I am SO EXCITED for tomorrow and for Christmas day. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep, but I don't think I have to worry about that. Brynn wants to hang out all the time :) Hope everyone reading this has been able to share this special time of the year with family and friends.

Santa

We took Kate & Brynn to the mall to sit on Santa's lap.

Here is Brynn with her 1st Santa experience- totally unphased. phew.

Kate was over the top excited! She couldn't believe he was in the mall. She was staring at him while Brynn sat on his lap and then it was her turn. She went right up and sat- no fear at all. She told her what she wanted and he asked if she helps with the baby and she told him yes.

Brynn finally realizes, "Who is this guy?" Still, no tears so that was good.

Happy Holidays! I'm sure this will be the 1st of many Santa experiences this holiday season.

Sitting up!

Brynn is making progress sitting up on her own. We took some pictures yesterday of her sitting alone for over a minute.

Such a happy baby :)

Kate is so happy she's sitting because that means she's closer to being able to play with her.